ORCA Boat From The Movie "JAWS"

[jesse l.t.]

If anyones interested in a full size 39 foot replica of the Orca from the Jaws movie we are gearing up to build it.Were using a core boat named the "Devils Witch" to rebuild the old Orca.She's a 1936 fishing boat from Noanke CT.She's 39' from stem to stern with a 11' beam.She'll be finished around September,so if anyones interested in purchasing the Orca upon completion please PM me or drop by our website at operationorca.forum5.com
Her sale price is gonna depend on if we make her functional or not.I may opt to leave the engine out and let the buyer "do it yourself".Itll depend on what kind of $$$$$ I have left when that time comes.We will probably be listing her on Ebay.com first and see what happens unless someone out there is interested before hand.So if anyones seriously interested in buying her upon completion let us know.Stay tuned to this thread and oporca.forum5.com for updates.

[25thmustang]

I would be interested to see the progress but the web pages here don't seem to work. Do you have a link, I LOVE that boat and was going to reproduce it myself.

[oporca]

Howdy,

We recently switched servers and subsequently moved the forum.

Here's our new location:

http://www.createforum.com/operationorca/portal.php?mforum=operationorca

[OrcaInAustin]

Hey Guys,

I would be very interested in hearing about your progress. I am hopeful to build a remake myself. I am a diver and offshore fisherman so I plan on uniting all my hobbies into this. Right now, I am doing my homework. If you have any idea of the manufaturer of the original, that would be awesome. I want to get as may true specs as possible. Good Luck, it will be a great tribute to an iconic vessel.

I have tried to find your website as well as a link to your group, but haven't had any luck. Could you send me the link? Are you still working on the Orca?

OrcaInAustin.

[oporca]

Howdy,

Best way to update on our progress is to visit our forum here:

http://www.createforum.com/operationorca

Currently we also have a scale miniature we're selling. If you're serious about creating an accurate ORCA, this miniature would make the perfect tool for reference and a great display piece. Next best thing to owning the real deal.:cool:

http://cgi.ebay.com/JAWS-ORCA-Model-Boat-Wood-Wooden-Lobster-Fishing-Ship_W0QQitemZ230333658102QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item230333658102&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3387064326_caffb9d5b4_o.jpg

We're also available for commisioned projects as well, and could assist you in building a full scale ORCA if you have the financial resources to do so. A donor novi boat could be used or we could build from scratch frame up based on our plans and research from the last several years.

[apex1]

Is there any navigational aid to navigate the site to get some proper info? I´m 60 already.

[oporca]

Well its not unlike this forum in structure and you don't need a sextant, however if you mean where to find out more ORCA info you might want to start here:

http://www.createforum.com/operationorca/viewforum.php?f=9&mforum=operationorca

As for accurate and specific Orca build data many have tried to build it in miniature and have made some relatively nice plans available like Trittle and Traplett, but none have gotten it correct. The reason being is we're in direct contact with those that worked and owned the real boat way back when. As the boat went missing from Universal Studios tour sometime in '96, its the data we've spent many years gathering and raw information from production vets like Joe Alves (who built it for the film) that have helped us fill in the blanks.

As for learning the 'secret ingredient data' for any of you out there looking to build your own ORCA, we have a book/CD planned once we find a publisher. In the meantime, we are available on commision to build exact replica full scale sea worthy ORCA's as well for anyone with the financial ability to do so. If you have the passion to own one and go looking for adventure...its just a matter of funding.

Hope that helps.

Meanwhile the miniature runs for another week on ebay...:cool:

http://cgi.ebay.com/JAWS-ORCA-Model-Boat-Wood-Wooden-Lobster-Fishing-Ship_W0QQitemZ230333658102QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item230333658102&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

[OrcaInAustin]

Hey,

I was out of town during the bidding on this model. Was it sold? Is it still available?

If so, please let me know.

Thanks,

stephen

[oporca]

The boat was in fact sold. Sorry you missed bidding. Went for far far less than it was worth with 200+ hours of labor to build it, not to mention several years dedicated research and details that would astound. Anyways, it went to a happy new owner. Thats the most important part.

As for another being done, the builder/artisan has no current plans in the near future, but one never knows...

Drop by Operation Orca (http://www.createforum.com/operationorca)or this forum to check for potential announcements.

Freddy

[oporca]

This is one of the promo ads we were running.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3211/3408597429_fc8b1f09c0_o.jpg

[OrcaInAustin]

I am really sorry to have missed out on the bidding. thank you for letting me in on the status. good luck with your future endeavors. as for me, I am starting the process of all the research you have done. I am set on starting construction of a full scale operational boat this fall. right now I am preparing the barn on my property to house the construction. I went to Universal Studios in Florida last week to look at the Orca at their Jaws attraction. It was pretty good, but was not a perfect match as in the movie. I did like how they showcased several other props from the movie (like the actual harpoon gun, fishing pole, chair, etc.). If you have any tips, I am wide open. Did you say that you were using a lobster boat as your base model? That's what I thought the Orca was. Anyway, looking all over the web for info. right now. Probably buying the movie this weekend. l would be very interested in the cd you were working on when it becomes available Thanks again for everything, Austin, Texas. P.s. do not give up!

[oporca]

Well thanks for the encouragement. We certainly have no intention of quitting though we have had several false starts that have fallen through due to funding. Thats one of the reasons we started selling the Miniatures.

Initially, these have been our study pieces for the big boat project(s). Don't know what knind of budget you have planned for the boat you want to build but we'd certainly be open to co-producing a project utilizing our over 30 years research and know how about this boat with anyone who wanted to contribute the financial side.

Drop me an email and we can chat more. I'll see if I can get our project builder in touch with you as well.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/3427788483_c1ed4b7033_o.jpg

[OrcaInAustin]

Thank you for the reply back. I guess the boat you pictured in your email is the base lobster boat? My email is s_butler8@msn.com Currently, my plans are to build from the ground up, although I'm not against the thought of starting with an existing hull. Long term, I want a very seaworthy boat. Rot and decay are not an option. I would like to build with as much detail as possible including the look of wear and tear, but underneath...a strong hull and good engine. My intent is to use the boat personally as a pleasurecraft for fishing and diving. Are you guys building any more study models?

-stephen

[jesse l.t.]

You definitely dont want a rotten junker.Most Lobster boats are very well built and built with good wood.Wooden Novi boats however I have heard are the exception.They're built of green wood that dont hold up in dry hot area's.Which is why the real Orca is no longer around.Theres lots of options though if you want to use an existing hull.It dont have to be a Novi boat.A Maine Lobster boat and lots of different fishing boats could work well.Or just build from scratch as you mentioned.A 35-36 foot hull will serve you well for this build.
As far as the mini study models:Im not sure if Ill build anymore or not.Ive had several offers from people.So its a possibility.

[oporca]

Howdy Stephen,

The last miniature JT sold went for far less than it cost to build including labor which didn't help much in our quest to raise funds for the full scale ORCA. None the less, if the offer was right JT might consider building another.

There really are no 100% accurate plans out there for anyone to build a perfect ORCA but I believe we've gotten about as close as you can to getting it right. We've left no stone unturned in doing serious research as Operation Orca since 1996.

[OrcaInAustin]

JT,

First let me say that I am sincerely appreciative of the time you have taken to write to me to share your knowledge of the Orca. Any and all information is greatly received. I cannot imagine the countless hours you have put into this.

Could you tell me a little about the people behind Operation Orca? How many of you are there? How'd you get together? Have you guys built a boat before or is this the big one? What do you guys do for a living?

I'm a general contractor in Austin, Texas and have been building construction projects for about 20 years. I'm 40 now, love to dive and fish, love to build, and love the water. I thought this would marry all my interests. I've never built a boat from scratch before although I've refurbished many fish and ski boats, as well as a few small runabouts. I thought this would be a great way to get farther and stay out longer. From the info. I've gathered you can go a long, long way on a 500 gallon tank of diesel.

I did have a general question (I'm thinking down the road here) Do you have any idea what the weight of a boat this size is? I'm thinking I am going to need a ton and a half truck to pull it. 10,000 lbs? 15,000 lbs?

Also engine size? hp?

Any info helps. I look forward to talking to yu guys more.

Best regards,

Stephen

[oporca]

Howdy Stephan,

JT was brought up in the boat building business in WA as a kid and still does that project by project when the opportunity is there even though the business is now closed. Right now JT is shifting careers towards the entertainment biz in LA. JT can probably tell you more about his status and direction though.

As for me, I work in the marketing/advertising biz and have been researching this boat as a hobby ever since the summer of '75.

The both of us comprise the core of Operation Orca as a team, but we have 4-5 other part time members that contribute to the project to build a full scale ORCA in the way of CGI and other resources as needed. We also consult regularly with several vets that worked on the film and built the original boat for Spielberg, like Joe Alves.

[jesse l.t.]

I did have a general question (I'm thinking down the road here) Do you have any idea what the weight of a boat this size is? I'm thinking I am going to need a ton and a half truck to pull it. 10,000 lbs? 15,000 lbs?

Also engine size? hp?

The Orca was 13 tons.Usually with a boat this size a big semi truck is used to haul it.Theres also road restriction such as width and height.I believe the limit is 12 feet high and 12 feet wide.I think if its wider or taller you have to get special permits and such.Im also not sure that a regular truck could even haul it safely?Im not expert in the transportation side of this though.
The Orca believe it or not had a 4 cylinder gas engine.If I were you Id definitely go with a 6-8 cylinder diesel.Gas engines have been known to gather fumes in the bilge and all it takes is one spark to blow yourself and your boat to bits.I personally have never seen this happen but I have heard stories.
Also since youve never built a boat before you may want to start with something much smaller or just get a core boat and refit the cabin and such.Building these big boats can be difficult for even seasoned vets.Theres alot involved with lofting a hull.

[oporca]

Another chance for anyone interested in owning an ORCA miniature:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230344541756