Well, it's "ready" for its maiden voyage, in that it is fully functional. I'm still not happy with some of it aesthetically (like the fit of the cowling), but I can refine that from here. Dumas just really doesn't give one much to work with. Perhaps a carved balsa cowl or some modern piece from one of the parts suppliers is in its future. We'll see. For now, though, it's as ready to put in the water as it ever will be.
Those familiar with hydroplanes will notice I built this thing to turn left, just like the real boats. Interestingly, almost all of the model hydroplane racing I have watched on YouTube goes clockwise, turning right. Our local racers go the "right" way, counter clockwise, so I have to wonder why clockwise is so prevalent in the hobby. From what I've been able to gather, at least the gas boats, due to engine rotation, turn right much better. Maybe not as big of a deal with the electrics (the locals I'm referring to are all electric). We'll see if it seems like a big deal.
Of course that may all be moot anyway. I'm strongly suspicious that this thing is just going to float around like a turd in a punchbowl. I'll be surprised if it actually gets on plane, much less "handles" well. It'll probably plod around like a factory trawler...
In the end, this thing will probably end up on a shelf, as a static display and I'll build a modern kit. I have some great running gear now, that would do really well in the proper boat.
I'm waiting for a new charger at the moment before I can actually take it out. The batteries are far larger than anything I run in my modest squadron of R/C aircraft, so my current charger ain't gonna do it. When that gets here so I can top off the batteries, it's "off to the races". Hopefully not the submarine races...