I just finished sketching up what I hope to build next. I've actually been thinking of this boat for more than a decade and maybe I'll finally get around to building it. When I first imagined this boat the tech to make it was still prohibitively expensive, but now its just starting to get to be a buildable price. The reason is that I want this boat to be electric.First on the hull. The style is similar to the classic Chris-Craft runabouts, but mine is longer for the beam. By making it long, it should have a very smooth ride, more like its on rails than bouncing though water. Combined with the very low shaft angle, this boat should get on plane with a very minimum of tilt, kind of just push back into your seat and rise out of the water.
On plane? an electric boat? That's right! Most electric boats are dumpy little displacement dingies with a canopy. I love the idea of a silent ride, but I wanted a lot more zip and style. Just now with the interest in electric cars have the kind of motors become available for "reasonable" price. Still about 4-5X an ICE, but it would make the boat in my opinion. Not only would it be very cool, but it would give you access to a lot of lakes where gas boats aren't allowed. Just the thing for swamping a few unsuspecting kayakers.
This drawing is just the concept sketch for now. As I get more serious about it I'll have to come up with a formal lines plan. I'm not convinced about the drive system yet, and am toying with the idea of a jet drive (water jet that is). That would change the bottom a bit but I think I can accommodate it with a minimum of fuss. It will no doubt change a little after I start the buoyancy calcs.
I have some new boiler drawings and things for Mercer Queen but they're not ready for showing yet. Maybe next week.
Oh, and if you read this post, don't tell my wife about it. She'll loose it if she gets wind that I'm planning a new build.
