Hi Colin, just saw this and thought the spare parts might be available to speed up your building, (probably selling snow to Eskimos as you probably know of this crowd.)

https://www.slecuk.com/crash-tender-345

JB

Hi Colin,
Do you have any more information on this boat like a kit number ?

I have been looking around but i keep ending up with very little that would help.

If the worst comes to the worst you will have to do what you thing looks right.

Martin555.

Hi Colin
I would recommend a P bracket between shaft and hull.
Looking goood

Hi Neil, yes I will be adding support, but as yet I'm not sure on whether to fit a fillet or use a support arm.
Both options are fairly easy, my choice will probably be the fillet as it doesn't tend to attract weeds.
My main problem is the positioning of the rudder, as I don't have any drawings for this model and the building instructions don't tell me anything.
The bottom skins don't fit very well and I will have a lot of filling to do around the stern area.
There is also a lot of excess glue to be trimmed off.
I wish I had drawings or photos of this model so I could see if I'm doing it right.
But I will muddle on doing what feels right.
Cheers Colin.

Hi Colin

Looking good and coming together nicely. On the prop will you be adding any additional support to the hull? I was told sometime ago I needed to fill in the gap on mine between the prop and hull. If so I will be very interested to see what you do 😊

Cheers Neil

Think you've done very well to get as much done in the last few days as you have with all the other things going on in your life, the fact that you did not waste time when you couldn't sleep is significant and obviously of enormous benefit.

All the best, Nerys

Forgot to mention that the prop is a 3 bladed 40mm dia bras prop.( I only use brass props.)
The shaft is the new replacement from model boat bits.
I'll be using a flysky 2.4ghz radio system, and as can be seen in the pictures my first brushless motor.
So I'm learning new stuff as I go, without you guys I'd still be on 27mhz and brushed motors.
One thing I won't be using are lipo batteries, thats something for the future at some point.
I prefer sla, and gel batteries but for this small a model I'll be using nim.h. as I have a few sat in my box.
I will update as soon as I can, cheers Colin.

A little bit at a time Colin.
You are doing a great job so far.

Martin555.

Good you were able to get some work done Colin.
Rick

Good evening guys and gals.
Although I haven't had much time for anything this last 2 weeks, I did manage to fit the propshaft, motor and mount last night as I couldn't get any sleep.
Most therapeutic couple of hours, I also managed to glue the keel in place. See picture four the missing part has been remade from laminated coffee stirrers.
After this week I am hoping to get back to it in ernest, funeral is Thursday.
I have to drill for the rudder??? Not sure on where as the instructions only say "drill a suitable hole and fit rudder shaft tube".
Any ideas as to position and what size should I use.
Sorry can't upload any pictures, app won't work with photos again.
Cheers Colin.
Just tried the uploads in my browser and it seems okay, just the app playing up again.

Hi Colin
I live in SA and have always found MBB helpful.
Glad you got your problem sorted out👍👍

Just recieved the esc programing card from GoolRC. When the prop arrives I will get on with fittin the propshaft and drilling the rudder tube and water cooling holes.
That's all for now folks, Caroline needs help masking up the dolls wardrobe.
Cheers Colin.

Colin,
A busy time for Mr and Mrs Santa now.

Martin555.

Good to hear you got the replacement shaft.
Rick

Replacement propshaft arrived today, and it's a really good piece, bearing clearance is almost 4 thou.
Instead of .5mm.
I've returned the faulty one, Steve at MBB was very helpful.
Looks like I will be able to resume the build next week, as this weekend the wife and I are building Xmas presents for our granddaughter.
Wardrobe and cot for the new doll she is having for her birthday on December 9th.
The wife has designed the furniture and will be painting and decorating it, leaving me with the construction.
Found that using Ezekote resin on mdf seals it and the paint takes much better.
Cheers Colin.

Very pleased to hear you are getting replacements from MBB. It is only what we should expect to be done when inferior goods are supplied

cheers, Nerys

Good news Colin.
Fingers crossed this one will be ok.

Martin555.

That's good news Colin 👍👍and it's the sort of customer service that I've enjoyed from Steve Tranter at MBB for some time.
Rob.

Good morning all, great news MBB are sending a replacement propshaft and I have to return the dodgy one.
Thats a good service I hope.
Cheers Colin

Hi Colin
MBB is my go to guy for propshafts and bits, I have never had a problem with them I am sure by Monday they will get back to you.
Good Luck
Ian

"I have decided to wait until Monday for a reply, so that they can have the chance to rectify. "
Bon chance mon ami🤞
😎

Sorry to hear you had a problem with your prop shaft. I'm sure your right Colin the seller will not like negative feedback.
Rick

Rob I'm sure it will be resolved, as this is the 1st problem I've had with their products, and I don't think they appreciate negative feedback.
I have decided to wait until Monday for a reply, so that they can have the chance to rectify.
Cheers Colin.

Hi Colin.
I'm disappointed to hear that you've had a problem with your propshaft.
I've used MBB MaxiDrive shafts in all my boats and never had any such problems.
Hopefully you'll get a satisfactory conclusion to this.
Rob.

Good evening Mike, yes complained the official way, also tried the phone number on the paperwork that arrived with the item but keeps going directly to answering machine.
I'll try again on Monday, just in case he shuts for the weekend.
Cheers Colin.

Hi Colin, been there done that, so annoying, let us know how it goes. Did you use the "contact the seller" function on ebay? they will usually do something about it as they really don't need bad publicity. If you don't get a satisfactory response then you can ask E Bay to step in and they will take it up with the seller to resolve it.
good luck.

That is really annoying Colin.
As I have said now they have your money they don't care.

Martin555.

Sorry to hear about your dodgy propshaft, Colin. Unfortunately problems with goods ordered on line are not unusual as we found out today. Alice ordered a kit of 'touch up', repair stuff from a firm in Ireland on Ebay. It should have contained 3 - 500 spray paints, sandpaper and filler. We received the wrong primer, only 400 of the finish colour spray paint, no sandpaper or filler. All this for £40, which we have since realised was a bit over the top after looking at other advertisers. We will now see what happens

Cheers, Nerys

Today I received the new propshaft, bit disappointed with the quality, shaft to bearing fit is awful, I have measured the bearing holes and one is 4.3mm the other is 4.2mm and the shaft is varies from 3.95 to 4.05 depending on where you measure.
Also the treaded ends go inside at least 1 bearing by 1.5 threads.
Needless to say I shant be buying from this supplier again.(Model Boat Bits located just outside Rhayader in Powys Wales).
I've tried emailing my complaint but haven't heard back yet.
Looks like I will have to re do the bearings an trim the length to suit.
Cheers Colin.

Thanks Doug, enjoy, best regards to both of you from me and my sweet Caroline.
Cheers Colin.

BRAVO ZULU that man! Perseverance pays off!
Yep, that's the same ESC as shown in the Programme card blurb and various combo sets.
Have fun👍
BTW: If you Google the card or ESC number there are lots of vids showing how to use the card😊
Cheers Doug 😎
Now off Gisela's for feeding time!😋😋😍

Cheers Doug, now purchased, I hope it comes with English instructions, as some of my previous purchases from China didn't have any instructions.
Well I suppose I will have to learn something new , bad enough that my son decided to buy me the motor with esc.
He found it at car boot sale for £5.00 so shouldn't complain, at least he was thinking of dear old dad.
I've spent the last week resurrecting his mercedes engine bay wiring loom. Cheaper than buying him a new one.
Cheers Colin.
PS. Just managed to upload a picture in the app.

Here ya go Colin😁
This is the same one as in the Combo set, for S Series ESCs, as yours appears to be👍
Cheaper than a packet o fags (and much healthier😀)
Cheers, Doug 😎
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ESC-Brushless-Program-Card-for-1-10-RC-Model-Car-Electronic-Speed-Controller-B/202953751307?_trkparms=aid%3D555021%26algo%3DPL.SIMRVI%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20190711100440%26meid%3D68a724ac0c1d444981bbdac19f38be3f%26pid%3D100752%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26mehot%3Dpf%26sd%3D353139117022%26itm%3D202953751307%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplRVIAMLv5WebWithPLRVIOnTopCombiner&_trksid=p2047675.c100752.m1982

PS Just got back from buying new blinds for my terrace doors.
Went to pull one up yesterday morning and it turned itself into a Chinese fan!😮
Classic case of whoops! The elastic's snapped!🙈
(Real Chinese fan, purchased at the Great Wall of China north of Beijing, shown for comparison😉)

Hi Doug, can't find programme card for the gool esc on its own. Lots of other brands , but would they work with the Goolrc esc.
Cheers Colin.

Hi Colin,
Ooh er! Goolies and ghosties and things that go bump in the night!😮
That's about €53 worth of RC Truck combo set you've been GIVEN there. Jammy so n so!👍
That motor (looks like an Inrunner!) should go pretty well on a 7.2V NiMh and would be exhilarating with a 10.8V NiMh!
I wouldn't recommend using a 12V NiMh or SLA with that 60A ESC though.
A fully charged 12V SLA can easily reach 13.6V or more, an NiMh perhaps 14V, and the motor could then draw 75A or more which the ESC will not put up with for very long!💥😭
It's rated for Less than 12V, Max 3S LiPo (11.1V nominal).
Prop size will affect the current draw so I don't think you should go above a 40mm job.
Any larger would probably just draw more current for no extra performance, maybe even less!
I might start with a 35mm and an 8.4V NiMh and see how it goes.
One of those little Current & Voltage meter jobs I posted recently would help you setting things up👍
I highly recommend getting the Programming Card to go with the ESC.
It's SOOO much easier to set them up than fiddling with the TX / RX and counting bleeps or flashes!! Links attached for the bits and the specs😉
Happy experimenting - WHEN you've actually built the boat!😁
Looking forward to the Blog and Trials👍
Cheers, Doug 😎

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/GoolRC-Motor-4300KV-Brushless-Offroad/dp/B07RZYHLB6
https://www.rcmoment.com/p-rm7712.html
https://www.ebay.de/itm/GoolRC-S3650-4300KV-Sensorless-Brushless-Motor-60A-Regler-Programm-Karte-R2K4/133542748229?hash=item1f17c4a045:g:rVYAAOSwI8VfgPTn

Well Doug, looks like I may have a motor and esc for the build to continue.
I have been given a GoolRC motor and esc set. The motor is a 9T--BL3650--4300KV. And comes with a waterproof fan cooled 60amp esc.
As I'm new to brushless motors I need your guidance, firstly is it a suitable motor, size wise it fits the available space quite nicely without having to cut the bulkheads out.
Sorry but can't upload pictures from the app or browser again???
Cheers Colin.

Hi Colin,
Hope you are getting your fingers limbered up again🤞👍
Ref: motorisation of your Fireboat.
I don't have a single prop boat that big. My biggest is the 24" Sea Scout 'Jessica' which you may have seen in my Gallery video goes off like a whizz-bang with a 1000kV 2830 outrunner brushless on a 3S LiPo (11.1V nominal) driving a 35mm 3 blade prop.
So I reckon you are gonna have to bite the bullet and modify that bulkhead and squish in one of your fat 600s. I'd go direct drive.
Do you have any makers name or ID numbers on the 600s that we might be able to trace to find out the specs?
You want a fairly high revving job rather than high torque like tugs need.
Scaling up from my Sea Scout a good brushless might be in the range of a 35xx-40xx 1500-2000kV outrunner. The 35 or 40 is the motor diameter in mm. xx is the length in mm which ain't so important. Prop probably 40-45mm 3 blade.
A brushless will be more efficient, = more performance or longer running time on the same battery. Depending on how heavy your throttle thumb is😉
The brushless would also be smaller and lighter than the brushed 540 or 600.
Contrary to popular belief, it doesn't care much where it's volts come from, but bear in mind that small SLAs generally don't cope as well long term with sudden high current demands as NiMh or LiPos do.
SLAs are generally designed for low current long term 'stand-by' usage.
Hope this helps🤞
Cheers, Doug 😎

Thanks Mike, I am not sure of the full voltage range but I have a few larger models on 12volt 7ah battery with 600 motors but driving through reduction gearboxes, so can't equate to this small boat.
Only drawback is if I try to put a motor of that size in line with the propshaft I will have to cut away a main bulkhead. Or mount the Motor over the propshaft and have an indirect drive system, such as belt or gear.
Cheers Colin.

Hi Colin I'm a Yorkshireman so always look for the most economical solution, so the 600 running from NiMh should be good, with one of your stock ESCs but what is the voltage range for the motor?

Thank you Ian, what battery power do you use, and what size prop, as I have a good selection of brass 3 and 4 blade props.
Cheers Colin.

I have a 36" Tarpon with a speed 600 motor and has more adequate power

Glad the hands are working well again Colin.
Unfortunately when it comes to motors and battery combinations i don't know much about it.

Maybe you will have to look at other build logs of the same boat and hopefully there will be a mention of what to use.

Martin555.

Had to delay the build, painful fingers and lack of grip.
But now ready to resume again, I am still waiting for someone to point me in the right direction as to motor selection. As the build instructions only suggest 1.5 to 3.0cc diesel.
Whatever set up is selected it won't be running on Lipo batteries, as I would have to spend too much to get charger and batteries.
I already have speed controllers from 10 amp to 60 amp for brushed motors. I also have various motors , 540, 600, monoperm, decaperm and hectoperm .
But if its possible to use brushless with my batteries, nicads, nimh's or sla's then what size would suit this boat the best.
All suggestions welcome.
Cheers Colin.

Ken, thank you, kind sir, for your appraisal of Alice and my relationship. It's quite true we are very lucky to have that special spark that is so seldom achieved.

Cheers, Nerys

I know I only see you threw your posts but I can see and hear the love that is there from all of you for one another and the help and support you all give.
Rick

Good morning Nerys,
It is such a shame that our love has to endure such hardships caused by illness, you are extremely lucky to have your Alice. As I am with Caroline, we both have problems that have caused us pain and depression, but we carry on caring for each other. We have family members who think we should get carers in, but they don't have the connection with us that we do with each other.
Live life for today and to hell with what might be. Love conquers all.
Give Alice our best wishes for you both.
Cheers Colin and Caroline.

Think your build is coming on remarkably well, she's beginning to take on a lot of the usual fireboat characteristics. The care and experience you are putting into this build is plain for us all to see. Just wish I could raise the energy to emulate you and even make the first move of actually buying the kit of the LST.

Cheers, Nerys

Colin, Alice and I have a wonderful relationship as I know you and Caroline do. There is no question of servitude, whatever Alice does for me is always done with good grace and love. She is only too well aware of how frail I have become in recent months and does all she can, and more, to make my life just that little bit better.

Best wishes, Nerys

Back to the build, sorted a few more of the parts.
I have glued the cabin frames ready, I need to trim and sand ready to fit the roof's.
Before I fit the skins,I have a question, what motor do I have to use, from my stock I have brushed 540's, 600's, decaperm or hectaperm available. Or do I go for a brushless and what size would be best. Only call me old fashioned as I want to use standard nim-h or ni-cad batteries or sla as these are easier for me as then I will not have to buy a new charging system.
Cheers Colin.

I don't think that's true partners do make the extra effort to help and in the end you help each other.
Rick