I had this boat, a kit at the age of around 10 and my dad and I started it. Following a couple of years the boat was nearly finished and for some strange reason the build stopped.

After collecting dust for more than 30 years and the sad passing away of my father, I decided to get the boat down and make a fresh start with the intention of finishing it this time.

My only dilemma is the choice of motor we initially decided some 30 years ago to run a 6V Hectaperm electric motor off its gear box direct drive, but this has since found its way into our 'Imara' Tug and is more than well suited.

I cannot decide either to use a Tornado 850 or a brushless motor, the pro and cons are immense.

As can be seen my mother use to paint all my dads boats, and she is now helping paint bits on this one, I insisted as traditional.

Hope to post regular and the finished results around 14 May next year my father's B-day.

Anyway any advice welcome.

Have been making steady progress on the Huntsman.
Few additional fitting I acquired and me mom has been busy knitting boat fenders front and for the sides.
Amazing she can almost knit one as faster than I can chamfer a cork in the lathe to fill it with. (pictures attached).

I'm not sure the masking tape she attached them will cope with the speed and the wet. I guess I need to secure then with some brass cleats or posts. My next Job.
Also attached the windscreen not as much trouble as I thought.

Radio is in and the Torpedo 850 motor installed.

Decided to try it out Sunday, no major problems need a bit more weight in the back. Good turn of speed even with old recycled ni-cads from a drill pack. will be looking to get a lipo pack in the new year but pleased.

The hobby doesn't have to cost the earth I made some ladders from welding brass filler wire, and an exhaust outlet from a draw knob I found whilst walking to the shops. Also done some additional planking using stirrer sticks from costa fortune coffee shop. (My son grabbed me a hand full enough for a life time's modelling).

Ran the model again Sunday for the last time this year, proved well with a little ballast added. After 15 minutes of running checked the temps on the motor, Only just detect the suggestion of warming up, being such a cold day. The water cooling scoop has not been added as yet. Maybe not even needed at all. Hope to continue to source / make the fittings oven the coming months with the boat show Saturday perhaps for a new LiPo battery.

Following a visit to the international boat show for bits and pieces I took advantage of x-factory rubbish on the TV to escape the wife, and do some more on the boat. Handrails to the rear in progress. interesting tip I bought some 3/32 steam nipple fittings which after running a 2mm drill to the point allow my 2mm brass wire to push through. The idea being a nice finish to the bottom of the handrail and a secure mounting hole so the hand rail can be removed if needed. see picture you will get the idea the ladder one is a lager size 1/8 fitting for welding wire. Just need to add the cross pieces and solder up.

Since reality TV has reached full swing on the box the Huntsman has stepped up a gear.
The front fender has been fitted and incidentally my mother who made these, has been busy making another set she plans to offer them for sale via Ebay, to gauge what interest there could be.

http://r.ebay.com/OjgaMs

Me mother finally finished the boat fenders, scale 1/11th ideal for Huntsman 31 or larger, also perhaps a Tug boat or other old school pleasure craft.
A lot of attention to detail has gone into making these, 1 set offered.

Stephen.

Painting and fitting the kit parts from SLEC.

Few fittings added and new battery ordered for the new year.