After downloading these free plans I decided to build it, as I couldn't afford the AmatI kit, this is also larger. I'm putting in twin brushless motors 28/20-7 919Kv approx 500w each. I decide to take some photos of the build but whether I carry on is another question! Anyway here's what I've done so far, a week's work. There are no instructions and this is the only way I could think off to build it, I've built a couple of 1/4 scale gliders this way. I made a datum line on the the plan and took all the formers from that nothing is glued yet, just a dry run to take measurements to check on straightness and squareness, at this stage most Important. I will build the inside first, cockpit, sundeck etc, then the motors, electronics and then the first planking followed by the final planking. That's the plan anyway!!
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After downloading these free plans I decided to build it, as I couldn't afford the AmatI kit, this is also larger. I'm putting in twin brushless motors 28/20-7 919Kv approx 500w each. I decide to take some photos of the build but whether I carry on is another question! Anyway here's what I've done so far, a week's work. There are no instructions and this is the only way I could think off to build it, I've built a couple of 1/4 scale gliders this way. I made a datum line on the the plan and took all the formers from that nothing is glued yet, just a dry run to take measurements to check on straightness and squareness, at this stage most Important. I will build the inside first, cockpit, sundeck etc, then the motors, electronics and then the first planking followed by the final planking. That's the plan anyway!!
HI there dave m thank you for your kind remarks, I agree maybe when the motors are aligned I will probably be able to fit the hull bottom. I had an idea that I would build the sun deck and cockpit put the stringers on, take it out of the jig and then remove said sundeck and cockpit to work unhindered on the electrics etc. As there is no build instructions I'm trying to work ahead all the time, in my mind, but in a state of flux so its possible to change should better ideas come to me via this forum or elsewhere.
Thanks for your interest.
Colin, thank you as well, I knew someone would ask!! I've try to find the website again, it was about four month's ago I loaded them, I have them in Coredraw X3 I could send them pdf to you, then you take the file to a plan printer who should be able to print them off. My son gave me the site I will try and pump him for info because that would be easier for you to download to your computer, hope this helps
Brian
Thanks Brian,
it would be great if you could find website, otherwise pdf would be good enough.
The logic in your build plan is good but sometimes the items to be fitted require Illogical thinking. But as you say plans are fluid and easily altered.
Yesterday's work, the jigs between the formers are only to keep everything square, when the stringers are all in and glued the jigs will come out. The plan is in a foreign language, I'm not sure what, but it says 'Echelle 1:10' followed by 'Aquarama Special 1/7' the overall length is about 49" and about 12" at it's widest. if it is a 1/10th scale that makes the full size 40' long by 12' wide. if you look below the transom the keel sticks out where a sort of bathing platform goes which has given me a bit of a headache, but after many little jottings I think I understand how it all goes together.
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Yesterday's work, the jigs between the formers are only to keep everything square, when the stringers are all in and glued the jigs will come out. The plan is in a foreign language, I'm not sure what, but it says 'Echelle 1:10' followed by 'Aquarama Special 1/7' the overall length is about 49" and about 12" at it's widest. if it is a 1/10th scale that makes the full size 40' long by 12' wide. if you look below the transom the keel sticks out where a sort of bathing platform goes which has given me a bit of a headache, but after many little jottings I think I understand how it all goes together.
HI Brian,
Thought that you might like the following info, also have photos of real boats that may help.
Riva Aquarama, Super Aquarama,
Aquarama Lungo, Aquarama Special
(1962 - 1996)
The most famous Carlo Riva's designs, the Aquarama was become, over time, more than just a boat. The undisputed flagship of the range, it is celebrated as a nautical legend in its own right, a superlative in beauty, craftsmanship and performance that has rarely been surpassed both on and off the water. its evocative name perhaps assured its mythical status, and is derived in part from the widescreen Cinerama movie format, popular in the early 1960s, which is echoed by the boat's wide windshield.
In origin, the Aquarama was a direct descendant of the Tritone, upon whose hull it was based. First built in 1962, it incorporated the open sunbathing area of the Tritone Aperto with several new features, including separate front seats and a central non-slip gangway which allowed easier access to the water at the back. Like the Tritone it was always a twin-engine boat, although the units fitted varied widely, from 185 hp each to 350 hp in the Aquarama Special.
In total 769 boats were built over the course of the Aquarama's long production run, which only came to an end in 1996. This included 203 Super Aquaramas (built 1963-1971), seven Aquarama Lungo (1972 only, and the longest at 8.7 metres), and 278 Aquarama Specials (1972-1996).
HI Colin thanks for your kind reply, I didn't think this would be so popular I can see I'm going to spend time replying instead of building!!! But it does give me great encouragement to carry on and keep documenting this build, a thing I have never done before and regretted, especially when I renovated my present dwelling which was straight out of the 50's, when we bought it!,
I am still trawling through web sites, RCGroups has blog called: one more Riva Aquarama Special which a drawing very similar to the one I'm working with.
I can send you the PDF if you PM me.
Thanks again Brian
Today's work, trying to sort out the the rear landing stage, I have cut the other pieces but they are not shown in the photo. None of it is glued yet just tapped together, the two rudders have to be fitted against the last bulkhead first. But even they have got to be reworked to look like a Riva rudder. The other photo is the hardware bought yesterday, the two motors were given to me but had worn out bearings, cheap Chinese ones, now has decent Chinese ones fitted!!
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Today's work, trying to sort out the the rear landing stage, I have cut the other pieces but they are not shown in the photo. None of it is glued yet just tapped together, the two rudders have to be fitted against the last bulkhead first. But even they have got to be reworked to look like a Riva rudder. The other photo is the hardware bought yesterday, the two motors were given to me but had worn out bearings, cheap Chinese ones, now has decent Chinese ones fitted!!
Thanks Colin, your photos helped a great deal, I will try to do a bit more tomorrow and post some photos. Work halted today as I went flying this afternoon!
Brian
Just a little bit more done yesterday. Finished the side stringers, so boat could come out of the jig.The rudders are a very distinctive feature of the Riva boats so two photos, one before and after from a stock rudder and one fitted to the boat. I just took them apart and cut the existing metal to shape re-drilled and riveted back together. The other photos of my Gson holding the hull to give some idea of size, I think the 3/4 rear photo is the best view of the Riva, built, unbuilt on the water or just about anywhere! its probably the view most people will see when they are at sea! I am still unsure about the alighting deck at stern, I will carry on experimenting till I get it right. I have also got to decide what to cover the hull in before the veneer goes on, I was going to birch ply but have gone away from that idea, so might plank instead, whatever I do it has to accept the veneer and not move underneath.
Well I will go and create some more dust in my workshop now, have a good weekend,
Brian
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Just a little bit more done yesterday. Finished the side stringers, so boat could come out of the jig.The rudders are a very distinctive feature of the Riva boats so two photos, one before and after from a stock rudder and one fitted to the boat. I just took them apart and cut the existing metal to shape re-drilled and riveted back together. The other photos of my Gson holding the hull to give some idea of size, I think the 3/4 rear photo is the best view of the Riva, built, unbuilt on the water or just about anywhere! its probably the view most people will see when they are at sea! I am still unsure about the alighting deck at stern, I will carry on experimenting till I get it right. I have also got to decide what to cover the hull in before the veneer goes on, I was going to birch ply but have gone away from that idea, so might plank instead, whatever I do it has to accept the veneer and not move underneath.
Well I will go and create some more dust in my workshop now, have a good weekend,
Brian
Not much done over the weekend after all (went flying Sun pm) After much thought and seeing photos of the real thing decide to ply the bottom of the hull diagonally.
So I did a first fit for the prop tubes to get some idea where things ought to be, then pinned glued the first two either side of the stern, I find I have much more control over the ply to shape and stick to bulkheads this way as opposed to one big sheet as I did on the Fast Patrol Boat, it seems to be stronger but logic tells me it should'n't make any difference yet. if you look carefully you can see I put some tabs on the inside to keep the outside flat, they can be removed once the skins have cured properly.
I still can't get my head around the bathing ladder(?) sides so decided to make them in blue foam as a way of seeing if I could replicate the original boat. Still not sure. Certainly will not be able to veneer them, to curvy in all directions, so have considered making them out of solid, the same way as I have done the blue foam.
Brian
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Not much done over the weekend after all (went flying Sun pm) After much thought and seeing photos of the real thing decide to ply the bottom of the hull diagonally.
So I did a first fit for the prop tubes to get some idea where things ought to be, then pinned glued the first two either side of the stern, I find I have much more control over the ply to shape and stick to bulkheads this way as opposed to one big sheet as I did on the Fast Patrol Boat, it seems to be stronger but logic tells me it should'n't make any difference yet. if you look carefully you can see I put some tabs on the inside to keep the outside flat, they can be removed once the skins have cured properly.
I still can't get my head around the bathing ladder(?) sides so decided to make them in blue foam as a way of seeing if I could replicate the original boat. Still not sure. Certainly will not be able to veneer them, to curvy in all directions, so have considered making them out of solid, the same way as I have done the blue foam.
Brian
HI Brian
Hull work is progressing well. I was going to ask how the real boat stern platform was constructed but Colin has kindly provided the information.
It may not be easy but I am sure it is possible to use veneer using a solid former underneath - wood may be better than foam for a better bond. You should be able to source this locally but I have a good stock if you get stuck.
I had thought of suggesting a large chunk of mahogany (old window/door frame etc) with the grain parallel to the keel but this assumes you have such a chunk and you would need to experiment to see how the grain looked on the carved surfaces.
Dave
hI Dave, yes went to the market yesterday and there was a wood turner the with some offcuts, told him what I needed and he suggested IROKO wood, a poor man's teak. He offered to make me the pieces in the rough as to speak so I could finish them of on the hull, so I am considering his offer.
Out of interest I have found a site which sells 1/7th scale Rivas and he is willing to sell me all the chrome hardware from his boats that will hopefully fit the size I'm making. He sells ready made boats the site was given to me by Colin. it is gianhien he makes some beautiful boats.
Brian
Not a lot to show for a weeks work really. I've sheeted the hull bottom diagonally with 4" wide sheets of ply. One or two sets (either side) per day allowing for the glue to dry before moving on to the nest set, this way you have control over the sheets adhering successfully to the stringers and bulkheads using clamps and pins half pushed in so they can be withdrawn once the glue has set. Then yesterday made a jig to align the prop shafts together ready to fix permanently when I've made the oiling tubes. on the plan the shafts appear to be be at a steep angle. Once that has all settled I will contemplate what to do next.
Brian
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Not a lot to show for a weeks work really. I've sheeted the hull bottom diagonally with 4" wide sheets of ply. One or two sets (either side) per day allowing for the glue to dry before moving on to the nest set, this way you have control over the sheets adhering successfully to the stringers and bulkheads using clamps and pins half pushed in so they can be withdrawn once the glue has set. Then yesterday made a jig to align the prop shafts together ready to fix permanently when I've made the oiling tubes. on the plan the shafts appear to be be at a steep angle. Once that has all settled I will contemplate what to do next.
Brian
Well Brian, it seems that you have made good progress and from your pictures looks a nice smooth shape that will glide through the water or fly over it at speed. Can't wait to see next stage in your build. Well Done Shipmate, Colin.
Little work done this week.Fitted motors, aligned shafts had them both running, one motor is drawing a little less current than the other, but one motor has just been fitted with new bearings, could this be what's making the difference? in top photo the white at the bow is a template for the floor of the front cabin, to be made in ply in the future. Now the rudders are fixed in position (temporary) I will try again at the rear decking as I now know what space I have to play with for servicing the rudders and servo. That's it for now will post again soon (if all goes well!!)
Brian
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Little work done this week.Fitted motors, aligned shafts had them both running, one motor is drawing a little less current than the other, but one motor has just been fitted with new bearings, could this be what's making the difference? in top photo the white at the bow is a template for the floor of the front cabin, to be made in ply in the future. Now the rudders are fixed in position (temporary) I will try again at the rear decking as I now know what space I have to play with for servicing the rudders and servo. That's it for now will post again soon (if all goes well!!)
Brian
Yep all the frustration in the build slides into oblivion when you see videos like this well done you'll get a lot off attention from this one, I like it, Brian
Well I finally started on the bathing deck! I decided, after doing a few dummy runs, to go as the plan with a couple of alterations I used thicker (1/2") wood for the corner to give a bit of area for the ply to adhere to. I've simple sanded to the length on one side and followed the contour on the end, looked at a few photos and I think I can get away with it! They are not good photos but let me know what you think
Brian
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Well I finally started on the bathing deck! I decided, after doing a few dummy runs, to go as the plan with a couple of alterations I used thicker (1/2") wood for the corner to give a bit of area for the ply to adhere to. I've simple sanded to the length on one side and followed the contour on the end, looked at a few photos and I think I can get away with it! They are not good photos but let me know what you think
Brian
Bit more of the bathing deck done, the centre walkway is removable for servicing the steering, it will be held on with magnets for easy access, beginning to look like a rivarama special now!
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Bit more of the bathing deck done, the centre walkway is removable for servicing the steering, it will be held on with magnets for easy access, beginning to look like a rivarama special now!
Thank you Colin for your kind remarks, BUT the camera does lie!! I have found if you put it out of focus and move slightly when taking the shot you can make your work look blimming marvelous!!! Hides all the mistakes!.
Brian
HI Brian,
The comments are a compliment to your craftsmanship, I don't think you need to hide faults at this stage of build, and so far can't think of a single item you need to be worried about, in fact it looks beautiful to me, best of luck with the rest,and looking forward to seeing the next installment. Best wishes Colin.
Just a little done this week due to other commitments, concentrated on the cockpit. I built the seats in foam to work out where everything is going to go. The rear seat is going to be removable to fit the batteries underneath. the captains seat is going to revolve, the 11/2 seat is fixed. you can't see it but I have done a dummy dash to see how that will fit and I've redone the cockpit well to fit slightly more forward. The ESC's will arrive this week so I can do the final first fit, then remove everything to seal the inner of the bottom hull. See you next week, Brian
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Just a little done this week due to other commitments, concentrated on the cockpit. I built the seats in foam to work out where everything is going to go. The rear seat is going to be removable to fit the batteries underneath. the captains seat is going to revolve, the 11/2 seat is fixed. you can't see it but I have done a dummy dash to see how that will fit and I've redone the cockpit well to fit slightly more forward. The ESC's will arrive this week so I can do the final first fit, then remove everything to seal the inner of the bottom hull. See you next week, Brian
Thanks for your interest.
Colin, thank you as well, I knew someone would ask!! I've try to find the website again, it was about four month's ago I loaded them, I have them in Coredraw X3 I could send them pdf to you, then you take the file to a plan printer who should be able to print them off. My son gave me the site I will try and pump him for info because that would be easier for you to download to your computer, hope this helps
Brian
it would be great if you could find website, otherwise pdf would be good enough.
The logic in your build plan is good but sometimes the items to be fitted require Illogical thinking. But as you say plans are fluid and easily altered.