News
May 7, 2008
I put 20 lbs. of ballast in the bow of the Pro Vee and went out for another test run. It helped some, but didn't solve the problem. I added another ten lbs. and made one partial pass across the lake, then my steering cable came off the right side steering arm. So I limped back to the beach.
I'm going to have to consider relocating the battery up forward. Not a simple thing.
May 6, 2008
I got everything functioning on the Pro Vee. And it was a beautiful summer-like day in the mid-70s. So I towed it down to the lake and backed it in.
Well, I clearly have work to do. With just a little bit of positive trim it started to porpoise, and that quickly lead to a nasty chinewalk. Trimming back quieted it down, but then the bow was too low. I never got more than the low 40s mph and the low 6000s rpm. Probably a weight distribution problem. My calculations tell me I need to add twenty or thirty pounds anyway. Stay tuned.
Finally got some work done on the Sport C over the weekend. Installed the transom. The hope is to have this boat on the water and racing this year, although I suspect it will only have two or three coats of primer on it, and probably no rear cowling. As soon as it's water-ready, it's going in! Details HERE.
May 3, 2008
Sooner than expected, the Mini Vee has been towed away by its new owner.
May 2, 2008
Finally, the ice is breaking up, just a bit left on the southern shore -- including the beach where I launch. But, maybe sometime next week I'll get a boat on the water.
The first boat to go in may be the Mini Vee. I'll need to make sure all is running correctly because a week from Sunday the new owner is coming to write the check and take possession. Goodness, that's the quickest I've ever sold anything.
April 27, 2008
Well, it's winter all over again in northern Minnesota, with about ten inches of fresh snow on the ground and temperatures in the teens. Sigh....
What better time to put the Mini Vee up for sale. Here is a complete, turnkey package that will put you on the water right now (or whenever the ice goes), and on the race course on day one of the 2008 season.
So stop just thinking about racing and take the leap. You're not likely to find a complete package for less money than this.
April 25, 2008
Tentatively planned for May 17, a "Scrimmage" race on the Mississippi River in Little Fall, MN. This unofficial and unsanctionted event is intended for our three Sportsman classes: Mini GT, GT Pro and VP. We're waiting for permission from the City of Little Falls, and expect to hear from them soon.
This will be a chance for new racers to tune up their rigs, maybe try some propellers, and get some experience driving in racing conditions. And for experienced racers to get their boats back on the water, or give new boats a taste of competition.
There are also plans to take pictures and video from the bridge -- great material for future publicity.
Of course spectators and wannabe racers are welcome. Watch, ask questions, learn how simple it can be to get into powerboat racing at this level.
April 21, 2008
Rigging of the Pro Vee is proceeding. I've got most of the electricals connected, and the steering is hooked up. Still looking for some fittings for the trim pump. Take a look.
The lakes are still frozen -- most years they would be open by now.
April 17, 2008
FINALLY! The Pro Vee is out of the shop and looking HOT out in the sunshine. HERE.
April 13, 2008
While building the jack plate for the Pro Vee, I took some pictures of the process and have now added them to the shop notes for my FREE jack plate plans. You'll find the plans HERE.
April 11, 2008
Our Mini GT class appears to be on life support!!
With only three racers signed up for 2008, there is talk of just moving them all up to GT Pro. Although GT Pro would be happy to have them, I hate to see Mini GT simply go away. If there are NO boats in the class this year, what are the chances of bringing it back in the future.
There ARE some boats available for Mini GT: A 13' Laser v-bottom from Jim Sellner; and a 13' Yamato v-bottom from Jerry Sellner. Jerry also has a Custom Kamo for sale, which he raced in VP last summer. The Kamo is a copy of the venerable Critchfield, which has done quite well in Mini GT even though rather over-weight. The Kamo is a much lighter version of this same hull.
There may also be a Hydrasport tunnel boat available from Howard Pipkorn: 763-772-2181, go2pip@myway.com.
Maybe the solution will be to run the two classes simultaneously. Nine to twelve boats on the course at the same time is a nice number.
Here's a chance to get into a great sport with utmost simplicity -- and help save a class at the same time. Think about it.... More about Mini GT HERE.
April 10, 2008
Some changes in the race schedule (see below), though most of it is still tentative. It appears that Detroit Lakes and Crosby are all signed and ready to go, and Champlin and Hastings are going to be signed shortly.
This information comes from the agenda for tonight's meeting in Minneapolis. I was planning to make the trip down (about 200 miles each way) to meet a couple of new racers. But there is a blizzard in the forecast, so that's not going to happen. As much as a foot additional snow!! What's going on here?
Update: meeting cancelled.
April 7, 2008
The snow started sometime Saturday night, and it is still coming down lightly on Monday morning. I took the yardstick out to the driveway and measured 17" of heavy Minnesota springtime.
I was supposed to go to capsule training yesterday (60 miles away), but decided to just stay home. I don't need it for GT Pro anyway. But it's still good training to experience being upside down in a boat.
I thought I'd be rolling out the Pro Vee this week, but looks like it will sit in the shop for a while longer.
April 4, 2008
Recent customer Dennis McGinnis sent some pictures of his project. It's a Dillon Mini tunnel boat, and it's off to a great start. You'll find his page in the Customer Projects section. He promises to keep the pictures coming, and I'll keep adding them to the site.
April 3, 2008
The new boat, the Dillon Pro Vee, is painted and ready to be moved out of the shop. But there's still some snow on the ground, and it's a bit muddy out there, so we wait for now. The lakes are not open yet, anyway. I think of April 20th as the general date for ice-out here in north-central Minnesota. But it's got to warm up to get there. You'll find the full Pro Vee story HERE
Also, soon I'll put the motor back on the Mini Vee and get it ready to race again. Then it's going up for sale. I've lined up a fellow racer to drive the it in the meantime. But that driver could just as well be you!! Here will be an easy way to join a growing list of drivers in a virtually brand new class. Keep an eye peeled; more to come soon.