This 10-foot long tunnel boat was designed for racing in the APBA-recognized class called Mini GT, and is currently intended for a similar class called GT Pro. These classes are raced in Minnesota and surrounding states, in races organized by the Twin City Powerboat Association.
In the fall of 2004 I looked far and wide for a set of plans for a tunnel boat suitable for Mini GT. I found only one: the "Tunnel Mite" from Glen L Marine Design. I built the boat (somewhat modified) and raced it in 2005 with moderate success.
Then I took what I had learned, in the shop and on the racecourse, and designed my own. So if you want to race, or if you're just looking for a fun boat to build and drive, there are now two choices for a boat of this size and type: the Dillon Mini, and the Tunnel Mite. Set up for Mini GT racing, my Dillon Mini is 4 to 5 mph faster than my Tunnel Mite -- same motor, same prop -- with a top speed pushing 42 mph. Set up for GT Pro, speeds are even greater, with the expectation of topping 50 mph with a proper racing propeller.
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GT Pro rules limit engine size to 35 hp. My boat was specifically designed with the 31.8 cubic inch Johnson or Evinrude in mind. These engines dominate both Mini GT and GT Pro.
If you do not intend to race your boat, I do not recommend using an engine that exceeds a weight of 125 lbs. The two cylinder, 35 hp OMC would seem a good practical maximum.
About the Plans: I am not a naval architect, or an engineer, or even a draftsman. I am a forester by education, a furniture-maker by profession, and a boat-builder, sailor and racer by inclination. I have built a number of boats over the last 35 years or so: from the 8-foot hydroplane I built when I was fourteen, to a 21-foot sailboat built in the 1990s, and several more since then, including three Mini GT/GT Pro racers.
Everything that I have learned and read about plywood boat construction, as well as my experiences in the shop and on the water, have gone into this design. Furthermore, I used computer software to crunch the numbers and work out the particulars. This boat is not just a theory. I have built it, and I have raced it with geat success. I will continue to share my experiences with you as they happen.
I have drawn these plans on my computer. As such, they are not, and do not resemble, an architect's blueprints. I also do not have the capability to print out full size drawings. However, it is not difficult for the builder to expand these drawings full-size, right on the plywood. There are no critical curves to draw -- just the dashboard and one small bulkhead. All you need is the patience to do an accurate job. And that patience will serve you well thoughout the building process.
The plans package, available via email or postal mail, includes eleven measured drawings; a scantling list; and some notes on wood and other materials and hardware needed to complete your boat. Also, you will have access to more than 20 web pages of shop notes including more than 90 photos which will guide you through the entire building process. There is also a text-only version of the shop notes which you can print out as a shop manual. Also, I will be just an email away if you have questions.
The plans package costs $45 US. You can pay online through Paypal (you do not need a Paypal account), or you may send a check or money order.
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