Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

[subdude]

Having been wanting an Engel Typhoon for many years, I've been on the lookout for an opportunity to acquire one at a reasonable cost for some time. Finally last month one came my way.

The original owner bought the kit some time back, started construction, then passed away. The kit was left to his son, who being an airplane guy decided that he would never build it, so put it up for sale. I was fortunate to come across it, and we struck a deal. I'm looking forward to completing it, while preserving some of his dad's work in the process.

I had it shipped to my work, where the fun began. First step: try to get a 6+ foot long by 18" square box into a Mini Cooper.





Once home, I opened the box and found that UPS had completely ignored the rows of "THIS SIDE UP" arrows, and drop kicked it off a loading dock at least a dozen times. Externally it didn't look TOO bad, with the only real damage visible being the upper rudder.





However, when I opened her up, the inner pressure compartment was completely broken out of the hull. Amazing. All the electronics and ballast tanks were just rattling around loose in the hull.





After digesting this for a bit, I decided that UPS had probably actually done me a favor. I had been wondering how to verify that the inner compartment would be structurally sound, and waterproof. I had considered removing it to start over, but had no idea how I would do that without destroying the hull. UPS to the rescue!

I couldn't resist this shot comparing the 1]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/subdude/Typhoon/20141108_104739_resized_1_zps5077f641.jpg[/img]

[subdude]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

Once I had the hull stripped, I repaired the rudder damage, and checked over the rest of the stern. All looked pretty good, with the exception that the original owner had made some of the same errors we all did when building our first boat. All the hardware, setscrews in collars, clevises, etc were steel. Great for an airplane, not so much for a sub. So off went an order for Dubro parts.



I also took stock of what was missing (resin detail parts, props, etc), what was in need of fresh replacements (seals and the like) and placed an order with Engel. I also decided to outfit this beast with a bow thruster, so ordered that as well.

Next step was a very messy Saturday afternoon grinding all the old epoxy resin out of the hull and off the inner compartment. The dust mask was imperative! Once done, I now had nice clean surfaces inside the hull to start fresh with.

[subdude]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

One of the things that was missing was the hatch for the watertight compartment. I wasn't too concerned with this, as I really didn't like the idea of an aluminum plate over the access hole anyway. Taking a page from some of the other folks whose builds I've been researching, I decided to widen the access hole, and add 2 more small hatches. The original access is surrounded by steel bars glassed into the compartment. These got cut with a 3" cutoff wheel in an air grinder. I removed the longitudinal bars, but left the cross hull ones intact. I figure this will keep the stiffness of the compartment acceptable (shouldn't be an issue the fiberglass is mucho thick). A bi-metal blade in the jigsaw made quick work of the rest of the hatch modifications.



Once that was done, I measured the openings and designed the hatches. They are cut from 1/4" polycarbonate (Lexan). I took advantage of a perk of my job and drew them in Solidworks, then cut them out on our waterjet. Perfect parts every time!

I cut the mounting holes to the tap drill size for a #8 screw. Once the hatches were located on the compartment, I drilled thru them into the fiberglass. I then removed the lids and tapped all the holes in the compartment. Then I drilled the holes in the lid out to clearance diameter for the bolts. Here's the hatches being test fit with the bolts in from the top.



Once satisfied with the fit, I removed the hatches, and then epoxied the stainless steel bolts in from the inside of the compartment, making studs for the hatch lids to seat on. I'll hold them down with washers and brass nuts. I've used this arrangement on my 1/48 fleet boat for many years, and it works quite well. I may consider adding a quick access lid to one of the hatches later.

[jefftytoo]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

Wow! Way to go, roomie. SO cool. Will be looking forward to a little stick time on this beast someday.

BZ,
JeffP

P.S. I think I see an SCR article outta this, don't the rest of you guys?

[crowman17]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

Nice work Jim looks great.

Marc

[vasily]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

The internal layup of this Engel kit looks like it's Kevlar yellow. Can someone who built one of these comment on this?
After working on my Kevlar Typhoon for the past two decades, I can surely say that Kevlar is a bitch to work with.
Jim

[subdude]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

Jim,

Kevlar? Seriously?

This kit is one of Engel's early Typhoons, as confirmed by Gregor Engel. The original owner passed away over 11 years ago, no idea how long he had it around before his passing.

So, what made yours so difficult to work with? So far, this one hasn't been bad at all.

Jim

[vasily]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

I started scratch building mine in about 1986, just after the first articles hit Janes. Research was mostly photo interpretation, with only the first four public photos, and a few from less public sources. Cut the master using a YMCA shop lathe and table saw. Laid up frp mold. Laid up Kevlar reinforced epoxy hull. Put it aside while I did other things. Did other things for many years.
The original hull had to be modified when better photos became available of the sail and stern. Past few months have been spent making the missile hatches, forward dive planes and doors, rudders, and stern.
I may finish in the next twenty five years, but I've already left instructions to bury it with me if I don't. The journey is more important than the destination.

[drschmidt]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

I guess its just yellow polyester resin. Why would one use Kevlar on a hull that does not have to take high loads. In addition Kevlar is expensive and the death of every scissor.

[Wheelerdealer]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

Engel released the Typhoon kit in 2001, and yes it's always been polyester resin,

[vasily]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

Dr Schmidt,
I used Kevlar/ epoxy because:
A. It is cool.
B. I wanted to learn how.
C. I had more money than brains (way back then).
D. I wanted a very tough structure without internal bracing.
Jim

[subdude]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

Hi Ramesh,

Thanks for that info. This then must be one of their very early kits.

Your is one of the builds that I have been watching and admiring for quite some time. Beautiful!

[Wheelerdealer]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

Thanks, I am building another one at the moment, this time as Dimitri Donskoi, incorporating some new stuff and making some improvements to the operational performance.

[drschmidt]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

Hi Vasily,

I didn't eman to critizise you. It just doesn't make sense for a Commercial Company that tries to make Money with a kit. When I build my own stuff I frequently go the more expensive and complicated way, too.

[Guest]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

One thing worth mentioning, try and get the box as low in the hull as possibly, makes a difference to the final weight of the boat.

I think Ramesh sanded out the upper hull to reduce displacement, which helped him get a scale waterline.