We watched this interesting programme as well. Well worth a watch on catch-up on CH5. Looking forward to seeing next weeks episode. You don't realise these things are going on until you see real life programmes on TV. Cheers Duncan

Thank you Chris for your comments. Progress is temporally on hold at the moment because it has been too cold in my outdoor workshop at the back of the garage - basically because I'm trying to be careful with the electricity bill ! As you probably know prices for gas and electricity have unfortunately gone through the roof! I think I will use epoxy with no fibreglass on the inside of the hull (where possible) and like you say use varnish on the outside. Thanks again. Duncan

Excellent! I still think the Riva Aquaramas are more beautiful boats.

Brilliant!

The motors supplied unfortunately don't have any markings whatsoever on the casings so I've no idea of the ratings. I've taken photos of the motors from different angles and also the assembled gearbox and the supplied ESC. Don't know if anyone can recognise these motors? I've also taken a photo of my hull after applying the 1st two planks. I've put cocktail sticks down the rudder tubes to stop them from getting blocked. I'm seriously considering laying both the spruce and mahogany planking up to the waterline and then fitting the motors and rudders and linkages whilst there is still a bit more access to these areas! I struggled to do a temporary fix of these earlier and once the sides are in place I think it will be almost impossible to get my hands in to do the task. Hope it works!!

Fabulous detail. Well done. Are some of the detailed parts 3D printed?

Lovely looking model. Well done

Fabulous finish - well done. I'm currently building this model and I'm up to starting the first layer of planking. I'm fitting the optional motorising kit that can be purchased separately. In one blog from many years ago they fitted water cooling coil around the motors. Did you do this? Also as this is my first build any help and advice would be much appreciated. I have temporarily fitted the servo rudders and control horns and linkages but found access to the control horns and linkages was extremely difficult. This was before any planking which would make it even more difficult. Any advice on this will be gratefully received. Also how do you work out where the prop tube will exit in order to create the holes in the planking? Thank you in advance. Cheers Duncan

Wonderful model. Brings back memories of sailing on one of these ferries! Well done!

Hi, Thanks for your advice and the link to the Riva build. I must admit I only did a light sanding on the plywood parts when assembling mainly to remove the 'tags'. Everything seems very solid though - fortunately!

Hi Richard. Thank you for your prompt reply. I have painted one coat of epoxy resin (Z poxy finishing resin) over the plywood areas of the hull which would be difficult to get to once the planking is complete. The planking that will be done under the fore cabin and cockpit areas I won't be able to access the inside areas to apply any resin which is a bit worrying! As you can see from the photo with the cockpit cushions temporarily in place and these are attached on solid ply panels which is part of the early stages of the build. Anyway thanks again for your contribution and happy sailing once the pond is repaired.😊

Hi,
I'm building my first planked model boat and following the instructions carefully from the booklet. I'm making a working version of the model using the extra motorised kit that is purchased separately. I've got to the point of trial fitting the motor, rudders, servo and linkages. Even though there is no planking yet I found it extremely difficult to complete this task. I was accessing the components where the planking and decking will be fitted latter. The instructions indicate that these should be removed and fitted at the end of planking and decking. To me this seems as though it will be an impossible task. I have thought about fitting these components as soon as I have got the first layer of planking to the waterline. There are two layers of planking one in spruce which is then covered with mahogany planks. I have been told that I should use epoxy resin to waterproof the inside of the hull but I'm a bit concerned about doing this with all the motors and r/c gear in place. Has anyone of you built this kit and can you give me your advice and experience please. Any other advice about the planking and getting a superb mahogany wood finish will also be gratefully received. Thanks in advance. Cheers Duncan.