I was lucky to be able to get myself a fibre glass hulled Fairey Huntsman 31 this is a model of the 31 ft Huntsman which converts to a scale of 1:11 which is a bit of a strange scale, the superstructure is in a poor state, so I am thinking it could now be changed to a 'Fairey Huntsman 28' which I think looks better.
Huntsman 28
The model 34 in long is close to 1:10scale at 34.6in
Some History
Four Huntsman 28's took part and competed in the 1969 Daily Telegraph / B.P. Round Britain powerboat race.
A Huntsman 28 'Fordspeed No 909' entered and completed the London - Monte Carlo race in 1972. Also the same boat set a new class speed record of 51.271 mph on Lake Windemere, in October 1973.
The hull is a deep V with single chine and spray rails. The construction was of laminated mahogany, the hulls were cooked in an oven to cure the glue.
The twin engines were placed mid ships.
Dimensions
LOA: 28' 10" (8.8m)
LWL: ~24' 10" (~7.6m)
Beam: 8' 9" (2.66m)
Draught: 2' 6" (0.76m)
Displacement: 8160lbs (3710kg)
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I was lucky to be able to get myself a fibre glass hulled Fairey Huntsman 31 this is a model of the 31 ft Huntsman which converts to a scale of 1:11 which is a bit of a strange scale, the superstructure is in a poor state, so I am thinking it could now be changed to a 'Fairey Huntsman 28' which I think looks better.
Huntsman 28
The model 34 in long is close to 1:10scale at 34.6in
Some History
Four Huntsman 28's took part and competed in the 1969 Daily Telegraph / B.P. Round Britain powerboat race.
A Huntsman 28 'Fordspeed No 909' entered and completed the London - Monte Carlo race in 1972. Also the same boat set a new class speed record of 51.271 mph on Lake Windemere, in October 1973.
The hull is a deep V with single chine and spray rails. The construction was of laminated mahogany, the hulls were cooked in an oven to cure the glue.
The twin engines were placed mid ships.
Dimensions
The boat was free but I gave a small donation to the club,(Darlington & District Model Boat Club).
Started by removing all hardware, motor mounts, prop shaft, rudder, water-scoops and outlets.
Next fill the holes I have made, remove some excess wood.
roughly sand down hull.
Foam bow area, and glue crack in deck.
Find a lot of damage to the fibreglass hull, large chips out of the gel coat and associated stress fractures, and other spider web cracks.
Drimmel all crack lines and open up chips and dents, then fill with a filler. an experimental mix of P38 and Araldite, hope it works.
Start planning drive options I have a number of items that I have brought and not used that will be put in this boat, otherwise they may never find a home.
last picture shows drive option to use up components.
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The boat was free but I gave a small donation to the club,(Darlington & District Model Boat Club).
Started by removing all hardware, motor mounts, prop shaft, rudder, water-scoops and outlets.
Next fill the holes I have made, remove some excess wood.
roughly sand down hull.
Foam bow area, and glue crack in deck.
Find a lot of damage to the fibreglass hull, large chips out of the gel coat and associated stress fractures, and other spider web cracks.
Drimmel all crack lines and open up chips and dents, then fill with a filler. an experimental mix of P38 and Araldite, hope it works.
Start planning drive options I have a number of items that I have brought and not used that will be put in this boat, otherwise they may never find a home.
last picture shows drive option to use up components.
Thanks to ChrisF I am able to rebuild the boat with a different superstructure, but using the Huntsman 31 hull, he informed me of a Sport version of the 31 that had similar cabin as the 28.
With some investigation.
The New boat will now be '2017 Huntsman 31 Cockpit', this is a modern remake of the original design by a new setup.
https://www.faireymarine.com/new-boat-showrooms/huntsman/2017-huntsman-31-cockpit-6084414/
Fairey 2017 Huntsman 31 cockpit, 2 berth classic sports cruiser
Length: 31’3”
Beam: 9’6”
Draft: 2’10”
Displacement: 4.5 Tons
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Thanks to ChrisF I am able to rebuild the boat with a different superstructure, but using the Huntsman 31 hull, he informed me of a Sport version of the 31 that had similar cabin as the 28.
With some investigation.
The New boat will now be '2017 Huntsman 31 Cockpit', this is a modern remake of the original design by a new setup.
Pictures
Rubbing down hull,
Close ups of hull repairs
Drill holes in transom for the exhaust pipes (water cooling outlets).
Added spray rail to side of hull.
Have found that I am having bad reactions to the fumes from Gorilla Glue.
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Pictures
Rubbing down hull,
Close ups of hull repairs
Drill holes in transom for the exhaust pipes (water cooling outlets).
Added spray rail to side of hull.
Have found that I am having bad reactions to the fumes from Gorilla Glue.
Started on Superstructure, as I had some free time, the cabin and sides will not be removeable and access to installation will be via the rear of cabin's floor area.
lite ply profiles cut to an old Vic Smeed design.
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Started on Superstructure, as I had some free time, the cabin and sides will not be removeable and access to installation will be via the rear of cabin's floor area.
lite ply profiles cut to an old Vic Smeed design.
NOW SOLD
Hi, Have added two brushless motors prop shafts etc, twin rudders as per original boat and also a cabin roof.
Did a test run (sorry no pics) but she was great, predictable and stable in rough conditions.
I have started on the inner decking, this plugs in the hull, still a lot to do.
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I'm following your Blog with interest as I'm currently building a Huntsman 31 from a kit bought from SLEC. I'm building the hull from ply and getting the curves right on the hull skins is proving challenging. Mine has only a single motor and rudder. Good luck with the renovation work👍
Hi Stuart,
Have been following your blog with interest.
Some months ago i acquired at an auction a 46" huntsman Fairey hull, It is in a very poor state with no superstructure of any kind.
Can you point me in the right direction for a set of plans?
Also what type of Fairey do you recommend, as without any existing deck / superstructure I seem to have a blank canvas.
This will be my first boat in over 10 years, i'm now remarried, retired and have just built the model dockyard in the Garden (18 ft workshop as a wedding present... I think she wants to get rid of me already🤓.
keep up the good work, some photos of the test run would be great/
Steve
https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Fairey_Marine
it will be then, sorry about the spelling will correct if possible.
Length: 31’3”
Beam: 9’6”
Draft: 2’10”
Displacement: 4.5 Tons