10' Hydra Bee VW 1600 w/ 2:1 belt

[drdmsmith]

Here's my 10' Hydra Bee with th the 2:1 VW 40HP.

Been sittin' since a tree fell across the bow during Hurricane Charlie.

Now I am going to build a new cage, change rudder (to 2), and get a new prop.

Any other mod's I haven't thought of?

Thanks!
Don Smith

[brlcla]

I dont know who built that reduction unit it but hold onto it as they are difficult to find these days unless you can build your own... probably rated to handle more HP than that VW could ever put out... if you have the time and the money you can easily get 100HP reliably from that motor which would make a good airboat... that reduction is probably only a two gear so you are going to need a RHR prop....

[Papee]

I would consider poly if you don't already have it since you will have it stripped down.

[drdmsmith]

Got poly on the bottom, and the reduction is Air Boat Drive 2:1 Belt Drive.

The little boat runs along about 35-38mph on the GPS.
Motor is totally stock, Dual Port VW 40hp straight from Brazil, in the crate about 15 yrs ago...
Had a 68-32 Air Prop paddle 3.75 thick on it, but it is destroyed.
So, now I need a prop.
I like Duane's idea of a Whirl Wind Mini. But I need to keep the cost under control, so I'm lookin' for a used one.

While I'm at it I want to change that cage that never really did fit right.
You can see the motor wasn't really centered top to bottom, and the single 4' rudder sits too high.
I added to the rudder, that helped, but now I'm gonna put on some Papee Rudders, I think 2 of them 3' to 3-1/2' long.
I will build them Papee style, from Fiberglass/Epoxy/Closed-cell Foam with aluminum or Carbon Fiber end ribs.
Don

[brlcla]

like i said they dont make the drive unit anymore... i have looked...

[drdmsmith]

This guy says Arrowprop sells (sold) them.
Didn't see them on their sight.
I can vouch for its durability and it is smooth.
I had a 68" Paddle prop 3.75 thick, a lot of prop. Smooth...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...8684&viewitem=

Airboat Drive Units Inc
687 Bucktail Rd
Franklin, PA 16323-7719
814-437-3351

[Flathead]

Hydra Bee? That cage looks a bit like Combee manufacturing. Do you know who the builder was? By the way, never ever, ever let that VW redrive go. But if you decide to, call me first. Good lookin' boat by the way....35-38-mph? sounds like fun too!

Flathead

[Bil]

Nice looking rig! That thing looks about 12' long the way you got it set up.

[drdmsmith]

Nice looking rig! That thing looks about 12' long the way you got it set up.

Bil,
I have owned this boat for 7 years, and never measured it.
When I bought it, I was told it was 10'
I decided to go out and measure it today, 'cause of what you said.
11' 6" x 5' 10" Good eye Bil!
All this time and I've not even known the actual length.
Of course, I have never actually had the inclination to pull out a tape measure.
Well, I'll still call it a mini, I heard VW boats never really fit in a class anyway.

[Bogger2]

Nice little rig there Don.
Do you like the VW' performace? I bet the reduction gets the best out of it.
Happy designing on the re-riggen.
Bogger