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Seen in a Mahone Bay, N.S. boat yard

A lobster yacht style boat named Pocahontas, Mader's Cove, N.S A fishing

5 years ago by Ronald

Forum

Night Watch

Report on BC patrol 13/09/19 Wind NW force 1-2, visibility poor, sea slight. Slipped moorings at 1245 hrs proceeded down channel clearing Rhoose point, the most southerly tip of Wales, by 2miles. Heading for West Gower peninsula and Carmarthen Bay. Little shipping in the channel, cargo ship presumably bound for Avonmouth, gone are the days of Geest banana boats in Barry and the coal trade to the world from Barry, Cardiff and Newport. No small vessel movements in the area at all. Closed land off Port Eynon . Nothing to be seen either there or Rhossili beaches. Proceeded to Saundersfoot. Now nearing High Water. Local fishing boats are showing some signs of life. Same at Tenby. Headed South East to N.Devon, nearing coast, three fishing boats trawling. Ilfracombe harbour is quiet. Carried on past Combe Martin and Lynmouth to Porlock . A lone at work. Porlock Weir is all quiet as expected as will soon be drying out. Headed back to base, arriving 1115hrs. Hands to day duties then make and mend. It appears that any smuggling going on is only on an occasional basis, possibly once a week, or on demand. Persistence will produce results but may need land surveillance as well as sea. I will consider all aspects and make plans accordingly. MSW Nerys.

5 years ago by Nerys

Forum

T.I.D. tug

Sailing back empty😮 I can just imagine how that rolled and pitched! Like what was said of the Flower corvettes "they'd roll on wet grass"! I think you're right several were converted after the 2nd big shindig! Haven't delved any deeper yet but did see some hints in that direction. Happened to many WW2 "quick build" hulls. Many Flowers were also converted into s (back to the roots!) and cargo ships. Doug 😎

5 years ago by RNinMunich

Response

Re: HELP needed on a hull.

Not exciting maybe not but, it can be very stressful though. Sail boats don’t always go where you want them to go. You have to read the wind, control sails, and TURN! It is not pull back the throttle put the rudder over and off we go. Speeding around is not exciting to me. It takes skill to sail a scale boat, pilot cutters best scale sailers though. 2 pilot cutters, sailing & trading schooner in my harbour. Believe me you will enjoy. 😀

5 years ago by hammer

Forum

Cargo carrying under sail- today!

Looking into this subject a bit deeper, I have found another organisation called 'Fairtransport' operating a couple of cargo carrying sailing craft. The have a brigantine called 'Tres Hombres' of 32metres. She has been sailing since 2009 and carries cargoes up to 45 tons around Europe, the Atlantic Islands and the Caribbean.They also have a ketch, the 'Nordlys' built as a fishing in 1873, so is possibly the oldest cargo carrying vessel still afloat. She works in European waters carrying 25 tons of cargo, such as wine, olive oil and cider. Both have accomodation for a few trainees as well as their professional crews. I'm beginning to think there is more of this going on than one would think. Nerys

5 years ago by Nerys

Blog

Emily James SF 33

So this will be a Cygnus SF 33. It’s a modelsbydesign hull 12th scale. I have a set of plans of a GM33 that my dad fitted out many years ago (now in Scarborough - CJ Lewis). This will be a .

5 years ago by GrahamP74

Response

Re: (Other) 'Maiami' ASR

Have also been trying to design a Miami as a EezeBilt 50+ for Dodgys website - been in process a good few years now. Got the hull shape correct to the 70's drawings (in which the station outlines don't agree with the GA which does not help). Also needed to move some and insert more frames to suit the build. The rear sub deck has a funny shape but after much head scratching and looking at other models of the Miami decided to eliminate the curves. Got that far but the trouble is work keeps interfering and it takes a good while to get back into it. Gets a bit hard at 74 but one has to live. Perhaps the next design will be quicker. Would be a great idea if we added to Dodgys collection - can think of a few others suitable like an old Scottish inshore fishing boat , a US shrimp and perhaps a Maine Lobster boat.

5 years ago by redpmg

Forum

Direction finder aerials /water pumps

Need some advice do direction finder aerials turn all the time when a is at sea. Second do steam s have water spurting out the side same as small fishing boats.

5 years ago by Elsrickle

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Direction finder aerials /water pumps

Hi GSN, the very early ones used on warships and subs yes. Here we are discussing a civil use on a I believe, so we are not talking 'targets' as such. More a 'general' radio watch service perhaps. Guess earliest civil fits could have been manual. If so perhaps mpr instead of rpm might be appropriate? 😉 Don't know what era the subject model is from unfortunately. Cheers, Doug 😎

5 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

What type of antenna is this?

I doubt if you will be able to research the FishFone I'm talking about, it was a name given by Radio Amateurs to the Band some years ago.

5 years ago by Nerys

Forum

What type of antenna is this?

The wire aerial running between the masts is what radio hams call an inverted L, it is tuned against the hull of the boat and the seawater and unlike a half wave dipole it only needs to be a quarter wave long, or less with a loading coil and an aerial tuning unit, often built into the transmitter. Common on many fishing boats in the days of the band, which is the frequency band a bit above medium wave. Band was also nicknamed FishFone.If you mean the loop aerial on the wheelhouse, that is a Radio Direction Finder Aerial which became very popular just after WW11. This information comes to you courtesy of my Radio Ham partner.

5 years ago by Nerys

Forum

J-502 progressing along

I have researched North Sea s of several countries but have found that match the Billing Boat Progress Junior J-502 There are similarities from which I took to add more details, but if anyone could provide more please tell me. What fishing gear is needed for this boat set-up? Some photos are of other models, and some are actual fishing boats.

5 years ago by Ronald

Media

J-502

Billing Boats Junior J-502 meant to be a static display but is Rc ready.

5 years ago by Ronald

Blog

On the lake with Emily James

Latest edition to the fleet, 16th scale beam 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. 16th scale. This one will be a pure . 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

Media

FREDERICK SPASHETT

Hi just to remind us of summer days during the cold spell we have. Sorry about the audio but this is the fishing I built a while ago - having a sail around the lake in South Shields. We didn't catch many fish that day :-)

5 years ago by JOHN

Forum

Older Billings Models

Hi I was unaware that the Samson and Polar had the same hull, I have had a Polar for several years, purchased as a project from that auction site “E” something and it sails really well, so if the Samon is the same Hull it should be a very good model. Somewhere on the site I have posted some articles about the Polar’s rebuild. Will try to find the links if I can.

5 years ago by jelley_baby

Response

Arctic Privateer H441 Deep Sea Freezer Stern

But how do you know what shape to make the frames if you have no plans? You would have more success with a foam/plaster 'buck' where you can add and subtract until the hull shape looks like the photos. At that point you could then continue into GF or dissect the buck to get the frame shapes.

5 years ago by steve-d

Response

Arctic Privateer H441 Deep Sea Freezer Stern

Have just made two small tug hulls from glass fibre and whilst, the results are satifactory, they are labour intensive. For a one off think “plank on frame” more suitable

5 years ago by Rowen

Response

Arctic Privateer H441 Deep Sea Freezer Stern

Do you have any other photos? If you have plans giving the hull sections then you could build using ribs and plank but without them you have no idea where to start with the hull shape. If you have photos of her in dry dock or during build then you could model something from the photos using foam and plaster of paris. When you are happy with the result making a mould off of that is fairly simple and well documented on youtube etc. Does the build company (Built in at the Gdynia Shipyard, Poland for Boyd Line Ltd. 212 x 38,4 ft.) have a web site with info? Does she have a sister ship or were there a series of the same hull? Steve

5 years ago by steve-d

Forum

Brixham IBEX

Hi again, To remind you - I'm about to start a build of Cariad - about a meter long fiberglass hull made by Chris Wynn-Brown. Selecting the auxiliary motor I'm looking at a m500 but any thoughts about the prop used. Thinking 2 blade fairly small, 25mm. Not needed for speed, just to get to shore if the wind dies. And originally auxiliary motors/props would have been small. Does this sound right? Sam

5 years ago by sam

Forum

Brixham IBEX

I`m building a Brixham IBEX Anyone know how much ballast is needed for a scratch built hull would it be wise to use a bulb on a fin or along lead keel

7 years ago by bellman1942

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Brixham IBEX

You don't have to think too hard about the keel position at this time as the bolt does not need to be central to the length of the keel. Just choose a rough position and do your hole in the hull. Later when you know more about how much weight you need and where it needs to be positioned you just make the keel to suit the rod position. Steve

6 years ago by steve-d

Forum

Brixham IBEX

Edward, Yes - thinking out problems is half the fun😊 My first build was a Vic Smeed Starlet - just completed. Pretty straight forward but I over engineered it to try out some ideas - thinking the ideas through was great fun. So although I will not start the Cariad until January I'm trying to explore problems now. The angle of the rudder shaft is one that I think I have a solution to. Take it right through the deck then put a handle onto it, hinged at the shaft so that it does not rise and fall as it is turned. Then a Bowden cable from each side of the cockpit to power the steering. I will enjoy building a mock up and trying it out! As to the rudder, I am thinking of a detachable extension - downwards. I'm also thinking about placing the prop to one side - perhaps more authentic but also well clear of the rudder. One thing that I'm still thinking through is the access hatch. I see some builders move the dingy to the centre and create a hatch here but I like the clean decking on the original, with the dingy to the side. A hatch to the side would work for everything but the top screw for the detachable keel. Some more time dreaming up a solution. Thanks Sam

6 years ago by sam

Forum

Brixham IBEX

Hi Sam, Yes, a Monoperm Super I think it is. it is only small as I reckon the original would only have had a small motor. I had issues with getting the rudder to work because the rudder shaft is at an angle. Another thing I'm anticipating is the size of the rudder; it may need to be increased in size. I think that thinking how problems can be overcome is half the fun! Edward

6 years ago by cenbeth

Forum

Brixham IBEX

Edward, I'm going to cast a bulb which gives me some tolerance in positioning it on the keel to help with the final trim. Probably make the keel from two sheets of balsa with a central threaded rod screwed and epoxied to the bulb. But that's for a later stage, right now I want to build the shaft into the hull before fitting the deck. Are you fitting an auxiliary motor? if so what sort of motor is most suitable? Quite looking forward to starting but likely to hafe to wait until after Christmas - work intervienes Thanks Sam

6 years ago by sam

Forum

Brixham IBEX

Hi Sam, I guess so. if you want to be technical I suppose you need to think where your centre of gravity is, and where your centre of effort is from the sails etc. Are you going to cast the keel or make it up? Edward

6 years ago by cenbeth

Forum

Brixham IBEX

Edward Thanks - just one question, if your model is twice scale does this mean my tube should be about one inch behind the mast? I aim to complete the boat before testing the weight of ballast needed then like you, allocating most to the keel and some to 'trimming' Sam

6 years ago by sam

Forum

Brixham IBEX

Hi Samnewbie I have a Cariad which is wooden hulled at twice scale. I decided to use a false keel but as I bought the hull completed needed to retro-fit one. I agree with you! if you can fit the tube as early on as possible it will make life a bit easier. My keel needs to be about 12kg and the tube is a couple of inches behind the mast. I am still trying to cast the keel; I'm now on my fourth attempt! I have calculated the keel weight and plan on it being about 1kg lighter than need be. This will allow me to finely trim the boat up once complete. Good luck with yours. Edward

6 years ago by cenbeth

Forum

A Tragic Tale Unfolds

About a month ago I came across a wooden model of a Side by the name of ‘Maartje’ dating from what I assume was the Sixties. It is 84 cm long (33 inches) with a beam of 19cm (7.75 inches). The then owner had found it in a poor state and had reconstructed and painted to a large degree, but then turned to model trains. It was not known whether it was a ‘kit’ or ‘scratch’ built but he had however found it was a model of a boat, UK 223, lost with all hands in the North Sea off Texel (NL) in 1967 thought to be registered in Diss UK.. I am aware that such a tragedy is not uncommon with sea fishermen but I had never come across a model of such a boat. I had some time on my hands so I started to make enquiries and I was surprised how helpful people were. I had contacted the Dutch Embassy in UK, the Press Association in Netherlands and the Texel Tourist Information Centre. Within a very short time I had responses not just from those sources but also from others they had contacted. A major response was from the Embassy with the names of the crew of five, some were never recovered and important, was information from the Harbour Master of the Port of Urk, Netherlands confirming the boat was registered there and who then contacted the son of the captain of the ‘Maartje’ and gave him my contact details. I am pleased to say the captain’s son Jauwk contacted me and we are now in frequent communication. So we now know the date of the loss, the sea area, weather conditions names of the crew and results of the enquiry. Also very personal and emotional information including the fact that two of the crew were father and son and that the captain’s wife was carrying his son, Jauwk at the time of the loss. You never know what this hobby may lead you into. NPJ.

6 years ago by NPJ

Forum

A Tragic Tale Unfolds

Winter of 1967 / 1968 was a bad time for losses. St Romanus, Kingston Peridot and Ross Cleveland went down. The St Romanus and Kingston Peridot were side haul boats and this made them unstable when taking in nets that were full. I don't know what type Ross Cleveland was but soon after we had lessons in school about the tragedies and our teacher explained how the later stern haul boats were much safer. Boaty😁

6 years ago by boaty

Directory

(Working Vessel) Maartje

Dutch Beam , registered UK, lost with all hands off Texel 1966. (Motor: 450 MFA) (ESC: Action Electrics) (5/10)

6 years ago by NPJ

Forum

Plimsoll Line

Having trouble communicating due to not using usual equipment and not being at home most of the time......... Did try last night on a tablet but lost all I had typed! I am having to work with just one screen and not used to that. Going to try again now. What do you know about s.......................? TTFN. NPJ

6 years ago by NPJ

Response

Sails back on

Nice ideas Martin, I did the VOR as a challenge from my company (Musto / Helly Hansen). it was in one of my stores looking sorry for itself! I am more into a working or Gill netter... been working on Cygnus style boats recently (see blogs Emily PII and Emily PIII) but am thinking my next one could be a steel boat as I do like a bit of rust!!!

6 years ago by GrahamP74

Forum

LED Tug Mast Navigation Lights

Hi Pete, Yes, We are all one big happy family!👍 And I'm always very happy to receive. My kits in the mail or ups or what ever. Aquacraft is a very good model company! I haven't collected a yet. If you get one I look forward to your post! Regards, 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 posting 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 & 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 . I’ve always like s & 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

Controls problem

I went along to Bury Metro Marine Modelling Society and got some good advice from a chap called Peter (may not be the same one...) Thank you. The upshot is I'll be swapping the dodgy App-driven Tx/Rx for a proper one. And why did I buy an unbuilt model? Well the 2ch radio control will come in handy as a test setup anyway!

6 years ago by malcolmstroud

Forum

It's a sad day!.

I remember going to a model boat club meet in Crosby Liverpool back in the early 60's ( cannot remember the name of the lake though) There were plenty of IC models plus one guy who had a steam powered and he was busy stoking the thing with pine chips to get steam up. As I remember a beautiful boat. Maybe the way forward is steam????

6 years ago by merchant67

Forum

Any clues?

"This is certainly NOThe the model of a Thames or Coastal barge hull" I had come to that conclusion. Researching typical twin masted vessels with that sort of beam (thereby ruling out most schooners) it could be a Brixham or some kind of ketch. One suggestion was a Moray Firth Scaffie but I need to go to one of the local museums to see if there is a model or a drawing. Interesting clue - the rudder post is carried above the deck. I guess half the fun is trying to see what I can make of it and then get it on the water.

6 years ago by aanside

Media

Angela Mary

enlarged to 1/48 from a free plan called Constant Star in a July 1966 Model boats 385 motor, 35mm 4 bladed brass prop, 6v battery, featuring sound unit and working lights on 3 circuits, Built from Scrap, about the Same Size as a billings Nordkap, but a lot Cheaper😊

6 years ago by JRF1972

Response

drifter/

What a lovely old boat... very fine.

6 years ago by Baggie

Media

drifter/

Model of a traditional fishing boat in The Ivy cafe on Weymouth Harbour.

6 years ago by SelwynWilliams

Response

Excelsior

I was going to do a day sail on her in Weymouth Bay but came down with a bug before I could. Quite reasonable terms too. Crew were very friendly. Not sure if they were in Weymouth for part of the Dunkirk film filmed in Weymouth Harbour, we had three such old s and drifters anchored in the centre of the harbour. Great sight.

6 years ago by SelwynWilliams

Media

Excelsior

Here is the last of the Lowestoft sailing s. Model built using working drawings kindly supplied by the Sailing Trust. Model about 12 years old. I got a little carried away on detail! As expected she sails and handles well as all the old work sailors do. Drop keel and rudder extension added when sailing. I was intrigued to discover that the deck winch was steam powered,no doubt to help with taking in the trawl net.

6 years ago by Gascoigne

Directory

(Working Vessel) Excelsior

Scratch built model of the last surviving Lowestoft sailing which is managed by a sailing trust. And a much loved vessel. Model sails well with drop keel and rudder extension. 12 years old. Working drawings kindly supplied by the Trust. (8/10)

6 years ago by Gascoigne

Forum

Sarah Anne

This as described in the photo gallery and was a house clearance find. (and is the Sarah Jane NOT Anne) 30" in length and 9.5" beam. and will require some finishing work to be carried out (slight) Motor and rudder servo installed, but my latest build means that it needs a good home now. as I'm thinning out my fleet at long last. If anyone's interested they can contact me either on here or on 007958 263772 (evenings)

6 years ago by bilzin

Blog

Fish boxes

Made a stack of boxes and some that I will add some fish too also! Julie Jean is a that my Dad fitted out and put the engines in and fellow modelmaker Ballast will note the nod given to his own model of DH142.

7 years ago by GrahamP74

Forum

1:16 scale figures for a model ?

Looking for crew for your Tiger were you?? 😉 BTW: if you're going to put a sound module in the Tiger tank and want genuine sound bites: start up, (running with squeaking tracks), and stop, idle, shut down, gun fire, heavy machine gun fire: I have a whole directory of such sounds in wav or mp3 format. Can send if you want. Cheers Doug 😎

7 years ago by RNinMunich

Forum

1:16 scale figures for a model ?

Looked just about everywhere so far and the only ones in that scale are a tad "pantomimish" (won't mention any manufacturers) I had the crew for my USCG lifeboat made by Realmodelpilots.com but they are a bit pricey although the detail is magnificent Any suggestions would be gratefully received Bill

7 years ago by bilzin

Forum

1:16 scale figures for a model ?

Here’s some examples👍 https://www.forgebeartanks.com/store/c25/Tank_Crew.html Cheers Wayne

7 years ago by Midlife306