Looking to build a one of a kind

[BJKohlleppel]

Might as well jump in and introduce myself. My name is Bill and I've never built a boat in my life. If you check on my profile you will see that I am a security officer by trade, with a side hobby in costuming. I am a prop maker (novice leather worker). To explain the costuming thing, I got into it because I am a huge fan of Star Wars. Local Star Wars costuming clubs focus on raising money for children's charities. That set well with me since I had a brother who died of Leukemia, when he was 7.

At any rate, my costuming has taken me into the world of GI JOE (A Real American Hero), and since I am a novice leather worker, I've taken the plunge to learn all I can on seeing to the feasibility in building a real life rendition of one of the GI JOE vehicles that I grew up with.

This is no joke. I am seriously looking into building a full-size, real working replica of the GI JOE "Devilfish". I searched for a boat building forum and found this place. So I hope I have found myself a good source to reference in pulling off this project.

For those who don't know what the Devilfish looks like, allow me to show you:
http://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/86/devilfish/

I think I may have a rough idea of how to pull it off. But I am not too proud to gauge the collective opinion of those who are more skilled in this craft, than me. I was thinking that I would build a basic frame out of plywood and 2x4's. But the main question I have with that plan of attack is how thick should the plywood be? Of course I would utilize some sort of marine grade resin to coat and seal the hull of the vessel.

Any idea on what type of boat I could use as a basis for this project?

Sorry for the lengthy read, but I wanted to ensure this community that I am not some crackpot looking to spam. I am honestly looking to learn from masters of the boat building profession to create a one of a kind boat that people could be in awe of.

Thanks for your time,

- Bill

[PAR]

If you plan on putting this contraption in the water and possably powering it up, you'll need a designer or NA to draw up workable plans. The hull is so uniquely shaped (very inefficient BTW) that no commonly available hull will serve well as a base without huge revisions, which will likely cost more then a scratch build. There are also practical considerations for this boat, which in real life (if used as a boat) would require design changes. In short, this is a toy, designed by someone without a clue about hydrodynamics and has very limited practical value (in use), but more importantly dangerous and significant hull form short comings, before it could be considered a workable, water borne vessel. Contact a designer or NA and see where you really stand in regard to budget and reality.

[BJKohlleppel]

Thanks for your candor. I was afraid this would be the case. Thank you for your time.

- Bill

[rwatson]

You could, of course, just build it as a display item - you may get paid to take it around shopping centres and other public places, just to wow the other GU Joe enthusiasts.

[BJKohlleppel]

Yeah, that is what a friend had suggested that I do, too. I was just wanting to see if it would be possible to make it a real deal prop, ya know?

- Bill

[wayne nicol]

what about getting the hull designed, so that it is safe and works, as close to the original as possible- then build your topsides any way you want, i have seen a few of those fast, single seater, high speed racers.
in fact there was a write up in a wooden boat a little while ago.
i say do it!!

[BJKohlleppel]

Thanks Wayne. I just need to go find a custom boat builder and pick their brain on how to do it. I did see a site online that offered plans for boat building for any experience level - beginners to experts. I thought about getting that program and just combing through all of those files just to see what I can come up with.

Of course I would like to keep it as "canon" as possible. But even I can recognize that reality does, indeed, exist and that if i were to build this bad boy that it has to be practical in application.

Thanks again!

- Bill