Started this about a week ago after acquiring circa 10 years prior . Really nice and easy build this one from
Early 1970s . I’m planning to run a brushed 540 on 8.4 - -16.8v . It’s only 28” so will scoot with that .
Currently at the glassing stage using west system 105 epoxy.
Also thinking of painting it in period correct 1970 gulf livery like the old ford race cars .
There isn’t much info available on these boats so they must be pretty rare .

Putting the deck on I realised this boat has an open top for a glow engine . As I’m using electric I need to cut out a new hatch without the hole .

No matter what I do I always end up
With uneven surfaces and I have to do a tonne of fairing once it sets .
Sides went on today as did the deck which differentiated from the plan slightly as I don’t need an open cockpit for the engine .

Below is the deck it came with vs the deck I made without the hole for the ic engine . I cut a paper template and used a scroll saw to cut it out and shaped it down with a hand plane .
I made a rear lip at the stern to secure it in place so I won’t need screws . Will prob use a magnet at the front. The balsa was pretty dinged up and very low density so wasn’t easy to work with but we got there .
I’ve coated the deck in epoxy .
Next step is fairing the hull and adding the strakes . Lots and lots of fibreglass sanding coming up which I hate .

Any advice as to how I use 50 year old
Stickers ? There doesn’t seem to be an obvious peel method .
I’d like to use the originals but I wonder if they are deteriorated beyond function ?

Today I went super aggressive with 80grit sandpaper to fair the high points in the epoxy . This was hard going ! In some areas I went through to the timber and also exposed some of the cloth before applying another coat of epoxy.
I purchased some sample paint to see how it would look brushed on . This is just normal water based acrylic . My plan was to use that then clear coat over the top vs spraying it on. I don’t think I will go this way after testing the results .

Getting the motor aligned took me hours ! It’s hard going and fiddly .
The 29T motor will be swapped for a 21T spinning the 34mm prop.
The rudder is massive overkill that comes in the kit . Was tempted to trim it down but I also want to keep it original . If it impacts performance I will .
Made the exhausts out of a hobby knife cut in half - works a treat as water outlets

Marked the spray rails according to the plan then more sanding and a final coat of west system 105 epoxy . This completes construction of all the woodwork .
Epoxied the shaft in at the same time as coating the hull.
Painting is next .

4 coats of epoxy , sanding each time to remove low spots has taken me ages ! Finally into some painting to make the boat start looking nice. Of course once painting I can see some small sanding marks that need to be sanded out further .

Possibly the most delicate part of the build so far - applying nearly 60yo decals . No surprise they were incredibly fragile and came apart .

I think I’m going to keep them though for authenticity even though they are a bit rough .
What does everyone think ?

My plan is to spray them with clear acrylic once they dry . Hope they stay in place .