Seaplane Tender 360
Having identified the boat the restoration starts...
I was given the boat about 10 years ago but had done nothing with it. Finally I decided it was it's turn to be made operational.
With the help of many on here the boat was identified as a kit built seaplane tender belonging to the RAF. Once it was established as a 41.5 ft version I looked at their history and decided that 360 had the best story having been loaned to the SOE during the war and had taken part in some agent landings and recoveries.
The Boat was built in the late 50s/early 60s as a pond boat powered by 3 Every ready cardboard wrapped 4.5 batteries in series powering a Bassett lowke marine motor. Steered by a sprung set rudder.
The decision to try and keep the finish as original as possible was easy but throws up some problems.
I want radio control in the boat and have a nice large cabin to house it in but the rudder has no significant stem to attach a servo to so a new rudder is needed with an above waterline shaft.
The Motor... Do I use that one or replace it with something modern.
The cabin roof was warped ( see thread titled warped wood)
I was given the boat about 10 years ago but had done nothing with it. Finally I decided it was it's turn to be made operational.
With the help of many on here the boat was identified as a kit built seaplane tender belonging to the RAF. Once it was established as a 41.5 ft version I looked at their history and decided that 360 had the best story having been loaned to the SOE during the war and had taken part in some agent landings and recoveries.
The Boat was built in the late 50s/early 60s as a pond boat powered by 3 Every ready cardboard wrapped 4.5 batteries in series powering a Bassett lowke marine motor. Steered by a sprung set rudder.
The decision to try and keep the finish as original as possible was easy but throws up some problems.
I want radio control in the boat and have a nice large cabin to house it in but the rudder has no significant stem to attach a servo to so a new rudder is needed with an above waterline shaft.
The Motor... Do I use that one or replace it with something modern.
The cabin roof was warped ( see thread titled warped wood)