D.I.Y. Project: Wooden Unlimited Hydroplanes

"CATHEDRAL TWINS"

Many memories of our youth includes unlimited hydroplane races.  During the off-season we would race our own mini hydroplanes - either by running and pulling them on a string until we got dizzy going in circles to mimic a race course or by pulling them behind our bikes.

I have decided to offer these as a gift to help keep the spirit alive in our youth. Build your own hydro to pull along or race behind a bike. The graphics for several options are located bellow. Feel free to print them on either a full-sheet label or on regular paper and use spray adhesive to affix to the board. When the "paint-job" gets beat up you can just print another one and affix it over the old one.

Materials List

• 10" x 5 1/2" board
• Saw (to cut out shape of boat)
• Sandpaper
• Tack cloth or rag (for removing sanding dust)
• Pen or pencil (for tracing template on board)
• Full-sheet label or paper & spray adhesive
• Means to print graphics (home printer or local Staples, Office Depot, etc)
• Scissors
• Screw Eye (hook)
• String

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Template:
Right click on picture to open and print full-sized image.

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NOTE: Kids can help with sanding, tracing and scissor tasks like cutting out the template and the graphics sheet(s).

Donations gladly accepted

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Assembly Instructions:

STEP 1:

Select a board, it should be at least ​ 10" x 5 1/2".

STEP 2:

Print template on regular paper and cut out.

STEP 3:

Using template, trace pattern on board.

STEP 4:

Cut-out boat shape and sand as needed.

STEP 5:

Ensure boat shape is dust-free.

STEP: 6

Cut out and affix graphics sheet to boat shape.

STEP 7:

Attach screw eye (hook) to front of boat.

STEP 8:

Tie string to eye hook for pulling.

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Graphics for Hydroplanes

These graphics are all hand-drawn and are free to use with the above project.  Please get permission to use in any other way by emailing [email protected].  Other formats are available by request.
(Right click on image to open and download full-size version.) 
When printing, scale to full 8 1/2" x 11" sheet size.  (Graphic's will print to be 10" long.)

Museum Collection

There are only three boats in this series - only two of which were actually built, The Squire Shop & the Miss Circus Circus.  (The Miss Budweiser was ordered and then cancelled before construction began.)

1979 The Squire Shop

NOTE: The U-2 has been fully restored and is part of the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum collection.

1979 Miss Circus Circus

NOTE: The U-31 is slated to be restored and is part of the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum collection.

NOTE: This version of the U-12 was ordered by Bernie Little but was cancelled once Bernie found out that the builder was also under contract to build two sister hulls, one for Bob Steil (The Squire Shop) and one for William Pennington (Miss Circus Circus).

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