November 2, 2002
At this stage, the majority of the work is being done on the sponsons. Mike and Larry Hanson have used the original frames as patterns to carefully create new frames, as the originals were in too bad a shape to salvage.
Much care has been taken to preserve the dimensions of the sponsons as they were in 1965. This includes the aluminum frames on the back, which were originally added by Ron Jones when he and the crew modified the sponsons.
The structure of the sponsons has been increased by slightly changing the way the frames are mounted on the main hull. Instead of using a wooden block to make the corner between the frame and hull, aluminum angle is being used on both sides. This will increase the strength of the sponsons (which was a perennial problem originally), without changing the characteristics or looks of the sponsons.
Read MoreMuch care has been taken to preserve the dimensions of the sponsons as they were in 1965. This includes the aluminum frames on the back, which were originally added by Ron Jones when he and the crew modified the sponsons.
The structure of the sponsons has been increased by slightly changing the way the frames are mounted on the main hull. Instead of using a wooden block to make the corner between the frame and hull, aluminum angle is being used on both sides. This will increase the strength of the sponsons (which was a perennial problem originally), without changing the characteristics or looks of the sponsons.
