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!!

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.

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!!

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

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

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

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!

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