How much surface area is there on the hulls of a catamaran Like an F16, or F18?

I just got done reading this: http://www.kirkhammotorsports.com/book_aoe/

Chapter 18 goes over the buiding of the aluminum body for a AC Cobra replica that Larry Ellison had built. Read the whole thing as its really fricken cool. Looking at the body made me want a polished aluminum catamaran, just wanted to take a wag at what each hull skin would weigh. The curiousity is overwhelming.

Karl,
You could work on around 7m2 for an F16 and a bit over 8m2 for an F18.
These are just ballpark figures. I have the exact figures stashed away somewhere but these should be close enough to play with.

I would be interested in hearing what you come up with.

Regards,
Phill

Is that one hull or both?

Aluminum weighs .098lbs per cubic inch. A plate 12"x12"x.125" would weigh 1.764lbs. If there's roughly 75ft^2 of area, that would be 132lbs if my math is correct.

I can't imagine 1/8" aluminum is too friendly to work with either, or neccessary. Probably wouldn't need any bulkheads though! You could probably use 1/16", or likely even less.

I'm not actually looking to pursue anything, I don't have the money or the resources to build or have anything built. Just mental masturbation.

This thing is flat out beautiful though!


The skill and craftsmenship it takes to build a polished aluminum body is just amazing.

Karl,
That is per hull.
I agree that is a beautiful machine. Such great work. How could they make such a silly mistake as put the steering wheel on the wrong side?


Regards,
Phil