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A Super Rapier?
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About this boat
I always thought that the Rapier had a much more modern hull design than its superstructure, and is perhaps why I always considered the Rapier to be a bit of an “odd” looking model?
When I was cutting some new replacement plywood cabin sides for the Rapier 1, I made a pattern for a much more “modern” looking superstructure that would suit the Rapier hull shape better.
I actually cut a pair of cabin sides out to this new shape, but in the end I simply replaced the damaged sides with a pair of original shaped parts.
As I restore Rapier 2, I will try-out some of the styling ideas on it to see how it would look and work.
I have already cut the bulkheads and keel to make an all new boat rather than modifying an existing Rapier, so I will build this model and learn what works as I try some of the ideas out on Rapier 2.
Hopefully I can come up with something that matches the superstructure to the hull shape better than the Rapier does.
Bob.
When I was cutting some new replacement plywood cabin sides for the Rapier 1, I made a pattern for a much more “modern” looking superstructure that would suit the Rapier hull shape better.
I actually cut a pair of cabin sides out to this new shape, but in the end I simply replaced the damaged sides with a pair of original shaped parts.
As I restore Rapier 2, I will try-out some of the styling ideas on it to see how it would look and work.
I have already cut the bulkheads and keel to make an all new boat rather than modifying an existing Rapier, so I will build this model and learn what works as I try some of the ideas out on Rapier 2.
Hopefully I can come up with something that matches the superstructure to the hull shape better than the Rapier does.
Bob.
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Discussions on another thread about building one of the modern Faireys and the like, Solent Spear etc., provided the inspiration for an open top version called Sports 35. which personally I think really shows off the hull design best - though I really like the others as well.
I know what you are saying about an outboard on the back but lots of Sports Fisherman boats do use them which is why I went for that version. Totally agree if that comment was for the updated Stiletto/Rapier (Bayonet) though with it's aft cabin. I keep flip-flopping between the modified Sports Fisherman and the Sprite Plus for the outboard!
Hi Chris,
Your second drawing down for the “Scimitar” looks really nice and is the one that I thought I liked the best, but the two modern looking designs with the wheelhouse also looked better than the original Rapier ever did.
I personally think that the Sprite Plus Outboard conversion that you have drawn suites the outboard motor better than the Sports Fisherman design.
If you have your picture of your Sprite Plus Outboard to add to this reply, I think it would confirm that is your best option.
The Sports Fisherman design really does look like a sophisticated modern power boat and having an outboard bolted on the back would spoil it. IMHO.
The Project 3 open rear cockpit idea on a wheelhouse design is something that I have considered using on Rapier 2 as I think the extended rear cabin roof that I have created over the wheelhouse on that version would look better with an open rear cockpit/deck, but I have still yet to decide on that and make a final decision…..the saw awaits….
The sloping rear transom is also a feature that I really like and could be included as I build a new hull for Super Rapier, but is not something that I considered chopping the stern off of the existing Rapier 2 hull for, although with the gap that was left open between the bottom skin and the transom that needed straddling (see text) I could easily have done it then!
Anyway, it is nice to get some narrative going again about the Project 3 link and the Rapier that started it.
………I have a Stiletto to refurbish - I didn’t know that you had also drawn up the plans for that one. Did your drawings include the bulkheads by any chance? They are always missing from the kit drawings (probably deliberately to prevent easy copies being made), but without them, it is not so easy to do.
Bob.
I even produced drawings for the standard Stiletto!
I decided that the open top variant would suit my water-jet project the best and so produced the drawings for that.
And now there's a sixth (if you include the standard one)! I modified the Sports Fisherman version for my outboard - the outboard is pretty big and I needed to enlarge the superstructure to balance out. It's taller so actually probably better for a Fisherman version anyway. But as you know I also produced drawings for a Sprite Plus with outboard.
I need to check the length as we had three different styling ideas and I liked them all.
Your water-jet project was based on one of these designs.
Only two years ago? I think it was longer than that, and may have been why I never got any further with the Super Rapier as I was tempted to build one of them instead.
Now that you have reminded me, I have the same dilemma all over again!
When I get home next, I will check the contents of the safely stored tube that has them in my office and take another look!
Bob.
Chris
Basically, the Rapier hull will remain unchanged as it looks like a very modern shape, and the pointed bow that looked so wrong back in the 1960’s now looks like those used on many of the current prestigious motor power boats so it will work well with the proposed new super-structure design.
I did mention the term “work well” in the first paragraph, and that is exactly what this hull does best as it is a real deep “V” performance hull.
The modified “forwards” rudder position added a fast rate of turn that enabled this hull to turn very quickly on Rapier 1, and so it will be retained on Super Rapier as I want this Modern Model Power Boat to perform well.
The old pictured kit box was acquired not long after the Covid lock-down and some of the parts may not all be there, but some will be, and it is from these that the hull will be made - together with any parts that need to cut from new wood.
The Superstructure .
The superstructure will be all new and will hopefully remain as shown in my original template (and it has already been cut from 4mm birch plywood), but I am happy to make any changes to it as the boat begins to take shape if it does not look “right” or if I come up with a better shape in any area that can be improved.
The build will feature the same integrated build as the LesRo Rapier because it makes a good strong water tight construction that has proven itself to work well.
Bob.
Looking at your drawings, I think your new design could give the boat a much more balanced and contemporary appearance.
I especially like the fact that you’re not just modifying an existing Rapier and calling it done.
Building a completely new boat gives you the freedom to try these ideas properly and see what actually works before applying them to Rapier 2.
I’m also curious to see how those new cabin sides look once you get them built up in three dimensions. Sometimes a design that looks great on paper changes quite a bit once you see the proportions on the actual hull.
It sounds like Rapier 2 is going to become your test bed for all these ideas, which could be a lot of fun.
And who knows, you may end up with something that looks even more natural on that hull than the original design.
I’ll definitely be following this one, Bob. I’m very curious to see where you take it! 👍