Stabilizer/steering Fins

Hi, its been a while since my last update so i have alot of new detail to add as i have been busy working on VOGUE for the new summer season.
After trawling through lots of pictures on Google i noticed that quite a few old wooden speed boats had fins attatched to the hull along or just above the plimsole line, with further investigation i discovered that they were to aid in steering under hard turns   ie.. they dig in to the water and stop the boat from slipping sideways. They also improve the time in which it takes to get on plane as they stop the stern from sinking as much under acceleration .

 I found some old oak in the woodstore that was left over from my Grandmothers wardrobe (Used some of it in the 1970s to make a skateboard deck) and scribed it to the hull before cutting and sanding to make a pleasing shape. Picture to right shows the trial fitting supported with bungee straps



Chrome trim strips were cut and polished and designed to offer extra support to the fins












 Fins were fixed to the hull with 7 screw bolts each side and the joint and holes were sealed with sikaflex (brown)

This picture shows the fins drying off  after the final of ten coats of hempel varnish laid over a base of Q19.

 

 I reinforced the interior of the hull with extra Mahogany slats and fixed them in place with epoxy resin glue mix and further laminations of carbon fiber . The screwbolts came through this and were topped off with large stainless flat washers to spread the load and nyloc nuts .



The finished fin in all of its glory !

 Front view

Side view

Rear view.

Wooden dashboard

I formed the dashboard from flexiply and covered it in a sapele veneer , the airguide instruments were cut into the dash .

Finishing touches !

Vogue chrome script on dashboard and gold vogue lettering on the transom

Old handheld spotlight , refurbished and sprayed in a coordinated colour to match seating and steering wheel .

Waterski hook and bilge pump water outlet on the transom . I may add eyebolts either side of outboard engine for a waterski bridle at a later date .

Highliner Trailer

I Chose this trailer because i had limited space in the boat shed and the highliner trailer has a feature that allows the towing hitch to hinge back on itself .

 Refurbished winch with new red 50mm webbing and painted the winch hook red to match

 Long trailer front should help with launch and retrieval .

 I fitted some stainless eye bolts to the front of the trailer as anchorage points for the bow tie down strap , also you can just see the extra reflector i have added .

 Rear strap fixing and lighting board mount .

 I added stick on reflective stripes to the back for night driving

Rubber bow stop fits neatly around the stainless bow plate .

Added extra reflectors front(amber)and back(red) for extra visability whilst driving at night.

Updated pics !

Just a few snapshots of my boat during a sunny spell in amongst the storms of February 2014 .

Stainless steel trim and Bow plate

Bow plate template , made from aluminium .

I welded the stainless trim so it is one continuous strip from front to back .

Completed windsheild

             I held the plexiglass in place with polished aluminium strip , once clamped  I drilled and fixed in place .            

                                         Through deck fittings were used to secure the bottom edge of the screen .