Building a 16' Chris Craft Barracuda

[iguana1]

I have been looking for a runabout for our summer house for taking the kids tubing, running around the river, going to the boat beach etc. I went to the Providence boat show and met these guys:

http://jamescraftboats.com/

They reproduce the original Chris Craft boat kits. On an impulse buy I bought a kit for 16' Barracuda. It should look like the pic below when done (photo is the 14' version).

Today was assembly day 1. In 5.5 hours I got the jig together, frames, transom, battens and one inside chine in. Photo below.

Stay tuned for more info on the science project.

[flatbottom]

iguana1 this looks like a lot of fun. Good luck....waiting for more !!!!


a little story: My uncle was a river hydro racer nut, back in the day. Over one winter he and his buds built a plywood hydro racer in the basement. The home was a raised ranch. Upon completion It would not fit through the single door Well a new, larger double door was cut in that spring Those boats would literally fly on top of the water, with minimum horse power and driver. End of story !!!

looking good man....keep up the great work !!!

[iguana1]

Got up this morning and started out by fairing up for planking. Used a regular handplane, mainly on the chines.

Dry fit one side (pic attached) and then glued up part. The only hard part was around the transom where there is a tough transition. I think this is called 'tumblehome'? Anyway, with the help of some clamps I managed to pull it in.

Hoping to get some more time in before the game tonight and after putting in some kid time on the ski hill.

Flatbottom - my dad built those hydroplanes as a kid. I am thinking that would be a good project when my son is 11 or 12.....

[Capt. Brian Daley]

Man this looks like a lot of fun to do, keep taking pic this is cool I'll be checking
in on this one sweet job iguana1

[iguana1]

I snuck out to the garage after dinner tonight and managed to get 1/2 of the bottom fit and fastened. Kind of a fussy job shaping the panels. The bow section is 4MM Okume ply and I will have to add a layer there after the first on kicks off.

I did run into a fitting issue where I did not understand the directions. I called James Craft and they talked me right through it. Very helpful.

Hoping to get another evening or two this week and be ready to glass when we return from vacation. I am dreading glassing and fairing and looking forward to being done with it.

[flatbottom]

iguana1, looking good.

[gottaflylee]

Wow, this is comming along quickly...looking great!

[EMTAE]

Keep the pics comeing great job.

[Ravens16]

Man that thing goes together quick
Can't wait to see the finished product
Looks great so far
Thanks, I love these kind of threads

[BlueH20Boss]

It is going together quick because the guy looks like he knows what the heck he is doing! Great job man, i wish i had one to build out in my shop, looks like a blast!