Topic: David's Amati Riva Aquarama Build - With some mods... (Read 129043 times)

Taranis · « **Reply #125 on:** July 09, 2020, 06:34:49 pm »

Sweet

DJW · « **Reply #126 on:** July 20, 2020, 05:43:43 pm »

Afternoon All

Not made too much progress over past fortnight, two reasons:

1. Thought I'd give Andy time to catch up...

2. I need Mike to fill in the details on how to varnish an Aquarama.

(See: [size=78%]https://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,65316.0.html[/size][/size][size=78%] )[/size]

So, Cap Maquettes Docking lights cut into the lime planks, I used a single reversible template to get same position and angle on both sides, drilled a starter hole then used a dremel:

And here's an overview from the top:

I've not had a lot of time so have been working on a few odds and ends. Some of the upholstery started. Some progress with the rear slipway, and some of the wiring loom starting to take shape.

Also the sun lounger area area has had some waterproofing added in the corners, and looking at best way to waterproof the rear hatch. I'm making a frame around the hatch, the hatch will then sit on closed cell foam.

Sanding of lime layer pretty much done.

Best regards to all.

Martin (Admin) · « **Reply #127 on:** July 20, 2020, 06:14:43 pm »

Topic renamed

Taranis · « **Reply #128 on:** July 20, 2020, 06:25:48 pm »

Nice one

Looking great David

Can I asked what adhesive you have used for the vinyl ?

I'm not water proofing hatches, just making as snug a fit as possible. If we get the running trim correct I don't think it will suffer from swamping.

I avoid placing sensitive electrics below potential drip points but expect some ingress where it won't matter.

Martin (Admin) · « **Reply #129 on:** July 20, 2020, 06:38:29 pm »

Yeah, much better than the other "build" on here!

How do I report myself to Admin?!?

DJW · « **Reply #130 on:** July 20, 2020, 07:21:47 pm »

Haha..! There's going to have to be an Aquarama owners meet up after all this... There'll be so much varnish to be admired...

And the glue, I'm using UHU Power for the vinyl. Workable for a while if required, or used as contact adhesive for instant grip. And it doesn't string too badly.

Taranis · « **Reply #131 on:** July 20, 2020, 09:43:18 pm »

That guy on youtube is building for Amati it seems. Best I could see on freeze frame he appears to be using some form of superglue for the vinyl.

Pretty certain it will be a disappointment if it ever sails. No attempt to reduce weight at all in 36 video stages. I'll bet it hits 6kg

ukmike · « **Reply #132 on:** July 20, 2020, 09:53:10 pm »

Quote from: Taranis on July 20, 2020, 09:43:18 pm

That guy on youtube is building for Amati it seems. Best I could see on freeze frame he appears to be using some form of superglue for the vinyl.

Pretty certain it will be a disappointment if it ever sails. No attempt to reduce weight at all in 36 video stages. I'll bet it hits 6kg

Andy.

The glue is probably UHU POR. Great for upholstering, all mine has been done using UHU and Copydex.

Mike.

DJW · « **Reply #133 on:** July 22, 2020, 05:06:36 pm »

Afternoon All

Installed some more fresh air today... Improves access too.

Also made the bench seat mod as devised by Andy. Magnets to hold it in place:

Then I've been looking at the sunlounger pad, and how its supported. So, with plagiarism to the fore (thanks go to Mike this time) the panel it sits on has been bowed:

And magnets installed:

And this chunk of the kit...

Is being replaced by these pieces of balsa, that are due to be upholstered on Mrs DJWs sewing machine tonight...

I've been playing with the sewing machine to get dialled in, all I'm planning is to run some stitches across the centre 'cushion' for detailing. I'm hoping this will take me closer to working on the main seating which will be a greater challenge.

Taranis · « **Reply #134 on:** July 22, 2020, 09:15:09 pm »

Nice work. I need to sort the magnets

I never though about lightening the Sun deck, I will heliumify it

DJW · « **Reply #135 on:** July 23, 2020, 11:22:49 am »

Morning Andy

Thanks for that, I'm using these: [size=78%]https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B06XD82PNB[/size]

I've also learnt that Sewing machines are not toys and should be treated with great respect.

DJW · « **Reply #136 on:** July 23, 2020, 04:45:05 pm »

Afternoon All

Forget Lathes and drills, sewing is where its at...

Made a new Sunlounger pad, balsa core, some thin foam, and cream faux leather:

BTW. I purchased an extra 1 sq metre of the cream faux leather on Amazon at £7.99, its about the same thickness and colour of the Amati supplied piece, plus a sample sized piece of red.

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00OYTSVN6

Then some piping:

Then put it all together:

And as I used very special helium filled foam:

A third of the original Amati pad.... Just saying.

Taranis · « **Reply #137 on:** July 23, 2020, 05:06:32 pm »

Good work

My wife agrees with you

DJW · « **Reply #138 on:** July 24, 2020, 01:38:06 pm »

OK, time for the scales...

Probably slightly over Andy's boat weight at similar build point. In comparison not quite as much fresh air installed, and some deck woodwork not yet installed. Hard to say what the weight saving measures have taken off the standard build.

Motors with mounts add 250 grams, prop shaft hardware is quite light I think, 7mm brass tube, and not full length:

ukmike · « **Reply #139 on:** July 26, 2020, 12:40:43 pm »

Hi David.

Just remembered, I did promise you a little while ago that I would give you an Ed China,(Wheeler Dealer), type top tip, re the Saxboards and Musetto.

An awful lot of the Amati Aquarama builders in the past made a mistake with the shaping of the Saxboards and the fitting of the Musetto, so, here is my top tip.

The pictures show what I mean and I'm sorry for the sunlight reflections on the varnish, not.

.

Firstly the Saxboards, they should not be flattened at all, notice in the pictures that they gently and evenly curve to emulate that of the Foredeck, except for the small

area at the nose of the bow to allow the Musetto to sit neatly on top. Under no circumstances must the Saxboards be relieved so that the Musetto sits flush with

them. You will also notice in the pictures that there is a generous space between the Foredeck and the sharp edge of the Saxboards.

Another picture to look at is in my original blog and can be found at page 7 photo Pict 0001.

I chose your blog to post this info to keep my promise to you, but hopefully, all of your followers will pick it up.

Hope you don't mind my doing it.

Mike.

DJW · « **Reply #140 on:** July 27, 2020, 10:24:31 am »

Morning Mike

Always grateful for tips and help to avoid bear traps... This is my first wooden build since forever...

Brilliant workmanship in those pictures.

And as for the sunlight reflections in the varnish, that will be my aim in life going forward.

Best regards
David.

DJW · « **Reply #141 on:** August 07, 2020, 05:16:58 pm »

Finally a modest update to report...

I wanted to add a speaker into the bow to use the cabin 'box' to deepen the sound. So the speaker is waterproof and very light, then placed forward of the inside cabin panel. Speaker sized hole cut in the panel, and panel covered in a plastic gauze (from a PC fan):

Cables installed for the various lights and the speaker.

And have started the lime planking of the bow.

Will add a couple of more planks then install cabin upholstery while I can still access from the top, then tape up the forward cabin til all the sanding is done.

Best regards to all.
David.

DJW · « **Reply #142 on:** August 10, 2020, 04:48:51 pm »

Afternoon All

Cabin upholstery added, made it very light replacing the supplied ply with a balsa core and as I'll be keeping the 'door' open, it'll look the part. (Well if anyone has a torch...):

Then its more of the lime planks:

Have to be a bit creative with clamps and elastic bands to get a good close fit at the deck edge:

And this is current state of build:

And I'm down to scraps of lime planks, not quite enough to complete, which is not ideal. I thought I'd just used one plank to make brackets and so on that aren't in the instructions. If I hadn't I'd be fine. Seems Amati don't leave much leeway.

Anyway, ordered some more for stock from CMB, plus some spare 1x1mm lime that Andy found was also down to the wire on the deck inlay. Also added some extra Mahogany strips just in case, they're not expensive.

As the modified dash is has LEDs and resistors behind it I've modified the deck lime planks to be slightly shorter, only about 8mm. It'll be covered with supplied mahogany parts later in the build.

Here's the dash dry fitted:

Power connector seen at lower right of the dash (above) has a matching connector built into the cabin roof so will be hidden. Power cables are also in place for the dock lights and mast lights.

That's about it for now. Hoping the additional wood will be here in a couple of days. I'll trim up whats done so far but not start sanding til deck is complete.

Best regards to all.
David.

Taranis · « **Reply #143 on:** August 10, 2020, 05:46:43 pm »

Good move I had no spare Mahogany at all. I had 5 lime planks spare and in the end I needed at least 5 1x1 lime.
Looking good

DJW · « **Reply #144 on:** August 11, 2020, 10:01:19 am »

Morning All

Quick note to say really impressed with CMB (Cornwall Model Boats). Ran out of lime planks Sunday afternoon, ordered more from CMB on Sunday evening, ticked the normal Royal Mail 1st Class delivery. Tube arrived 0900 Tuesday.

DJW · « **Reply #145 on:** August 11, 2020, 05:56:04 pm »

Least I could do after the fast delivery was to use them... So, forward deck is now lime planked, and side deck ply installed.

I did order a some 3mm planks as well as the 7mm, I used a 3mm toward the edge of the deck on both sides to get the final 7mm plank to just overhang, so be easier to trim:

I've ended up in same position as reported by Andy, a height difference with the side deck. I'm thinking sand the deck and dash support to the side deck level. Is that you what you end up doing Andy..? Any comments Mike..?

So this is what its all looking like now:

Taranis · « **Reply #146 on:** August 11, 2020, 06:02:35 pm »

Yes I planed the mismatch down then finished by sanding prior to fitting the mahogany.

Taranis · « **Reply #147 on:** August 11, 2020, 06:10:53 pm »

Sorry I failed to show I followed through with that but I've managed to edit a close up

DJW · « **Reply #148 on:** August 13, 2020, 09:14:56 am »

Morning All

Thanks for that Andy. Here's my version:

Looks right to me...

The forward deck is now sanded:

As a general note, not sure whether this is standard practice but its helping me. I've made up a few sanding blocks from the large to the very small, there are a couple in the background here:

The pool noodle approach has been discussed a few times and has been invaluable on the hull with all the curves of the Aquarama. The large flat has been very useful on the topsides so far to get the tops of the frames to perfectly align height and shape wise.

Best regards to all.
David.

DJW · « **Reply #149 on:** August 14, 2020, 03:20:47 pm »

Afternoon All

Had another sort through the planks to get dodgy coloured planks for use below waterline, they'll end up painted, picked out the best for the sides and stern.

Then started on a couple of the important planks:

The chine and the keel / centreline:

Chine has gone on OK, the two that meet at the centre line have had quite an undercut to get them to meet properly:

0.5mm drill through the mahogany making the 0.5mm pins easy to use. Small hammer is easier than the pin pusher for these.

Final shaping where the planks taper at the bow to be done in place.

Doesn't really show on this picture but I found it easier to see the precise 'point of the V' centreline after rubbing a pencil along it.

David.

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