It has been a long time since I last reported on progress on the FINNMARKEN ( 4Months) this does not mean I have been sun bathing,I am still quite white and hiding from the heat and sun!

I am a bit surprised there was no answer to my question regarding the side entry port ! It is 9.4cms wide and the made to measure, laser cut “gate” is 7.2cms wide

Still ,back to my update
my main problem has been trying to fit the front panel between the foredeck to bridge level I have tried at least 4 times to get it to fit as the edges are curved quite sharply, my first attempt was as per the building instructions, and was a mess! Tried making formers to hold it in the correct place.My last attempt I soaked one end and using some 1/4 round a bench vice and some clamps to get the shape ,left it to dry on 40 degree temp for a day and then repeated for the other end and then whist assembling had to trim the ends to get the rake (it was supposedly precut by laser ).
At this stage the front panel was in such a condition it should have been replaced but as there are no suppliers locally finished up reinforcing it with EZEcote and fibre glass matting.
In between thinking of options I have been fitting the decking (150, 0.5*3*50mm) until I ran out, I need at least 50 more,( I am now making a list of errors a deficiencies to report and order) I butt joined the decking then varnished them using MONE MARTES iridescent clear varnish which when dry gives a sparkly finish (which may enhance the lighting effect, *an experiment,¨).
At this stage I decided to sort out the lighting by fitting the wood framework for the wiring on the four decks (red) which, after another fitting as some pieces the slots already cut out are in the wrong places and need yet more adjustment! this may have to be repeated when the lights and wiring is installed. the wiring supplied is coated copper but I may replace it with SWG26 as used for radio control wiring to give better insulation

Firstly I put a big eze cote over all areas that will be unacessable later in the build, whilst waiting cut out another 150 chair backs ( still 50+tables to go)!
located a brass tube in kit for the rudder shaft and put in (but not final height till later).
Still having trouble with the front to the upper deck (the curved one) It did not like its connection to the deck due to no shaping of it as it is curved with a slight sloping back, tried several options without success so will fit later on in the build when upper decks are completed.
I am still a novice boat builder so unsure of when do I paint and when do I fix the deck planking, the supplied building plans show both?
the top side deck panels are set level using supports fitted into precut frames which are a tight fit as I will have to remove them later and 120 top panel supports of which 74 (which block the views from the deck openings )have there tops removed later!
The questions above were then answered as when I put the outer frame of deck 2 was placed in position, it blocked the access to the external corridors was restricted to a single door and external openings! so now working on decking and internal painting, also are reducing the thickness of the mainframes so they do not project any further than the panel supports to make the decking easier
just to finish ,a question, how does a 7cm board block a 9cm gap, this is the current problem for making safe the access to the main hull via the midway entrance?

finished one a year ago. mould builder is in the process(see blog)
quite a boat, watch out for electrics ,original needs 16 channels

I am building "Finnmarken cruise ship"(see blog) the decking is 3mm wide by 0.5mm thick and 450mm long(150 supplied).
If that is of any help, the boat is approx 1.24 m long

Paul's,
Sorry, I cannot find my paperwork for my Joffre. I normally collect everything and create a folder and store a copy online. I had problems with the motor (dealer did not know what he was doing) Cornwall boats were very helpful and pointed me in the right directions they might help!
I will start looking else wear in the house!!!!!
Len

Built one 6years ago(my first model). Will try to find my paperwork!

Not too bad here, up to 17 in the shade and down to 10 at night(centigrade). very mild winter and have seen snow on mountains three or four times, I could drive for two hours to ski near GRANADA, but cannot ski and too old to learn

Peter,
In answer to your question YES. All decks are removable except lowest front deck cabins!
they supply 12 5mm square magnets to keep it together ,and it also answers the question re fixing the chairs etc( otherwise I would be spending a lot of time putting them in deck by deck)!🤑

Latest Update
Having got bored building and painting doors chairs, settees and various tables( about 150 and at least another 300 to go) decided to have a change and have assembled the remaining decks and started fitting them together( can now get some idea of its finished size).This also reduces the amount of wood bits so less to look through if I need something! Not yet painted as I have to see if modifications are necessary !
I am a bit disappointed with the quality of some of the ply as although it is laser cut some tags tended to shatter rather than cut when cutting using a sharp modelling knife.
As the front of the upper deck is curved, I soaked in water (as advised in notes) before bending and not happy with the result (see photo)and repeated with a second shaped former and supporting the side edges (To keep them straight) by stripping one layer of ply back a little on some offcuts, it worked a treat.
Started assembling the rudder and found the shaft is a lot smaller than the wooden hole so will have to find some tubing for the shaft.
Not yet started on the hull, but there are sockets for supports for the upper outer panels which they say fit before working on the lower part of the hull
enclosed a picture of the door handles and our sky at night1!
Enjoy,
🙄Bombero

Mouldbuilder,
Is that why you moved to Hungary(landlocked)?

With the quality of your workmanship shown on your blogs I am not surprised, wish my workmanship was as good as yours, but I am trying!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
Slowly progressing, nearly finished painting the bottom deck rear cabins after fitting to the removable part of the rear deck and refitting so it slots in properly back into the fixed part of the deck (I am sure somebody alters things after I have shut up for the night).
I have fitted windows in front cabin section and this is the next move for the rear cabins and sorting the doors(plans show them half open but as I hope to use in water will fix them shut)some of the single doors are made up of 8 bits, photo shows how I located the two blanks with a chippies pencil which have line up so the windows fit, which the have to be painted before fitting. Then have to make the furniture for rear cabins, see box of bits(32chairs,4 settees 6 tables) paint and install, they may have to be fixed but will decide later.
when the above is to my satisfaction the next stage is sorting the top of the sides(see photo and is step 10). the construction plans are available online

I am looking at the wiring on my build. There are 127 led lights they have supplied 20 meters of uninsulated copper wire,the leds and some resistors with notes saying to run the leds in series in groups of three! I am thinking of using insulated wiring( cat 5 )with the lights in parallel! Any thoughts or advice?

looking at the plans( which are available on line)half and half. looks like panels above the decks shown on the photos(before fitting cabins) and then thin planks below! but will have to angle the edges of the ribs to the shape of the hull before fitting any and they recommend fitting panels but not all the planks until all decks are fitted

I have fitted and glued the foredeck in place(had to do it twice as one side lifted)and cut some of the frames to allow batteries to fit according to the plans but unable to put batteries in(hands to big),wife gave me some ribbons to make cradles for batteries!
After dry fitting the cabins position( see picture showing locating slots) tacked with superglue removed the cabins, final glued and painted(want to keep deck brown)white, now got to fit to the deck but have gremlins who have moved some the locating slots! I have dry fitted cabins on rear deck, tacked and removed for painting, the cabins and part of the deck is removable give access to storage so batteries may go there, had to cut some of the ribs but as per the building plans!
A bit strange building a wooden boat as I have to make the staircases but I am enjoying it very much and using my fitting skills (apprenticed fitter and turner prior to fire service)

Well,
The frames and keel plates have been fitted and glued without problems
Tried fitting small bits to bow so that hull shaping can be achieved (not reached that part yet should be about step 20) only to find the anchor guides do not line up and will have to be modified and will deal with prior to step 20.
Started to dry fit decks to frame only to find frame work to be fitted to underside of rear deck 1-B do not line up so will have to modify, and some of the top of the rear of centre keel have to be remove to allow a cross support can be fitted and also gives access to the rudder mechanism (see picture)as is some more bits have to be removed for a space and access for recommended batteries(also a picture)
Next job is to glue decks but am dry fitting cabins etc to decks so any problems can be sorted prior to gluing!
Question?
As most of the construction is ply has anyone have advice as what I can use to protect the internal framework that is not painted!

Gt108
Any advice is appreciated as I have got the recommended extras to make it a RC model as well as a static when not in water, I intend to go slowly to try to make this a quality boat!
Bombero👍

Friends who have helped ,and am helping me on this forum have shown interest in this project so am starting this Blog.

I received the kit on Wednesday, which was the first mystery as it was in an Amazon box, I had ordered it from G:K:Modellbau and only realised what it was when I saw the delivery instructions attached.

I had ordered other bits for this build from Krick`s (was going to get the boat kit as well but they did not have one in stock) fortunately it was €50 cheaper so postage was covered only to find the kit box marked Krick as was the build instructions and a catalogue!

I started today and have completed step1(as the instructions are in picture format)and after gluing spent the rest of the day cutting out the 26 frames and two deckh and now will have to clean and adjust them before fitting:

This is the third Model I have attempted(see my Harbour)and the members are go great help with the electronics on the second boat "Dusseldorf" which was a nightmare for me,So "NEWBYS and OLDIES"" please note HELP IS HERE IN THIS WEBSITE!

Peter,
That puts my attempt to shame! How are you going to run the mast light wiring? I carefully cut out a small channel at the back of the mast and then drilled holes to the front then filled the channel over the wires before painting.
Len

I did email the German agency at graupner- service.de but they did not reply either !

I was searching for information today and was surprised to read that Graupner went into administration 2018, so maybe that was why I could not get any official help as no one answered my emails to them! does anyone know the latest?

Wow ,Peter well done, I still do not understand but it is nice to know it can be done, have watched your utube twice and will have to watch it many more times! your FrSky Taranis transmitter seems to be easier to set up than my Graupner MC-26. so may have to spend more time studying the electronics involved.
Have been having a rest from boats and updating/upgrading my computers and running my windows and apple systems through a single monitor,and assisting the moving and setting up the local computer recycling charity
Len

Think this subject should be changed to "END OF AN ERA"

Thank you Stephen for your reply. I will carry on as usual!
I hope Martin and Bill remain on site, their knowledge and help is invaluable to new 😎boys like me
Len

I know I am a relatively a “new boy” in this club and have had a lot of (and hopefully given some) Help.
Suddenly I read that two moderators have been informed there services are no longer required by the website owner and they have informed readers on the forum of the owners decision,
As there are two sides to any dispute could I ask the owner for his side, so I can balance my decisions fairly?

Peter,
That is how I did it, so great minds think alike(except smoking glass), still playing and trying to hide and/shorten wires also seeing if I can reduce number of batteries!
Len

It would be a waste of time calling me, even on blue lights and two tones it would take me at least 1 day and you would have very little left
Len

Colín,
That is an interesting thought, might have to move the bollard further back! Hope Peter reads this.
However for me until I understand and learn about how graupner multiswitch system works, I have disconnected both the anchor and hoist ( even though they are wired and could work),sorted some of the lighting am using an 8 channel receiver!
Len

Peter,
Have looked and tried, amount of lift is very little, I considered removing railing back to pillar near hoist but dinghy fouled up with bollard! Also tried smaller dinghy but did not look right good luck, will be watching with interest.
In the process of hiding loose wires by zip ties and sticky tie clips under the deck, and wondering if battery(no 285) is needed as battery ( no 289) should be sufficient with a spur off to feed receiver?
len

Sorry.
Little warm here,40 in the shade