Tornado photos from the archives
POWERBOAT, June 1976

It's great to own a sharp looking SK boat but it's heaven when you've built it yourself and it turned out like this.

The hull was constructed from African Mahogany plywood and Honduras Mahogany. Upon completion, the sides and bottom were covered with one layer of 8 ounce fiberglass.

In certain parts of the United States, weather permits year round boating pleasure. However, in those areas where snow and ice prevail for a good portion of winter, devoted power boaters move their thoughts and activities indoors. What better time for an enthusiastic do-it-yourselfer to tackle that long awaited dream. ..building his own power boat.

This is exactly what Dennis Goodenough of Janesville, Wisconsin did. His finished product, displayed on these two pages, is proof positive that a sensational ski boat can be built successfully from a set of hull kit plans. Not only do you have the fun and adventure of building your own boat, but you'll likely save a little money along the way plus having the freedom to make modifications to the design as you see fit.

Dennis purchased hull construction plans from Glen-L, a leader in do-it-yourself boat kits with a limitless number of plans to choose from in their catalogue. The entire project consumed nearly five years of sporatic spare time effort to complete including the trailer. Dennis places his total construction costs for the finished rig at $6,000.

The hull is a typical SK type, 18'6" in length, built of African Mahogany plywood and solid Honduras Mahogany. The bottom is 1/2 inch ply with 3/8 inch sides. Both bottom and sides are covered with one layer of 8 ounce fiberglass. The hull is painted with dark emerald green and white acrylic enamel and the natural wood deck stained cherry and varnished.

The engine is a basic 350 cubic inch LT-1 Chevrolet. Dennis added a set of 202 straight plug cylinder heads, a thirteen quart Dan Olsen oil pan, an Edelbrock STR-10 cross ram intake manifold and two 600 cfm Holley carbs plus Gil Marine over-the-transom headers. The small block engine must be putting out some power since it swings a 12 X 15 bronze three blade prop at better than 5000 RPM with a 15% overdrive Casale v-drive. Dennis credits Powerboat with supplying him the information needed to draw up plans to build his own trailer after studying pictures that appeared in ads and editorials in the magazine. The actual steel fabrication was handled by a local welder in his hometown.

Dennis states that this first attempt at boat building was both rewarding and satisfying but not without its moments of frustrations. Still when Dennis powers off, out across his favorite lake during the summer, those bleak winter months are long forgotten.

44/POWERBOAT

Dennis started the five year project with a basic Glen-L kit. Along the way he made a few personal preference changes in the design. The trailer is also homemade.

The engine began life as a Chevy LT-1, 350 c.i. factory replacment short block. A whole host of extras were added to make it a powerful and dependable ski engine.

Almost as much fun as building it. Dennis takes his creation out for a summer spin.

JUNE 1976/45

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