Tunnels, my new project-gctid802725

[boatworkfl]

This is a set of tunnels that I will be sending to a BOC member, I erred in the lay-up and he ended up with 1 extra layer, but at no charge-total 1/2", all that is needed is 3/8", which is what my set ended up as; as well as set #3 which is committed, I will be leaving for Alaska on May 12 and when I get back at the end of Sept. weather temps permitting I will make a few more.

I like helping people as well as BOC members, I do not need the money, but a little extra always allows me to support my 3870 in Alaska.

At 72 I still need to keep busy, not time to lay down and sit on the couch yet.

The weather temps kept me from building more, at 80+ deg the resin kicks off to fast.

I lost a gel coat spray gun due to temps.

The buyer of the first set intends to record the difference in performance, the member has a 18" long set, I think that 16" will work, but one can always cut 2" off, the resin is ISO type, as well as the gel coat.



Pat: boatworkfl

[dmcb]

Looks nice Pat.

Your right about keeping busy. At 80 it is getting harder

Doug

[MacPhid]

Nice job on the tunnels, looks like high quality workmanship. I'll be interested to hear the performance numbers you get from the first set.

James

[canoel]

Nice work!!

[boatworkfl]

"MacPhid" post=802743 wrote:
Nice job on the tunnels, looks like high quality workmanship. I'll be interested to hear the performance numbers you get from the first set.

James

The buyer of the first set which will ship tomorrow will also keep a record of his performance and post it.

currently he is out of the water on the east coast.

I have gas engines and no generator, but I will also track my before and after data including fuel usage.

the tunnels are 18 inches, I suspect that 16 inches will work, but it may depend on the stern load, longer is better as you can cut them down if needed.

I used ISO resin and gelcoat.

[Jim_Gandee]

Wow! Pat, very professional! ?

[aspen1880]

wow, that looks like quality!

[Terkar]

Hi Pat - Are these to fasten onto transom as a extension? What is the theory behind this? Gaining or stopping what?

Terry

[fritzman]

From an old Glue - Glass repair man very professional Job and-- I am not on the couch yet but slower, turning 80 in Dec.

[boatworkfl]

"Terkar" post=802817 wrote:
Hi Pat - Are these to fasten onto transom as a extension? What is the theory behind this? Gaining or stopping what?

Terry

These fasten at the end of the tunnel on the 38xx series Bayliners, what it does is get rid of that rooster tail and that energy becomes more push on the boat.

I believe that some reports say 3 more knots at fast cruise, should also save on fuel.

Also picks up the back end of the boat for those with diesels.

Search tunnels, there is more info there.

I just sent a pair of 18" tunnels to the east coast, I have a pair for myself, and the last pair is committed so far.

I will not be fabricating more of these until I return from Alaska at the end of Sept, air temps permitting, above 79 and the fiberglass resin and gel coat sets up too fast.

The pictured tunnel ended up with one too many layers 1/2", the other 2 are 3/8" and is all that is necessary.

[Steadfast70]

I am very interested in doing this on my 3870. I understand the logic in increasing speed and fuel saving. It is a no brainer as they say on these two issues. The only thing that gives me pause in doing this is how the vessel performs in a following sea with this modification. Anyone that has done this I would appreciate their experiences with the handling of the vessel with a stern or stern quarter seas?

If the vessel handling still is acceptable I would like to purchase a set.

Thanks, John

[boatworkfl]

"Steadfast70" post=802863 wrote:
I am very interested in doing this on my 3870. I understand the logic in increasing speed and fuel saving. It is a no brainer as they say on these two issues. The only thing that gives me pause in doing this is how the vessel performs in a following sea with this modification. Anyone that has done this I would appreciate their experiences with the handling of the vessel with a stern or stern quarter seas?

If the vessel handling still is acceptable I would like to purchase a set.

Thanks, John

I will not be building more until mid Sept. as I will be in Alaska.

I made mine 18" but I only need 16" with gas engines.

I think that unless you are carrying a dingy on the transom 16" should be fine, that being said, you can always cut 2" off if you buy the 18" version.

I lay them up for 18" but can make any length up to 19".

I and the buyer in NH will be keeping track of performance, I often run in a following sea so I will have input when I return from AK.

When I run in a following sea I try and go just fast enough to allow the seas to gently roll under the boat.

[kev_rm]

Those look sweet! By the time I haul out again hopefully you will have some feedback and some inventory

I would definitely be curious about following seas performance - you can't always go fast enough to keep them infrequent/gentle.

[boatworkfl]

I am about to apply the first of 3 to 4 layers of gel coat on my 3rd set of tunnels, this will be the last set until mid Oct.

Currently this pair is cut to 18" but I can cut them down some such as to 16".

If not sold I will haul the last set to Alaska.

I have an ad in the classified section.

If interested contact me by pm and I need your address for shipping costs and a phone number.

It look like the interest has fallen off on the tunnels, I am not interested in doing sea trials for following seas, there are other threads that have proven that the tunnels work.

If I cannot sell this set then the demand is not what I expected, I will take the last set to Alaska and stay retired, at 73 I have no income that is taxable.

I thought there was a demand, but I think money is short these days. I am going to shut it down if there is no positive demand.

Someone else's turn.

[bvkstoy]

I really like your set up. I have been thinking about about building my own out of Stainless Steel, but like your idea better. I am very interested in a set. I would be happy to test them out for you. I am pulling my boat out in the nest few weeks to paint. So now's the time to install them. PM me if you can. Thanks.