Forum

by Norstar upgrades

Hi Joe, Happy New Year. We have a frozen lake here in Ontario and this set up will be first tried out in the spring. This motor pulley system was recommended to me. Will keep you posted.

5 years ago by Ronald

Forum

by Norstar upgrades

The original design placed the motor near the windscreen; using direct drive. The new design moves the C/G; provides a shorter prop shaft; and a lighter boat.

5 years ago by Ronald

Forum

by Norstar upgrades

Ron, Nice looking setup. I see you have a belt drive, I like that. I have tryed to set one up but had some problems with the the belt slipping off. I was using a neoprene O ring and plastic pulleys. Have you had any trouble with yours? Regards, Joe

5 years ago by Joe727

Forum

by Norstar upgrades

Ron Great to hear about this. I had a in 1972, powered by a DC Sabre 1.49 marine diesel. The engine was mounted just aft of the windscreen and it needed a a lot of ballast . With such a small engine and the additional weight the performance was mediocre. Is this kit in production again? if it is I might build one . Maybe this time I will fit a brushless running on lipos . This will give the model the performance it deserves. Boaty😁

5 years ago by boaty

Forum

Norstar BIG changes

BIG changers were made to this boat since I lasted posted pictures of it. Previously the motor was direct drive and mounted forward below the windshield. The CG was to far forward and weight of the model never allowed to boat to plane. That weight caused the motor to over heat even after adding a water jacket. I stripped out the shaft, removed the motor, RC gear, also removed the keel and other materials to bring the weight down. The shaft assembly was shortened, repositioned and epoxied in place. Using a sewing machine bobbin, a pulley was created allowing the motor to be mounted parallel to the shaft. The rudder servo assembly will be placed next and further CG testing in the tub. Too bad our pond is frozen over here in Ontario.

5 years ago by Ronald

Directory

(Working Vessel)

Built from plans downloaded on the internet. Hull is planked with a wood deck planked over ply. The superstructure is also made in wood, mostly 3mm ply. (ESC: viper 15) (8/10)

6 years ago by solo1274

Forum

What is the optimum prop shaft angle?

The Nor Star is a heavy boat for its size and the positioning of the motor and prop shaft angle certainly matter. I built one in 1972 powered by a DC Sabre marine diesel (1.5cc) and the engine was in the cockpit which made it heavy at the bow. I was disappointed by its poor performance in relation to other boats of similar dimensions, in some cases these being powered by 1 cc diesels. It never crossed my mind that I could have used "ballast" and the boat was sold on 7 months later at a greatly reduced price. "Fools rush in where experts fear to tread." Boaty😎

6 years ago by boaty

Forum

What is the optimum prop shaft angle?

This is a Norstar design. I want to place the motor beneath the rear hatch where the batteries sat. The CG was far to forward and this is a heavy model so it never ran very well. the motors ran hot even with a water jacket. I am moving the motor back, using a shortened prop shaft ,but what shaft angle will produce the optimum performance? Ron

6 years ago by Ronald

Forum

s Model boat club

Gerry, following our meeting last Monday, I realise I don't have your phone number. Could you get in touch with me about running on the Well Creek. Did you mention it to your chums at s on the Wednesday. Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

s Model boat club

Hi all, can anyone tell me if s still sail at Sutton Bridge or Long Sutton. Looking for a local club. Failing that, how about anyone in the Fens (near Wisbech) getting together on the Well Creek and just sailing...FREE! PM me if interested. Martin

7 years ago by Westquay

Forum

NorStar

The Graupner 600 motor can run hot especially under load so I would suggest something like a brass 35mm 3 blade prop would be a good starting point. if you have or can borrow a Wattmeter this would help measure the current whilst holding the model in the water. There are different variants of the motor so you need to Google your actual motor details to get the correct specs. If you have a selection of props then you could just try different ones on short runs to see the performance and check the temperature. I do believe you corresponded with Robert on this site regarding his NoStar set up, perhaps he could advise which prop size he used.

7 years ago by Dave M

Forum

NorStar

I installed a Graupner brushed 600 motor in my boat but am not sure the best size of prop to match up with it. How do I make a wise choice?

7 years ago by Ronald

Forum

Motor mounting

Well there I was with the motoring along on the pond when it suddenly lost power, nothing??? No forward no reverse. I could give the motor forward and reverse but no reaction. Fortunately the breeze blew the boat into shore along with me using the rudder control. Upon landing and a cursory inspection I saw that the universal nylon had broken off at the metal connection. But, upon the workbench it was discovered the motor mount had come off the hull structure. It was just totally free, it lifted right out of the hull after removing the speed control connectors. Maybe, it is time to replace the geared motor to a direct drive. Any suggestions? I use brushed motors.

7 years ago by Ronald

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s Model boat club

phone number 01406 350968 for more info Yours Scout13

7 years ago by scout13

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s Model boat club

Hi scout13 Just to clarify the 01406 number refers to my earlier post of 17th April in this thread where I gave details about Kingfsher MBC. Dave

7 years ago by Dave M

Forum

s Model boat club

Hi I was sec of the s mbc Kings lynn mbc sail at leziate country club. Martin sails at Outwell on the canal bend round the church, my phone number is the 01406 on the internet if you need more info the web site we used closed down as the chaps running it retired Yours Scout

7 years ago by scout13

Forum

s Model boat club

Hi Gerry, I'm afraid Martin left our Forum some weeks ago. 🤔 Regards Doug 😎

7 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

Grandpa's

Lovely to see it. Where can i find the Build blog?

7 years ago by AllenA

Response

Nor star

Video now posted mdlbt.com/29735

7 years ago by Dave M

Response

Nor star

I think you have to put it on You Tube first, copy its url, then Click on Video Gallery tab, when it opens just click on submit video and away you go.

7 years ago by Peter47

Response

Grandpa's

Nice looking boat, I'm glad you were able to post the video!

7 years ago by figtree7nts

Media

Grandpa's

See the build blog on this site

7 years ago by Dave M

Media

Nor star

I have video now to show you. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eanimqiOh54&feature=youtu.be

7 years ago by Ronald

Forum

Speed controls

I will be interested in the results of your testing. For now, I will continue doing testing for weight balance on the under power at the pond. Some of you will know that the motor was installed 2.5" (6.5cm) forward from where the plans showed. (Do not ask why?)

7 years ago by Ronald

Forum

s Model boat club

Thanks, Dave. I see their website is now up for grabs in that "domain for sale" way. But I'll try those numbers and see what happens. Cheers, Martin

7 years ago by Westquay

Forum

s Model boat club

Hi Martin s MBC are not listed in our club sites so it's possible we have no members from this club. However they did ask Mayhem to list their club in 2008 with the following details "We are The s Model Boat Club. We meet on the third Monday of the month except December in Sutton Bridge We sail in Long Sutton on Wednesdays and Sundays We are just off the A17 just in Lincolnshire with members from Linc's, Norfolk and Camb's, for more info contact 01406 350968 or 01945 584241. it was 9 years ago so this may not be current but a polite phone call may elicit the current position. There is another post from 2012 suggesting "Spalding club meet on Sundays behind the NFU offices in Springfields if not The s Model Boat Club meet in Sutton Bridge and have the use of a lake in Long Sutton and one in Sutton Bridge. Good luck and I am sure you will find somewhere to sail. Dave

7 years ago by Dave M

Forum

s Model boat club

Good grief! is there NOBODY in the Fens with a wish to meet up and sail for free on one of the hundreds of bodies of water we have round here? What a sad state of affairs. Kings Lynn is TOO far away. s was a possible, but no response. And that was also a bit of a trek. I give up. Martin

7 years ago by Westquay

Media

Sweet ❤️ ❤️❤️ Heart

You have seen it being built. Now it is done. A Nor-Star kit but with some scratch building too. Because of the motor being longer than how the kit was originally designed, the second bulkhead was altered. I am running it with two 2400 Ni-MH 7.2 batteries, a Futoba servo, on a 2.4 GHz Spektrum.

7 years ago by Ronald

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Progress

Trimwork being done around transom and painting of the rub railing.

7 years ago by Ronald

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Progress

The painting is underway. The decks are on and varnished.

7 years ago by Ronald

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progress

Thanks for the link Dave.😊

7 years ago by jonbliss152

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progress

The stuffing box is packed with axle grease; the rudder is mounted awaiting control arm; motor mount is secured as is the motor. The motor had to be moved causing some redesigning issues ( for the purest) this could cause some questions, but I think with some planning the outcome will be respectable.

7 years ago by Ronald

Forum

progress

Try http://www.myhobbystore.co.uk/. They list several different plans for the

7 years ago by Dave M

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progress

Hi all, Has anyone got info on where you can source the plans or a kit for a ? I'd love to have a go a building one but don't seem to be able to find a scrap of information on the model. Cheers Jon

7 years ago by jonbliss152

Forum

progress

Hi Ron You seem to be progressing well. I doubt if the motor placement will cause a problem as there is plenty of room to place the battery aft to obtain the correct waterline. You may need to consider opening a hole in the middle former to allow the battery to fit at the optimum position. I suggest you do a quick test float to see where your battery needs to fit. If the wood is still untreated you could wrap the hull in cling film whilst testing Dave

7 years ago by Dave M

Forum

progress

Hi Last time I looked the plan clearly showed the rudder well clear of the stern. The prop shaft was much further forward than shown in your latest post. The problem is the rudder post will be too near the transom stern to allow you to fit a linkage to your servo. You need to mark on the hull from the plan where the rudder should be fitted and fit it then adjust the prop shaft to the correct position. Not sure how much room you have between the prop and hull but one solution would be to remove the propshaft and bearing then cut the prop tube and skeg so that there was enough space for the rudder and refit the bearing and propshaft. The alternative is to unglue the prop shaft assembly and move forward to give the space. I believe you used the plans to set the slot in the hull so it should all fit. Sorry probably not what you wanted to hear but your present layout doesn't allow for rudder control. If you wan't to discuss please send me a pm and I will offer any further help you require Dave

7 years ago by Dave M

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progress

After using my bench mounted belt sander on the chines, the glueing of the skins began this afternoon.

7 years ago by Ronald

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progress

Sanded off the K 3 and will apply filler tomorrow. installed prop shaft assembly and short skew. Removal of extra threaded sectionpast prop will to done too. Must make rudder and install it, the rudder will extend out past the stern.

7 years ago by Ronald

Forum

progress

Tell me! What do I do next? Is K-3 to be sanded flush, if so, this would cause a broad flat area. is it to then have a 1" strip of fibreglass tape applied? OR ???

7 years ago by Ronald

Forum

progress

Glad to have a staple gun on hand as it came in handy to close up the chine seams where my clamps could not reach. The staples get removed once the glue dries. Any suggested filler material along the seams?

7 years ago by Ronald

Forum

King-Fisher changes made

Hi Grandpa, If you go back through the build logs to 2009 you will find my build log for the . I first made one when I was a school boy many years ago and later came across the plans at my parents house and decided I would try and scratch build from the plans but with a few minor mods (dump the hard chine in favour of laminate strip). its a great little boat and is very stable in high speed turns. On mine I made the bench seat a drop in accessory and opened up the bulkhead to aford extra space for the motor connections. I'm now running a Speed 600 on eight cells and its got a nice turn of speed. https://model-boats.com/builds/view/23/2 Robert

7 years ago by Robert

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Skeg on King Fisher

I plan to add this Skeg to the to protect and add stability to the shaft. Does anyone see a problem with the design?

7 years ago by Ronald

Forum

Plans

Hi Gramps.What you propose is known as a skeg and will reduce shaft vibration too.To protect the prop you could fit a cage mounted between the skeg and the hull or just a curved rod/bar mounted the same way curling round the prop.Good luck John

7 years ago by onetenor

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Plans

See the plans. Will adding a small keel to protect the shaft alter the boats performance?

8 years ago by Ronald

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Plans

Hi Grandpa A small keel will help the turning and add strength to the shaft, but the prop will be the thing which will take the hit if you hit rocks!!!

7 years ago by canabus

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Plans

You could add an extra piece BUT consider your prop will still be at risk. The speed of the prop is a vector addition of the rotational speed plus boat speed. Unless you intend to run at very high speed its probable the shaft will survive most collisions.

8 years ago by Haverlock

Forum

Plans

I wouldn't think so, might even help to stop it skidding on the turns if you are going over scale speed. Just my thoughts Alan

8 years ago by AlanP

Response

August 5th

Thanks guys, it took some time but I think it was worth it and I'm very glad that I increased the length to 24" or the radio / motor hardware install would have been more difficult. Since the build I have removed the motor & gearbox and replaced with a straight running Speed 600. Although less efficient its still dangerously quick for a boat with such a narrow beam but now it does not sound like a food mixer at slow speed. A scratch build Sea Queen is quite a commitment and a lot of wood! I don't want to rain on your parade but I have a Jotika Sea Queen and it gets rarely used as its just too big and heavy to easily fit in my car. in preference I have been taking the Fast Patrol and my scratch build Norstar . Given the chance again I'd build a Sea Commander in preference to the Queen. Rob

12 years ago by Robert

Response

Nor Star 'Wave Rider'

That looks pretty good! I made a clone of the Norstar . Can you share details of the running gear - Motor spec, ESC (make and current, size and type of prop. Thank you. Rob

14 years ago by Robert

Forum

Where to sail?

I had a similar problem trying to find a local model boating club near Camberley, Surrey - the nearest I knew about was the Club North Camp Farnborough - when I went to visit the pond had been left and was all overgrown - have you tried the website: http://www.modelboatlakes.co.nr/ hope this helps, regards, Paul.

15 years ago by Tall Paul