Manie's Microcruiser

Ditto!

 

Correction - sandals and with the build of the boat has no money left for proper shoes - which in turn means he has to save them for mileage on dry land :idea:

 

as frosty might say "he he he" But HE IS DOING A FANTASTIC job, as are you in your sporty car - any performance figures?

 

Also on the sandal (plastic crocs) stage due to the cost of the car

Mas, the seven is now about 80% complete on wheels and at the stage where I am now fabricating and installing the wiring (plug-in) harnesses - proper system with 10 relay /20 fuse station. Then the GRP panels - nosecone, bonnet, scuttle, rear fenders and front wings will be painted - rest of body panels stays bare aluminum. Then just a matter of fitting the engine and gearbox and the fun start then Last touched my car three weeks ago.
Albeit retired from boating et al, I still get hassled by people at home to fix boats, COF's, buoyancy installation, fix engines etc and since its summer now, always have a boat around at the cost of my car...but Im not complaining as this pays the bills for my build.

As for performance figures: not yet but think about this. Most Lotus seven clones using 1600cc (110kw) Toyota 4AGE motor easily does a sprint time from 0 to 100kph in about 4.5 seconds.
My car will probably weigh about 590 - 610kg completed which is on par for a seven and be powered with Toyota 3SGTE turbo engine (185kw) giving one a power to weigh ratio of about 308w/kg.
To put this in perspective; Porsche 911S Carrerra = 191w/kg (Turbo = 232w/kg), the Chevrolet Lumina SS (Holden?) V8 = 144w/kg, BMW M3 (V8) = 181w/kg...
You do the math to get an idea of the performance potential of my Loti

Manie is doing a great job and being one of the selected few on this forum that had been to his house and in contact with him and can confirm the fact that he is doing a first class job, and yes, his garage is always that clean BTW, he make a killer cup of brew as well
I am also one of the chosen ones by Manie to participate with the launch and maiden voyage at the Vaal dam - I think he needs me for ballast

 

Thanks for the support! It does help when the elbows are aching!

Anyway here is the trailer,
hot dipped galvanised
small light and VERY TIGHT - the axle is bolted so that I can slide it back and forth to get the ideal weight on the hitch
delivery is expected around 2 weeks from now

I do realise that many of you will wonder why so compact - the boat and trailer must fit into the garage as I still have lots of jobs to do, finishing off, like wiring and what not else.

Much of the rigging will also be done here.

Please will somebody that can CAD let me know if you are able to open the DXF file. I work in TurboCAD Deluxe V16.2

 

Here it is as a PDF
works ok, because you can zoom

 

Manie, get a trampoline to get in. Out is a matter of falling out, come on, it's not that high

Eh Wynand. That racing car of your's... why not a V8 ? 500hp will put you up there with the bikes. The right muffler will make it sound just like a VW beetle too...

 

No, that would add too much weight. If want to improve performance get a Hayabusa Powerplant and a Turbo and get 500+ HP out of it.... Like for example the Radical SR8*. Btw, the Westfield Megabusa has a Busa Engine, like the name suggests...

weight and power up from 440 Kg - 178 Bhp

click pic for source

An example... 500Bhp Hayabusa Turbo - Lunatic on the road !

Cheers,
Angel

P.S. - just checked the Radical SR8...

* has an V8 based on the inline-four Hayabusa, the Powertec RPA in a 680 kg car... But isn't a street car far as I know

 

Oh yeah ! And if you put a super charger, blower or turbo on a V8 you can chase 800hp.

The speed is great but the braking is not so good

 

Well, the only Hp limit for whatever engine is which service/rebuild intervals are acceptable for the owner . . . .

Cheers,
Angel

 

Thanks for the horsepower advice

However, the problem is to get the power on the blacktop. Even with little power a seven will easily fishtail around a corner...
Better to have just enough power to be able to enjoy the car driving it flat out with a little bit in reserve to scare the living daylights out of you not to do that To much horsepower with such a car is no fun at all and the result a car that is unsafe and just good in a straight line and that's defying the spirit of a seven - all about balance.
In fact, 180hp results in a car that is really perfect and will run away from most cars from 0-160kph. I have a bit more horsepower to compensate for my 130kg frame and high altitude.

BTW, many sevens are fitted with bike engines and the Hayabusa is a favorite but I know of a few cases where bike engines are replaced with car engines again. First problem is the sequential box whereby you have to go through every gear changing down and the fact that it has to be revved quite high to develop power and torque which become tiring, not to mention reverse problems at times.

in fact a road legal car and not used for racing at all....

 

Petrol heads seem only interested in "smokin" - - I reckon your 'super7' is the absolute sweetest and should be pure joy to run on various "mountain-climbs" or for "grand touring" on pleasant sunny days... Do not forget to fit a very effective immobiliser........ Joy-rides by thieving idiots would leave a lot to be desired....

 

Well folks
finally the beginning of my great adventures seems around the corner

in view of the "spoon" conversation here http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/open-discussion/yrvind-39341-15.html
I just wanted to post a pic of the "throne"

the bucket is still going to get a smart WOODEN seat (when I get time one-day)

Anyway after the flippen sanding (midnight twice over the weekend) it was a pleasure to actually paint today.
Painting is a joyous occasion, there is a kind of finallity to it that says it's getting to the end.
The paint also shows the spots where the sanding is a bit "sh1tty" but as you guys so rightly taught me, I have become very comfortable with my "dammit" paint job

The build has been fun 90% of the time over the last two and a half years but I really cant wait to start with the rig. Twin furling parallel genoa headsails, furling jib, furling main behind the mast.
The next challenge is to get her sailing and balanced. This will be the REALLY BIG EXPERIMENT - the advantage is that almost everything is adjustable and movable so that I can get the right rudder feel and enough weather helm, righting moment and and and, you guys know where i am going with this!

So yes I wont need a "spoon" - lots of storage space, muesli, dried fruit and vegetables. LPG gas cooking, solar panels for radio and watching Youtube music videos and believe me on a calm day a glass or two of good red wine
I will be a good boy out there and steer clear of the hard core sailors RUM

BTW guys I am using this downloader to save my Youtube music videos
http://download.cnet.com/3001-2071_4-75219434.html?spi=024f7984d3ca1b2dbb89bc58618506fc
it really works well no spam no nonsence
I got it from a friend who has been using it for years - no problems
its great because you can watch offline

how is this for a golden oldie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgA4-bLcoN8

enjoy

 

Manie, when do you expect to launch? Looking good and I hope it all goes well!

 

Doug hopefully the trailer should be here in two weeks time.
But this time of the year things go wrong and the trailer may only arrive once they are back at work mid January.
It is a bummer, but it's my own fault, I should have sat down and done the drawings weeks ago. The problem is as you get older and you dont CAD every day it goes slower. Also I want to do the exciting things like working on the boat. I spent a large part of my life on a drawing board pushing a pencil designing hydraulic lifting equipment, so drawing and mechanical engineering design is just not fun anymore.
So gotta hold thumbs, once the trailer is here her bum gets wet the very next day.
PS the beer is already in stock