Hello to everyone at Model boat mayhem
I have arrived here as a true "newbie" to model boating with not much to contribute as yet, but with a need to do a pirate raid on the knowledge and expertise of experienced members. I live near Timperley village right on the manchester / Cheshire border. A friend of mine is trying to give up smoking and has been looking for a hobby to help him quit. He found the address of a model shop hidden away down a side street in Northenden called "My model shop". We went for a browse and chatted with the friendly and helpful owner Steve. I noticed a fishing trawler on the counter, painted two tone blue, about 29" long. It looked a bit sorry for itself, but my boyhood fascination and curiosity with boats and water in general suddenly resurfaced. Like any good shop keeper worth his salt Steve gave me a guided tour of the trawler, removing the wheel house so I could view the interior. The hull is constructed like a miniaturised wooden boat with bulkheads and planks all carefully cut and glued together. Space had been made to accommodate the electric motor, steering gear, a gear box of sorts, and batteries to power the remote control receiver. I was utterly hooked.
Anyway I bought it (knocking 80% off the price when I told 'er indoors, or I'd be wearing it as an unusual headpiece
) the next weekend. My intention is to refurbish the old boat. The radio gear and mechanical bits all look tired, so I want to gut it and replace all with up to date components. I want to remove the blue paint which was rather poorly and hastily applied, and just varnish the wonderful planked wooden hull beneath. The problem will be removing paint from the intricate and difficult to access areas of the deck, particularly the wheel house. Steve suggested simply replacing the wheel house which seems like a sensibleand time saving solution.
I would also like to fit running lights, and wheel house illumination, and add some detail to the wheel house interior (including glass in the windows).
I would welcome any advice from you old hands out there about how I should go about this overhaul i.e selection of new motor and associated equipment, stripping and varnishing the hull etc. Thanks for the warm welcome to the club.