Join Us On Social Media!
|
|
|
Download The App!
Login To
Remove Ads
Remove Ads
Login To
Remove Ads
Remove Ads
Model Boats Website
Lieutenant Commander)
Vice Admiral)
Midshipman)
Commodore)
Lieutenant)
Fleet Admiral)
Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)
Recruit)
United Kingdom
Recent Posts
💬 Re: Classic Model Power Boats
1 day ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF (
Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 17 Views · 2 Likes
Flag
💬 Add Comment
I'd say so Will. I've disregarded my Faun as it's hardly a "power" boat and not well known so not a classic. Same for the Fisherman, which in addition to low power has sails.
For me, as well as good performance and age they have to be built in sufficient numbers to be deemed as classics. That criteria also excludes my Huntress Long Cabin with stern-drive.
Chris
For me, as well as good performance and age they have to be built in sufficient numbers to be deemed as classics. That criteria also excludes my Huntress Long Cabin with stern-drive.
Chris
▲
⟩⟩
Madwelshman
hermank
Login To
Remove Ads
Remove Ads
💬 Re: Finishing the Deck
1 day ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 13 Views · 2 Likes
Flag
💬 Add Comment
Yes, that's the way with model boat building, sometimes you can spend a lot of time and not look as though you have made much progress and other times, as with building the superstructure it can come on in leaps and bounds.
▲
⟩⟩
hermank
peterbro
📝 Fairey Fisherman 27 - Hull
2 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 11 Views · 6 Likes
Flag
💬 Add Comment
Some progress has been made when time permitted. A keel box was formed and taken up well above the waterline, the top has been left open so water can dry off. For the mast support I'm using a length of square section beech and a base was made for that and then glued to the hull keel.
Supports were then made for the top drop keel support and then glued to the frames - the top support was then bolted to them. Once the mast support is in place it will be restrained by the top support - this means that the mast and drop keel forces will be nicely tied together.
The cabin sides were then cut out and dry fitted. They won't be glued in place until I've finished the outside of the hull as it needs to be turned upside down again which I moved onto next. Lightweight cloth was applied followed by four coats of Eze-Kote resin in preparation for painting and protection whilst I'm working on the superstructure. Before I do that I need to make and fix the bilge keels which will be sometime after Christmas.
Chris
Supports were then made for the top drop keel support and then glued to the frames - the top support was then bolted to them. Once the mast support is in place it will be restrained by the top support - this means that the mast and drop keel forces will be nicely tied together.
The cabin sides were then cut out and dry fitted. They won't be glued in place until I've finished the outside of the hull as it needs to be turned upside down again which I moved onto next. Lightweight cloth was applied followed by four coats of Eze-Kote resin in preparation for painting and protection whilst I'm working on the superstructure. Before I do that I need to make and fix the bilge keels which will be sometime after Christmas.
Chris
▲
⟩⟩
chugalone100
Madwelshman
Mike W
EdW
hermank
luckyduck
💬 Re: Classic Model Power Boats
2 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 20 Views · 1 Like
Flag
💬 Add Comment
Hi Bob, he actually says that his model called Sea Rover was based on Sea Queen which won a 1960/61 off-shore power boat race.
The first Cowes - Torquay power boat race took place in 1961 but there wasn't a Sea Queen or even a Sea Rover in the entry list and it wouldn't have won overall anyway but maybe a class but it wasn't mentioned in any case.
Likewise with the 1960 and 1961 Miami - Nassau power boat races.
I don't know of any other races worthy of mention so I think he has some confusion there.
Chris
The first Cowes - Torquay power boat race took place in 1961 but there wasn't a Sea Queen or even a Sea Rover in the entry list and it wouldn't have won overall anyway but maybe a class but it wasn't mentioned in any case.
Likewise with the 1960 and 1961 Miami - Nassau power boat races.
I don't know of any other races worthy of mention so I think he has some confusion there.
Chris
▲
⟩⟩
hermank
📝 120 years of modelboat history
3 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 9 Views · 2 Likes
Flag
📝 Reply
Hi Bob, that would be brilliant. We'll sort something out in the New Year.
I feel another joint project coming on! 😁
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Chris
I feel another joint project coming on! 😁
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Chris
▲
⟩⟩
Madwelshman
hermank
💬 Re: Next project: 36 ft Northern Bay sport fisherman
3 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 47 Views · 4 Likes
Flag
💬 Add Comment
I do like the look of this type of boat, should be a nice model.
Chris
Chris
▲
⟩⟩
Mike W
jumpugly
hermank
Chum444
💬 Re: Nov. 1934 Popular Mechanics - 32" model of "Roamer" Cabin Cruiser.
3 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 17 Views · 4 Likes
Flag
💬 Add Comment
That's a nice model. I see that it is designed for an outboard which is a problem nowadays as very few are available and at the right size. It could easily be converted to an inboard though.
Certainly an unusual way of constructing the frames, if it was me building one I think I'd produce the frames as one and notch over the keel in the conventional way.
Chris
Certainly an unusual way of constructing the frames, if it was me building one I think I'd produce the frames as one and notch over the keel in the conventional way.
Chris
▲
⟩⟩
RNinMunich
jumpugly
chugalone100
hermank
📝 Animal and nature photos to enjoy.
4 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 16 Views · 4 Likes
Flag
📝 Reply
Best I can do in the garden!
▲
⟩⟩
Wolle
jumpugly
hermank
Nickthesteam
📝 Animal and nature photos to enjoy.
4 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 22 Views · 5 Likes
Flag
📝 Reply
A few canal boat photographs.
Chris
Chris
▲
⟩⟩
Mike Stoney
hermank
Wolle
jumpugly
EdW
📝 Animal and nature photos to enjoy.
4 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 23 Views · 8 Likes
Flag
📝 Reply
Someone having a good feed on the bird food this morning. Was there for a good 20 minutes!
▲
⟩⟩
chugalone100
Mike Stoney
hermank
RobW1
Wolle
jumpugly
EdW
premecekcz
📝 120 years of modelboat history
5 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 31 Views · 2 Likes
Flag
📝 Reply
Hi Tom - I had an unstarted Spearfish kit as well which I sold a couple of years ago, like you I regretted selling it as it didn't fit in with my plans to build all the classic Faireys to the same scale. If you ever decide to sell one of your fibreglass Huntsman hulls I'd be interested though.
The Jersey police were very well looked after to have a Swordsman as a police boat! The early Fairey Marine Swordsman boats in timber were very different to the post Fairey Marine fibreglass Swordsman boats that Will and myself have mentioned.
Chris
The Jersey police were very well looked after to have a Swordsman as a police boat! The early Fairey Marine Swordsman boats in timber were very different to the post Fairey Marine fibreglass Swordsman boats that Will and myself have mentioned.
Chris
▲
⟩⟩
Madwelshman
hermank
Login To
Remove Ads
Remove Ads
📝 120 years of modelboat history
5 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 33 Views · 3 Likes
Flag
📝 Reply
It can be confusing as the revival companies often use the original Fairey Marine model names like Swordsman but the boats are different. The Swordsman 36 was by a different company to the 37 & 40.
▲
⟩⟩
Madwelshman
hermank
BOATSHED
📝 120 years of modelboat history
6 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 34 Views · 2 Likes
Flag
📝 Reply
Hi Will. There were drawings produced for the kits but I've only seen the drawing showing the top and side views.
Charles does have his drawings of the Swordsman 37 in his book but I don’t know if he has any of the original drawings, I'm guessing not as they weren't Fairey Marine even though their designer drew up the Dagger whose hull was used for the Swordsman 37 and he designed the superstructure and internal layout.
Charles does have his drawings of the Swordsman 37 in his book but I don’t know if he has any of the original drawings, I'm guessing not as they weren't Fairey Marine even though their designer drew up the Dagger whose hull was used for the Swordsman 37 and he designed the superstructure and internal layout.
▲
⟩⟩
hermank
Madwelshman
📝 Waterproof servos
6 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 31 Views · 3 Likes
Flag
📝 Reply
Hi Eric. I'd take statements on Ebay for cheap waterproof servos with a pinch of salt. Splashproof for vehicles maybe but that's about it.
Hitec make servos that are waterproof to the IP67 rating that means that they can be used underwater to a depth of 1 metre for up to 30 minutes. More expensive but if you want truly waterproof then this is the type of servo you need and from a trusted quality manufacturer like Hitec.
Are you looking to actually run the servo in the water or is this just in case of water ingress? Can you mount the servo in a box or housing as they do in submarines?
Hitec make servos that are waterproof to the IP67 rating that means that they can be used underwater to a depth of 1 metre for up to 30 minutes. More expensive but if you want truly waterproof then this is the type of servo you need and from a trusted quality manufacturer like Hitec.
Are you looking to actually run the servo in the water or is this just in case of water ingress? Can you mount the servo in a box or housing as they do in submarines?
▲
⟩⟩
hermank
jumpugly
EricMB
📝 120 years of modelboat history
7 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 36 Views · 3 Likes
Flag
📝 Reply
Herman, just happened to visit the forum not long after your posting. A few photos.
Chris
Chris
▲
⟩⟩
EdW
Madwelshman
hermank
📝 120 years of modelboat history
7 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 31 Views · 2 Likes
Flag
📝 Reply
Good morning Herman. Basically this chap had bought the hull and superstructure for a 1:12 model of a Swordsman 37 and was asking if anybody could help with information and drawings etc. The full-size boat was produced by Swordsman Marine who were one of a number of companies that came and went and relaunched the Fairey Marine style of sports cruisers with input from the original designer.
The model has a fibreglass hull and superstructure and was a collaboration between a brokerage company who wanted a model to display and Eastleigh Model Boat Club who produced 20 kits for club members - obviously one escaped! 😀
I'll post some photos later.
Chris
The model has a fibreglass hull and superstructure and was a collaboration between a brokerage company who wanted a model to display and Eastleigh Model Boat Club who produced 20 kits for club members - obviously one escaped! 😀
I'll post some photos later.
Chris
▲
⟩⟩
hermank
Madwelshman
📝 120 years of modelboat history
9 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 36 Views · 2 Likes
Flag
📝 Reply
Good evening Herman. Having recently written an article on all the drawings and kits that have been/are available for Fairey Marine boats I was forwarded an email by the editor asking if I could help someone who had bought a hull and superstructure for a Swordsman 37.
Whilst I was aware of the kit (which was not commercially available) I didn't have any information on it but knew someone who did and so we were able to help and the editor included it in the Letters section alongside your report.
Chris
Whilst I was aware of the kit (which was not commercially available) I didn't have any information on it but knew someone who did and so we were able to help and the editor included it in the Letters section alongside your report.
Chris
▲
⟩⟩
Madwelshman
hermank
📝 120 years of modelboat history
9 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 39 Views · 3 Likes
Flag
📝 Reply
Hi Herman. I see we both have a mention in the latest (January 2026) Model Boats Magazine.
Chris
Chris
▲
⟩⟩
Heners2332
chugalone100
hermank
💬 Re: Planking the rear lower deck.
18 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 58 Views · 3 Likes
Flag
💬 Add Comment
I've done most of my planking with cyano which as you say you have to be careful that you don't stick yourself as well 😁 which worked well without distortion as it dries so fast.
I also tried aliphatic to give more positioning time but overnight that did cause distortion in the planking which fortunately I was able to sand out.
Ronald - if you look at the Tools thread I have recommended cyanos that are odour free and don't affect me like the original cyanos do. It's good to have some again that I can use and I have used them a lot recently. I must try Superphatic for planking which is another odour free glue that gives more time.
I also tried aliphatic to give more positioning time but overnight that did cause distortion in the planking which fortunately I was able to sand out.
Ronald - if you look at the Tools thread I have recommended cyanos that are odour free and don't affect me like the original cyanos do. It's good to have some again that I can use and I have used them a lot recently. I must try Superphatic for planking which is another odour free glue that gives more time.
▲
⟩⟩
Madwelshman
Ronald
hermank
📝 Animal and nature photos to enjoy.
20 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 30 Views · 4 Likes
Flag
📝 Reply
Thanks Alessandro. No, I don't unfortunately, though I have Googled some of them in the past. Last time we stayed there was just before Covid, so some years ago and I was a bit disappointed as none of the tall and other interesting ships were there. I seem to remember that at least one of them featured in the Onedin Line TV series.
We have been back to Cornwall since, we go most years, but have stayed elsewhere, partly due to the Pier House Hotel being refurbished on one occasion following a change of ownership.
We have been back to Cornwall since, we go most years, but have stayed elsewhere, partly due to the Pier House Hotel being refurbished on one occasion following a change of ownership.
▲
⟩⟩
premecekcz
jumpugly
hermank
AlessandroSPQR
📝 Animal and nature photos to enjoy.
21 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 27 Views · 12 Likes
Flag
📝 Reply
I'm in the process of updating my computer and whilst looking through my photos saw these which may be of interest. Some will recognise the location as Charlestown in Cornwall. We stopped at the hotel for many years but haven't been back recently but hope to sometime.
The port is used on and off for some interesting craft, including tall ships which have been used in film and TV series and training vessels.
The port is used on and off for some interesting craft, including tall ships which have been used in film and TV series and training vessels.
▲
⟩⟩
premecekcz
Ronald
Mike Stoney
RNinMunich
hermank
DWBrinkman
Commodore-H
AlessandroSPQR
jumpugly
Wolle
EdW
GaryLC
Login To
Remove Ads
Remove Ads
📝 No motor coupling
27 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 28 Views · 6 Likes
Flag
📝 Reply
Like others who have given up using their motorbikes or are thinking of doing so I'm in the same position. But for now I still have a few - crazy thing is you think you are going to have more time to ride them when you retire, but often you don't, and touring is a thing of the past now.
I changed my touring bike 4 years ago, a Triumph Tiger 1050 with full luggage, for a more leisurely Triumph Scrambler 1200. I also have a 2003 Triumph Thunderbird Sport, a 2003 CCM 644 Dual Sport I used for green laning (though it's more like brown laning over here - that's the mud! 😀 Though there has been some moments!). A 1973 Triumph Tiger 750 and a 1962 Lambretta TV175, a 1963 version being my first road legal two-wheeler. I passed my test on it and bought a 1959 BSA 650 Super Rocket which you could do in those days.
The CCM is going to be sold due to lack of use but also I need the space in the garage.
Chris
I changed my touring bike 4 years ago, a Triumph Tiger 1050 with full luggage, for a more leisurely Triumph Scrambler 1200. I also have a 2003 Triumph Thunderbird Sport, a 2003 CCM 644 Dual Sport I used for green laning (though it's more like brown laning over here - that's the mud! 😀 Though there has been some moments!). A 1973 Triumph Tiger 750 and a 1962 Lambretta TV175, a 1963 version being my first road legal two-wheeler. I passed my test on it and bought a 1959 BSA 650 Super Rocket which you could do in those days.
The CCM is going to be sold due to lack of use but also I need the space in the garage.
Chris
▲
⟩⟩
Ronald
EdW
Mike Stoney
PhilH
GaryLC
chugalone100
📝 Sprite
27 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 35 Views · 1 Like
Flag
📝 Reply
Excellent!
I haven't seen those oilers before, they look really good.
Chris
I haven't seen those oilers before, they look really good.
Chris
▲
⟩⟩
hermank
📝 Sprite
29 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 36 Views · 3 Likes
Flag
📝 Reply
Thanks Bob.
Even though I'm experienced on the drawing board it is so much better producing drawings (not CAD in my case) on the computer using a drawing program as you can line things up very accurately and zoom in if required. And of course for frames and other symmetrical parts you only have to draw half and then copy and flip to produce a perfectly symmetrical shape.
And ensuring that things fit together is why I always draw everything even if it is only the frames are required as was the case with the original Stiletto drawing. Mix and matching between a paper drawing (which might be distorted due to folding and age etc. and a new drawing for the frames invariably leads to issues, though as you say they can be corrected during the build - but it is best to try and get it as right as you can from the start.
For some parts though, like the vee shaped front cabin windows, it's best to just make them rather than spend a lot of time drawing them as it is very easy to get them wrong because of all the angles at connections. This was the case with my Faun build where the cabin sides aren't parallel and being in mahogany I didn't want to use any filler! If I ever did any full drawings I think I'd make some parts first and measure them for the drawing! 🤔
Even though I'm experienced on the drawing board it is so much better producing drawings (not CAD in my case) on the computer using a drawing program as you can line things up very accurately and zoom in if required. And of course for frames and other symmetrical parts you only have to draw half and then copy and flip to produce a perfectly symmetrical shape.
And ensuring that things fit together is why I always draw everything even if it is only the frames are required as was the case with the original Stiletto drawing. Mix and matching between a paper drawing (which might be distorted due to folding and age etc. and a new drawing for the frames invariably leads to issues, though as you say they can be corrected during the build - but it is best to try and get it as right as you can from the start.
For some parts though, like the vee shaped front cabin windows, it's best to just make them rather than spend a lot of time drawing them as it is very easy to get them wrong because of all the angles at connections. This was the case with my Faun build where the cabin sides aren't parallel and being in mahogany I didn't want to use any filler! If I ever did any full drawings I think I'd make some parts first and measure them for the drawing! 🤔
▲
⟩⟩
Ronald
hermank
Madwelshman
💬 Re: Classic Model Power Boats
29 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 98 Views · 3 Likes
Flag
💬 Add Comment
Yeah, I meant to say that some of the ply I've had in the past has been warped and like you have had to select the best place to cut from. Not so bad with smaller parts though.
Fortunately I still have quite a bit of good quality thin ply, it's 6mm I need for keels and doublers etc. At least it's not on show if I do get some not so good quality.
Problem I've got is that I don't have anywhere I can store it flat until I reorganise my workroom! 😁 That's only part of my ply and strip supplies!
Fortunately I still have quite a bit of good quality thin ply, it's 6mm I need for keels and doublers etc. At least it's not on show if I do get some not so good quality.
Problem I've got is that I don't have anywhere I can store it flat until I reorganise my workroom! 😁 That's only part of my ply and strip supplies!
▲
⟩⟩
RodC
hermank
EdW
📝 Sprite
29 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 36 Views · 2 Likes
Flag
📝 Reply
That's good to hear. As Will says you're making great progress.
▲
⟩⟩
hermank
Madwelshman
📝 Sprite
29 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 31 Views · 1 Like
Flag
📝 Reply
I thought they'd be some difficulty with the skins at the bow as they curve up and also transition from the angle of the second frame to the flat of the first frame but it appears there was no problem with that then.
I thought I had a lot of clamps! 😁
I thought I had a lot of clamps! 😁
▲
⟩⟩
hermank
💬 Re: Classic Model Power Boats
29 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 99 Views · 3 Likes
Flag
💬 Add Comment
I usually buy birch faced as well but there has been occasions in the past when I've bought other sorts and thought the piece I showed was some of that.
What is noticeable is that the external ply colours do vary with the thicker plies compared to the thinner ones and you can even see this on the SLEC site. Some of my thin ply has a wonderful, smooth hard finish which after a light sanding comes up beautifully when varnished - I used that on my Huntsman 28 deck. Perhaps the thin ply has to be better quality to achieve the thicknesses required.
What is noticeable is that the external ply colours do vary with the thicker plies compared to the thinner ones and you can even see this on the SLEC site. Some of my thin ply has a wonderful, smooth hard finish which after a light sanding comes up beautifully when varnished - I used that on my Huntsman 28 deck. Perhaps the thin ply has to be better quality to achieve the thicknesses required.
▲
⟩⟩
RodC
hermank
DuncanP
💬 Re: Classic Model Power Boats
30 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 100 Views · 2 Likes
Flag
💬 Add Comment
Just to reinforce what you have found Bob, I've just cut some 6mm ply (with what I termed the "hairy" finish! 😊) using my scroll saw and a fairly coarse 15 TPI blade and even on the turns I had very little tear and no chipping - this is on the underside, the top cutting cleanly. I'm guessing this is poplar ply as most of my other ply, which is thinner, is birch faced. Interestingly comparing 4 x 300 x 900mm sheets the poplar ply is more expensive which I wasn't expecting.
▲
⟩⟩
RodC
hermank
📝 Fairey Fisherman 27 - Hull
30 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Rear Admiral)
Rear Admiral)✧ 29 Views · 4 Likes
Flag
💬 Add Comment
Been awhile since I worked on this build due to work on the Faun and other Faireys.
First job was to build up the gunwale on one side as I was a bit enthusiastic with the narrow belt sander! This was done with a lamination of two small square sections of bass - then sanded down by hand!
Then I added the stringers for the cockpit coamings. I'd produced the drawings some years ago and have now decided to have the cabin front and sides fixed in place rather than removable. This has meant adding in some extra timber pieces and cutting slots in the frames - always awkward when insitu.
I then drew up the cabin sides ready for printing. Before I do that though I'm going to fit the top support for the keel whilst I still have good access.
Chris
First job was to build up the gunwale on one side as I was a bit enthusiastic with the narrow belt sander! This was done with a lamination of two small square sections of bass - then sanded down by hand!
Then I added the stringers for the cockpit coamings. I'd produced the drawings some years ago and have now decided to have the cabin front and sides fixed in place rather than removable. This has meant adding in some extra timber pieces and cutting slots in the frames - always awkward when insitu.
I then drew up the cabin sides ready for printing. Before I do that though I'm going to fit the top support for the keel whilst I still have good access.
Chris
▲
⟩⟩
EdW
hermank
AlessandroSPQR
Madwelshman
Login To
Remove Ads
Remove Ads
