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SY Minnow
This is a small steam yacht (albeit electrically driven) based on Vic Smeed's Silver Mist Hull. The boat isn't complete yet but getting there. I just started working on her again getting the railings built. It'll be some time before I can get her tested (Covid 19 lockdown) but hope to ballast her in the plasterer's bath I bought for the purpose- I no longer have a bath in the house after re-fitting the bathroom with shower only. She has a steam whistle sound system and a MBB mist unit which seem to work well.
ianed57
4 years ago
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Bobby Police Launch
This was a free plan in Model Boats in 1977 and was based on Vic Smeed's Sparkler (I think). Actually turns out to be Twinkler- see below!
I have built three of these over the years- I like them! This one was built from a laser cut kit supplied by RBC in Holland. It went together well but has only seen the water once- enough to tell me that the toothed belt drive wasn't man enough for the 540 motor, so I will have to shoehorn a direct coupling in there.
ianed57
4 years ago
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Graupner Bugsier
I bought this boat on Ebay a few years ago. She was in a fairly poor state but I did her up a bit, anglicising her in the process. I left the geared 540 in her which is still a bit noisy and fierce (the boat practically planes on full speed). I might change that for a low noise 540 if I can get the old one out without ripping out her bottom! The radio glitches like mad so I need to get to the bottom of that - I suspect it's the geared motor which needs suppressing. She'll be worth persisting with as she looks a treat in the sunshine.
July 2020- replaced motor with low noise 500 straight drive, replaced steering servo. Runs quietly and efficiently now.
ianed57
4 years ago
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(Other) Wild Rose
Wild Rose was originally a steam launch with Pelican V twin and home built vertical fire tube boiler. She is now converted to electric and has the addition of a smart striped awning. I designed the hull with a program called ply Boats years ago. She has a double chine hull form and is built with 6mm ply frames and 1.5mm ply skins. (Motor: Graupner Eco) (ESC: Mtroniks) (8/10)
ianed57
8 years ago
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Mistral by Vic Smeed
This is Vic Smeeds Mistral published some time in the fifties I think. The original drawing was for an 18'' boat but I have enlarged to around 23'' giving a 1:16 ish model. The hull is Lite Ply frames and skins and the trim is mahogany- but it may be a bit heavy. She looks great on the water- and goes like a fast electric if I choose- which I don't! Wish I'd built her a bit bigger now. (Motor: Graupner 500) (ESC: Mtroniks) (9/10)
ianed57
8 years ago
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(Pleasure Craft) Veleta
This is Vic Smeed's Veleta published some time in the early sixties and enlarged about 1.5 times. I'm not sure the enlargement was a good idea but she's still a pretty boat. Construction was balsa sheet and Lite Ply covered with nylon and Poly C water based resin. I would always use epoxy again in the future-as this material is not very tough. The drive is via turned brass pulleys and O ring giving a very quiet and positive drive. (Motor: 700) (ESC: Electronize ) (7/10)
ianed57
8 years ago
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(Other) Dunlin
I built 'Dunlin' from Harold Underhill's plan for a Police river launch and elected to use the lines for a three foot model. I originally installed a Caton twin cylinder steam engine and Cheddar Puffin boiler but reverted to electric some while ago. The hull is mahogany plank on 6mm ply frames. Due to the fact that she was designed with an increased underwater body (to creat more displacement for heavy machinery) she weighs about 25lb and has great presence on the water. (Motor: MFA 500 geared 6:1) (ESC: Electronize ) (8/10)
ianed57
8 years ago
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(Pleasure Craft) Widgeon- a Yeoman Wavemaster
Having long admired the Wavemaster in a photo in Vic Smeeds book 'Power Model Boats', I bought this on ebay a few years ago in a fit of enthusiasm (ie paid far too much!) - riddled with woodworm and frames and deadwood de-laminating, but still watertight. it's still a bit fragile in places and I'd like, one day, to replace her with a newly built IP kit. I think she looks great on the water though and a real testament to her designer, Les Rowell. (Motor: Graupner 700) (ESC: Electronize 30 amp) (9/10)
ianed57
12 years ago
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(Working Vessel) Dumas Osprey
This was built from a Dumas kit, no longer produced and Imported from America. It represents a New England fishing boat. The kit was planked rather than having sheet material for the hull, which looked quite good. It was fun to build and detail using Macs Mouldings(?) and George Turner figures. It is 1:12 scale. (Motor: Graupner 500 Eco) (ESC: Mtroniks 10) (9/10)
Since 2019 I have used a 1ah 2s lipo and kept the old, defunct NIMH pack as ballast.
ianed57
12 years ago
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(Pleasure Craft) Silver Mist
Built from Vic Smeed's 1950's design but enlarged to represent 1:16 scale. Actually weighs 15lb and is a delight on the water- even though I say it myself!
Will go quite ridiculously fast but looks best trickling along.
In about 2014 I changed the MFA geared motor for a 500 motor with turned brass pulleys and O ring drive giving about 3:1 reduction. This is much quieter- the only sound the boat makes now is the whining from the esc. (Motor: 500 belt and pulley) (ESC: Mtroniks Viper 15) (10/10)
In 2019 I changed motor again to a low drain 540 with a 1:1 belt drive. Sailed all afternoon on a 3000mah 7.2v NIMH pack. Also very quiet due to lower revs.
ianed57
12 years ago
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(Pleasure Craft) Lesro Rapier
Built from a new kit obtained from Lesro. I was told it was the last one they had.
After taking advice from members of the forum on this site the boat now runs beautifully (2016) with the original Graupner 700 motors, two Electronize 30amp esc's and two 3s lipos. (Motor: 2x Graupner 700 9.6v) (ESC: 2x Electronize) (9/10)
ianed57
12 years ago
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(Other) Lesro Sportsman
Having been unhappy with the original 850 motor I put in a Graupner 700 9.6v. it now performs better on a smaller prop and less voltage and I'm delighted with it. Steering is still a bit vague but good enough- very manoeuverable. Also installed a Modelboatbits rubber coupling which has made a noticeable difference in quietness and reduced current draw. Measured current draw stationary on 14.4v- 25amps. (Motor: Graupner 700 9.6v) (ESC: Electronize 30 amp) (10/10)
ianed57
14 years ago
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Recent Posts
๐ New radio- strange behaviour.
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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IanH,
You're bit late as all this has been discussed ad nauseum.
It's not my boat, I always suppress my own motors and I can't be certain my friend hasn't suppressed his, but I expect he has done knowing him.
And I can't quite see the need to be so abrasive.๐ค
Ian
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๐ New radio- strange behaviour.
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Hi ToraDog,
Yes, when we were sailing together on Monday he range tested by walking about 100 ft away and all was well. It was only in the water that things went south.
When I passed on ideas from this forum to him I suggested that changing the motor might be a quick and relatively cheap way to either pinpoint it as the trouble or eliminate it but he seems keen to just change the radio over- and I don't blame him really.
I didn't really clock the type of universal joint he was using but I expect it was one of the red Huco types. I very much doubt if it was an all metal job.
Ian
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๐ New radio- strange behaviour.
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Hi ToraDog,
Funnily enough we had this conversation a few months ago regarding one of my own boats. The motor in my friends boat was a Graupner and my understanding is that they have internal suppression, but I may be wrong.
Some years ago I had to resort to wrapping one motor in tinfoil despite suppression and that was using 2.4. I have since gone over to low noise motors which are an all round improvement.
As I said to Tony, the owner of the boat is now going to try a different radio so we'll see where that goes. I expect to sail with him again next week, making the most of the autumn, so I will report any developments.
Ian
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๐ New radio- strange behaviour.
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Thanks Tony,
Very interesting as we wondered if it was the loading of the motor that may be causing it.
I contacted the owner of the boat yesterday with the ideas that have been put forward and he tells me he is going to change the radio. We'll see if that does the trick.
All the best Tony,
Ian
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๐ฌ Re: ARTUR
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Funny, during one of my occasional sleepless nights last night I was looking at your build log and wondering when we might see some more. Fantastic progress and lovely work, well done. I, for one, am looking forward to more.
I had forgotten this was an old kit but if anyone is interested I believe I spotted the drawing on Aerofred.
Ian
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๐ New radio- strange behaviour.
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Thanks Pete and ToraDog,
I will pass on these ideas - it really is someone else's boat! I'm not sure if the owner was using bec or not. We hadn't thought about the antenna on the tx but that seem to equate closest to what was experienced on Monday so worth checking.
Pete, I have always found the old Planet to be ultra reliable and the tx batteries (dry AA cells) seem to last for years, but I have several boats on Spektrum using a fairly ancient DX5e and these always seem reluctant to bind, to the point where I sometimes wonder if it will. I replaced the tx batteries on Monday, (although the lights still went up to green) - better but still not great. Once it's bound on, no problems. I remember reading that the tx shouldn't be too close when binding but don't know whether this is true. Still think 2.4 is magic though!
Thanks for the various inputs.
Ian
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๐ New radio- strange behaviour.
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Thanks for that ToraDog- all adds to the body of knowledge. From memory, the rx was well up in the boat but the possibility of extending the aerial was discussed as people seemed to think 2.4 aerials weren't tuned to length.
I remember that with 27meg you had quite a lot of leeway with aerial length and I was told early in my life that you could run a boat with the aerial coiled up in the bottom, which surprised me, but which turned out to be correct, as I often did it.
What do we think about extending the aerial?
I will pass on all these ideas and see if anything works.
Ian
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๐ New radio- strange behaviour.
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Oh, by the way Bill, I also have several boats with old Planet radio and Mtroniks and they are always ultra-reliable so I shouldn't panic. This is new Planet gear. (And I'm not suggesting that is unreliable).
I got quite excited when I saw Planet was on the market again but it is incompatible with the old - of course!! Old Planet receivers are going for silly money now.
Ian
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๐ New radio- strange behaviour.
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Hi Bill and Stephen,
Thanks for your input. I noticed that the motor was a smallish Graupner, probably a 400 size and brushed. The owner of the boat is a very neat and careful builder - I wish I'd thought to take a photo of the inside of the boat as the problem is unlikely to be because of sloppy building. It is interesting that he also wondered if loading the motor in the water made the difference, as it was basically the only change, but what to do about it? Might be worth trying a replacement motor. My understanding was that 2.4 isn't susceptible to motor interference.
In the end we could only suggest getting back in touch with the supplier of the radio - it was only bought in April - and see what they thought. I will let you know what transpires in the interest of closure!
Ian
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๐ New radio- strange behaviour.
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Thanks Rob and Martin,
As I say it isn't my boat so can't check the antennae but will pass on that info. I know that's how it is supposed to be but have always found 2.4 pretty forgiving regarding antenna placement.
It may be a case of back to the supplier and start again with different stuff. None of us have experienced this. Usually it either works or it doesn't. Ho hum!
Ian
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๐ New radio- strange behaviour.
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Hi all,
I went sailing today and a friend had a new boat with a brand new Planet 2.4 radio in. He seemed to be using an Mtroniks esc and AA sized cells. On the table everything worked perfectly, at a distance of about 100 feet on land everything worked perfectly. But as soon as the boat was on the water the motor was jumping from forward to reverse and the rudder servo was jittering back and forth- no control whatever and this just a few feet from the bank. When he got the boat back on land all was fine again. He tried the boat with the top off and just the same. It is a wooden hull and the atennae are routed as far from other components as possible- it is a fairly small boat. There were five of us there and we were all stumped!
I have never known anything like it but maybe someone here might have some ideas.
All the best,
Ian
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๐ฌ Re: NAXOS - Hull done (almost)
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Very well done! I sometimes wonder if we spend too much time chasing a fabulous finish on model boats. This is a wooden boat and may well have shown plank lines and have been a bit rough round the edges. I have often reminded myself when finishing model and full sized hulls, 'This is all going to be in the water!'
You've done a great job on this and I look forward to seeing her progress.
Ian
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๐ฌ Re: NAXOS - Planked
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Very nicely done.
Ian
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๐ฌ Re: Emma C Berry
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Lovely!
Ian
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๐ฌ Re: 10 inch boat kit purchased on eBay.
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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This is basically a smaller version of Naxos that Hecrowell is building. It's a nice design and seems very popular. Look forward to seeing how it goes together.
Ian
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๐ The Cruel Sea.
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Re-watched The African Queen for the umpteenth time last night and yes, found myself looking up the prices of the Billings kit. A short period lying in a darkened room and I was alright again! Lovely film though.
Ian
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๐ Gaff rigged display model
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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My thoughts, like Rick's, were that it would be a lot of surgery to fit a false keel and fin box but if you did deck her in- which is a great idea I think- then it would not be so critical. You could bring the fin box up to, and braced by, the deck beams. The hull does have the look of a pilot cutter or fishing boat about her. You might also want to do something about the headsails, as overlapping sails bring more complication with control. Perhaps one head sail on a jib boom to more closely match the sheet position on the main boom.
I do agree with Nerys that an open boat will always be a bit fraught when sailing! Don't forget that any keel extension should have its centre of lateral resistance coinciding with that of the hull. There is some really good information in 'An Introduction to Scale Sailing Models' by Phillip Vaughan Williams. It's a book (remember those?) and Sarik Hobbies still sell it at ยฃ9.99- brilliant value.
We watch with interest!
Ian
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๐ Krick Nordstrand Trawler k21430
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Mike, I did nothing except kickstart your thread and I'm glad I did. I had a feeling the good folk on this forum would come through for you.
Good luck with the rest of the build.
Ian
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๐ Gaff rigged display model
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Spot on Doug! That's a good size isn't it? I suppose the first thing to do would be to put her in the water and ballast her down to her marks and see what she weighs and get some sense of stability - and whether or not she leaks! You would still have the problem of possible swamping but on a closer look, she does seem to have some sort of compartments each end.
I mentioned Harold Underhill in another post and he said he refused to put outside ballast in a scale model as if she wouldn't stand up, the wind was greater than scale strength. I think the genreral consensus is that if you want to sail in anything other than dead calm you will need a fin keel or at least a deepened keel with weight on the bottom. It'll be interesting to see what you decide.
Have fun!
Ian
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๐ Krick Nordstrand Trawler k21430
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Hi Mike,
I'm glad Martin has taken this up for you and his suggestion certainly looks right. I can't make much sense of the portion of drawing you photographed.
I did a quick search to see if there were any build logs of the Nordstrand but no luck. As you say, quite a few seem to have been built so there must be a solution. The wheelhouse windows certainly taper in towards the bottom and you seem to have it up the wrong way in your picture. Let us know how you get on.
Ian
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๐ Krick Nordstrand Trawler k21430
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Hello,
I'm going to stick my head above the parapet again as it always seems a shame when a request goes unanswered. Obviously nobody has built this particular boat (I certainly haven't) but there are some very expert builders on here and I bet if you were to describe the problem in more detail somebody might be able to help, even if it were only in a general way. Hope you get some help.
All the best,
Ian
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๐ฌ Re: Sealing interior against leaks
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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ZPoxy- already mentioned.
Ian
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๐ Gaff rigged display model
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Phil, you don't say how big the model is but it seems unlikely that you will be able to incorporate enough internal ballast to make her stand up in anything but the slightest wind, so a false keel will be necessary. And as Nerys points out, an rc open boat will always be susceptible to filling up when heeling to the wind, unless you can find a way of including some enclosed buoyancy chambers and somewhere to hide the radio. Quite a few challenges, but I'm sure if you solved them it would make a nice model. At least you can determine the weight required to bring her to her waterline as you already have the boat, so no guesswork there.
Ian
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๐ Wingsails
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Hi Tony and Nerys,
I just ordered the Wing Ray plan- couldn't resist the temptation to have a look. I don't suppose I'll ever build it but you never know. Not doing much at all at the moment due to a severe and very painful crick in the neck!! It will pass.
Ian
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๐ฌ Re: Back at it
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Hi,
You have made a lot of progress with Naxos. It looks as though you have a solid framework for planking too.
With regard to resin, I have found ZPoxy very good, not too smelly and easy to sand. Polyester resin is very smelly and unpleasant to use in my humble opinion and will be difficult to finish on the outside. There are water based resins such as Poly-C or EzeKote but they aren't as durable it must be said. I think with a boat like this using glass cloth inside is a bit belt and braces but your choice , of course.
With paint, anything can be used but it is good to stick to one system to avoid any unwanted reaction. I have had the dreaded wrinkles when mixing some sprays with enamels, admittedly years ago now.
On my last model I used two coats of ZPoxy, water based household primer (Dulux!) to build up the surface and then enamel topcoat, in that case Blackfriars, topsides and Humbrol, underbody. Lots of folk use car spray cans exclusively.
Incidentally, there are about three You Tube videos of various Naxos models which you might find interesting if you haven't already found them.
Good luck and watching with interest.๐
All the best,
Ian
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๐ Wingsails
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Thanks Tony,
I had a feeling you could shed some more light on this. I think I'm right in saying that the drawing also includes a conventional rig. I tried ordering the plan this evening but couldn't get Sarik's website to cooperate.
Hope you are OK and will be in touch soon.
All the best,
Ian
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๐ Wingsails
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Don't worry, Nerys. We do have a Tony on here who has done a lot of research into Vic Smeed's plans and, given my fondness for his designs, that may be where the confusion arose.
I'm afraid I have far more plans than I could ever hope to build in the time left to me but I like having them - a sort of comfort blanket!
I hope you are feeling up to a bit more soon.
All the best,
Ian
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๐ Wingsails
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Yes, I enjoy studying plans myself and have a large collection, all bought with the intention of building! These days I admit to myself that I am only acquiring a plan out of interest!
All the best,
Ian๐
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๐ Wingsails
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Hi Nerys,
Having had a brief look at Wing Ray, I think it would be just as easy to build as a conventional yacht, if not easier. The wing is built up just like an aircraft wing and covered with tissue or solarfilm. No sailmaking, rigging or sail winch to worry about.
If anybody is interested, the plan is still available from Sarik and believe it or not, I happened to see a twin winged yacht being sold on ebay.
If I didn't have a 'want to build' list as long as my arm I might be tempted! It would make a very interesting project. I might still send off for the plan just for the collection.๐
Stay safe all,
Ian
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๐ Promotion
4 years ago by
๐ฌ๐ง ianed57 (
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Thanks! I have really enjoyed being part of this site since returning a few months ago.
Ian
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