Stanchions, lifelines, and hatches going on. This project has very few, which will be good for the timeline. I will add working Nav Lights, and a rotating radar. Also, I included a group photo of the MLB Ladies at the pond. (I have a type. The Severn is next most likely.)

As you can see the 36503 is undergoing renovations, it was nice to get her hull wet, it had been a while. She was my first R/C build. A retirement gift from the wardroom.

More to come.

So, she is complete from the keel up just needing some touch-ups. Ballasted and test run. Super buoyant, held my 101 Kilos up un the pool. Many days off coming up, upper deck fittings and details to be completed.

Well,
There is no excuse now for beginning the superstructure. Signed, Sealed, and Painted. FWD and RVS, Left and Right. With 59 days to go before scheduled delivery (To Me). Deck needs some slight filling and sanding, but all in all, I am pleased. As with most of my projects, standoff scale is my thing.

Kevin

So, A final sanding below the waterline, then bottom paint. Ballast with the mandatory one-hour float test in the pool (By Sunday next week.) Everything else is just window dressing.

After:
Seal and sand deck.
Paint deck.
Start on Superstructure and fittings.

She will have a rotating radar, and Nav lighting.

Two weeks till patrolling the pond.

Now to deal with all those ugly spots, not too many. Still found time to get a motor replaced, a receiver trouble-shooting job, and a shaft broke free. All on three different vessels.

Tomorrow I will have two working 44' MLBs, and the America running, and the 52' MLB for display. Hopefully the Florida heat does not melt the boats.

Mostly worried about SS America, but last sail did not produce too much flooding. I am going to experiment on the aft hatch and see if I can keep her dry. Definitely re-positioning the RX.

See you on the pond.

Leaks found and plugged. Rub rails installed. Chines and aft hatch.

Today's letter was "R", I know pirate prefer the "C's".

Only two more rails to go, the lower ones under the waterline. Should have those on tonight, maybe tomorrow. Tomorrow the letter will be "C" for chines. One more rough sand of hull, final sand, then some thinned resin and she will be ready for primer

I binge watched "Saving Lives at Sea" while doing this weekend's work. It was very motivating.

Is there a publication, book or magazine that deals with the rolls of the British Coast Guard and the RNLI? I would like to learn more.

Cheers,
Kevin

So, a day ahead of schedule. Tomorrow I will resin the inside, and at the end of the day fill it with water. This is how I check to see if I have any leaks. With Monday off, I should have her primed and painted (Hull Only) by close of business. I actually use black flex-seal as my bottom paint for an extra layer of protection. Well on the way to meet the August 15th deadline.

My goal is to have my 1/16 44' MLB, (whatever scale) Billings 44' MLB, 1/16 36' MLB, and finally MLB Victory 52' MLB 1/24 scale in the water at the same time running. Is that too many lifeboats? (Don't tell my wife.) I have 1/20th scale Severn plans in route. Should be 51" Obviously not a four-month build, that is a 2025 project.) Or, you know Coast Guard Cutter Onandaga 1/48 with a steam plant. One of those two.

Then, a break from boat building and on to a PBY!

I was wondering if anyone would notice that I poked a hole through her. Almost done sanding. Waiting on some filler to dry. Have to pick up a can of resin tomorrow, and some cloth. I will indeed resin the inside as well.

Well, slow going on my unusual plank job. But all is going well. Still no hurry, this hull will be waterproof and smooth.

Still more filling and sanding, I anticipate 5-6 hours and then I will be ready to fiberglass the hull.

Plan is to have a smooth hull, paint it entirely with stripe and the lettering, so from the bottom up it is complete. Concentrate on the superstructure, masts and deck fittings. I plan on navigation lights and a rotating radar.

As you see from the plans under the boat in the pictures there are more Coast Guard vessels to be constructed. Or........A battleship?