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Commander)
Lieutenant Commander)
Petty Officer 1st Class)
Liked Re: 3 x GPL ic boats at Stevenage 29 days ago
Liked Quick Build Racer 29 days ago
Liked SEA COMANDER RE-FURB. 1 month ago
Australia
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📝 SEA COMANDER RE-FURB.
1 month ago by peterd (
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Certainly would be a great drawcard. Those trucks are impressive.
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📝 SEA COMANDER RE-FURB.
1 month ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Hi Colin and I am glad that both you and the boat are ok.It is great seeing the level of suppport that you are getting from the other guys - all the best with your recuperation.
I am just home after a week in hospital with Cellulitis of the lower leg. Came out of nowhere but the pain is intense. Frustrating part is the family gave me a hand made limited run bottle of whisky from Tasmania. Due to the drugs, I cannot drink it. Such is life.
I am just home after a week in hospital with Cellulitis of the lower leg. Came out of nowhere but the pain is intense. Frustrating part is the family gave me a hand made limited run bottle of whisky from Tasmania. Due to the drugs, I cannot drink it. Such is life.
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💬 Re: Wee Nip
2 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
I have not been busy with the Wee Nip forum for a while seeing I was working on the Sea Commander. Now that is finished (just waiting on the weather to improve before giving it a good trial) I have decided to put the Nip into dry dock and give it a good overhaul.
My racing performance has been pretty ordinary, so am needing to do something with the boat short of a winged keel or a hidden propulsion unit.
I have removed 3 layers of paint today and am almost ready for the primer but was wondering whether, with the flush deck models that you have put up, there are any issues with the rules and regulations? Also the sails which are not set with pockets in some instances.
While we are only a social club, we do sail them exclusively and I do not want to tread on too many toes. Or do I?
Thanks
My racing performance has been pretty ordinary, so am needing to do something with the boat short of a winged keel or a hidden propulsion unit.
I have removed 3 layers of paint today and am almost ready for the primer but was wondering whether, with the flush deck models that you have put up, there are any issues with the rules and regulations? Also the sails which are not set with pockets in some instances.
While we are only a social club, we do sail them exclusively and I do not want to tread on too many toes. Or do I?
Thanks
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💬 Re: Sterling Dual Cockpit Mahogany runabout
2 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Great looking boat. Looks well balanced and skipper looks relaxed.
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💬 Re: Sea Commander build.
2 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
A lot of detail into that one. Well done. Is the hatch over the aft cabin according to plan? It looks good.
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📝 SEA COMANDER RE-FURB.
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
That is all very interesting.
My setup:
700 motor brushed
Battery:12v 4.5 aH Gel. (Brand new and only used the once)
ESC Brushed Hobbywing WP1060 RTR - same as yours.
At the end of the day it appears our setups are quite similar - you might be right and the battery needs some use. Would be very happy to get that sort of time.
Hoping to get onto the water tomorrow, however the weather at the moment may say otherwise. Rain plus I believe that we are getting some of the arctic blast so it might be a good day in front of the heater - not my ideal.
I will put something more positive up hopefully.
My setup:
700 motor brushed
Battery:12v 4.5 aH Gel. (Brand new and only used the once)
ESC Brushed Hobbywing WP1060 RTR - same as yours.
At the end of the day it appears our setups are quite similar - you might be right and the battery needs some use. Would be very happy to get that sort of time.
Hoping to get onto the water tomorrow, however the weather at the moment may say otherwise. Rain plus I believe that we are getting some of the arctic blast so it might be a good day in front of the heater - not my ideal.
I will put something more positive up hopefully.
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📝 SEA COMANDER RE-FURB.
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Never too late Chris. I am a newbie to powered boats so I did get heavy on the throttle as well. That is more the time I would expect and hope that it was simply a combination of things that gave me a short time on the water. I actually took the boat out for 20 minutes to allow me to come last in a sailing race and then put it back in and it had regained another 5 minutes.
Better luck Sunday. (ps, wondering about the logistics of putting the motor into my Wee Nip. Cannot take a trick with it lately.)
Better luck Sunday. (ps, wondering about the logistics of putting the motor into my Wee Nip. Cannot take a trick with it lately.)
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💬 Re: Entertainment for Bionic Bill
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Brilliant.
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📝 SEA COMANDER RE-FURB.
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Thanks for that - mine only got 15 minutes, but I may not have charged it properly. Weather permitting i will give it another try this weekend. I thought 15 minutes to be wrong. Plenty of offers from others with spare lipo batteries but connections different.
On the learning curve. Loooks like we are going into lockdown again - our borders are closing down again.........hopefully it will not affect what we are doing.
On the learning curve. Loooks like we are going into lockdown again - our borders are closing down again.........hopefully it will not affect what we are doing.
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📝 SEA COMANDER RE-FURB.
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Good, i will definitely reconfigure my aerial. Tell me, how much time do you get out of your battery between charges? I realize it is larger than mine at 4.5ah with a 700 motor but interested in the comparisons.
Tks.
Tks.
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📝 SEA COMANDER RE-FURB.
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Interesting comments - as i mentioned earlier we all sail with our antannae fully enclosed, however we do not need that distance, only around 60-70 meters. It might be a good excuse for not getting around the top buoy easily - nothing to do with the lack of wind or the goose that trys to hog that buoy all the time. Worth a try.
All the best - we are up to 48 years in 6 months. Enjoy the day from Down Under.
All the best - we are up to 48 years in 6 months. Enjoy the day from Down Under.
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📝 SEA COMANDER RE-FURB.
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
I havethe same rudder as you and a standard prop shaft, however the prop sits closer to the rudder. I will experiment as I get more familiar with the boat and maybe change for a smaller diameter brass prop. that will not flex. Being old and plastic, mine possibly will flex under load.
All part of the fun.
All part of the fun.
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📝 SEA COMANDER RE-FURB.
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
I have the same radio and am using a 3 channel receiver. I have that, including the aerial, completely enclosed below a false deck in the aft cabin together with all the electrics. No issues at all and when out yesterday, I was approx 60m from shore with no issues.
The same with my other boats, also using the same Flysky TX units, the aerial is below decks with no issues. The transmitters have a great range and were well priced when I bought mine. Mind you, since Covid and the exchange rate change, they have almost doubled in price.
The same with my other boats, also using the same Flysky TX units, the aerial is below decks with no issues. The transmitters have a great range and were well priced when I bought mine. Mind you, since Covid and the exchange rate change, they have almost doubled in price.
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📝 SEA COMANDER RE-FURB.
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Yes, I have glazed the windows and maybe was a bit exuberant in my turns. I do think though that the issue is the prop tube. It is sealed each end with a rubber grommet however these could be better. I assume the tubes would suck the water up and will see if i need to top up the marine grease.
Question for you, what is the optimum distance between the prop and the rudder?
With the placement of my motor and the length of the prop. shaft I have to have the propellor roughly a half inch from the rudder. Get too much closer forward and it strikes the hull. I have a 3 blade plastic prop. Thanks.
Question for you, what is the optimum distance between the prop and the rudder?
With the placement of my motor and the length of the prop. shaft I have to have the propellor roughly a half inch from the rudder. Get too much closer forward and it strikes the hull. I have a 3 blade plastic prop. Thanks.
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📝 SEA COMANDER RE-FURB.
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Colin, no decent photos but have put one up. Sits well in the water and comes to the plane very easily.
Took 1/3 cup of water in about 5-6 minutes so will have to investigate the prop shaft seals as that is the only way i can see for ingress.
Took 1/3 cup of water in about 5-6 minutes so will have to investigate the prop shaft seals as that is the only way i can see for ingress.
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📝 SEA COMANDER RE-FURB.
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
I know, I was thinking the same. The only difference was that my battery was vertical which should nI ot make a difference as it is a weight issue.
I could have laid mine down by removing a brace i had put on the back of the tray i built but I had secured it too well.
Good try, she planes very well and I only have to work out what endurance i will get with the battery & 700 brushed motor. I expect better than 10 to 15 minutes but have also been told the motor is very power hungry. Maybe next time a brushless and LiPos.
I could have laid mine down by removing a brace i had put on the back of the tray i built but I had secured it too well.
Good try, she planes very well and I only have to work out what endurance i will get with the battery & 700 brushed motor. I expect better than 10 to 15 minutes but have also been told the motor is very power hungry. Maybe next time a brushless and LiPos.
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📝 SEA COMANDER RE-FURB.
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
I managed to locate my existing 4.5 amp battery under the cockpit by raising the deck 3/8 inch. Put the electrics below the aft cabin. Took it to sailing today and cracked the champagne. Very happy and what a difference that made by moving the battery back. Only issue is that I forgot to top up the battery first and only had about 5-10 minutes on the water. Better luck next week. A few images attached showing the improvement.
Thank you gents for your assist in this build. A few small fixups plus a windscreen to keep actionman dry and I will be ready for the next build - if allowed.
Thank you gents for your assist in this build. A few small fixups plus a windscreen to keep actionman dry and I will be ready for the next build - if allowed.
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📝 SEA COMANDER RE-FURB.
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Thought so, I tried again today only this time put approx. 600g under the cockpit. It did make a small difference before i had an electrical issue. Luckily one of the guys had his pusher tug and was quick to the rescue.
Easy fix and will see how it goes next trip. Getting a lot of attention at the club and all of a sudden more old designs are coming out of the woodwork.
Easy fix and will see how it goes next trip. Getting a lot of attention at the club and all of a sudden more old designs are coming out of the woodwork.
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📝 SEA COMANDER RE-FURB.
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
And it would last a lot longer. I will investigate. Thanks.
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📝 SEA COMANDER RE-FURB.
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Hi Colin, I tried that yesterday so would have to raise my deck levels. No great job and might be something I have to attend to. All fun in boating...
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📝 SEA COMANDER RE-FURB.
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Just checked, definitely 4.5....Weighs in at just over 1kg. I do have to admit, yours does look smaller.
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📝 SEA COMANDER RE-FURB.
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Hi Ian. Exactly the same location. This afternoon i looked at putting it under the cockpit floor but would have to raise that due to the prop shaft. I may go back to putting a piece of lead in the stern.
Looking at yours, the battery is laying down whereas mine is upright. Should not make a difference as it is a weight issue. I have it very secure with and does not move laterally.
Looking at yours, the battery is laying down whereas mine is upright. Should not make a difference as it is a weight issue. I have it very secure with and does not move laterally.
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📝 SEA COMANDER RE-FURB.
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Thanks for that. Auto paint and apparently a Ford green - Much to my sons disgust. He is not a Ford enthusiast.
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📝 SEA COMANDER RE-FURB.
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
That is good. I might try relocating back under the cockpit and see what happens. Do not want to put extra weight in. Will check out on Friday.......
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📝 SEA COMANDER RE-FURB.
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Hi Ian. Did you have any issues with the battery weight being forward? That is where mine sits and the boat sails with a nose down attitude. I could put lead weight in the stern to balance it or do what Colin has done and possibly locate it under the open cockpit area. 12v4amp
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📝 SEA COMANDER RE-FURB.
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Just an update on my refurb. job on the Sea Commander. All done bar the forward windscreen so I put it in the water yesterday. It was a good feeling to see her underway even if i left the cabin roof off as it was not secured and quite windy. (I am going to try some magnets for that purpose - do not know what the original method is but good strong magnets should do the trick.)
The only issue is that the battery (12v 4amp) caused the stern to ride too high so i will have to make adjustments with some lead in the stern. Apart from that no issues, though i did take some water over the bow without the lid. A couple of photos attached but hope to get some better images when sorted.
The only issue is that the battery (12v 4amp) caused the stern to ride too high so i will have to make adjustments with some lead in the stern. Apart from that no issues, though i did take some water over the bow without the lid. A couple of photos attached but hope to get some better images when sorted.
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💬 Re: Considered finished...!
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Great job and the attention to detail really shows. Well done.
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💬 Re: Dry docked for a year, sea trials soon.
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Our rescue boat in action. A bit small for the one meter yacht but the two arms work well with the Wee Nips and 65's. Sorry about the resolution, phone was zoomed in so lost clarity.
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💬 Re: US1M start of planking
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Can never have too many clamps. (Or the wifes pegs) Looking good. I am still learning patience but is a great asset. Looking forward to the next round of photos.
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💬 Re: Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
3 months ago by peterd ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)
Approx. 20 years ago i met a person who build several models including Captain Cooks Endeavour and several other frigates of a similar age and size as yours. No radio control, only control line. Luckily the waterways he used were shallow as could see him out there up to his waist controlling his boats. Detail was incredible.
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