Dragonfly - A 1940's Speedboat
A classic design by William Jackson N.A. from Science and Mechanics
The frames consist of southern yellow pine epoxied to 1/4" plywood which is also used for planking. All frames are gusseted making for very strong construction. The transom has been beefed up with with 3/8" plywood instead of 1/4" ply. Chines and sheers are cut from full length southern yellow pine. The stem, keels, keelson and outside motor board mounts are white oak. Silicon bronze screws and boat nails, marine epoxy and 3M 5200, quality marine varnish and marine paints are used in construction.
Includes deckmount racing throttle, steering wheel and steel cored rope, bow and stern handles. Available for $1150.
- The roadmap to waterborne fun.
- Tools, tools, tools.
- Keel on form, and frames laid out for reference.
- Stem and frames are shown mounted to the inner keel. Epoxy was used generously to seal the end grain of the wood.
- The frame and keel assembly has been mounted onto the building form.
The chines and sheers are in place with countersunk silicon bronze
screws.
- Side planking 80% done. Sides are installed oversized to be trimmed
later. They are bedded in 3M 5200 adhesive, with silicon bronze screws
and nails.
- Side planking installed. The boat is removed from the form and set
upside down on sawhorses. Tails are framed, and outer keel and
stringers in place.
- An exciting stage! Bottom planking is starting to go on!
- Bottom planking complete.
- Three thinned coats of varnish were applied to the sides, and bottom.
Boiled linseed oil on the sides is used for color, depth and finish,
marine varnish over that. Marine polyurethane paint was used inside
the tails and front section, and topsides for color.
- Another photo from the rear showing the tail insides.
- First coat of bottom paint.
- The deck battens are done.
- Closeup of the deck battens faired smooth at the bow.
- The cockpit coamings and motor blocks installed, Note the deck battens
and coamings are all notched into the frames and epoxied firmly.
- Side decks are in place, frame openings are cut out.
- There is nothing like a varnish finish!
- Additional coats of varnish are added to the deck and
sides. The
aircraft grade Ceconite cloth foredeck is now installed and is secured
with rust-proof Monel staples. Took a break and did a pre-debut
at the
AOMC meet in Constantine, MI. Boat is 98% done - shown with a
1946 Evinrude Lightfour 9.7HP. Constantine photos courtesy of Tim
Irwin.
- The marine polyurethane paint is being added to the
fabric foredeck - two coats completed. It's not that red in
person, just my camera and the inside lighting.
- Running with a 1946 Evinrude Lightfour - not something you see every day! Photo courtesy of Brandon Sharp.
-
Almost ready to go - needing trim on the sheers and the steering has since been hooked up, and yes, that's a 1946 22HP Evinrude Speeditwin.
