As per the title I've just removed the hull for the Fisherman off the building board so that I can make and fit the breast hook etc. and form the bow and stern out of balsa blocks.

It was obviously heavy when combined with the board but now it's off it's surprising light.

Chris

The Faun has an external rudder which is a first for me and I've been looking forward to doing some metalwork for a change and especially using brass.

I've been giving some thought to how I'm going to do this but as usual it will probably change as I go along. I've been collecting materials over the last week or so; tube and rod, a rudder, rudder stocks and hinges etc.

Well things have already changed! First thought was to make the rudder shaft mountings from 3-pin plug brass pins filed to shape but I had trouble drilling them for now, so have started on plan B. This is to use the bought rudder hinges and modify them and solder tube to them to suit the 3mm shaft, this is going to be fiddly! Managed to find some 1.4mm hex head brass bolts which is great. Had to open up the holes in the hinges. The photo makes the components look a decent size but they are titchy!

I've got a soldering iron but probably need one with more power so I've ordered an inexpensive soldering station, which as well as having more power has temperature settings as well. Was going to try my existing 30amp one but I can't find the flux paste so I've had to order some of that.

In the photo you can see the rudder I bought. I'll see how the blade modifies but will probably use the other shafts I've bought as they are already threaded on one end - otherwise I'll have to get some small dies. If I use the threaded shafts I'll make the blade out of mahogany.

The rudder on the full-size boat is too small for a model so I'm increasing it in size.

Chris

This build has involved a few changes and extra work along the way due to it being a one-off but it's getting there now.

I've added a mahogany transom, veneered the deck and fitted the rubbing strips so that's ready for some varnish now. I can then finish prepping the hull for the paint.

Chris

Second layer of planking, using 1.5mm thick bass is progressing. Certainly quicker than the first layer though I will have some tricky pieces to cut.

Chris

In parallel with the Fisherman I'm planking the hull of the Faun. Just one layer with this one using 1.5mm thick bass strip. I'm forming the bow in balsa using the bread and butter method instead of my usual blocks.

Chris

First layer of planking using 1/32" ply has been completed. Uneveness will be filled with P38 and sanded smooth. Second layer will be using 1.5mm bass strip and planked longitudinally.

Chris

So.....! 😊

As per my previous form I've started another build! This is the baby of the fleet at 16.5" at my usual 1;12 scale. There is information about the boat, the Fairey Faun, further down the thread. Whilst I did the drawings after those for the Fisherman I did intend to build it first as a practice for my first plank on frame build, with it being smaller and simpler. Being small will bring challenges of fitting things in.

As with waiting for the drill for the Fisherman there's going to be times waiting for materials and glue to dry etc. so it makes sense to start another, well to me!

With my other Fairey builds still requiring further painting and detailing to complete them this will add up to seven on the go! 😁

I printed out the drawings for the hull and have now cut them out roughly on the scroll saw so that I can drill holes for cables etc. which will be followed up with more cutting and then sanding to the lines.

Chris

I shall be returning to painting my current Fairey builds but I've got the itch to start building again and so I've started looking at the Fisherman drawings again. I left off as I hadn't decided on how to mount the detachable keel but I've now decided to utilize the keel, bulb and mountings from the Joysway Dragonforce 65 yacht and ordered the parts which arrived yesterday. I've measured them up to incorporate in the drawings and may have to modify them to facilitate installation.

I haven’t done anything on my builds since before last Christmas for various reasons but am looking forward to starting again in the next couple of weeks.

I’ve been working on a number of builds for some years and not finished one yet! Main reason is that I reach a certain point, maybe something I’m hesitant about, and so start another! Which is the reason I’ve got five on the go.

I’m building all the classic Faireys; Huntsman 28, Huntsman 31 and Swordsman 33 and a rarer Huntress 23 with a stern drive and longer cabin. Also a River Cruiser 23 (the one and only full-size build was a prototype was based on a modified Huntress hull but with more freeboard which disappeared) and I have the plans drawn up to start a Fisherman 27 motor sailer and a Faun 17 river/lake cruiser. All builds are at a scale of 1:12.

The River Cruiser and Huntress are further on as they have had lake trials with the others being at the painting stage which I will be taking up again soon.

I use a Hitec Flash 8 Tx and Rx’s and Hitec servos with Overlander brushless motors (even in my slower models) and HobbyWing Quicrun and Seaking ESC’s along with LiPo batteries though will probably use NiMh in the Fisherman and Faun.