ORCA Boat From The Movie "JAWS"

Discussion in 'Boatbuilding' started by jesse l.t., Mar 22, 2008.

  1. jesse l.t.
    Joined: Aug 2007
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    Location: seattle

    jesse l.t. Junior Member

    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.
     
  2. 25thmustang
    Joined: Apr 2008
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    Location: CT

    25thmustang Junior Member

    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.
     
  3. oporca
    Joined: Dec 2007
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    Location: U.S.

    oporca Junior Member

  4. OrcaInAustin
    Joined: Mar 2009
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    Location: Austin, Texas

    OrcaInAustin Junior Member

    Orca progress

    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.
     
  5. oporca
    Joined: Dec 2007
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    Location: U.S.

    oporca Junior Member

    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...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

    [​IMG]

    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.
     
  6. apex1

    apex1 Guest

    Is there any navigational aid to navigate the site to get some proper info? I´m 60 already.
     
    1 person likes this.
  7. oporca
    Joined: Dec 2007
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    Location: U.S.

    oporca Junior Member

    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...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50
     
  8. OrcaInAustin
    Joined: Mar 2009
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    Location: Austin, Texas

    OrcaInAustin Junior Member

    orca on ebay

    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
     
  9. oporca
    Joined: Dec 2007
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    Location: U.S.

    oporca Junior Member

    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 or this forum to check for potential announcements.

    Freddy
     
  10. oporca
    Joined: Dec 2007
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    Location: U.S.

    oporca Junior Member

    This is one of the promo ads we were running.

    [​IMG]
     
  11. OrcaInAustin
    Joined: Mar 2009
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    Location: Austin, Texas

    OrcaInAustin Junior Member

    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!
     
  12. oporca
    Joined: Dec 2007
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    oporca Junior Member

    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.

    [​IMG]
     
  13. OrcaInAustin
    Joined: Mar 2009
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    Location: Austin, Texas

    OrcaInAustin Junior Member

    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
     
  14. jesse l.t.
    Joined: Aug 2007
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    Location: seattle

    jesse l.t. Junior Member

    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.
     

  15. oporca
    Joined: Dec 2007
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    Location: U.S.

    oporca Junior Member

    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.
     
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