1/25th scale Berkeley Jet Drive Kitbash Ski Boat

[tim boyd]

Following up on one of the other threads here regarding 1/25th scale drag and ski boat kits and models, here are some photos of a project I completed about a year ago. The original boat hull was a project started long ago by Jarius, whom gracefully agreed to sell it to me (you'll see his original black "carpet" was preserved in my build). The Berkeley Jet Drive and seating are resin castings from Steve Perry (of '33 Willys Prock and Howell and Frieght Train GSL winners fame). The wood decking is a custom decal sheet by Sean Svensson.

Steve has submitted a how-to story on his "Better Idea" ski boat using the same jet drive and seating components to Gregg.....hopefully one of these days it may see print. It's a really cool build.

Thanks for looking....TIM

And here's a comparison with the stock AMT Hull Raiser:

Here's the link to about 36 photos of the model:

1/25th scale Berkeley Jet Drive Ski Boat Album

[jeffs396]

Awesome!

[disabled modeler]

Those are way too cool ! love the look of the jet drive, reminds me of my childhood build of the aqua rod chevy van and boat kit i had........love the seats !

[1320wayne]

Excellent piece. I don't know what's more interesting, the jet drive and engine detail or the seats. Very impressive.

[chebbysteve]

Thanks, Tim, for sharing this one. The seating arrangement is great, and the jet drive is a cool variation. These hotrod boats were pretty neat when they started showing up as models in the 60's. I've got 2 or 3 I need to get done someday. Hopefully, Gregg will let us see the story you talked about.

Steve

[randx0]

I like both but the jet drive is really coool!

[george 53]

Steve is a member of our model club(DMCC) and a good freind. He's been casting these Berkley Jet Drives for about a year and a half. They're EXACT copies of the Berkley Jet Drive off his brothers boat. Steve's a CAD/CAM Designer by trade, AND he's one HECK of a bolt counter! If it's on his Model, it's on THE REAL THING! He does sell these for about 15/20 bucks, but he only has them at our club meetings. If anyone might be interested, PM me, and I'll see if he can bring some to our next meeting in January. These lil rascals are beautiful! You get the Jet Drive,3 different transom mounts and the reverser thingie(I don't know what it's called). I've got a coupla them, in fact I'm gonna build a Drag Hydro with one. Steve tells me it might not be accurate,cause the water intake(which you also get) might not stay submerged enough to function properly, but I think it would look cool. Plus it would work properly in MY world!!!

[tim boyd]

Steve is a member of our model club(DMCC) and a good freind. He's been casting these Berkley Jet Drives for about a year and a half. They're EXACT copies of the Berkley Jet Drive off his brothers boat. Steve's a CAD/CAM Designer by trade, AND he's one HECK of a bolt counter! If it's on his Model, it's on THE REAL THING! He does sell these for about 15/20 bucks, but he only has them at our club meetings. If anyone might be interested, PM me, and I'll see if he can bring some to our next meeting in January. These lil rascals are beautiful! You get the Jet Drive,3 different transom mounts and the reverser thingie(I don't know what it's called). I've got a coupla them, in fact I'm gonna build a Drag Hydro with one. Steve tells me it might not be accurate,cause the water intake(which you also get) might not stay submerged enough to function properly, but I think it would look cool. Plus it would work properly in MY world!!!

George is right. Steve's Berkeley Jet Drive parts are way cool. He even includes a "Berkeley" decal and a perfectly molded Berkeley emblem. Plus instructions on how to wire up (hoses and reverser) the jet drive. Highly, highly recommended. TIM

[duesie]

How could I get the web site to Steve Perry's Cainaga Casting so that I may order a berkeley jet drive unit?

Thank

Larry

[Draggon]

Its "calnaga" and here ya go! http://www.calnaga.com/

[george 53]

Larry, Steve's castings are PERFECT. You WILL NOT be disappionted! Check out his Holley carbs an stuff, he got ALOT of cool stuff on his website!