Forum

New Website Sneak Peak

Thought I'd share a sneak peak of the new website with everyone. I was hoping it'd be live by now, but things have required more development time than I first thought. So instead of giving you all a half-baked system, I've kept it in development a bit longer. In the screenshots: - New home page layout, forum middle-top, then build blogs, media gallery, events, clubs/lakes, new harbour boats, a new section for how-to articles and useful links. - How-to articles can be edited - Useful links can be posted on their own - Any member can follow any other member - Forum threads as well as blogs can be followed - New events section, with calendar and map - New places section, also with map - Cleaner layout for forum threads and blogs - Completely refreshed mobile app - New ranking system (some of you will change rank, but it'll remain fair to who has contributed the most) - Easier login, easier uploading of files, easier in general - Faster website, all database queries have been restructured to provide fast responses - New notifications area showing all updates to everything you're following There's a tonne more, I do think you'll all love the new site once it's live. Still don't want to promise dates, but when it's ready, it'll launch! Many thanks again to everyone who supports this website. Without this, we'd have sunk years ago! Stephen

5 years ago by fireboat

Blog

Auxiliary motor, rudder servo, bowsprit bitts

Back to again....I decided to added an auxiliary motor since I had several laying around and it will come in handy when I am tweaking the sailing setup in case I get stuck in the middle of the pond. Made a stuffing tube just like I did on my rescue tug build. Made a shaft from some 3/16" steel rod, threaded it and polished it up, works great. Photo of the aft section shows continued hull framing and upside down mount of the rudder servo. I will enclose the servo with the small pilot house as is typical on the barge. This will make maintenance and adjustment access easy. Yes, the build is wandering away from the true "Pearl" which I used the hull plans from. it will maintain the same sail plan, but I will modify some items for ease of RC use. Bowsprit will be retractable, bitts are shown in progress. The bowsprit will be made from a carbon fiber "arrow shaft". Mast will be wood and I am shaping out of maple that I have. Staring to plank the hull as well. More to come shortly, Joe

5 years ago by Joe727

Forum

Sorry guys.....

Hi guys. I'm sorry I havent been online much just lately. As some of you will know, I am disabled with a degenerative spinal condition which we are trying to manage. I had a spinal OP about 3 weeks ago, and this hasn't gone too well. I am currently recuperating very slowly, and still feeling like I've taken a few steps backwards as the pain seems worse 10 fold 😭 Myself and the wife are taking a few days in the sun in Cyprus, so hoping the warmth will help the healing. Well, sorry again for not much. Chat soon. Best wishes, Dave W 😊

5 years ago by rolfman2000

Forum

New to Forum

Hello fellow model boaters. I'm new here so forgive my mistakes. Just wanted to introduce myself, I've been building model boats (static) for about 5 years. I mostly build my concept of a boat, however I have built from some plans. I build small models, 10" is my biggest and most are under that. I also have a fascination with air boats and have built several. Does anyone deal with soldering metal components, having a problem with material. Usually I draw what I want to build, make templates, transfer to balsa, and build. Are any of the clubs focused on non RC models? Looking to learn and share!👍

5 years ago by retirement-hobby

Response

Roof magnets

Thanks for the jig with the cam action, nice simple and looks pretty effective. I will have to try that soon on some current work. Cheers, Joe

5 years ago by Joe727

Response

Fitting the rubbing strakes.

Looking very good, I will keep in mind your bending technique in the future. Thanks for all the great information. Your craftsmanship is nice as well. Joe

5 years ago by Joe727

Response

VB30

Thanks for the photo of the barge build, gives me some ideas.... I have some tugs in progress, but no barges. I like the way you framed the hull. Joe

5 years ago by Joe727

Media

Electric Barbarella

Ahoy Maties! it's been a long time since my last . Happy 2019! I just completed my new scratch-built boat "Electric Barbarella". I tried to recreate (with some liberties) one of my favorite boats of all time, the 30-footer Chris Craft Sportsman built during the 1970s. it measures 24 X 8.5 inches. it is powered with a 9.6 NiMH 4200 mAh battery "nunchuck" pack (like the one used for paintball guns), brushless motor attached to a 30A Mtroniks Hydra controller and a 30mm M4 3-bladed brass propeller. The hull (my own on-the-go design) was made out of Balsa wood which later I fiberglassed. For the superstructure I utilized 2mm ABS plastic sheet material. To my surprise the boat turned to be a very stable and forgiving platform. I really feel a very close connection to this vessel as it is my first own hull design.😁

5 years ago by Krampus

Forum

All hooked up, nowt happens...

Doug, Oops, I guess it is obvious that I am new to this thing.... Joe

5 years ago by Joe727

Response

Marian Belle'

I can only dream of a setup like this for my wattle its beyond me I did make a boiler which would have been a big saving. Unfortunately it went missing during our big move so its dream a lot its beautiful a work of art thanks for Yours truly Michael (aka-gravediger)

5 years ago by Gravedigger47

Forum

Anybody from Peterborough MBC here?

Thanks Gerry, your post came as I was my reply to the above. The links I found didn't have the /frame.htm ending which makes the link work. Sometimes I don't get the imterweb Anyway, thanks again to all for helping. Graham

5 years ago by smiggy

Response

Bluebird

Hi Biscuit, I have just watched your video's, nice to see more on the water. I see you have also posted pictures of the Graupner Rhode island F1 tunnel hull. I also have one of these and as yet have not got around to giving it a run. I do not live near any ponds locally where I can be sure I'm allowed to run my models. 16 miles for an electric isn't far I also have IC powered and the nearest for those is almost 40 miles. I get very disheartened with the hobby but still cannot get it out of my vein's. I curious to know where you have fitted wedges under you Rhode island. What's the chance of a few pictures of the under side of her to give me some idea as to how you have done this. it would be nice to see so that I could also give it a go so as to make her a little better on her maiden run. Many thanks in advance and kind regards.

6 years ago by BOATSHED

Response

Search light

A small tip and word to the wise Michael, When I take shots for I first load 'em to the PC and view in full size before going any further. If there's anything wrong I can reshoot before carrying on, either with the assembly or the post. Doesn't always work out that way, depends on how carried away I am with the job in hand 😁 'The word' 😉If you can try to get the photos in proper relation to the horizontal and vertical. You're making some of us seasick! 🤐😱😲 Nevertheless, very nice work, Hat Off Sir 👍 The comment from Robbob (King of the Crash Tenders) is praise indeed. I once spent an entire afternoon reading his astounding build blog and picking up tips. I just got 'hooked' 😊 Cheers, Doug 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

34'' RAF Crash Tender Windows

Forgot to rotate before , it's a picture of the one that was fully restored, now available to hire somewhere on the South Coast. Cheers Colin.

6 years ago by Colin H

Response

BRAVE BORDERER

Very nice, shame they are not on the internet for sale. Well done for such fine work. I'm shocked by some of the work I see on this site and wish I also had the expertise and tools do such fine work. I'm watching your build with eagle eyes. Please keep . Will you be adding video of her running at some point ?

6 years ago by BOATSHED

Response

BRAVE BORDERER

Will be a blog update shortly describing my trials and tribulations with brushless motors. By using the "softest" start programmable ESC settings have found the squeal is largely eradicated. if you have not tried them, it is worth the trouble. The slipping coupling will not help, but am sure that will be corrected. I am using solid universal joints, which although noisy, give a positive drive. Your boat looks to go well, but hard to judge from onboard pictures.

6 years ago by Rowen

Response

Still Stripping......With Care!

I am not this as a build update because scraping and sanding is boring…………although I now believe I will eventually finish it. However, I have already found 4 areas with cracks. Whilst I was working on one of the sides a prop shaft fell off…….Just as well it was on its stand and not in the water! Now some of these cracks I suspect will be with filler falling out but there is a lot of filler in some parts anyway. It is coming along, but do I really have to remove every paint layer after the old primer? Surely if it is well sanded some little bits can be left, not large patches just bits in very awkward places…………….please? Other questions Where the Hull sides join the stern should those corners be square or rounded? When I scrapped the paint off most the filler fell out so it is difficult to tell how it was! Should the cracks in the bow planking be filled before sealing and is ordinary filler correct or does it need a ‘resinous mix’……………..? Cheers folks NPJ

6 years ago by NPJ

Response

Billings Waveney Class LifeBoat

Appreciate your s very much. Just getting started on mine and this will help me in getting more confidence as I am new to the hobby. Bruno

6 years ago by Bruno

Forum

Emoticons, Keyboards & accented letters

Yep we did Doug This Circumflex is all I can find ^ and no dead keys.Yes I can type a word then ask for it's translation but I speak French and some italian,Spanish and German so don't need to for the most part. it might work if I type in the word minus accents and see if it corrects itself but I doubt it Yes those accents would be useful. Changing languages is a faff and by the time I get it on I've lost the .Hardly worth the hassle. Hrrmph!😭 Never mind Eh! as Bootsie used to say.👍

6 years ago by onetenor

Forum

LED Tug Mast Navigation Lights

Evening Pete, Are you going to document what you do? By picture and a thread? Ed

6 years ago by figtree7nts

Forum

LED Tug Mast Navigation Lights

Hello, Figtree7nts: What about “happy”? You wrote “we're all one big family”. Over here we’d usually say “we're all one big, happy family”. Are we not happy? Would anyone not grin from ear to ear when they see their boat on the water for the first time? Wouldn’t any of us be over the moon when our new boat kit arrives? if this or any other hobby doesn’t make us happy then why do it at all? The above is all in good fun but far off topic. Over to you, Doug: For my project can I use the spreadsheets & drawing you’ve already sent or do you plan on revised versions based on your operating observations & adjustments? I’m going make a PDF of this entire post eventually so I’ll have a good reference to use as my project progresses. There a many very useful tips & parts sources throughout as well. BTW have seen the scale boats made by Aquacraft? They’ve got four very nice boats (actually three boats & one ship) that are large, very well detailed & realistic. There’s a tug, a fire/rescue boat, a trawler & a fantastic 1/72 scale US Navy Fletcher-class destroyer that could easily be used as a movie prop. it’s over 5 feet long & priced at about $700 US. My wife said if I spend that much on a boat she’d better be able to ride in it or she’ll leave. I’ll really miss the old girl.🤪Here’s a link to Aquacraft’s page for the model. There’s a nice photo gallery as well as a video: https://www.aquacraftmodels.com/boats/aqub5705-fletcher-class-destroyer/gallery.php#product-menu I have my eye on the Bristol Trawler. I’ve always like trawlers & the Bristol is a beauty. it comes with a full range of LED navigation lights (including mast lights). There’s no working horn but that’s about the only thing lacking. This reminds of a joke: Why do cows have bells?🐮Because their horns don’t work! Thanks, Pete.

6 years ago by PittsfieldPete

Forum

Robbe Smaragd

Hi East, Welcome aboard 👍 How about your Smaragd (= Emerald BTW) in your Harbour? Sure folks would like to see some pics of your pride and joy 😉 Cheers, Doug 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

The other lot...

I've had a look on mayhem Martin and the reply button is definitely there on the s. But if I remember correctly I think they placed more restrictions on new members Ron

6 years ago by kmbcsecretary

Response

Wheels

hi hammer, you have made a nice job building those wheels, 👍 your method works great. keep david

6 years ago by jtdavid

Forum

Forum Topic Search?

Hello, everyone: If this is something that’s so obvious that I could trip over it please be kind & don’t roll your eyes so far up into their sockets that they get stuck. OK? Anyway, is there a way to search in the forum? If I could search & potentially find something I’m interested in I’d be able to avoid questions that have already been answered. Please let me know. Thanks, Pete

6 years ago by PittsfieldPete

Forum

photos

Is anyone else having trouble pictures or is it just me.Cheers Marky

6 years ago by marky

Forum

New activity

I agree with you there Martin I asked this a while ago as like you say it does get confusing and on the larger threads it can take a while to find the new s. I know they are building the new site now and hopefully this may be a new option that is included in the new setup Ron

6 years ago by kmbcsecretary

Response

S 100 Schnellboot RC build

I am doing a lot of reading of posts online many back when this kit was new to the market.... as to my motor choice I winged it as I am not sure of what the motor sizes list here (300,500... etc etc) but did read a rule of thumb in that props should be equal to or better yet less than the diameter of said motor , so with brut strength and ignorance I have 3 Hobbyking ST3007, 1100KV that and a goal of keeping it light , thou I think I have read that 3.3 kg was ideal for scale ?....Again a 90/90 build , having lost all feelings in both hands from spinal stenosis I must accept what I can do now to what I once did or able to do with just a little more effort... Thank You All for your posts and help , and of videos online they bring me great pleasure and enjoyment ....Thank You

6 years ago by BW3

Forum

Huntsman 31

Thought I should post proof of been a model boat builder after up photo's of the real thing. Scratch built running twin Irvins 61's with an engine sync system, 7 year build time as a house restoration got in the way! Chris

6 years ago by chwk7

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LCT548

That is an interesting photo Thanks for it.

6 years ago by Bryan-the-pirate

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First run for 2018

Lookin' good 👍 How about the video??? 😉

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

H.M.S. BRAVE BORDERER

Thanks all for the responses. Donnieboy - have thought out the plumbing, which is simplified by using a cooling pump. See future episodes! Doug - appreciate the concern regarding the red ESC wires. Have been trying to understand the rationale behind that theory. if all ESCs share a common input voltage, i.e. from one battery, what would the connection of multiple red wires do? Can understand if there were several unique power sources, but that is not the case here. Perhaps with your electronics background you can explain. Colmar - Used the angle on the scale drawing. if it were good enough for Vosper, should be good enough for me! Think it close to 7 degrees anyway. Think short shafts with oilers should help. Have heard of bushings running dry and seizing with these high speed motors. The initial props are scale versions of the originals. Rather suspect they will not prove to be ideal. Have purchased some 2 blade racing style props for a future test. They have a much coarser pitch and are designed for high speed motors. Intend to use plastic props initially as they are cheap enough to experiment with. Perhaps others have a comments on the cavitation question?. Incidentally, this is my first high speed boat too, but there is much of information on both this web site and Model Boat Mayhem for guidance. questions always generates useful information. Look widely though at all types of fast models, MTBs, RAF launches, E Boats etc. - it has all been done before!

6 years ago by Rowen

Forum

JOYSWAY DRAGONFLITE 95

I don't know how you guys feel about links to other forums (fora?). However, the rcgroups.com has a HUGE blog on the DF95. https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?2437398-Dragon-Flite-95 The big plus is that being an American site it is all in (almost) English.

6 years ago by terrymiff

Forum

Newbie radio control question

At the time of the TGY-i6 AFHDS is available for £32.32 from the UK HobbyKing warehouse. Go to the hobbyking.com website and put 9114000020-0 into the search box. Their sale may be ending soon.

6 years ago by ukengineman

Forum

Newbie radio control question

ps I will be soon on the progress of the schenllboot which is the preparation for my dads boat D2764 an RAF Rttl

6 years ago by teejay

Forum

HMS HOOD by Trumpeter

Hi Peter, Re Link : Open the site you want to link, e.g. this one! https://model-boats.com/forum/building-related/38869?t=1521853430 Left click on the web address shown at the top so that it is highlighted, Press 'Ctrl' and 'C' together to copy the link, Go to your post and put the cursor where you want to add the link address, Press Ctrl and 'V' together to insert the link you just copied. Bon chance mon ami, 😎

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

The Lone Ranger Rides Again or Hull Finishing ;-))

The blue you have used on her really looks great and the white upper sets it off. Love the decking as well. Are you going to put any pin striping down her sides. Look forward to seeing her finished and on the water. Will you be video of her running.

6 years ago by BOATSHED

Forum

HMS HOOD by Trumpeter

Hi Steve Many thanks for the ebay details for the HMS Hood wooden deck, have just ordered one myself, last one available they state. Totally agree with you, great price and looks good too, have also got the Bismark, had it for months now,but very little time to start it yet, got the deck from Australia, but cost more than this one. Please inform us when you get your deck, will do the same. Peter.

6 years ago by Rookysailor

Forum

Education

And I have just remembered after the above that the waterline models were 1/1200 scale. I am sure I will be corrected in any case! What a strange thing the brain is.... Smiffy

6 years ago by Smiffy

Forum

Graupner Elke HF 408

Good stuff Allen👍 Look forward to the sea trial report; design speed etc. >>>>> odd that works but if you type 'less than' symbol it and everything after it vanish on ! Weird 😲

6 years ago by RNinMunich

Blog

Deck Beams and Anchor Port's

Hi Sorry for the delay in , as you see I have now fitted new deck beams along with cutting out and fitting box's around the anchor port's, I have also painted the inside of the hull, next job is to fix some new cross beams for the new decks to sit on.

6 years ago by Fred

Response

H.M.S Bulldog

Hi Fred No need to apologise. it is always difficult for new members and I was not criticising, more trying to help you and others get the best out of to a build blog. I look forward to seeing how you progress Good luck Dave

6 years ago by Dave M

Response

The Vosper 46” RAF Crash Tender Kit By Vintage Model Works

Dear Modellers and builders of the Vintage Model Works kit series. You will find my earlier pictures and various writings on the original earlier s by me in OZ of my still some 30/plus years Crash Boat in which I wore out several I/C motors and my girl still runs in Salt Water at the local LAKE ILLAWARRA in New South Wales and you are somewhat fortunate with ready made fittings. I did not ever know of the "page" ( wish I had a copy ) on your wall of the rear well of fire hose details and fittings , wow what a bonus, as a colonial had several years till Peter Dimberline and I had contact and he helped me to authenticate my vessel. The ESSENTIAL secret of the Crash Boat is the spray rails. So many look toy in the videos and TOOOOOOO fast . The spray rails are doubled at width protruding from the hull and lesser at the point of "rise of the wood " towards the upper bow point. The depth is not too critical at a bit of about an eighth of an inch thickness or a bit thinner for the whole length as you do not want to see a "thick log ", rather again it is the width rather than depth. I know I have written on this before on this webb site in the past. The turns thus on the go become when starting on and STAY more on the go are more flatter rather like a full sized hull which has a planing/ flatter hull turn to the flatness of the water than a typical poorly behaving model boat hull which invariably heels TOOOO much and somewhat digging in , (in turns). The HARD CHINE hull design was meant to not only rise to a comfortable plane attitude but ALSO to turn without that annoying behaviour of "digging in" when it should still perform and exhibit that hard chine design attitude when in a turn . "Digging in" equals water resistance AGAINST the hull and loss of performance and loss of plane attitude and against wave resistance when the hull designers team is trying to maintain hard chine performance in the forward turning direction. I harp on this point that this hull design is one to respect . The older I get the more I expect of all my model machines that I am lucky to see on computers, as we certainly have more need to respect the masters, the likes of Peter Du Cane and T E Lawrence and Hubert Scott Payne of Vospers and Thornycroft and The British Power Boat Company and ELCO and Higgins, all of whom I have researched so much over my life and I have been to the memorial of Lawrence in the desert in Wadi Rum. I try to do it right. Regards to all builders Lyle. My mates and I have to run in 2 to 3 inch chop at times, such is the Lake Channel ! My wife has reminded me that some of my fleet do seem to have BLACK hulls and I only would build one model boat, when I bought the Aerobats Crash Boat home, the pictures are of some of my scratch built fleet.

6 years ago by Lyle

Response

The Vosper 46” RAF Crash Tender Kit By Vintage Model Works

Coming along nicely Michael 👍. Tip. When continuing with the build blog use the 'Post New Build Update' (yellow button) at the top of your blog when adding a new update rather than 'replying' to your own , which is what I think you are doing. You can then give the update a title /description of your progress. The webmaster 'Fireboat' (aka Stephen) may be able to fix your s before you post any more. Meanwhile keep up the good work😁. Rob.

6 years ago by robbob

Forum

Welcome donnieboy from Canada 🇨🇦

Donnieboy built several of the boats in my harbour and is the Scale Captain in the Metro Marine Modellers Club, Toronto, Ontario. He is my “go to guy” .Watch for his harbour s in the coming days. http://www.metromarine.org

6 years ago by Ronald

Forum

Caps lock

Does not bother me,just keep ,great forum,PHIL!.

6 years ago by philpjuk

Forum

Paper plans

I agree that folding drawings is not good (apart from for easy ) but what annoys me is the way they are folded which can stretch and distort the paper. I've folded hundreds, well probably thousands, of building drawings in my lifetime and it's not difficult to do properly, like folding a map. Better when they are supplied as PDF's and you can get them printed yourself.

6 years ago by ChrisF

Forum

Paper plans

Hi Doug, Sorry mate, it's not for it's for storage. taffy.😁

7 years ago by taffy

Response

Aeronaut Pilot

Sorry for not in a while, have had a pretty busy start to A levels, all is ago again however!

7 years ago by Skipper44

Response

Solent Class Lifeboat ''Douglas Currie''

I quite agree Dave, the MFA 850 motors at 4/5ths chat push her along at a very pleasing and hopefully realistic speed. Ive enjoyed this build and had alot of pleasure myn progress, hopefully its been enjoyed by all and if its given anyone else some inspiration, even better. Please feel free to watch my Vosper RTTL build elsewhere! kind regards simon

7 years ago by Skydive130