Scratch built 33' single engined boat by Craig

[spectras only]

My friend Craig started this project while working at Sovereign [ now Richmondyachts ] shipyard about 4 years ago . He built the mold incorporating steps to make the boat to be able to get on plane with a single engine with a thought of good economy . The boat is foam cored achieving a goal of 6000 pounds weighted on a commercial scale fully rigged . Once the hull popped from the mold the deck was bonded and the boat was towed to his house where the process began of trials and errors that lasted to this day . The boat performed extremely well on its maiden voyage despite of the naysayers saying it won't get on plane once it's fully loaded .Power plant is a basic ZZ572 620 HP crate engine with an Edelbrock airgap intake , Mighty Demon 1050 carb , 14 QT Dooley pan . Bravo 1X drive 1.5 dr ratio , that's still alive with slightly over 100 hrs on the whole package . We started with a pair of Stellings dry exhaust system with the idea of keeping the stock cam without worrying of reversion . It did work great for a while achieving 65 mph on GPS with 3/4 fuel and 3 people on board . We started having problems with the inner walls at the exhaust flange start cracking and consequently busting two pistons by dropping valves . We changed the camshaft to Crane's 168731 and replaced the Stellings with EMI manifolds and a pair of water jacketed S/S risers fabricated by Eddie Marine . We've only lost 3 mph on top , holeshot remained the same and the engine got a lot quiter inside that's a big welcome for people who aren't too crazy about loud exhausts The boat was all white for a while but last summer Craig managed to find time to paint the boat that improved its appearence . It isn't your flashy offshore rocket , but serves Craig l for his purpose of commuting to his summer place , regardless of weather conditions which is a big plus here in the wetcoast .

img]http://www3.telus.net/spectrasonly/craig's%20interior%203[/img]

My Navi is dwarfed by the boat

 

[RiverDave]

You know most people put a custom battery box in the boat and think they did some custom.. LOL I dunno alot of people that just build a boat!!

That's too cool!! Looking forward to seeing more information about the boat / performance etc.. As well as any insight that can be offered to other people that have thought of building something like this. (although I think that's not too many)

RD

 

[spectras only]

There are a few features on the boat I haven't mentioned . There's a 100
gal ballast tank in the bow to compensate for the lack of trim tabs . It fills up real fast and empties in 15 minutes . There's a pickup installed in the keel with a seacock operated via a pneumatic cylinder by the onboard compressor that's also operates the walk through window .There isn't a hatch to get on the deck , only side decks .Under the deck there's a holding area for the inflatable liferaft . Craig is contemplating of getting a heater system for this holding area , so it could be used as a hot tub .

 

[spectras only]

The new EMI exhaust with the doghouse removed . It sounds very loud inside until the cover is put in place .

[video=youtube;6L-st0izosU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6L-st0izosU[/video]


The relocated exhaust position and mufflers do a great job this time . 84 decibel at idle from 50 feet .102 dB at 3 feet behind the mufflers .

[video=youtube;QtMEmWhSRJo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtMEmWhSRJo[/video]

 

[ChumpChange]

That's pretty sick...building a boat from scratch. :thumbsup

 

[Rivertoys]

That's a labor of love right there!!! God Bless him!!!

I gotta ask, cuz it's buggin' me......It's got a single engine for "good economy", but he thinks nothing of putting 830 pounds of water on the deck to solve a problem that simple tabs could fix? :hmm

RTJas

 

[Riverbound]

That's a labor of love right there!!! God Bless him!!!

I gotta ask, cuz it's buggin' me......It's got a single engine for "good economy", but he thinks nothing of putting 830 pounds of water on the deck to solve a problem that simple tabs could fix? :hmm

RTJas

Well he did say he was considering adding a heating element so it could double as a hot tub....sounds pretty good to me :hmm
________
Extreme Vaporizer Review

 

[spectras only]

That's a labor of love right there!!! God Bless him!!!

I gotta ask, cuz it's buggin' me......It's got a single engine for "good economy", but he thinks nothing of putting 830 pounds of water on the deck to solve a problem that simple tabs could fix? :hmm

RTJas

The 100 gal ballast tank is in the bow and rarely used for trimming the boat . Occasional 6 footers across the Strait require to go at slower speeds and only then the ballast tank is used . The deck compartment is easily 500+ gal capacity .

 

[RiverDave]

Why put the ballast tank way up on the deck like that? I don't think that'd be very good with regard to the CG of the boat in rough seas?

500 gallon?

RD

 

[spectras only]

RD , this boat with 33' and 6000 lb is like a cork . I have some vids from my boat running neck to neck with Craig across the Georgia Strait showing the boat needed a bow ballast to maintain a level ride at slow speeds going on a sea trial in rough water . A CG is calculated for mid and high speed runs without tabs , and it runs nice and level at those speeds .Friend of mine has a 35 Fountain with 600 SC's and it needs tabs to smooth out the wrinkles in the snot due to their lightness . I'd take a heavy Cig over a Fountain any day. My 24 Spectra V-drive was setup at 12 degrees and that amount of angle was sufficient to keep the Spectra running level without the aid of tabs and keep the nose down at slow speeds still. When you run in confused choppy water from three different directions it's best to keep the nose down and slow down if you want to keep your kidneys in good shape . . Here's a picture of a 35Nordic in a typical condition here in Vancouver .

I'm on his right a little farther in this picture

Guy I know who has a 42 Outerlimit , he calls the 35 Nordic a lake boat . He owned a 1900 HP 35 Nordic before
There are times when I'd want to go out in my buddy's 47 footer only

This is what the water is like for Craig every weekend
he's heading to the Island .

 

[spectras only]

Why put the ballast tank way up on the deck like that? I don't think that'd be very good with regard to the CG of the boat in rough seas?

500 gallon?

RD

Dave , the ballast tank in the bow holds a 100 gal .
The under deck holds 500 .

 

[Seastang]

You know most people put a custom battery box in the boat and think they did some custom.. LOL I dunno alot of people that just build a boat!!

That's too cool!! Looking forward to seeing more information about the boat / performance etc.. As well as any insight that can be offered to other people that have thought of building something like this. (although I think that's not too many)

RD

Hello to everyone on here,cool site. I built her, with the help of many people along the way.
My thanks to all who helped me with this endevour.
Especially to my wife Val who supported me through the ups and downs.
Special mention to Attila who has been allways there to talk about stuff,post pics and turn wrenches
Also Marine Toys and most recently Eddie Marine,down to earth people who really do care.
Well, the boat is being used on a steady basis and yes I am still married to the same girl ,she still refers to the saying "the boat years"when I did not do much around the place.
I built this boat for comfort,economy and speed (looks fast at least)
600+/- hp 9.6-1 572 ci bbc single
Twin stepped Vee, vacume baged airex core, two ply 1808 vinalester resin
1.50-1 Bravo one X , 3000rpm 30 mph, 4000rpm 52mph,5200rpm 63mph gps
This boat is very comfortable for the family, everone has a good seat and can see outside very well, access while docking is like driving a canopied boat ,tricky but we are getting better.
In short, if you are thinking of building a boat By ALL MEANS DO IT if you can, its been a lot of fun. cheers, Craig.

 

[Racey]

That is fuggin beautiful! :thumbsup i dig on the teak interior

 

[Tom Brown]

Hi Craig.

You probably won't remember me but Attila brought me around to see the project a couple of years ago. The project was not done then but I was as amazed then as I am now.

Congratulations!

That's pretty sick...building a boat from scratch. :thumbsup

As I understand the story, he wanted something fairly specific so he picked up a 45 gallon drum of resin and some cloth....

 

[Lars_The_Swedish_Viking]

Very nice design Craig and a classic plush interior to say the least. Back in Scandinavia where I'm from entusiasts do this all the time to get their performance-boating a little more comfortable late and early season. They hardly ever get the design to look this sleek though and I think You've accomplished something very admirable. Great project You pulled off! :thumbsup

P.S. Here's a few attempts from back home in Sweden. D.S.:thumbsup

 

[spectras only]

Lars , I'll tell Craig to check out your pictures. He isn't much on boat sites
lately .

 

[GregG]

What has the feedback been on this? It is amazing to read the thread!
________
KTM 85SX

 

[spectras only]

I just want it to bump this thread to let you guys know that the boat runs great as a commuter for Craig ,despite what some critics way back said ,the ZZ572 crate engine won't last in the marine environment.
I'd do another 572 in a smaller boat like a 22 Donzi classic for the lakes in a heartbeat.

 

[bjh517]

I have never seen a ballast tank that big - is that common?