Response

Re: Southampton Tug Boat

Never had the time or funds before to pursue more than one activity at a time - other than run my boats when learning to fly 1/1 scale. Agree that to a degree most of us have never grown up except where it counts - life would not be much fun otherwise - and there a lot of unhappy people out there..... My grandfather rowed his little seagoing canoe out to fish in False Bay most days until well in his 80's . In his spare time he made toys for grandchildren - developed his own photographic film and made "Magic Lantern" slides with stories to entertain kids. He encouraged me with my model boats as well as teaching me how to fish. I flew RC planes early on using OS pixie single channel radio - then graduated to a 4 channel Futaba - 27mhz of course - planes mostly diesel powered - electrics being unheard of then. Like to think grandfather would have done so too had RC been available in his day without having to be a complete radio boffin. Also design and make model car kits and simple planes for kids to sell in our shop - building a pair of vane steered with my Grandson - trying to finish an unmentionable amount of boat projects - fly my RC bird occasionally when its not too windy - still looking for a new battery for my IR controlled indoor helicopter....... and loved running a 4wd RC truck along the farm roads when we lived on one. As you say very diverse MS Gray - and every minute of it pleasurable - that is now I have given up instantly re-kitting aircraft ...........

5 years ago by redpmg

Forum

Night Watch

I last visited the SS Great Britain in Bristol Docks quite soon after she came back from the Falklands, but now, what a wonderful and well patronised exhibit she has become. I thought one of the most interesting features was the way a large section of the bow has been left so that the actual state of the hull, rust holes and all can be seen. But, I do have a query. The white ensign was fluttering from her stern ensign post. Why? I always thought that the only vessels entitled to wear the white ensign were units of the Royal Navy and owned by members of the Royal Yacht Squadron. Nerys

5 years ago by Nerys

Forum

Chichester Canal Model Boat Group

Some nice looking models, Britannia looks particularly good. Not many , but the couple photographed look good,is there a problem with wind on the canal?

5 years ago by Nerys

Response

Re: MK1 Micro Magic converted to race spec

Great little , our club have a few made by members. Our club boats are Thunder Tiger Victorias! I'm about to build a Micro Magic 2014.

5 years ago by Biggles

Response

Re: Graupner Optimist 1978

It's very relaxing Martin, if you are not in a powerboat mood, just sit in your chair and know that the only battery you have to worry about just has to power a couple of servos,(winch and rudder) no motors or drive shafts or ESCs to worry about, and you can pretty much stay out there all day if you have good TX batteries, and your rec is powered by a UBEC from your main battery. I've sailed full sized small boats (biggest was an 18ft 'A' class cat ) since I was 12yrs old (54yrs) so it's just a miniature extension of that. I still have 2 small (12ft and 15ft) and a 12ft dinghy with a 15hp motor for fishing, all rebuilt (the dinghy and 12 footer I got for free) but I'm finding that every time I go out now I come back covered in bruises, (clumsy old man syndrome) Here's a short video of a bit of my last 22km run in the dinghy to an island just up the coast from where I live. I took advantage of a brilliant day! (we don't get them that calm too often) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKSBjMllKQg John B

5 years ago by jbkiwi

Forum

Batteries in a DX5e

Don't know if you have ever heard of D N Goodchild (David) from Bala Cynwyd in Penn USA, (also under the name 'The Press At Toad Hall'). He used to do beautiful reproductions of old boat plans (small , racing boats, hydros, cabin boats etc) from the 20s to 60s. Unfortunately he suddenly ceased the business (supposedly due to ill health) and his huge heritage home (the entire basement was a print shop) was up for sale. I managed to get a few plans (including my 15ft US 1952 designed day sailer) before he closed. The plans were full plans on A4 including lofting photos, drawings and building instructions and came in a nice folder all for around $18 US. You could easily have made a model from any of the plans as they showed all the profiles etc. A lot of people were very disappointed when he closed as he was very popular. You can probably still find his boat building tutorials on Youtube. I've included a small sample of his work (if I win Lotto I'll have this boat built). John B.

5 years ago by jbkiwi

Forum

Back for Summer

That would be up to the client, Doug. I think he is suing for costs and so he should. Incompetent bastards! I think I'd sooner play The Doors. Didn't he sing about getting his mojo working? Just finished a stretched Ferrari 312 (Parkes) body pattern, a Jebro Mk1 H Mod and an HO (small slot cars are actually 1/64th, but they annoyingly call it HO) McLaren M1B. Matra MS 80 next! Car brake light keeps flickering on the dashboard, so more expense. That's what these things pay for! We had to get something Chris could more easily get in and out of so we chopped in the Peugeot 206CC for a Suzuki Swift VVT. 4 doors, 4 seats and space for my models, be they or aircraft. I really must try to get some stuff done on the Chris Craft (Sea Hornet), Darby One Design and Spitfire Outboard racer. I treated myself to an inrunner brushless for the lovely HobbyKing CNC machined o/b, which I've turned into a Godiva 40, instead of a Mercury. Well, I am an old tub thumper and a complete Coventry Climax obsessive and the Godiva 40 had a CC engine on its end. The one which became the Hillman Imp engine, the FWMA, Feather Weight Marine Automobile. NOT a damned fire pump, whatever drivvle you may read about them. So, as odds and sods progress, I will post pics and chat about them. BTW, the aforementioned Mike Parkes was the engineer responsible for helping Hillman make the FWMA into the Hillman Imp engine as well as being a very decent racing driver! Cheers, Martin

5 years ago by Westquay

Response

Re: Fairacre broads cabin cruiser

The farm is a fair way from the sea,- someone was not on watch obviously. Not my car, some guys doing building maint. We can park on that cobbled area you've pictured on the opposite side, (room for about 8-10 cars,-usually chokka when the are racing) There is a nice little jetty built by the Gulf Harbour Model Yacht Club next to it which is great for setting up and launching. It's all part of the big Gulf Harbour Marina development and pond is actually a drainage control pond. Was full of Koi carp to keep the weed down (carp were rented from a company by the council, but there was some dispute and the company came and removed their carp) probably missed a lot and they breed like flies, so it should come right. Pond's pretty weed free all the same. Pics of the jetty (from the HSL) with some old codger sitting on it, and the real HSL in the Bayswater Marina (Waitemata harbour Auckland), which I have been on board (once recently,-Modded- and once 50yrs ago-original form) Its' story is on the Waitemata Woodys website under W1. The other pond is at the Onepoto reserve near the city on the waterfront. Bit of a drive (20mins down the motorway all the way) there as well. The pics with the Marine modellers club - Panmure Basin - East Auckland (the only scale model boat club in Auckland and virtually dead (pics are old), - only about 3 or 4 scale clubs in the country!) we tend to go more for the full scale here. Evening, JB

5 years ago by jbkiwi

Directory

(Yacht) French Pond Yacht

Based on traditional pond , I've seen online, I've come up with this simple design, to be built from ordinary ply, card or balsa. there's no shear, that's because I wanted to keep the design simple. Feel free to download would really appreciate any photos of models & comments, thank-you. (5/10) 16/03/2019 I've revised Drawing -1

5 years ago by Nifty Paul

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 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

drum sail winch questions...

Hmmm, seems whatever I do I need to tie more knots to use either a ring (as per Havelock's video) or a bowsie. The knots are tied in the string on the winch drum and that was a pain to get the tension right, so I'm thinking just a piece of slit tube to get over the string, then crimp up with electrical contact pliers for a good crimp. Still waiting for the battery pack to arrive for the RC and servos. Then I have to bind the Orange Rx. to the Spektrum Tx....ugh! I got a biddliboop from the Tx. when I put the batteries in and turned it on and a light came on in a line of lights. Fancy, this modern stuff, innit? First time the Tx. has ever been right out of the box in about 5 years since I bought it, ostensibly for a model aircraft. But aircraft are too expensive to insure, join clubs, etc., hence my switch to . Just as involving as aircraft (wind strength, direction, sail trim and all that jazz), but more interesting than watching a power boat trolling round endlessly. At least, that's the plan Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Forum

Radio in a yacht

Haverlock, my Orange receiver can run on anything from 3V to 9. something apparently. Just seen a good Aussie review of it and he loved it. Reckons there are thousands out there all working great, albeit on shorter ranges. it's DSM2 like my Spektrum TX, but I don't have a clue what that's all about, as long as the TX and Rx are the same, I presume. Norman, you sound like me. I have had loads of different models. Never finished an aircraft because of the cost of insurance and club membership, but I have had them whilst deciding and I built an R/C car before there were such things as kits for them, but couldn't afford a working engine. Mine ticked over smoothly or screamed its nuts off, but nought in between. But the car had suspension from a leaf spring aft to adjustable torsion bars for the front. The spine of the chassis was two strips of stair runner making a backbone from which all else hung. it went very well if I could find anywhere big enough for the screaming engine! But I came back to boats as being cheap and as they don't need lots of lecktrickery, which I hate, although I have got some models of historic speedboats in which I want to fit equally historic motors of which I have a small collection. Truth is, like my slot cars, I prefer to restore than create these days, although I have made the masters for dozens of car body kits over the years and am currently finishing a 1/6th scale Vincent Black Shadow pattern all in brass. Great to know that a holder full of four AA rechargeables will do for the boat. Thanks for that info. Now to see if I can find that nice new box full of Tx! Oh dear, I've moved since I bought it. Cheers, Martin

6 years ago by Westquay

Directory

(Yacht) Graupner Rubin

This is one of my two Graupner Rubin . The Rubin is - to me - the all time queen of RC semi scale . Detailed, impressive dimensions, fast, very rare and barely affordable. When new I wasn't able to pay for such a model, but as one gets older... Anyway, after finishing some others my attention will go to these two. Why having two of the same models? They are very rare, and I was just in the opportunity to buy another. The first one - shown here - needs a thorough rebuild, and the second one is an almost untouched new model! (5/10)

7 years ago by Radiosailor

Forum

HELP ME DECIDE PLEASE

I'm looking at three model rc just now and can't decide. JOYSWAY DRAGON FORCE 65 V6 JOYSWAY DRAGONFLITE 95 PROBOAT RAGAZZA V2 Am I right in saying they are all IOM rating so I could enter the race circuit. Do any of them have any niggly faults that have been experienced by owners in the UK. And do they all have removable masts so as I can transport them in a little car. (Fiat 500) Or maybe there are others I can consider. Thank you.

7 years ago by Les-Forbes

Forum

what fittings for a plane prop

Hi Chris and Sonar I bought mine at the Blackpool Show and Brian offered me the top at the same time. I believe he intends to make a part kit in time and the top I and my friend have were from the development stage. Perhaps if you give them a ring and speak to Ann or Brian they will also sell you the top. Certainly makes for a strong boat and is relatively quick to build if you have model aircraft experience. There are running formers on the base so they help keep the model relatively straight in the water. Great fun especially if there is no wind for the or the weed is being problematic. Dave

7 years ago by Dave M

Forum

Crash Tender planking

Thanks Rob. I was kind of assuming that was the case and I don't blame you in the least. I loved planking a model yacht I made for the guy who part owns Cosworth. it was a Luna 50 and thank heavens the guy who had started the model had glued black ebonising veneer to pieces of a very light coloured mahogany, so all I had to do was cut correct sized planks on the circular saw and I had built in caulking lines! But ain't service vessels, so I figures planking might be fanciful, but don't it look good?! I see from that drawing (and where DO you get these things) that the after deck is double layered and the cockpit floor appears to be planked athwartships, but we can only assume the illustrator has it right, but having been a technical illustrator in the days of pens and skill it was often tempting to "soup up" a drawing. But thanks for both those views. I have shamelessly stolen them! Cheers, Martin

7 years ago by Westquay

Directory

(Yacht) Discovery II

Purchased to sail when the wind is too strong for my J Class boats, this little plastic yacht has only one fault - The Cabin leaks if you don't tape it up - other than that it is a great little boat and lots of fun - how many go as fast backwards as they do forwards? (Motor: 380) (ESC: Chinese) (6/10)

7 years ago by NeilHodson

Response

Perkasa 49 inch

Neodym magnets are excellent for holding hatches, decks etc in place. I have just sourced a selection from ebay and bought two 10x10mm. www.web-magnets.co.uk.I had not considered using as a rescue aid but these magnets are exceptionally strong and once attached are very difficult to remove so certainly up to rescuing a model. We sail many and it can be difficult to find a safe attachment without causing damage. I do hope you keep us posted on the automation of you features. On water shots are always good especially if they capture other models on the water. Dave

7 years ago by Dave M

Forum

RNLI-Severn

It's a ready built one marketed under the auspices of the RNLI itself. I bought it from a shop called Nauticalia. There are numerous stories about it on the www - overheting, sizing up motors etc. I was offered a refund by the shop but they had no replacements and the little man was/is really attached to it - even though now all he can do is float it in the bath. There are also stories of it being modified to full RC specs, but I don't want to go the pro route, just something he can use and have fun with as originally intended but with better motors (water-proof). I was an engineer and I've modelled locomotives, mended clocks and built 1:1 racing motorcycles - not boats in any scale though. Trouble now is I can't hold anything steady, problems even to write. Despite being on the coast I know of only one model boat club - it's a good one but it's racing '' only and very pro too.

8 years ago by brubaker

Forum

Model Club Insurance

Fellow Members I need your thoughts and Input please regards Insurance Cover. Basically My Club has the basic £5,000,000 Public Liability Insurance In Line with the Local Council Requirements. This Cover was arranged through "Stamp Insurance Brokers". Members using "Fast Electric Boats" (some may describe them as Power Race Boats) were covered to sail such craft individually, BUT NOT in any aspect or form of "Racing". (2 "Fast Electrics Boats In the Water running in the same direction at high speed could possibly be perceived to be "Racing") Due to discussions within the Club it was felt that the Term "Racing" should be Clarified with the Insurers, so duly contacted the Broker "Stamp Insurance Brokers". The have decreed that "Racing" even includes "Wind Powered Sail " and are not therefore covered by the "Policy" for "Racing Events" as this comes under "Sporting Activiities" I pointed out to the "Broker" that I have 3 small Childrens style "Pond " some 30cms length (12 Inches) and I was pretty much amazed that they state, "Under the Policy" even these harmless small (as I see It) cannot be raced either. I understand Insurers us "Blanket Words", but this leaves me feeling rather dazed. So fellow boaters, whats your thoughts on all this?? what insurance companies have you used, or recommend ? I have one Criteria...To Keep the Insurance Cost as Low as possible, our current policy is £64 per year for the Club members as a group. Our Membership fees are £10 per year. We have surplus Cash, and In the 18 months of being established I have purchased main equipment, ie; Large Gazebo, Gas Cooker, and other Equipment, so pretty much got all we need as a club. Each Month I run a "Free Monthly Prize Draw" at no cost to the Club or members, thanks to my good contacts and supporters, with Prizes ranging from a couple of pounds up to £30. So folks..Thoughts and Recommendations please ?? Thankyou VGMBC

8 years ago by SkipperVGMBC

Forum

Website info on Crash Tenders too blurred

However, I can see Martin's concern. This board seems to offer some research material about fireboats and aerokits generally, but many of the images are intentionally so poor as to be useless. That seems to be intentional, since many of them are scanned from much better initial sources. As an example, there's a person currently on the Model Boats board who wants to know what the Aerokits Tara and Sea Hawk looked like. There is a picture of TARA on the board under the Aerokits section, but I can't refer him to it - it's just a blob. And it must have been scanned from the catalogue, where it would have been available in readable format. Why are all the pictures so poor?

8 years ago by DodgyGeezer

Forum

Joysway Force2 60 catamaran

It is not a good idea to charge batteries in hulls where there is no chance of air circulation and condensation can occur. I have seen the after effects of an exploding battery and now always remove my batteries to a safe place to charge. The Rx will also benefit from fresh air to prevent condensation and electrolysis from the residual charges on capacitors. I have a friend who uses a plug socket on his deck with a shorted plug sealed with heat shrink that works well at the lake but he removes the batteries to charge after sailing. I use vehicle sign makers sticky tape (available in all colours) to seal my and have no problems. Hope you find a solution that works for you. Dave

8 years ago by Dave M

Forum

Radio Kits

Thanks Dave The sets came with the boats and are labelled Joysway and ProBoat. I have bit the bullet and ordered a Tamco 3 channel set with an extra Rx as recommended by Mike from RC . He uses one himself. The receivers are £15 each so not expensive should I require more. Is that an Aerokits RAF Crashtender I see below your id? I built one of those 30 years ago and powered it with a Frog 3.5cc marine diesel! Happy days. Steve

8 years ago by cormorant

Forum

The best small racing yacht?

HI Ken, The first thing I done was order a new set of sails RC have various manufactures sails available and the service is second to none , do you have the latest dragon force 65 released in 2014 Felix

9 years ago by felix

Forum

The best small racing yacht?

HI Robo 177 I have two Micro Magics and have been sailing them for over 5 years, I recently purchased a dragon force 65 which I have sailed twice to date, the micro Magic has a short fin length and a total draught of 18cm and is a very responsive yacht in light and heavy winds but takes a while to master, but once accomplished it is excellent to sail, and very easy to transport, a big plus for me is the hatch is easy to remove to replace batteries, and make internal adjustments if required, and only four easy turn finger clips (five on my racing model) Four weeks ago the weed problem was very prominent on the pond but the Micro Magic had no difficulty in sailing apart from two or three stands of weed around the fin after 2hrs of sailing ( the weed appears to be below the water surface ) Even the guys with the electric boats were having to remove weed regular from the propellers, The Dragon force 65 sails very well and handles well, but it would be unfair to try and give a proper comment on this until I have had more sailing time with her, the draught on the dragon force is 38cm both draughts are measured from my as near as possible carrying a standard battery pack ( 4x1.5v Duracell AA) 2.4 G receiver But the deeper keel length did give me problems with submerged weed pushed to give a choice it would be the Micro Magic, for easy sailing on weeded water, and the dragon force for weed free water which all though not tested by me, I would believe it would faster and easier to control and master than the Micro Magic Both look very good, and easy to transport with the Dragon force 65 more sleek in design, easy to sail which I believe gives the advantage of more responsive handling and quick learning experience for the novice sailor felix

9 years ago by felix

Forum

The best small racing yacht?

HI Robo177 I have a DragonForce, Victoria & a Fiesta yacht, they are all very good. The DragonForce is good but the rigging is fiddly, the parts are easy to upgrade. The Victoria is a lovely yacht, it sails in light winds, lots of information on the internet about tuning and upgrades. The Fiesta is a lovely yacht, it sails really well and is great fun, the kit is quite basic but great quality. All of these are sailed in the area where I live!

9 years ago by Biggles

Forum

The best small racing yacht?

HI Robbo177 If you want to race with your club members then you will need a IOM. I have a Dragon Force 65 and find it sails really well and is easily transported fully rigged. Performance is comparable with other in our club and its fun to sail. Four members now sail Dragons. Another member has a Micro Magic and is happy with its performance, but it is a tad on the small size for our lake. No experience of the Victoria but a quick look on the web suggests it is similar, if a bit beamier than the Dragon. Last year we had a major weed problem on our lake, as did many others, and any with deep keels and separate rudders were prone to getting stuck. Many started to use J Class or pond where the keel is a continuation of the hull and the rudder an extension of the hull. Sailing this type was possible even in the worst weed conditions. May not be a problem in your lake as treatments are available to control the weed. I would speak to the yachters at your lake to see if the larger were of this type. That said I believe you will find the Dragon fun and they can now be purchased without radio. The assembly instructions are good but it did take me a while to attach the rigging. A youngster with nimble fingers is an asset! There is a website at http://dragonforce65.com/ which you may find useful. Good luck in your search Dave

9 years ago by Dave M

Event

Yacht racing rally, Victoria, Micro Magic, Dragon Force

Hello Sport Yacht Friendly Racing Club are continuing the yacht racing for small sport yacht designs held by SWAMBC previously. The next event Is at Apex Lake Burnham-on-Sea on the 11th May 2014. Our fleet Is currently made up of Thunder Tiger Victorias, Micro Magics and Dragonforce65s. But any small yacht 65cm and less Is welcome. Racing Is to a simplified set of 5 rules. Please see the attached PDF. Skippers brief 10:00am and racing starts 10:30. Race entry fee Is £2 per yacht skipper. Allcomers welcome, we do require that all skippers have their own third party Insurance for model boating. There are no prizes, we race for the fun of It. Beginners' at racing or radio are most welcome and there will be plenty of help and advice offered to get you up to speed. We also have 3 available to hire If you don't have an eligible vessel. The pdf attached or visit our web pages at http://www.swambc.webeden.co.uk/#/syfrc-home/4581816909 Kind Regards Ian Campbell Sport Yacht Friendly Racing Club

10 years ago by IanCampbell

Forum

2.4Ghz Yacht Radio Control System

HI Biggles I just bought a Dragon 65 and have sailed on a couple of occasions using the supplied radio. Works OK but is fairly basic and possibly better to have a two channel set on 2.4 with slightly better gimbals. As Stephen says there are cheaper options and any combo set should work well. The Rudder is fairly fierce and the supplied set has a 70% setting which helps at speed. Some of the cheaper sets don't have this facility so you may want to spend a bit more to get a set with more adjustments such as dual rate and EPA, useful to adjust the winch travel end point. This may have been your reasoning for selecting the Futaba. As well as GiantCod you may want to look at Howes offerings. If you Google RG65 there is a web site and details re mods etc. Great fun and sails very well with the other on our lake. 😀

11 years ago by Dave M

Response

yacht tgn 3

Well you certainly have started. You are a brave man to have used a circular saw for such a purpose. Unless you intend to have all your rigging above deck you may need to remove some more formers. I suggest a pin saw as this will be much safer and the blade can be turned thro' 90 degress to cut across the bottoms. You really now need to have a sail plan of some sort as the final handling of the yacht is very dependant on you mast position. It may be helpful to enlist the help of a local fellow club member who sails to advise the best rig. Hull finish looks good, Should be nice and watertight. 😀

12 years ago by Dave M

Blog

yacht tgn 3

At last I have finished the re planking. This has turned out to be a longer task than anticipated, but now it is done I am gaining some satisfaction from the start of the recovery of the model. I intially tried to replank with the intention of varnishing the timber planks, so held planks in place with rubber bands, this resulted in only being able to fit a single plank at a time. As it became obvious, that due to the loss of some planks on removal, this was not viable, I reverted to pinning the strips to the formers and removing the pins when the glue had dried. It is necessary to use some filler in positions where the old planks have been damaged and for some reason some of the planks are a bit short now. After lining the inside with glass fibre I cut out some of the solid formers using a circular saw, a bit of a hairy experience and a lot of sawdust. a few pics as it is now, next task is to fit floor to cut out area and refit deck, but first is to learn a bit more about model and where the holes in the deck should be as once it is on there will no way to get it off again.

12 years ago by nasraf

Forum

Vosper Firefloat Mk. 1

I am a newbie to this forum and new to scale model boats, my other hobby being RC 1 Metre . For my first foray Into boats I have acquired what Is like a Vosper Firefloat Mk.2 but It Is different. The bridge section of my boat Is different being longer, the mid-ship section having three windows In lieu of two and the stern Is completely different In profile. I have spent many nights trawling the Internet to see If there Is anything like my very detailed model but to no avail and I have even asked a few of my old work colleagues who are ex-naval men If they can help out In Identification. I am wondering whether this could be an elusive Mk. 1 - the boat that was never put Into commission. I attach a few photos of my model In the hope that someone out there can throw some light on It. It Is In very good condition and a few years old, Is fitted with an Eco 600 motor on a single prop. It Is about 34" In length and 9" beam and goes really well, planes quickly and turns very tightly - In all a cracking boat. The numbers on the side of the boat are strange as they relate to what I believe Is a coastal command unit - the numbers are not new as they appear to be original under the paintwork. Any help would be appreciated. Regards Alan

14 years ago by ads90