Here we are attaching the engine, jet pumps and transmission system on the frame and molds. It’s coming together!

Some of our technical drawings depicting the transmission and reverse system…the finesse behind the fun!

At this point we are discussing some details about the reverse and the transmission system. The functionality must be outstanding, but it also needs to be easy to change and maintain parts when necessary.

A new scale model to whet our appetites in white blue and orange. This one will be presented on the cannes boatshow 2012.

Go ahead…pick your colour! The actual model that will be presented on the monaco boatshow 2012 will have the same colors as the green render.

Believe me, working on these covers was a lot of fun.

The new hydrofoil fin we will use to test the prototype.

Some of our plans. Building your dream is a lot of hard work!

Our covers – all made in Italy.

Here’s the new aluminum frame we’re using for the next prototype.

Here are the molds we’re using for the prototype.

This next-to-final model. All of the shapes and contours were expertly calculated by Lieven, and the engine and jet pumps fit perfectly.

Here’s the design of the current model – I love this craft.

Once we had the design finalized, we built a small model to see people’s reaction.

Here’s the first real design!

Here’s Daniel’s first depiction of how the real Wesp would look.

My designer Daniel came on board. Here are a few of his first sketches. 

The first real test of the prototype on the water. One of my main priorities was the hydrofoil fin, and it worked like a charm.  What an amazing feeling – the Wesp was in the water, and I knew I could make it work.

The next float test, with the weight of the engine attached to the frame.

Here’s a great shot of the hydrofoil fin, attached under the front of the prototype.

The next step was to assemble the front and the back. I attached the side buoys to the frame, and it floated beautifully. 

This is the back part of the frame, made of aluminum.

Here’s another shot of the float test. You can clearly see the Styrofoam/fiberglass construction.

Obviously, the Wesp would have to have exceptional floating ability. Here’s a test of one of the side buoys covered with fiberglass. The metal plate on top allows me to attach it to the frame. 

Now I finally knew what the first prototype would look like.

Once I had the Styrofoam parts, it was easy to cover them with a layer of fiberglass.

I made these 3D drawings of the side and front buoys, and then the CNC machine was able to make the parts out of Styrofoam.

The first prototype – a depiction of the frame.

After the model started taking shape, I focused on achieving the volume I needed to make the Wesp float.

Once the sketch was done, I moved on to a clay model – I needed to see the human/machine/engine proportions to get the right look and feel.

Here’s my first rough sketch of the Wesp. I was determined to make it look exactly like a race car on water.