9ft 1970's Spitfire speedboat project.

[Wiggo]

9 foot and 30 (ish) hp will be entertaining. The limiting factor will be the size of wave/wash the hull can cope with without going out of control. Our first boat was 12'7" and had a 60hp 2T on the back. That went like a scalded cat - 50mph according to the speedo - but definitely only for fair weather.

 

[J13MEX]

I'm hoping with being a bit sensible at first and learning the boat it's going to be great fun. I was told the boat weighs about 90kg's. With 28hp what's the bhp per tonne on that? Think it's more than my car to be fair haha

 

[Quest]

I was told the boat weighs about 90kg's. With 28hp what's the bhp per tonne on that?

Plenty!

 

[J13MEX]

311!! Jeeeez!

The 240ish per tonne scares me in my car on track, that alone a 9ft ice ream tub in the sea!

 

[Divemaster1]

311!! Jeeeez!

The 240ish per tonne scares me in my car on track, that alone a 9ft ice ream tub in the sea!

nah ... had a Avon 320 RIB with a 30 hp stroke went like stink ...... way back we had a Zodiac 320 with an inflatable keel (55 kg) and a 20hp Yamaha, which was perfectly OK if yu watched the headwing ... tried that one with a 28 hp Mariner .... now that was scary as we could not control her !!

... also plenty of people in Norway who have Cyber 370's with 50 or 55 hp's ... and 420's with 90 Hp ... get a bit scary after that..

 

[J13MEX]

You will find the right trim when you start using the boat. Suggest you don't start with WOT, but build up, then pop onot the plane, then find the right trim, then when confident, go for it

I'm crazy so it doesn't bother me just dont want my pride and joy at the bottom of the east coast haha

Engine update - its 100% mine now, guys off holiday now so can collect when I'm ready!

 

[Robg71]

311!! Jeeeez!

The 240ish per tonne scares me in my car on track, that alone a 9ft ice ream tub in the sea!

Get a bike and try nearer a 1000 bhp per ton
(minus the rider

I can't wait to see you get this going, gonna be awesome

 

[Searush]

I think I may start a book on how long he lives . . . .

 

[J13MEX]

Done bikes, got rid of it before it got rid of me!

It's looking really good. Love the white blue combo

 

[DownWest]

Just tripped over this thread. I needed a bit of production GRP experience, so signed on with Almarine in Diss, Norfolk. They made a 9fter called the Spifire, which is a dead ringer for yours. I spent a few weeks there and ended up building several hulls and deck for the Spifire. They also built larger boats for the Broads rental fleets and little camping trailers for a Dutch company, which explains why there are quite a few Spifires in Holland.
The centre 'rib' of the foredeck was often done in a metal flake transparent gel coat (cringe..) before the main gelcoat was sprayed on. So, if you sand deep enough, you might find that delight...
Also remember some over enthusiastic mixing of the foam for the under deck buoyancy. Lifted the foredeck clean off.

Oh, and they did a PR stunt with a X-channel trip. So feel confident it is seaworthy )

 

[Lakesailor]

Having seen the Youtube vids of Spitfires with their bows porpoising up and down I would suggest trimming the leg right in against the transom.....and then some.

 

[Rum_Pirate]

Wow, great job.

Keep up the momentum.

Oh yes, and keep posting with pictures.

Looks great.

 

[dylan r]

9ft speed boat with a 28hp 2 stroke engine

the only problem your going to have is no power trim and the balls to keep the power on lololol

Hello all,

I just came across this thread.

Back in the mid eightees I school friend of mine ran a 40hp Yamaha on the back of Spitfire speedboat on the NFK broads. It was fast in a strait line but nasty in the corners. I myself had a Seafire (made by the same company but a foot longer). I ran a straight four 50hp Merc so was equally overpowered, with simalar handling characteristics.

The main problem with the Merc was its weight. You couldn't really reverse it for fear of water pouring over the back. And the boat sank twice when moored, simply by other boats' wash flooding in.

Still fond memories.

Dylan

 

[landlockedpirate]

Another newbie dream bites the dust. Not convinced its worth the money in its present state, but best of luck to Jamie.

Clicky

 

[J13MEX]

Thanks alot. I just have too much financial commitment with my racing. I'm stepping in in 2013 so every penny will be out into this.

What do you think it's worth?

Thanks alot

 

[PaulGooch]

Thanks alot. I just have too much financial commitment with my racing. I'm stepping in in 2013 so every penny will be out into this.

What do you think it's worth?

Thanks alot

Seriously ?

Put it in an Ebay auction, 99p no reserve. Whatever it makes is what anyone watching thinks it's worth.

99p no reserve auctions attract a lot of interest and people often get carried away with "auction fever".

 

[J13MEX]

Just accepted £300 which im happy with gives me space again. Sad day butch ad to go

 

[speedfreek]

The spitfire was definitely a fun boat. Heard these are being made again in Norfolk. Would be great to own one again

 

[RogerRat]

When I got it home, no trailer, engine or anything. Literally just the boat itself.

Love this picture too:

So Right for a Caption Competition :encouragement:

 

[Blackfeather]

The thread is two years old and he got id of the boat....