Drive height Honda Cougar 225 inboard convertion

[PerformanceDodge]

Originally Posted by Jon Fuller

I think it definitely won't be too high. could go higher i'd say, but that will mean a carbuncle of a transom extension, so I guess +3" it is. Lucky you've got a shorty eh!

Finally bit the bullet and went beyond the point of no return with the hull. The cougar now has a large hole in the back. I did not realise how well the Cougar's are built until I came to cut our the rear well. In some places it was nearly 20mm thick Kevlar and end grain balsa wood sandwich. It was bloody hard work even with an angle grinder and cutting disk.

Not quite sure what to do with the transom now, but have two ideas. One is to just extend the transom height level with the deck, simpler of the two ideas but may be a bit ugly. Second idea is to build the back end up similar to rear of Miss Geico seen in third picture. Filling in between the two rear quarters but obviously with out the rudder mount. Would be able to make the engine hatch larger and would give more space in the engine bay.

Before making a decision does anyone know why the back end of the Cougar H225 was designed as it was with the stepped transom and extended rear quarters. Was it for function, strength or aesthetics or a combination.

Has anyone got any other ideas about how to finish the rear end ?

[larby]

I'm incredibly envious of you! I love the look of those cougars and it look like she's gonna be a lovely boat when you're done! Lets hope she goes really well too!

I'd definately go with 'filling in' the centre with a custom panel/engine hatch, would look really good in my mind, much better than leaving the rear qaurters sticking out with a drive between. You could possibly design in a step down in the middle for a step/bathing platform of sorts?
With this approach, it gives you maximum possible room, and would allow you to extend the transom up a fair bit without any clearance issues.

I want your boat!

James

[PerformanceDodge]

Originally Posted by larby

I'm incredibly envious of you! I love the look of those cougars and it look like she's gonna be a lovely boat when you're done! Lets hope she goes really well too!

I'd definately go with 'filling in' the centre with a custom panel/engine hatch, would look really good in my mind, much better than leaving the rear quarters sticking out with a drive between. You could possibly design in a step down in the middle for a step/bathing platform of sorts?
With this approach, it gives you maximum possible room, and would allow you to extend the transom up a fair bit without any clearance issues.

I want your boat!

James

Hi James and thank you for your reply and vote of confidence. I think you are right about the second option. Could even make it with a flat back similar to Miss Geico and have a narrow detachable bathing platform in stainless and mahogany planks.

Spent two hours yesterday cutting the well out and 3 hours today trimming the hole and grinding the transom parallel, inched all over must have taken hours to grind the bottom of your Revenger.

I think your boat is going to look stunning too, I was just looking back to the beginning of your build thread and although slightly more classic the Revenger has great lines and proportion, I think it will be a great boat too. Will look forward to seeing it in the water.

[larby]

Thanks very much! Fingers crossed it'll all be worth it!
Think it took me about 250 hours to grind the hull out, never again!

I say keep the curve at the back.

All the best,

James

[Athito]

Or like this?



With a single engine, obviously...

[boatnut]

Originally Posted by Athito

Or like this?



With a single engine, obviously...

put the honda back on

[Cookee]

Fill in the gap!

[PerformanceDodge]

Originally Posted by boatnut

put the honda back on

Na, past the point of no return now. Hoping the much lower C of G will stop its tendency to roll over and transform the boat. More power and much more economy especial when cruising.

[PerformanceDodge]

Originally Posted by Athito

Or like this?



With a single engine, obviously...

That's a stunning looking boat what is it ?

[Athito]

US company called "Statement Marine". Their website isn't great for pics and stuff...but there are some pics floating around out there.

Interesting feature of their boats: the cockpit is suspended on shock absorbers to deaden the shock of heavy weather running.

Don't know if it really works...but an interesting idea!

[olli]

Originally Posted by freddy21

...Has anyone got any other ideas about how to finish the rear end ?

[PerformanceDodge]

Originally Posted by olli

Attachment 23942 Attachment 23943

Thanks Olli, that looks really smart getting some great idea's, what boat is it.

[Cookee]

That is a nice rear end, but very expensive for what looks like a relatively small boat? Single drive and not very wide judging by the size of the drive?

[PerformanceDodge]

Originally Posted by Cookee

That is a nice rear end, but very expensive for what looks like a relatively small boat? Single drive and not very wide judging by the size of the drive?

Was just curious to see the rest of the boat, far to complicated for me attempt a back like that. At the moment I am sill not decided I might lust keep it simple and go for the Geico flat back with some sort removable S/S bathing platform on spigots. That way if I want to basic race or play in the rough I can remove it and on a sunny chill out day will put it on and go for a swim. Or I may just go for the Statement style Moulded step. I am going to drop the engine in next few days just to see how it sits and get an idea of where heat exchangers etc will sit.

[olli]

Originally Posted by freddy21

...what boat is it.

MAS 28 Tender:

http://www.mas-yacht.net/

[DAREDEVIL]

Originally Posted by Athito

US company called "Statement Marine". Their website isn't great for pics and stuff...but there are some pics floating around out there.

Interesting feature of their boats: the cockpit is suspended on shock absorbers to deaden the shock of heavy weather running.

Don't know if it really works...but an interesting idea!

Yes it does, @ 125 MPH in 3-4 foot seas...like a cadilac on the highway (mercedes on the autobahn ) !!!!!

[DAREDEVIL]

I would say , first figure out where your drive is going to be ,,,before u make plans for the stern of your boat !!!!!!!!

I would say with the I/O.....u 100% don't wnat to be to high, i would go ahead and mock up the engine as deep as i could in the bilge, then mark the spot where the centerline is and check the X-dimension on the transom....quessing u want to be about 2-2.5 inches below the V with the propshaft, it may not work becasue it will end up being TOP heavy...CG and so on is very importent in a narrow V bottom or it will be out of control and fun factor will be ZERO !!!!!

Cant tell realy by looking at the pictures u got posted,, some messurements on them would be helpfull.

[PerformanceDodge]

Just a few update photo's of the Mercedes V6 Diesel engine mounted in the boat

[PerformanceDodge]

Latest photo's of rear of hull joined and filled in and new engine cover

[Ph@ntastic]

Looks great and the engine fits perfectly as far as i can see