NITRO_VEEDRIVER

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well i guess that i'll use 2 oz cloth. been getting mixed msgs on this subject. for now the project is on hold. thanks guys for all the help. looks like there isnt too many of us that have dauntless's.[8D] Pusar , yours is awesome.

Pusar

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What are the mixed messages about... the fiberglass? To do it or to not?

Marty

NITRO_VEEDRIVER

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other people on other forums that i am part of tell me just to resin the hull and deck then some others tell me to use envirotex or polyester resin. some tell me to just fibreglass and resin. i am goin with dual os 18 marine engines. so i am at a stand still. unless i can actually get someone to fibreglass and resin.

Pusar

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Have they built the Dauntless before? Envirotex themselves say not to use it in a outside enviroment.

Lots of good questions though!

If you are up for it I would glass your hull. I am in Cleveland. Not sure on the shipping cost.

Marty

NITRO_VEEDRIVER

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thanks for the offer. will keep ya in mind if i cant find anyone here....[8D]

dauntlessfan

I'm glad this forum is out there. My Dauntless is outfitted with two Mabuchi 550s, Dumas brass props, Novak EVX and gel cell batts. It has great scale speed and runtime is at least an hour, I've never run the batteries completely down. I'm looking to go faster, though. I'll post some pics of her shortly.

Does anyone know if the 'real' Dauntless still exists?

Below I've retyped an old, undated article/review about the original Dauntless. I also have a couple detailed scans from the actual plans if anyone is interested in how the original was built.



Some of those wartime pipe dreams of what the postwar motorboat would be like seem to have taken crete form in Dauntless, a 66-foot aluminum commuter designed by Sparkman & Stephens and built by the Jakobson Shipyard, of Oyster Bay, L.I., for Laurance S. Rockefeller, who has used her for commuting on the Hudson River, between Tarrytown and New York, during the past year.

Built of corrosion resistant aluminum alloys, with wood used only in the deckhouse joinerwork, she was designed to make the maximum speed practicable with a pair of Packard PT-boat engines of the 4-M2500 type, developing 1350 hp. each at 2400 r.p.m. In actual speed trials she was clocked at 40.9 knots, the light weight made possible by the aluminum construction, without loss of strength, being a factor in her performance.

Though primarily a commuter, she has living accommodations for four in the owner’s party as well as a crew of three. She has the last word in electrical equipment. Two 10 kw. U.S. Motors generators provide 110-volt current for an Edison electric stove, Frigidaire refrigerator and deep freeze, electric pressure hot water system, toilets, direction finder, radiophone, bilge pump and many other items of equipment. There is even a separate pantry, with electric hot plate and refrigerator, in the owner’s quarters aft, opposite the stateroom.

Dauntless has tank capacity for 2000 gallons of gasoline, to satisfy the appetites of her 2700 horses. She isn’t exactly the average man’s idea of a nice little power cruiser, but she’s an interesting example of what can be done. High speed trials in rough water have proved that the aluminum construction stands up under the terrific stresses involved with a big boat of this speed. She is handled from the open bridge, and also has an open cockpit aft. The owner’s big stateroom and quarters are aft, and the sunken deckhouse forward of the bridge makes a luxurious lounge.

Pusar

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After some research, I have found where she is. She is not in good shape.

http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/av_subregion_vessel.php?RECORD_KEY%28vessels%29=ve ssel_id&vessel_id(vessels)=1942


Lennoxman thanks for all of the information. I love searching for information on the boat. There is alot out there just all spread out.

Marty

dauntlessfan

Wow, that's amazing that it's abandoned!? How very sad. I can't believe nobody's towed her away for a restoration project. Hummmm... if only I were closer to St. Croix...

NITRO_VEEDRIVER

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apparently the owner still has rights on her. i would love to snap her up. would be a great project to rebuild. as far as i know the engines are out of it. it is a waste of a great ship.[]

dauntlessfan

Here's my Dauntless. These pics were taken a couple of years ago. I've made some improvements and will post after the next launch.

NITRO_VEEDRIVER

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nice boat. did you glass it? this might be the last post i can make for awhile so if i dont answer for a week or two then dont worry. but i shall be back.....[8D]

dauntlessfan

NITRO - Yes, the hull is fiberglassed. I've attached some pics in various stages.

The process was easy, using 45 minute epoxy and a plastic squeegee, you'll have plenty of time to correct any wrinkles or bubbles. I surprised myself with the end result.

The only thing I didn't fiberglass were the cabin side pieces. I should have done them too, because you can see the wood grain on un-glassed surfaces of this kit, even after painting.

PULSAR - I emailed you a few files, hope you got 'em. How about posting a few pics of the powerplants in that great model boat of yours? Which props do you recommend for the Astro 25? Thanks!

NITRO_VEEDRIVER

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well, finaly moved into the new place after 2 weeks in a bloody hotel room. so now i unpack and get back to work on the Dauntless. keep commin with pics guys.....[8D] also not to get off topic here but check out the cars section.... i posted in there as well. maybe someone will know what i asked.....have a great day.[8D]

Pusar

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Here are a few pictures. I will post more later...

It is a bit messy in there, I am moving some things around and adding some more electronics.

Attatched is the label from the props I use.

Marty

NITRO_VEEDRIVER

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what is the fan used for? never thought you would need air cooled for electric? when i get all setup i'll show you some pics of the inside of mine. see what ya think of it....

Pusar

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The interior of this boat on a 80 degree day does get hot. The two discs on the Astro motors are cooling fans. The 2 Astro 208D speed controls also get hot along with the 20 battery cells and lights. The fan keeps air moving along inside the boat and keep things cool. Not required but certainly an added plus.

Marty

NITRO_VEEDRIVER

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smart idea. once i get all setup in my new place and my work area done up i will do a mock setup of where everything is goin. so far livingroom is setup. but my work desk is still packed with boxes and stuff, and my boats are at my uncles down the road. boy i hate moving

Pusar

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The mooving is a pain in the ass. I have purchased another Dauntless and plan on constructing it true to the real Dauntless. There are quit a few things that the Dumas model left out. The real Dauntless has a much sharper nose at the bow than the Dumas version. The bow also had a lip at the top that prevented spray from entering the forward cockpit.
After building one of these boats I now know quite a few improvements that can be made from the original Dumas version.

Marty

bvanter5

Hey Pusar, What brand are your rudder linkages and the horns they are attached too. I'm not referring to the servo horn...

thanks
B

dauntlessfan

Right on! After reviewing a couple original drawings from S & S, I did a few things to make Dumas' design more true-to-life. I attached a pic of the bow lip you mentioned, I made this one from styrene.

One of the most obvious features Dumas left out is the portholes/windows/vent in the back. I added those and I'm happy with the look (and additional cooling to my speed control back there .

It appears there was a bench seat in the rear cockpit, facing aft? The plans show that batteries were stored under it. Has anyone modeled this? I did, but lots of guesswork was involved. Drawings show another bench seat facing forward in the pilothouse area???

Does anyone know if the cockpit floors were wood decked or carpeted? I've seen pics of others who've modeled carpet for these surfaces on the internet, but I used stained wood planks for mine.

The biggest mystery to me is the tiny forward cockpit. I have yet to accurately model this feature. The Dumas instructions left me scratching my head. The drawings show a windshield for this seating area???

dauntlessfan

A couple more pics of the seats and decking I added...

azcaptain

Before you completely "knock" the Midwest "Cranberry Isle Lobster Yacht", please take a look at what's possible with a little imagination.

azcaptain

NITRO_VEEDRIVER

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nice boat[8D] electric or nitro powered?

dauntlessfan

Yeah Azcaptain, my first wood boat build was the Cranberry. I really enjoyed that boat. Like an idiot, I sold it on eBay years ago for a price I'd gladly buy it back for today if I had the chance. I miss that boat...

DONS BOAT WORKS

My Feedback: (3)

I found this on Google Earth. Could one of these boats be the Dauntless?

location: USVI - St. Croix, Salt R. Located in the Salt River Estuary, St. Croix. Virgin Islands.

Don M.