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Some members of our Central Switzerland MSC are working on creating a harbor on our pond.
As the site is open to the public, it may only lie loose in the water and must be dismantled after the meeting.
I have received so many tips and ideas from you, thank you for that.
One small object has already been created, a small fishing hut. More will follow. A lighthouse is also on the list of details.
First a main part and a side bridge will be created. Let's see how everything continues. . .
Your Michel-C. with Friends
PS:Here are some of your ideas and existing jetties and harbor structures
As the site is open to the public, it may only lie loose in the water and must be dismantled after the meeting.
I have received so many tips and ideas from you, thank you for that.
One small object has already been created, a small fishing hut. More will follow. A lighthouse is also on the list of details.
First a main part and a side bridge will be created. Let's see how everything continues. . .
Your Michel-C. with Friends
PS:Here are some of your ideas and existing jetties and harbor structures
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Unfortunately, I wasn't able to add the pictures later—too bad.
But here's the finished work.
As I said, now it's my sailboat's turn!!
Yours, Michel-C.
PS: Unfortunately, I can't share a video (mp4). Things have changed a bit... or can someone tell me which format is still allowed here?
So now the lighthouse is finished too.
Finally, I can finish my damaged sailboat!!
Michel-C.
Chris
Only one word AWESOME!!!
Nur 2 wörte: unheimlich schön
MfG
Hermank
Here are a few photos from our opening ride . . .
I’ve gotten permission from the members to share these pictures.
See you soon after my weekend . . .
Your Michel-C.
PS: Our oldest club member, the one with the gondola, is 93 years old. He still rides his old 1957 BMW motorcycle next to his workshop. Amazing!
Well, as for the cleanliness of the pond: it’s spring
The harbor is being inaugurated today. The weather’s perfect, and everyone’s in high spirits.
We’ll start setting up in about an hour. Let’s see how people react. Half the club doesn’t even know about it…
Your Michel-C.
Here are a few more photos of my harbor and the lighthouse, which is still waiting for its electronics and lighting to be installed.
I’m taking it easy for now and waiting for the opening run on April 26, 2026.
My sailboat is waiting for new rigging, a new transmitter with a receiver, and a special servo, and I’d like to have all that done by then.
Well, see you soon 😍😍😍
Michel-C.
Thanks for the compliment.
This tower is a fantasy design that will soon feature even more detail.
At the time, I was on a sailing trip in the Adriatic Sea with friends.
That’s when I noticed lighthouses like these. I also had a bit of a browse online and picked up a few ideas there . . . including from you lot in England…
My laser is running at full speed. At first, my wife thought I’d wasted my money buying the laser, but now she’s amazed at everything I’ve already made. I’ve also made her little sewing kit boxes and so on.
Just waiting a bit longer – the tower needs a coat of paint. My wife will take care of that, and the electronics are on their way too!!!
See you soon
Michel-C.
The harbour looks superb - a lot of work has gone into it. A benefit of having an enthusiastic team to share the load!
The lighthouse will be a nice addition - is it a kit or a laser cut own design?
Chris
I think you should beam yourself over here and try docking at our harbor. You’d be surprised—it’s not easy, especially when there’s a light breeze… 🤣🤣🤣
For an experienced driver like you!!
***
The harbor is finished except for one small detail, and the first test went very well—much to our delight. As I mentioned a few comments down.
Now my buddy Otto has built another harbor, which will be mounted on the pier later.
He just can’t help himself . . . and he just drags me along with him . . .
But for now, I’ve built a fantasy lighthouse and am waiting for the electronics from our club’s electronics expert. He’s worth his weight in gold!!
And my wife really helps out a lot with her painting department!
Four people = harbor team!! 😍😍😍 and they're all retired—what a stroke of luck!
See you soon, Michel-C.
I value my skills as a former design draftsman and my interest in photography but I'm keen to see what I can produce using AI to produce an image for something that realistically I was never going to be able to achieve practically or indeed photographically without an awful lot of photo editing.
With all the negative talk around AI good to see a positive use for it.
Chris
Further down, you mentioned that the water is clear. For us here, clear water looks different... see the pictures of Lake Lucerne near Lucerne, that's clear!
Unfortunately, our pond doesn't have a good inflow, which is why the water is a bit murky.
But we are in talks with the local council to do something about it.
And ChrisF, we don't have ducks, but rather grass snakes.
We even had one that rode along on a boat once! 😁😁😁😁
Your Michel-C.
Thanks! Thank you for your positive comments.
I still have to make some adjustments, for example, reworking the mounting brackets for the gangways and fitting the double gangway with bollards. (These are easier to stack)
I think it's closer to reality that way.
There's still a lot of work to be done, so let's get started!
The next report will follow soon, as I'm already laser cutting the replacement parts.
Everyone has ideas, but most of the time they fail because people don't believe in themselves. Just do it, and if it doesn't work out, there are colleagues and friends like you to help us! What are you waiting for? Chop chop chop! Go!
I have this dream about having all my Faireys moored up at a jetty for a photograph. Might be a job for AI!
Chris
I love your dock and I can finally see it in the water.
If I were to greet everyone by name, I wouldn't have any space left in my post for the actual comment...
Yes, Chug, what do you think is in the basement among the laser-cut parts? Exactly,
a lighthouse! But can you read minds? Really scary! Just like my wife . . . Unfortunately, it's impossible for me to keep a secret! She finds out everything!
Chug, you've seen right through me!
Now that the harbour is in the final stages of construction, the club members' comments and ideas are coming in.
And now to LewZ.
You see, the members are now contributing ideas. I kindly explain to those contributing ideas that I really appreciate this and would be happy to post their ideas on the harbour! But at the same time, I also ask them when they would like to submit their finished ideas. Delegating is now my code word! Do you notice anything, dear LewZ?
Good luck to everyone, until the next comment,
Your Central Swiss Master Tinkerer 🙈🙈🙈
Michel-C.
PS:I'm sure you're wondering what Michel-C. stands for?
Michel-Claude-François, yes, my parents were crazy!
That picture of the harbour sitting in those crystal-clear waters is absolutely superb.
It must be a real pleasure to navigate a model with precision and care around such beautifully realistic structures — that setting truly does them justice.
If I lived in Switzerland, I’d be immensely proud to build a lighthouse for that harbour… it would feel almost like a duty to the scenery! 🇨🇭⚓
😎
Do what I do: assign smaller tasks to your club mates or ask your loved ones for help.
I managed it, so you'll have no problem doing it too.
Get people involved, pass on work like a boss!
This is called delegating...
Your Michel-C.
(Sounds like the Spice Girls >> Mel C 🤣🤣🤣 . . except I'm actually male!)
Lew
We are proud to announce that the christening took place to the complete satisfaction of all involved!
I had to ask my friend to take off his cap! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
As you can see, a short prayer was said before the harbour was assembled.
Now we just need to make a few small changes and add some additional covers, as well as the obligatory flagpole with a beautiful Swiss flag!
At some point, films will be shot in the evening with the lighting, but it should be a little warmer and accompanied by bratwurst, bread, mustard and a beer.
Yours, Michel-C.
PS:My friend is such a cool bloke, he's up for anything. And . . . he's quite a bit older than me!
It's 11 a.m. This afternoon is the day of reckoning!
I'll be back in touch this evening... or maybe not!
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Michel-C.
Thank you for your praise, good thing you can't see my red cheeks . .
. . . Depending on the situation, I won't show the photos . . . if I'm lying in the water, because the floor is slippery . .
Oh, come on! You should have some fun too if I happen to have a mishap. Laughter gives you beautiful skin and makes you look good.
And when I look in the mirror in the morning, I see a smart aleck with a smile on his face anyway! Cool, huh?
Your Michel-C.
Seeing these works makes this fantastic hobby even more enjoyable.
I look forward to photos and videos in the water.
Now we are waiting for our pond to thaw so that the water test can be carried out.
Here are a few pictures of the completed work. The light can now be operated by remote control.
In summer, weather permitting, we will set up the harbour in the evening once a month. To complement this, a club member will organise the barbecue, sausages, bread and drinks. This will allow us to fully enjoy the night-time atmosphere with lights.
There are still a few details that need to be worked out, but that will be done after the upcoming water test. My mate will take some amusing pictures there.
My helpful club mate has another ace up his sleeve, but he's keeping quiet about what he's working on...
But honestly, it was a worthwhile experience and I always look forward to his new ideas, which I end up adopting! What the heck, I'm retired!
Your Michel-C.
Ps: MOB = M-ichel-C. and O-tto B. >>> And let's not forget the painting department, which is handled by my wife!!!
There's something else I'd like to explain:
You may be wondering why our club harbor is called
“Harbor of 1.6 Hectares of Freedom.”
A young filmmaker made a film about our club as part of his final project and titled it: 1.6 Hectares of Freedom.
How did he come up with that?
Quite simply because our club pond is 1.6 hectares in size!
And there we find peace and freedom in nature. . . .
That's right!
Greetings of freedom,
Your Michel-C.
Since New Year's Day, the construction site has moved from the somewhat chilly basement into the flat.
I have a deal with my wife: Friday afternoon must be tidy and clean so that Saturday and Sunday can be peaceful!
No work is allowed in the harbour shipyard.
In return, she actively helps me.
But today, Sunday, she broke her deal.
We found some beard lichen while out walking. At home, she insisted on planting a couple of trees. I never argue with that. Now we'll finish up next week and do the electrical work.
Then we'll do the water test again, but we'll wait until the end of February for that.
My ships have filed charges because I pushed them aside.
Well, if you want one thing, there will always be others who have to wait their turn!
Ciao tutti!
Your Michel C.
Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Today I received a crazy phone call from my harbour builder friend.
Despite the problem with the batteries, which need to be replaced, he is secretly building a third harbour section... I'm slowly having to come up with something for the space. Well, a stacking solution as suggested can no longer be dismissed.
And what is Michel-C. doing?
Laser cutting a new house, despite the many construction sites. I'll hand this over to him in the shell. Master painters wanted!
Now I wish all of you on this page a wonderful Wednesday morning and a happy New Year in 2026, along with a sack of luck, health and everything else we need. Oh yes! A large tube of glue and lots of craft wood! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
See you again in 2026! 😎😎😎
BB Your Michel-C.
PS: Barrels created with a 3D printer. It's amazing what you can do with these things. The paint and lights are still missing...
Stackable . . I don't have that at home, but I found a small corner in the basement.
Much to my wife's chagrin . . but somehow we always come up with good ideas together. She thinks very practically, which she cultivates and practices in the household.
Well, sometimes I look for something again because she moved it or stored it to save space.
You see, Lew, even at my age, I'm still learning from a wife who is 10 years younger than me! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Your Michel-C.
They were assembled on the water while we were standing in boots. Although the pond is not deep the edge slope drops down quickly and the bottom is very muddy so assembly was difficult and time consuming. This was the main reason why we stopped bringing them for meets.
Lastly, what do you do when boats of drastically different scales are at the docks? Everyone can't be satisfied. My thought is 1/25 scale might be in the middle. Most boats seem to be in the 1/16 - 1/48 scale. Liners, freighters, and large warships tend not to use small docks freighter, and are too far out of the range of scales that most boats are.
In the design and build of model docks several conditions need to be considered. In our (SSMBC) case, we will need to assemble the entire dock set on the shore and slide it into the water. The last piece closest to the shore will need to be held at that point. All connection between the sections need to be flexible.
Because the dock set will be composed of multiple pieces, one eight foot long, several four and 3 foot sections.
Another requirement is that they need to be transported and stored. I made our docks stackable which you will see in future posts.
Lastly is cost and simplicity. That is pretty self explainable.
Ironically, the timing of this post is interesting. I am starting on modifying these old sections and documenting the process and I will create a building blog for anyone interested.
Lew
Now, one step further, until I receive my parts from the other club members, progress is a little slower. But the harbour will be finished by the opening drive at the end of April.
Here are a few pictures . . all the lanterns will be lit. I will receive the missing large harbour lights soon. We work at a senior citizen's pace, we're not in a hurry!
Have a nice evening in our model world, sleep well, it's now 9.30 p.m. here.
Your Michel-C.
Ps: The first photo shows the receiver for our old garage door opener.
Recycling, just as the Swiss love it...😉
After a long break, we continue with the jetty, minor improvements and many details.
See for yourself . .
Best regards, Michel-C.
Last pictures:
>> Hafenamt = harbour authority
>> Dry test in the laundry room
I'm making slow progress, but giving up is not an option for me. The laser will have to do some work today.
I also had to overhaul some equipment.
As my late grandfather always told me: If you want to understand how the world works, start with the things you can repair yourself. (Today too?)
I just got his old lathe back into shape. He would certainly be proud that it is still being used!
So I have to keep lasering, despite our holiday, the founding day of Switzerland in 1291.
At that time, there were only small fishing boats, but no model boats... or were there? Just without remote controls and annoying iPhones!
During my last vacation, I left my cell phone and all my technical gadgets at home. What a relaxing 4-day trip!
Best wishes, Michel-C.
I was working in my shipyard again this evening.
Drilling, painting, gluing, cutting the required wooden parts to size, screwing them together . . The usual tinkering!
Slowly you can see something, but always one thing at a time. Building too quickly without thinking always leads to mistakes. I'll continue tomorrow, because it's raining here.
Good for nature.
Sleep well, your Michel-C.
Thank you for the wishes for my wife. I've passed it on to her and she sends her love to you all. She thinks I'm in good hands with you when it comes to crafting!
😊😊😊
Your Michel_C.
Most dismayed to read of your wife's accident.
I know only too well how painful and slow to heal back injuries can be.
My very best wishes to her for a full and speedy recovery.
Alles gute, Doug😎
Of course i understand! No problem. I wish you and your love all the best😍😍😍
Unfortunately, my wife's accident has cancelled all her plans. It will probably be autumn before she is out of pain.
It's a plate fracture above the 3rd spine.
Lengthy and long healing time . .
But postponed is not cancelled!
Please understand,
Your Michel-C.
Our pound is 3/4 covered with algea. So we can’t sail at the moment. Because the algae blocks the screw of the boats 🤣🤣 Any plans of traveling to Belgium? I m still waiting😂
Our pond is suffering from the heat because the water supply has been diverted for work.
Now the fire brigade has to pump in fresh water from a hydrant . . . .
As you can see, it's a bit of a brown broth, but as soon as everything is normal, it will get better.
Nevertheless, the harbour approach is looking good. More jetties will follow . . I'm fully committed, but in between there's still travelling to do!
See you soon on this ether, yours
Michel-C. and Friends
@ Sekuru 👍👍👍
Can you see my club colleague's bugbear? (Bugsier 3 / Graupner)
Your port looks amasing.keep on expanding the harbour!!!!
Congratulations
The Sunday before last (27.04.25) we had our annual opening cruise with the christening of new model ships.
My friend Otto and I put up our test harbor.
The response was perfect, now there are five of us and we are expanding the model harbor. .
The fishing nets, crates, barrels and other things are missing. The start is in full swing!
let us surprise you!
Happy tinkering on my part!
Michel-C.
Let me give you a short interim balance of the footbridge,
I'm not sure whether bollards or side trunks . .
What do you think? >>>> Good tips are really welcome!!! Thanks!
Greetings hobbyists
Michel-C.
Ps:ow on to the paddle steamer . . . . Must do the water test . . .
And my bathtub is too small 🙈🙈🙈🙈
For the great images and ideas!
Michel-C.
We are currently refurbishing the buildings and pontoons after they had been out for a year and are currently producing a ferry port extension.
Philuk👍
You must be over the moon when your harbour is ready!!
Enjoy the building mein Schweizerischer Freund