Step Mini

[chuckitt]

We have a new hull being made, The step-mini. We hope to get it this weekend. Then we will design the metalworks
and try to get to get the first one made and running. A step boat will run fast but slides in the turns. If the bottom
is right, we may be able to get past 60 MPH with it. If not, back to the drawing board. Chuck

[Papee]

wanna race?

[River Rat]

A mini step hull. That'd be cool. Fiberglass I assume?

What kind of dimensions are you talking about on the hull?

[chuckitt]

Yeah it's fiberglass. I think it is 11 ft X 6 ft 6 inches. I thought it would be
ready this weekend but Pete didn't bring it over. Maybe we will get it this
week. Thanks, Chuck

[River Rat]

That ought to be a runner with any kind of power!

[Spyda-Ryda]

That's what I'm talking about!! SPEED!!! I don't think I've ever owned anything that I didn't try to make faster in some kind of way..... Nothing is ever fast enough for me..haha

[chuckitt]

Receiving our first Step-Mini has been put off for about 2 more weeks. Pete
wanted to beef up the mold more so it wouldn't have any flex. When I get it
we will post some pictures. Thanks, Chuck

[River Rat]

Chuck,
Have you ever heard any of the step hull builders say if there's some sort of optimal position - or less than optimal - to put the step in relation to the hull length.... i.e. 2/3 of the hull length forward from the rear (1/3 of the hull length back from the bow)?
.... Just curious.

Anybody know if there's a "general rule of thumb?
Or what should be considered in deciding where to place the step?

Seems that if the step were too far forward, the boat wouldn't want to lift, and would tend to push the nose. Too far back and you begin to lose some of the benefit.

??

[Snapper]

good question curious to see the answer

[chuckitt]

There is know general rule. Knowone that builds them wants to tell you and
if they did, it may be wrong. If a step boat is 11 ft long and the builder puts
the step at 6 ft from the transom, He may have the engine in the right place
to make it perform good. What's more important is the relationship of the last
2 inches of the bottom at the step and the last 2 inches at the back at the
transom. Everyone we have done, we had to work the bottom to make it
real fast. As with most boats, the bottom is the most important part of the
boat. If the bottom isn't right, The boat don't perform.
Pete's step boat with the V8 ran 79 MPH. We told him how to work the
bottom and then it ran 102 MPH. Now he has built the mold for the step
mini and when the first hull is pulled, He will bring it to me to rigg out. Then
we plan on powering it with the 40 HP Kohler. We will see. Chuck

[chuckitt]

I got the word today. Pete Peterson is bringing the new StepMini to me tomorrow. It is gloss black on the outside and gray on the inside with black and white webbing. I will post some pictures tomorrow. We also may get the Deckover Mini or race mini this week also. Lee told me Saturday that he may finish it on Sunday. Now all I need is two customers that want to own the fastest 40 HP Mini Airboats on the Planet. Maybe we need to start with the
35 HP Briggs. Parts for Briggs are availible to get almost 70 HP.
Thanks, Chuck

[dcm5899]

DUMB QUESTION what is a step hull?

[chuckitt]

There are no dumb questions on this site, only questions that need answers.
We got the new step mini in today. It's called the Steppn Up Mini. Now i need
a customer that wants to go fast on a mini.

The Hull is 10 ft 10 inchs X 7 ft with the transom height at 13.75 inches.
Chuck

[Papee]

hey Chuck, here is a step hull