Hi Boatshed,

Rapier 1 is quite fast for a boat that is just under 40" long and for a model that is not a featherweight.

I have previously posted video on here of Rapier 1 at speed and she is a very impressive site that rides and steers very well too.

The original motor was changed after a few weeks as the boat was just too fast for regular use on our Southport Model Boat Club lake, but she is still as quick as shown in the early video - but more stable and with faster steering.

Duration was a problem with Rapier 1 when she was running too fast - it was only giving 7 minutes per run before beginning to slow slightly on 2C 7600mah LiPo batteries.

If I can find any of these videos I will let you know, but I may not have kept any of them.

Bob.

I love the Rapier, and her new colour scheme.
Is that her flat out now or has she still got more throttle to go.
She looked great in the earlier video when she was going faster.

Rapier 1.

Hi Chris,

I have deleted the more recent video and replaced it with this quite rare footage of Rapier 1 just after it had the black and white "Covid" colour scheme replaced with the red/black and white colours that it has run with ever since.

The foredeck hatch had just been cut out, and I covered it was an over-sized air scoop that was soon replaced with a more conventional flat hatch cover.

The large air scoop was not wasted, it was cut down to reduce its height and was then fitted onto the cabin roof as an air-con inlet.

At this stage Rapier 1 was still running with the adjustable trim tabs fitted, but soon after this run was filmed, I cut and shaped some roofing lead sheeting to fit into the new "nose hatch" to balance the boat until it run perfectly without any need for the trim tabs.

Rapier 1 actually runs much nicer without the trim tabs and steers faster too.

Following these changes, Rapier 1 has run unchanged for the last 3-4 years and has clocked-up well over 100 hours of fast running with no further changes.

Bob.

Can't open it Bob?

Rapier 1.

I wouldn't worry too much about your Rapier having a twist in it Will, the "self jigging" construction makes it almost (!) impossible to build it with a twist - especially on one side only!

Rapier 1 was the exception, and although I took the twisted side apart and rebuilt it straight, I still don't understand how the first builder managed to achieve it.

When looking along the hull from the stern, the left hand side of the hull bowed inwards like a banana, but the right hand side was OK.

By removing the left hand deck to expose the stringers, I was able to get in with a razor saw to chop out some of the wood and reconstruct that side of the hull with spacers to push it back outwards until it was "straight".

To do this, I had to first remove the two cabin sides, but I was going to replace them in any case as they had been "butchered" - presumably to get the large two stroke engine and fuel tank etc fitted.

With the reconstruction of the hulls left hand side framework completed, I inserted the new cabin sides that I had cut and replaced the parts of the bulkheads that had been hacked out (making room for the large two stroke engine) so I was able to realign everything before replacing the left hand deck skins to make the hull look a lot better.

Basically, when fitting the new cabin sides and reconstructing the hacked-out bulkheads, I was able to re-jig the hull using the original inter-locking kit construction to get everything realigned.

I replaced the "deck skins" on the left hand side, but I was able to press the left hand "hull side skins" outwards to their correct location without having to replace them with new wood.

For those that have watched and enjoyed the "Only Fools and Horses" comedy programs, Rapier 1 is a bit like Triggers Brush. It's all original.....apart from all the new bits..........🤣

Bob.

I haven't even looked to see if my Rapier rescue has any twist in it at all Bob.
I'm sure I'll be referring to your images and rebuild when I 'eventually' make a start on my Rapier.

Will

Morning Chris,

When I first asked (many years ago) I was told that the small rocky patch you can see covers the inlet pipe for the water supply into the club lake. This is used to maintain the water level in the lake if/when needed.

The buoy marks the area you need/should avoid sailing, and so I usually always avoid going between this marker and the side of the lake.

If you like to be adventurous, the water is not too shallow if you stay close to the inside of the marker buoy, but it is best to stay outside of it to be totally safe.

When the water is clear you can see the rocks covering the inlet quite clearly and with a shallow draft boat you can sail over it safely (and I have done) but it is best avoided, and when the blue dye is in the water (to stop any algae growing) it is not so easy to see them.

The water level does not vary much so it is at a 'constant" level, but the small rocky patch should be avoided to be safe - and it why it is clearly marked with buoy.

.......and like yourself, I have hit the obstacle once (when "flat-out" with Rapier 1) and it didn't end well - but it could have been worse as I only suffered a bent rudder shaft.

I was able to bring Rapier 1 to the lake side, lift it out, straighten the rudder shaft (not perfectly), check for any other damage (none) check the servo operation (OK) and carry on for the rest of the day.

When I got home the rudder shaft was straightened properly and kept as a spare as I fitted a new replacement.

Lucky escape!

Bob.

What is that pile of bricks/concrete(?) sitting in the water? As anyone ever hit it?

We have a hazard in our lake being a steel launching cradle - you really have to watch it coming round the last bouy, particularly when racing.

I caught it once when practising with my Club 500 - bent the rudder and dislodged the servo and battery trays which I replaced with ply.

Very Impressive, Bob!
Reminds me of the "Surf Side Six at Miami Beach" Opening.
Trev

Masterful speed boat.!!
😎

Thanks Phil,

Rapier 1 now runs much better than it did during its first run - it's surprising how much more agile it is when the hull is not full of water!

I did cut a hatch into the foredeck so I could access the large void that these models (Javelin and Rapier) both have so I could inspect the hull inside to check that everything was OK.

The hatch became an air scoop that looked quite "racy" but it was soon removed and replaced with a more conventional hatch, but I did use the air scoop again - I cut it down and added it to the fore-cabin roof as a mock air condition intake!

Bob.

Apart from the bow bob it runs well
You have done a great job getting it back on the water.
Philuk👍

LesRo,
Your all-around customization is making your model look magazine-cover worthy. The wrap-around mask adaptation is an excellent detail and truly elevates the model.
I completely agree with ChrisF—you are a master restorer.
😎

You are the master of saving old models Bob.

As you've said before it's harder than building from new and there can be some real challenges.

Rapier 1.

The motor baseplate was made and fitted to carry an alloy water-cooled engine mount for the intended brushless motor.

A platform was made under the wheelhouse to carry a pair of LiPo batteries along with a shelf to hold the ESC.

A servo mount was fitted in to the rear cabin and the inside of the hull was painted in a grey primer undercoat.

Bob.

There a lot of work in bringing an old boat back to life, i know because i did one myselfin some waus i would rather build a new model because the amount to put right well done for rescueing it .
Philuk👍

LesRo Rapier 1.

I noticed the comment from chugalone100 about this thread that I last commented on 3 years ago when I was able to take the trim tabs off this Rapier1 following some experimental work that I had been doing on re-balancing the hull.

Following a quick a read through this old thread , I noticed that I was unable to upload any of the rebuild pictures that I had taken to document the restoration of Rapier 1 as it was done.

I thought it could be of some interest to anyone else that may be tempted to take on a helpless wreck to see a few of them, so I have included some (not all) of them here to hopefully persuade others to restore rather than throw away any of these old Classic Model Power Boats as they are an important part of our model boat history.

Since this restored Rapier 1 was first seen on the water, it has attracted a lot more attention than any other model that I have sailed - partly because it was quite rare back in the 1960's when it was first released and was available as a kit, and partly because it didnt sell very well, so very few of them were ever made ....or seen.

I was amongst the greater majority of Classic Model Power Boat club members that thought the Rapier was a really ugly looking boat when it first came out - and that is why it never sold very well and it remains one of the few LesRo models that has never been re-kitted.

Fast forward 50 years or so, and the model does not look quite so bad in my eyes - in fact, I have come to quite like it.

One thing that did blow me away when I first run Rapier 1, was its unexpected speed and superb handling - it also has a very tight turning circle too! This has not gone unnoticed with several comments being over-heard about others trying to find a Rapier for themselves!

I know at least one builder who has bought a Javelin (same hull) to convert into a Rapier! Praise indeed for such an ugly ducking!

There were a lot of Javelins sold and it was also re-kitted (at least twice) so it is still quite easy to find them for sale.

I picked a Javelin up on ebay quite recently as they provide an inexpensive way to experience this superb all-round 39 1/4" performance hull at a modest price - and another one of these superb hulls could be the base for a future Rapier project.....

This Rapier 1 is still performing very well and has clocked up well over 100 fast running hours (with no failures) since the Covid days when it was restored.

This is quite a heavy duty workload for a twisted old wreck that was pulled back out a skip and goes to prove that it is well worth giving new life to an old Classic Model Power Boat as they really do have a lot to offer.

The attached pictures shows the boat when it still had its original "Covid Colour Scheme" - I only had black and white household paint in the house during lock-down!

Bob.

LesRo Rapier 1.

New 4mm cabin top formers needed to be made with matching formers to be used to shape the cabin tops with the same curvature to ensure a good fit to each other.

The remains of the original cabin sides were cut up to make some of these small parts from, along with the new front cabin windscreen.

Bob.

LesRo Rapier 1.

With the bulkhead shapes re-established as best as I could guess (no plans), the new cabin sides were slotted into position and fixed into place.

Bob.

Another excellent eBay find. You’re truly a skilled hunter.
The finished result clearly reflects your expertise with this type of model.

Congratulations.
😎

Rapier 1.

We have been spending a lot more time in our caravan recently taking advantage of the unusually good weather that the north west is currently enjoying- this gives me more time on the Southport lake but no time in my workshop (shed) at home!

The trim tabs were secured onto the stern of Rapier1 by a pair of stainless steel cap head bolts on each side, so these remain fitted but with no current function.

Maybe I could find some pictures of some bathing platforms and design something suitable to fit Rapier1 and secure it using these same cap-head bolts?

That could look good and be easily removable as I secured the matching stainless nuts inside the transom when I fitted the trim tabs.🤞

**I have reposted this as it was previously assigned to a second entity (bobs2) that I seem to have acquired on this site!

Now "sorted" !

Bob.

Rapier 1.

I am spending a lot more time in our caravan recently taking advantage of the unusually good weather that the north west is currently enjoying- this gives me more time on the Southport lake but no time in my workshop (shed) at home!

The trim tabs were secured onto the stern of Rapier1 by a pair of stainless steel cap head bolts on each side, so these remain fitted but with no current function.

Maybe I could find some pictures of some bathing platforms and design something suitable to fit Rapier1 and secure it using these same cap-head bolts?

That could look good and be easily removable as I secured the matching stainless nuts inside the transom when I fitted the trim tabs.🤞

Written by zooma not sure how it has been attributed to bobs2 - have I gained a fake second name?

Bob.

What a pity I didn't have the time on Sunday to come and have a good look at your Rapier. I saw it on the pond but have to admit my mind was elsewhere. (It so often is these days !) 😉

It seams to be a « beast » of à boat

Rapier 1.

The original forward deck hatch that I made had a large air scoop shape, but it looked too aggressive, so I sliced it in half.

The lower half was given a 1.5mm flat plywood top to become the new front hatch cover, and the shaped upper half was added to the front cabin roof to become a streamlined air intake for the (imaginary) cabin air con system .

Bob.

Rapier 1.

The forward deck hatch makes an ideal “weight box” as well as a foam filled buoyancy chamber.

Bob.

Rapier 1.

Pictured last week just before the Southport “bring and buy” with the recent forward deck hatch added to the fore deck to make it easy to check and see what is going on inside that big void space !

Bob.

Rapier 1.

Hi Steve,

The Rapier is a lot faster than I thought it would be - it came as a very pleasant surprise!

I had a few small problems to sort-out, but overall this boat has been a joy to own and run since I restored it and I look forward to the weather warming-up a little bit so that I can get it back on the water at the Southport club.

The spray rails make the boat look much more aggressive and it absolutely "rails" when cornering at high speed so overall I am very pleased with it and I am looking forward to maintaining it and keeping it looking tidy for the future.

Bob.

That is what I want for my birthday next week, then I wake up lol !!! She is a beauty, any footage of how she runs on the wet stuff ?

Now that is the way to do a restore, great job. I'm about to put spray/chine rails on my Sea Queen, this example of them is going to help a lot in it's end result. As for this being a Rapier, already going green and tearing off my t shirt as I type !!!

Nice work Bob looking great.

JB

Rapier 1 and Rapier 2.

Hi Kevin - good to hear that you are also restoring a Rapier - they did not sell as well as some of the other LesRo model kits, and unlike some of the others - they have never been re-kitted again either!

My model boat restoration work is more craft than precision - at 72 I no longer spend weeks seeking perfection in every detail, I prefer to make good solid strong repairs that work and return the boat to the water so I can enjoy running it.

This suites restoring and building classic model power boats, but it may not be the best approach if I were building highly detailed warship models etc - something that my eyesight and available time does not encourage in any case.

I could not find any triangular section obechie to use for my strakes, so made a simple little jig to allow me to split some square section obechie on my bandsaw.
This worked well and (with some practice) gave me no waste so I was able to get two triangular strips out of every square strip that I fed into the machine.

Using this method I made and then fitted strakes to my first Rapier restoration and liked the look of them enough to cut some more and fit them to this second Raper, a Javelin and two Swordsman hulls (so far!).

Bob.

Hi your work looks really good. I am impressed with how you have fitted the spray rails on the bottom of the hull. Could you let me know how you shaped them and fitted them. I am also restoring the same model.

Regards
Kevin.

Rapier 2.

The "new" Rapier that I won on eB*y needed some work - even though it was complete (missing no main parts) and is currently making slow progress in my over-crowded workshop.

The boat had a tiny sized motor inside and a fixed rudder so it had probably been used as a slow pond boat.🤔

Not much glue - but plenty of brass nails were used to put this LesRo kit together and a gap between the end of the lower skin and the transom suggests that it had not been used too often as this would have caused a major leak that would have needed some urgent attention!.

The cabin sides were smashed during delivery so the boat will take a fair bit of time to restore (and make watertight) and it gives me the opportunity to make some minor styling changes as I remake and replace the damaged and broken parts.
I made new deck edge and chine rails and cut some strakes and fitted a new M5 prop shaft as I tidied up the hull and plugged the holes that were left after I changed the position of the shaft, rudder and water pick-up pipe.

The front cabin sides and screen were replaced with new wood and the shape changed slightly.

The wheel house sides were repaired and a new "mask" type front (and rear) screen was made along with a new extended three piece roof (with lift-out centre section) to replace the piece of bent nailed-on 1.5mm ply it came with!

I am currently making a new front cabin roof to fit the new shape and hope to come up with a suitable rear cabin design when I cut away and replace the damaged sides.

Bob.

Soon after completing my Rapier restoration, another used example (more or less complete, but in need of some work) appeared for sale on eB*y and it had absolutely no interest.
I put in an offer and won it, so I became the "temporary custodian" of another fairly rare LesRo Rapier.
The LesRo Javelin has exactly the same hull as the Rapier, but it had an off-shore racer type super-structure that proved to be much more popular than the wheelhouse cabined Rapier.
The Javelin was also re-kitted at a later date and was re-named as The Streaker and it continued to sell well.
The Rapier was never re-kitted and so the few that were sold (mostly in the 1970's and 80's) remain the only ones in existence.

Like the idea of tools on board well thought out.
Rick

When the Rapier first came out I thought it was a strange looking craft that I was not too fond of, but 50 years later with so few being sold (and even less surviving), I am pleased that I rescued it and it has attracted a lot of favourable comments since it has been seen as a regular performer on our club lake.

A suitable brushless motor was fitted on a water-cooled alloy mount with a 120A water cooled ESC that was carefully aligned with the original 2BA prop shaft (fitted with new M5 phosphor bronze bearings and a 5mm stainless inner shaft) and joined with a Powerflex coupling.
A 5600Mah 2 cell Lipo was used to power the model and the performance exceeded all my expectations.
This classic model has a fair turn of speed - far better than I remember them running with the usual mix of .40 and .61 size glow engines back in the late 1960's- early 1970's!

The Rapier was twisted and needed the superstructure and decking to be removed to straighten it.
New cabin sides were cut from 4mm birch ply, new 1.5mm deck skins fitted to hold the hull in its new straightened position, and the various ragged holes that had been broken through the bulkheads were given square edges and filled with fresh 4mm inserts and sanded flat.
Deck edging and chine rails were made from 1/4 x 1/8" obechie and I made a jig to cut my own triangular 36" long strakes from square section obechie as it is no longer possible to buy hardwood strip in triangular sections
New cabin tops were made and whatever "lock-down" paint was in the house at the times used to colour it.