1 Post
1 Follower
2 Likes
Seaway tug boat
This boat was built in the 1990s from an unknown kit I know what it isn't it isn't a mount fleet models tug nor is mobile marine its a model of seaway a tug boat from the clyde its from a deceased friend on checking her out the old radio gear is us as is the speed controller lets hope this isn't a omen to the motor thats geared as I sort out ill post more on her
๐ฌ๐ง Stephen T
3 hours ago
4 Posts
5 Followers
21 Likes
Converting a toy semi tractor trailer into a decent RC model Unit
Another RC hobby? I'm already into RC scale model boats (since the early 1970's) and RC armor (since 2015) I am branching out to RC scale vehicles (but not too many). Notice the word scale in each of these three segments of RC hobbies.
This topic is for a RC semi tractor and lowboy trailer being converted from an inexpensive toy. It is already in 1/16 scale and should be compatible with my Springer ("truckable") tugs and Armor (tanks, etc.). I plan to use it at both Model Boat and Armor meets.
This first segment involves the selections I have made and my plan to make the necessary modifications to the toy.
I bought two ERTL about three years ago with the intent to convert them into RC. I paid about $70 (US) for the pair of them on sale. They are currently in the $70-80 range (each). They look good enough to use although not to exact scale. The project goal is to keep the cost down and have a fun functional vehicle.
Why buy two units? When done, I will be using parts from the second vehicle for the first, like wheels for extra axles and other parts.
Right now I am working on the semi-tractor. The new unit will have another axle, this one to lift by RC. It will also have the extra sleeper cabin and other accessories. I am planning to make the "gooseneck" (the part that connects to the trailer) RC controlled. Unfortunately the model's lowboy trailer suffers problems like the real trailers do. Too close to the ground. I will need to elevate the trailer sufficiently so it will not get stuck. I do not have to contend with railroad tracks which makes the vehicles good targets for fast moving trains.
The latest:
This evening I am cementing the chassis frame together. I had to print it in five pieces due to the limitations of my 3D printer. There will be rectangular steel tubing epoxied inside the frame for extra strength.
Lew
๐บ๐ธ LewZ
21 hours ago
1 Post
1 Follower
10 Likes
Palfinger PB-950A (kinda)
I saw this little jetboat on Aliexpress and wondered what it might take to get it properly running. After seeing some breakdown videos on jetboats and modifying my Proboat PBR, I decided to give it a try. It's a decent 1s powered brushless jetboat but it lacks a decent control system and reverse. I gutted the control system and added a small 1s brushless esc/receiver unit for a micro plane. The reverse is controlled by a 9g servo, and the bucket is scaled down from a file meant for the Proboat PBR. It's run off a logical switch within Edgetx. When reverse throttle is applied the motor runs forward and the bucket drops automatically. I might change it to a 2s system and it still needs detailing and lights. I'm thinking about repainting it in Canadian Coast Guard markings
๐จ๐ฆ JSS4
4 days ago
28 Posts
28 Followers
380 Likes
The VMW Marlin Cabin Cruiser by Robbob
The VMW Marlin Cabin Cruiser by Robbob
Preface.
At the time of writing, Iโve had the construction of this boat on โthe back burnerโ since July 2022. By then I had spent about two months on and off constructing the boat to a stage where I could consider applying a glassfibre cloth and epoxy finish to the hull. However I couldnโt spend any more time on the Marlin project as I had a more important project to undertake, which was to paint, decorate, refurbish and prepare our house for sale so that we could downsize and move to a new area now that our kids had all fled the nest.
Fast forward to today (mid-April 2025) and itโs taken a while to get the new house and gardens into shape and settle in, with the emphasis on converting my internal garage into a great new workshop, I can finally pick up from where I left off.
Introduction to the kit.
This new model is the latest undertaking by Vintage Model Works, now famous for their very popular models of the RAF Crash Rescue Tender and Thames River Police Boat kits which are based on old Aerokits and Veron designs.
The Marlin is a re-working of an original Veron design by the late Phil Smith in 1953. His son Colin Smith, who was also responsible for the re-design of the Thames River Police Boat, has made some changes to his fatherโs design to take advantage of more modern materials and production methods such as CNC and laser cutting.
The photograph below is of a prototype built by Colin Smith to give you an idea of how the boat looks in finished form. And there is also a review of the Marlin that appeared in Model Maker magazine, November 1953.
The size remains at 36โ and it employs the same construction method as the original. The spacious cabins of the boat makes it very easy to accommodate all the latest control hardware required, not that the original was lacking in that area even when the radio systems used valves and large batteries and the propulsion was usually IC or a large electric motor.
Even the pre-production sample the Vintage Model Works kit supplied to me is well presented with a full size drawing including a pictorial construction sequence and separate pages of building instructions.
All the required materials are supplied in quality ply, balsa, strip-wood and dowel including clear plastic sheets for the windscreens, and various white metal deck fittings. The builder is of course required to supply their own adhesives and paint of choice, as well as the propulsion, drive train and radio control gear. In the latter respect I will likely restrict control to throttle and rudder and not add any lighting or other features. That has already been done magnificently by Mike Turpin.
Construction.
As with the Thames river police boat, another Veron design, construction starts with the assembly of a box structure onto which formers and bulkheads are attached to make the basic hull shape.
I will be tackling this in the first part of my build blog which I hope you will enjoy following and I encourage you to ask questions, leave comments and hopefully some โlikesโ as I make progress.
Robbob.
๐ฌ๐ง robbob
5 days ago
8 Posts
4 Followers
21 Likes
Wave master boat
This is a classic wave master it was built in the fifty's a nd a internet buy I have stripped out the rc engine and its tanks now on the research stage there are a few issues rear end smack thats had a poor repair done and the spray rails do not fit well of its history I know nothing
๐ฌ๐ง Stephen T
7 days ago
1 Post
1 Follower
4 Likes
HAGGIS 150 Outboard
This came about from wanting to build a harbour support vessel though couldn't find the correct outboard. I spotted some Stl files for an outboard that was poorly designed and had been proven not to work. I took these files and amended several parts and altered the shape of the leg slightly.
Instead of working with a shaft and gears its a flexshaft coupled to a 540 brushed motor with a realistic water cooling inlet and outlet. It's designed for high torque and low speeds. Its fitted with my own designed 3 blade high pitch propeller for maximum thrust at low rpm.
Has been tested in the bath so far and works very well. Just needing to build or find that harbour support to attach a couple or 4 of these too
Here it is running on the test hull.
๐ฌ๐ง HappyHaggis
7 days ago
1 Post
0 Followers
10 Likes
A Beginners Vessel
Testing the water with this one as although i enjoy building boats from scratch i also enjoy designing them and printing them which takes up many many hours.
I'm still indecisive to what it should be called as in my eyes it's not a flat plan build so cannot be classed as scratch built.
So here she is. Her name is "Le Boat" and a very small just under 26cm long very basic mock up multiple old french trawlers i was basing her on.
The idea behind her was to provide newcomers to our club a very basic, cheap and easy to glue together model that the first timer would still be proud of.
They still have to paint and fit the running gear so it's a short but positive learning curve that will hopefully have them wanting to progress from there.
The actual model is right now printing and will be finished in 20 hours so will update how she will really look then.
Motor 280-380
10-15amp esc
9g servo though smaller might work just as well
2s li-ion 800mah
Will probably print some netting along with a couple of sailors for the deck, maybe a box of fish though will see how she comes out
๐ฌ๐ง HappyHaggis
8 days ago