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On the lake with Emily James

Latest edition to the fleet, beam trawler Emily James joined Emily PIII on the lake today.

5 years ago by GrahamP74

Blog

Emily P III

This is another scratch build fishing boat. The hull is a models by design Cygnus GM33. . This one will be a pure trawler. I am going for an aft wheelhouse this time! The prop shaft and rudder have been purchased but all other running gear will be shared with Emily P III.

6 years ago by GrahamP74

Blog

Our Ben Fishing Boat

I have purchased a fishing boat as part of a boat bundle on ebay, it looks like a Cygnus DS25 hull. I intend to remove the deck that has been fitted very high, change the wheelhouse and make it into a small netting boat on a . The name is for my Nephew who has enjoyed watching me make my other models and loves coming to the lake with me. This way he can have a boat of his own!

6 years ago by GrahamP74

Forum

1/ Fire Boat decals

That's done. My chum is casting resin crew members as we speak and I have some binoculars in white metal. Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

1/ Fire Boat decals

Hi all, got my Crash Tender bottom sprayed red today, so I'm nearing when I'll need the hull decals for FIRE, roundels and numbers. Anyone know where they can be had from? Also what does that stuff on the bow say/look like. I can hand paint that if necessary. Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

1/ Fire Boat decals

Thanks, Robbob. I'll order some up. Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

1/ Fire Boat decals

Hi Martin. BECC do a set in 1:16 scale for your boat. https://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/Becc-Model-Accessories-Fire-Tender-Decal-Set-1-16-Scale-B-FTS1-16.html#SID=601 Robbob

6 years ago by robbob

Forum

1/ Tamar

I can work out scale speed as well as anyone. I am glad that your Model Slipway Tamar worked well for you with a pair of 600Eco motors, but many other owners changed their motors not long after the model was brought into use. You don't need high Kv brushless motors, or 4s LiPos to get scale performance with this model. The addition of a bow-thruster is well worth the effort and cost.

6 years ago by kinmel

Forum

1/ Tamar

I'm considering Model Slipay Tamar Class as my next project. I have never used styrene before (other than Airfix in my youth). Every article I have read on this model have used a twin Speed 600 ECO set up. I am toying with the idea of brushless but have no idea where to start in terms of equivalent motors etc. any idea anyone?😁

6 years ago by marlina2

Forum

1/ Tamar

25 knots is not very fast and would definitely not need brushless to get a scale speed or a good running time. Of course if you think hammering around at closer to a scale 50 knots makes it look more realistic, then you might need to go that route. Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

1/ Tamar

Like many people, I originally built a Model Slipway 1:16 Tamar with the recommended brushed motors. Most of us switched to brushless motors for a number of reasons... 1. short battery duration using NiMHs, or an SLA with brushed. 2. These ALBs have an on-Service speed of 25+ knots and for scale speed, only brushless motors and LiPos can sensibly provide the power and duration. Model Slipway converted their demonstrator to brushless.

6 years ago by kinmel

Forum

1/ Tamar

Hi Marlina, I agree with Martin👍 Brushless are overkill for scale working boats. A good quality and well lubricated brushed motor should not be noisy! Go for a 5 pole motor if you can for extra smoothness😉 Brushless motors whine like scalded cats, especially at low speeds / RPM. it's a consequence of the pulsed DC used to control the speed. Pitch rises with RPM until only dogs get annoyed!😲 Good luck with your project👍 Don't forget the Blog! Cheers, Doug 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

1/ Tamar

Your probably right about the motors i just thought why not try them, might be an expensive mistake for no real advantage apart from speed and maybe a little quieter. Thanks for the advice about bracing I'd not thought of that it may be a little flimsy.

6 years ago by marlina2

Forum

1/ Tamar

I would always say if you don't need lots of speed stay brushed, "ordinary" motors. As for styrene, it can warp horribly so needs more bracing than you might think or the kit manufacturer might tell you. Brace with liteply or hard balsa/obeche where you can out of sight. Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Directory

(Pleasure Craft) Venice

Model of canal boat for owner. 1/ (Motor: Static model) (5/10)

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Crash Tender crew

Right well, just to show I am doing what i said, here are the three crew members so far. The boss man is pretty much done. He has his binoculars and arms set to hold them, but cast separately as they would be too difficult to cast all in one, as would the guy driving the boat. His arms and jumper haven't been finish shaped yet which , with the difficult camera ('phone) angle makes him look a bit pinheaded, but he isn't really. He has a yet to be finished Forage cap. Finally is the cool dude. No hat, relaxing on the tow hook deck away from the others, thinking of that little floozey back at base, smoking a roll-up. He still has a way to go. Currently he is being padded out from the ghastly superhero crap that the kids seem to love these days. I hated all that tosh when I was kid, never mind now! All I ever did with a marvel comic was light the fire with it! So, there you have 3 4 3/8th" figures. The other two are in the engine 'ole running the Meteorites, so out of sight. No idea of costs yet until my caster man sees them. I hope you might find them useful as 1/ figures. Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Windows, stoopid question.

Well, the die got here today, so the shaft is now done, all threaded M3x 0.6. Still ludicrously hot, so nowt gets done outside, except after about 7 in the evening. I've also got 4 figures from this morning's boot fair that I have already started converting into RAF boat crew. Huge amounts of Milliput epoxy putty later, the action figures will have RAF uniforms and the odd hat, suitable for 1/ Crash Tenders, etc. Once done, my slot racing chum will cast them in resin and they will be available for sale. Don't know how much till he gives me a price for casting. Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Windows, stoopid question.

Doug, blimey your lathe looks better than mine. I was just under the impression that you didn't have one. if you make a 0.5mm dip in the end of a bit of silver steel with a centre drill or even the centre in the tailstock just screwed (pressed) into the end of the silver steel, then turn a long taper down to the dip, the remaining edge will give you a nice ring impression. As to the die, I have removed the chuck and used the end of the tailstock shaft to keep it square before or even just opened up the chuck jaws until the die sits nicely on them, but with the dieholder to hold on to. You only need some surface to keep the die square to the shaft. Good luck with both jobs. A 7mm ish screw head in 1/ is 0.4 mm, but half a mil will do. Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Model Wherry hulls

Hi, 2 questions. does anyone know of a GRP hull moulding of a Norfolk Wherry, preferably in a decent scale like 1/16th or 1/24th? Yes, I have Black Sailed Traders, Wherries and Waterways and the cardback on Albion, but I am too old to bother with making stuff like hulls. I'd rather buy a decent hull and make the rest on top. Also, I live in the Cambridgeshire/Norfolk Fens. Is there anyone in the Wisbech/March/ Downham Market area who wants to meet up with like souls and sail for absolutely FREE on any of the huge number of accessible waters we have round here, the Well Creek being one of them. Ah, three questions....third? Does anyone know if the Scale Sailing Association still exists? I have googled all manner of things and got nowhere. I am not interested in what I call Isle of Man yachts or other modern things with film glued on the decks and sails made of anything other than cotton. I do have a Marblehead, but it's a beautiful vintage one, once owned by Sir Thomas Lipton. Cheers, Martin

7 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Charging NiMhs, one for Doug?...

Evening, Doug, or is it morning? Just had a well earned rest having had the family round for Fathers' Day. Now catching up with the pootah. BTW, I had a garden full of blue and purple Lupins till the big breeze blew 'em all down recently. My star was a plant I didn't knowingly sew and that was an amazing mixture on the same stems of purple alternating with yellow. Gorgeous. Anyway, Kakos. Yes I have quite a few and as I was given 2 original little Marinecraft hulls, I have earmarked two of my mint, new in red boxes Kakos for those with little AAA 3-at-a- time flat packs which even have switches. I wish we could still get Ever-Ready or Vidor batteries. Remember them? Can get scans though and my Sea Urchin has a styrene home made AA flat case ready for the daughter to print me out an Ever Ready bell flat pack, just like yours. The brass contacts aren't a problem for an old metal basher like me. Your Sea Scout looks nice and I would say at 24" it would be about 1/16th to 1/12th. 24 feet would be a reasonable size for a sport fisherman or inshore cruiser. But in 1/ at 32 feet I would say the style of the model and the use of the boat would be best represented by that combo. Just looking at some info on the FlySky Tx I've got coming (it's already been posted) and find it uses no fewer than 8 AA cells...12volts! Ye Gods, why? OK, I can get two packs of NiMhs, but then that wouldn't be 12 volts, would it? it would be 9.6Volts. Would it even work? So, on further checking, I notice that several people have gone for the LiPo path, which means a 4s at a more acceptable 11.1Volts. Now I also see that a few have gone for the LiFe option, which I much prefer the sound of as they are a lower fire risk and keep a charge in storage for ages. But they would only be 9.9Volts as LiFe cells are 3.3 volts each. Would 9.9 volts be enough I wonder for a nominally 12 volt Tx. I'm assuming that if people with no objection to NiMhs have been using those for the rechargeability, then the Tx will, in fact, accept 9.6Volts. So, logically, a 9.9Volt LiFe would be OK, do you agree? I'm thinking down the line a bit after I'm used to it. My Imax magic blue box of chargery caters for LiFe cells too. Steering teddies, et al, yeah, I can come up with some mechanical magic. My nickname with little gent, Lothar, at Wolfsburg was Mekanist (spelling), as I was always making little mechanisms for VW and SEAT cars. I made a rolling TV monitor that replaced the passenger airbag in the Passat CM2, which also had headrest TVs for back seat passengers and a wireless internet laptop built in to the rear seat central arm rest. A palm computer could come out of the dash using a mechanism that I designed and made and for which VW got a patent, with me as nominated inventor! Never made me a penny extra of course, but it was nice to know. I did a static model of a 1/12th scale Riva where, if you turned the model Cadillac (yes it is, really!) steering wheel, the rudders moved via a worm and wheel steering box and two home made Universal joints! Gawd knows why. I just thought it might win me some column inches in Classic Boat....Nah! You might find that 6" figures are more available for 1/12th scale boats than 4 1/2" figures for 1/16th, but I have to find or even make some for my Crash Tender. I look out for dollies at boot fairs and Sunday markets. I got a very square jawed geezer, 12" tall for my 1/6th scale Darby One Design and he fits, thanks to bendy bits. On your sports fisherman you need some arrogant bastard to be standing with one arm up on the screen and just the one on the wheel. Think Audi driver in a boat. Up yer arse or in yer way, but always thinking the sun shines out of his primary orifice. Keep my socks dry? I was bought a pair of Granddad socks by the two little horrors today along with a chocolate Marmite pot and a Smurfs do Pop CD, which they insisted I play during the barbie! They've done the Smurf wind up since they were old enough to crawl because they know I despise the Dutch ghouls Right, bedtime I suppose. Compost and Busy Lizzies tomorrow, she tells me. Yes, Ramona, my love.... Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Wherry hull in GRP

Hi all, to save time, I'd like to find a GRP hull for a wherry model. Preferably around 1/ to go with my Vanity model, but around 36-40 inches. Are there such things? Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Wherry hull in GRP

If I did make a 1/ clinker wherry, Gleaner, to be precise, would anyone on here be interested in using it as a master for a GRP mould? Fee would be 2 free mouldings. Martin edited to say, "And the original back!"

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

GRP hulls by the million...

Well, OK, maybe not a million, but more than you can shake a stick at and rather nice to boot, provided you want 1/24th for action or 1/72nd and 1/35th for statics. I really don't know when this geezer sleeps. mtbhulls.com Nice quality work. Shame, I am a 1/ man. Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Wherry hull in GRP

All I get is a single page with dozens of headings on it, each another single page and if I click home I get Not found. Not impressive. I get no sign in/log on, etc. I think some of the items are 3Dprinted, but they are very cheap, so I reckon he has his own machines. My son does and says he can produce stuff cheaper by far than Shapeways.,etc. The guy behind Mastman seems to be unusually young, so 3D print would seem to be all he knows. But he needs to improve that wherry out of all recognition before he deserves to sell even one. Wherries were occasionally painted green where that one in the pictures above is blue. A read of Black Sailed Traders is all you need to know about wherries and it has good drawings of Gleaner, a "proper" clinker wherry. it has sections, so any model can be done from it. I am considering making one in 1/, using one layer of 1/16th" sheet ply for the twist, with a second to thicken the plank to a scale 2" thickness. it would be immensely strong too. I'm almost looking forward to it now. Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Wherry hull in GRP

Cheers, KMB. I couldn't find one either. Odd, because I once bought a pair of built boats (Albions) and then sold them when I moved as I had no space. And they were both GRP hulls. Wish I had them now! Although I still find a carvel Wherry somehow wrong. I have Wherries and Waterways, but for sheer atmosphere Black Sailed Traders, by Roy Clark, is the one for me and it also has good drawings of Gleaner in it. I can't personally see why the Thames Barge is so much more popular. The Wherry sailed better with fewer sails and crew and I reckon it was a much more attractive shape AND they had a lot of real races for them, too. Looks like I might have to make a hull and offer its use to a GRP moulder as a pattern in exchange for the first decent moulding. Then I can race a wooden one against a GRP one. in 1/ it'll be 40" long, which is a nice size with a beam of 10 1/2". And it's the same scale as my Vanity cutter and my Crash Tender. Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Blog

Vanity, Victorian Cutter

Hi all, a 1/ model of the boat I used to live on at Burnham-on-Crouch. 1/8th" Cuban (yes really!) mahogany from 1920s chairs made by my cabinet maker Grandfather. Covered in J cloth and epoxy. J-cloth is very compliant, but yet very strong when soaked in epoxy (WEST System). Lightweight fillered for the bits where the saw wasn't as accurate ripping the strips as it might have been. Black enamel primer.

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

1/16 figures

just a thought I have a few 1/24th figures I will take one to my work and get it scanned, then scale up and see if it will print at the 1/ .worth a try will let you know how I get on. Cheers marky👍

6 years ago by marky

Forum

Scale Sailing Association

Hello! What a beautiful sail boat! I see many hours in your endeavor. I'm planning to build a 1/ circa 1933 America's Cup Whirlwind sailboat, using a fiberglass molded hull. I'm trying to find some old wooden window blinds, to saw cut into narrow strips for the decks. I'm going to build the cabins out of brass sheet. Have you ever used wooden window blinds for boat builds? Thank you?

7 years ago by sunworksco

Forum

''Vanity'' leaves the building board

Just made my first dovetail corner joint on one of the decklights. Seemed to work out OK once I'd I'd got the shape of both parts in my head. Used the vice jaws as a guide and a piercing saw to cut the joints. My Aliphatic glue had dried up, so I had to use PVA, so no pics till tomorrow in the daylight, in 1/ the decklight over the main saloon (see above picture) is 4ft. x 2ft-6in....3"x 1.875". Nowhere near big enough to fiddle in my sail winch system so I think she may have to be a rudder only job. No sweat really. I had hours of good sailing with an old plastic 375, rudder only. Unless I can work out an invisible method of lifting a section of decking. AND keeping it waterproof! Martin

7 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Working out scale

You want to try model railway scales, where apart from the scale and size you also have different gauges to take into account! But basically 1/12th scale is an inch to a foot. 46 foot boat, 46 inch model. smaller number on the scale, bigger model, so 1/8th would half again as big....46 inch boat, 69 inch model. Go tother way, 1/ (half the size of 1/8th) 46 inch boat, 34 1/2inch model....sound familiar? Basically divide full size by the scale to get the length in feet (or metres if that's the full sized standard). if feet, then multiply by 12 to get the inches. 2.875 feet times 12 is 34 1/2. Have calculator will travel. Martin

7 years ago by Westquay

Forum

raf crash tender 3ft

thank you all for your help i went on to Cornwall model boats and I couldn't find them but with help from vosper i have now ordered them and yes it is 1/ i think i now have everything I need to complete it😆

7 years ago by georgeo5664

Forum

Shannon class lifeboat

Speedline are doing both a 1/16th and a 1/12th scale "Shannon". The development process is quite close to being finished and the first kits should be available in October for those who have pre-ordered. As Jarvo has said a very close to completion model was on show at Haydock Park and as usual from Speedline it is a work of art, the kit includes jet drives and motors developed by Adrian specifically for this kit. You can see quite a bit of information at: http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,51458.0.html (you need to be a member to view the pictures) The kit won't be cheap and leans a little more to ARTR than previous Speedline offerings. Looking forward to mine!! Shaun

8 years ago by Flack

Forum

Model Slipway Trent

I have a model slipway Trent (1: I believe) purchased in 1999 which I never got round to starting. Complete in box with gearboxes, motors and a couple of electronise esc's. Offers ??

8 years ago by thegarncars

Forum

Wanted Lifeboat

Hi Glenn, I have a model slipway Trent (1: I believe) purchased in 1999 which I never got round to starting. Complete in box with gearboxes, motors and a couple of electronise esc's.

8 years ago by thegarncars

Response

Vosper 1/ crash tener

Nope, I got mine when I was 11 (Christmas) and I am now 63. Got my Sea Urchin when I was 7. Repainted it last year and made a box for it. Original motors and shafts in both. Martin

8 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Cowl vents

HI all, Please can any one tell me where to buy some nice 1/ Resin cowl vents for my 34"Fire boat, I have just bought all the Fittings on our site now im wanting to collect the rest. Zippy.

9 years ago by zippy

Forum

Cowl vents

HI all, These 3D moddled 1/ Fire boat fittings are brilliant I have just recieved my set from Model-Boats shop today, im very impressed with them the detail is just great, they all came packed with there own instructions it was a plesure to open the Jiffy bag and see them, keep it up Model shop. Zippy 👍

9 years ago by zippy

Response

Vosper 1/ crash tender

Just seen your response to Alan's post. How have you sealed the prop shaft into the hull? This needs to be really solid and P45 or similar usually makes a good seal. Can you post a pic of the underside where the prop exits? A internal view (if possible) would help. The same would apply for the rudder shaft. To test the hull in the bath you do need to hold the hull as low in the water as possible for several minutes to allow the water pressure to find any leaks. Dave

9 years ago by Dave M

Response

Vosper 1/ crash tender

I would check the rudder shaft. At full speed the model is sitting well down in the water and if you have the shaft low to allow for the well deck the water pressure will be considerable. I try to use close fitting shafts and tube and place an 'o' ring above and below the tube with a brass washer holding the ring against the tube top and bottom. You should have a thrust washer at either end of your prop tube with minimal clearance (a cigarette paper used to be used in the past). I agree with Alan, the prop shaft bearing should be a close fit. if you can feel any play at either end they probably need replacing. Hope you can solve the problem

9 years ago by Dave M

Response

Vosper 1/ crash tender

Some water under the rear well but most is in the compartment where the prop shaft enters the hull. I have tried to seal the gaps between the formers and the skins of the hull but this may not be totally effective. I should have done this before installing the electrics. Water may still be moving around between compartments. The pump intake pipe and outlets look to be OK. Jeremy

9 years ago by JeremyBB

Response

Vosper 1/ crash tender

Which compartment is the water in?. Have you checked the intake pipe that that feeds the pump? and the outlets. Some water can come up the prop tube, but usually very little unless the bearings are very slack. Alan

9 years ago by AlanP

Blog

Vosper 1/ crash tender

Second run today. Much quieter with a universal coupling replacing the rigid coupling and maybe planing at a slighly lower angle with the battery moved further forward. However, still taking on too much water 😭 . The hull doesn't seem to be leaking (bath test) and I don't think that enough spray Is coming onto the centre hatch or the rear deck to account for It. Main suspect Is water coming up the prop shaft or rudder shaft (both are greased). Has anyone encountered the same problem? Any thoughts on how to solve It would be much appreciated.

9 years ago by JeremyBB

Response

Vosper 1/ crash tener

I have had mine for 40 years and just working to finish it ready to test this month. Hope mine turns out as good as yours looks and performs!

9 years ago by kentb

Response

Vosper 1/ crash tener

Thank you for your response & help.

9 years ago by Pierre

Response

Vosper 1/ crash tener

I think that mine is probably planing at too great an angle, so I will try moving the battery pack further forward. As to the bits and pieces, the fire monitors come from aquacraft in the US where they are used on an RTR fireboat; the mast and foglight are from the shop on this website; other bits including the LED lighting are from various ebay suppliers. I just did an ebay search on what I was looking for. Congratulations on yopur rapid build. 50 years from start to finish may be a record!

9 years ago by JeremyBB

Response

Vosper 1/ crash tener

Your Raf boat looks exactly the same as mine which I bought 50 years ago. However I only completed her 2 weeks ago, ready for her maiden voyage, which went well- she did no sink! However the bow was too low down when sailing, so I moved the batteries from the bow towards the stern. She now sails as shown by your boat, which looks very good. Could you please let me know where you get extra fixtures that you now have on board

9 years ago by Pierre

Response

Vosper 1/ crash tener

Watched the video, 👍 👍 Just my thoughts, is it sitting at too great an angle when planing, making the stern low and perhaps letting water into the rear tub, a larger speaker (4 inch ) in the front cabin could help keep the front end down. The boat looks good, well done. Alan

9 years ago by AlanP

Blog

Vosper 1/ crash tener

Maiden voyage today on the lake at Black Park. Runs well but I will have to add a universal coupling to the drive train to make it quieter. Main problem is that she took on a lot of water - leaks in the hull or up the rudder or drive shafts? I will have to sort this out. Fire monitors work OK but the klaxon is inaudible once out on the lake - it might work better with a bigger speaker if I can find the space to put it. Video on U-tube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG375Ywk4Qs

9 years ago by JeremyBB

Response

Vosper 1/ fireboat

HI Mark Thanks for the generous comment. The gap you have noticed is the jigsaw join in the side frame rather than a crack. However, I will seal it with a little filler, as I will on the other side which is the same. Regards Jeremy

9 years ago by JeremyBB

Response

Vosper 1/ fireboat

HI Jeremy Have followed this from the start.WOW. your rescue boom is very nice. In the third photo just forward of the boom, is there a crack developing???? try to seel it before it gets wet!!!! Fantastic work, if I get that good. HA!!!! Regards Mark

9 years ago by jarvo