Topic: Build of Vintage Model Boats version of the Sea Scout .... (Read 4582 times)

Artistmike · « **Reply #35 on:** February 17, 2012, 07:52:55 PM »

Quote from: unbuiltnautilus on February 17, 2012, 03:46:01 PM

I have used that caulking technique once to good effect, similar thoughts entered my head omce the model was buttered up. One of our older members then suggested using a Stanley knife blade as a scraper to remove the mess, and 'by eck' it worked..The moral being, always listen to your elders, there's certainly a number of them in boat modelling circles!

Yes, I used a blade to start with which did it good job of removing the worst of it but as these are thin veneers I thought I'd better be careful and wet wet-n-dry did the job nicely . Anyway I'm glad that little job is over with , there are easier jobs.. !

Dannysfod · « **Reply #36 on:** February 19, 2012, 04:38:09 PM »

Hi mike,

Can I ask, what is the advantage of the water cooled motor you have? I was looking to purchase the motor supplied by vintage model boats as a new comer to the hobby but if there are advantages for your method, I would look at purchasing the motor you have.

Kind regards

Daniel

Artistmike · « **Reply #37 on:** February 19, 2012, 06:04:06 PM »

Quote from: Dannysfod on February 19, 2012, 04:38:09 PM

Hi mike, Can I ask, what is the advantage of the water cooled motor you have? I was looking to purchase the motor supplied by vintage model boats as a new comer to the hobby but if there are advantages for your method, I would look at purchasing the motor you have.
Kind regards Daniel

Well Daniel, .... and at this stage this is all theory as I'm winging this as I go, .... I've seen a couple of rebuilds of the early Sea Scout that used this sort of sized motor to give the boat a bit more .. oomph, ... so to speak,

and the result of that is that a motor like this tends to get a tad hot, the water-cooling is there to assist that problem .

If this is your first build you might initially like to go down the route that Vintage Model Boats advise, to get it on the water with a tested system from them that definitely works and then perhaps, make some alterations later, should you wish.... Anyway, if I get mine on the water before you, I'll let you know how advisable the idea is.

Artistmike · « **Reply #38 on:** February 20, 2012, 03:03:14 PM »

I fitted walnut rubbing strakes instead of those supplied, as I wanted the varnished wood effect next to the sycamore. I've then used the wood supplied to make two spray rails along the chine joint which I've seen on the original versions. They should aid the boat and also act as additional rubbing strakes when needed. Also added a couple of bits of walnut trim and just about to start in the well detailing that next as well as working out the best way to fix the walnut toe rails .... it's all go !

Norseman · « **Reply #39 on:** February 20, 2012, 09:17:31 PM »

Those spray rails give her a sort of rakish look - a nice addition.

Dave

Dannysfod · « **Reply #40 on:** February 21, 2012, 06:44:25 AM »

It looks good that Mike, I like what you have done with the planking.

Artistmike · « **Reply #41 on:** February 28, 2012, 10:35:47 AM »

As I have a specific crew and use planned for the Sea Scout (more of that later

) the next job was to pop a bench seat and driver's seat in for the skipper and crew which was carefully sized and made to fit them, luckily the figures are roughly in the 1:12 typ of scale I'm building to. All of this being built onto the designed removable floor that came with the model.

Having raided the "bits box" , the folding back chair was made using some scrap wood, brass rod, aluminium tube and a steel washer. The bench seat carcase was made of some scrap timber too and then covered in veneered planking, as was the floor and faux engine hatch. The lid of the bench seat is removable as it's intended to hide some elctrickeries in there later.

Next job will be the cabin door and instrument/wheel panel which will all be fixed to the bulkhead

dodgy geezer · « **Reply #42 on:** February 28, 2012, 12:41:38 PM »

I note that there seems to be less of a gap between the planking in the cockpit, compared to on the deck?

I have never planked a deck with veneer strips, and wonder how you arrange the gap. Do you glue each plank down with spacers between? Are the planks beveled? or is it just done by eye?

Norseman · « **Reply #43 on:** February 28, 2012, 01:00:02 PM »

Quote from: Artistmike on February 28, 2012, 10:35:47 AM

the figures are roughly in the 1:12 typ of scale

Hi Mike

That looks nice ,and you have me hooked now wondering about the 'crew' (don't tell me yet though). I
like small boats to have figures

Thought I'd ask you about the figures though. Now I understand how if a real boat is 12m, then the 1:12
model is 1m and how to scale the figures ..... because you have a known dimension. I'm trying to work out
figure sizes for my old 1950s Hales Spraymaster runaround and I don't know what scale she is supposed
to be. 24" long, 8 1/4" beam, 2 1/2" freeboard. If you have any idea a pm will do rather than mess your
thread up

............ and I'm interested in what DG just asked

Dave

Artistmike · « **Reply #44 on:** February 28, 2012, 01:37:40 PM »

I've done the decks with a more "decorative" caulking effect that was done using a thin plasticard spacer to judge the distance between each plank, whereas the well planking is virtually a butt join, it seems to give about the right sort of look that I'm after. Planking with veneers seems to work well but there is just the tendency of the veneers to curl when they are wet with glue that you have to overcome, so have plenty of clamps to hand. The Aliphatic does grip quite well though so it doesn't take long to set in place and then the plank has a good waterproof base.

Dave as far as scale is concerned with the Sparymaster, I've no idea as to what the exact scale is and therefore unless anyone else has the info, you're going to have to just go with what looks right but I would have thought that the scale has got to be about similar to the Sea Scout and therefore a figure of between five and six inches would look about right or the same scale as most standard doll's house kit. If you know anyone with a doll's house you could 'borrow' a figure to try it in the boat

Artistmike · « **Reply #45 on:** March 05, 2012, 09:05:04 AM »

I wanted to put a small instrument dial on top of the wheel/console unit I'm building so a quick scour around with Googly images produced a few suitable ones and after a quick photoshop montage modification job I came up with this ..... the build of the console is under way........

Artistmike · « **Reply #46 on:** March 06, 2012, 11:21:21 AM »

Whilst building the steering console, I decided that it would double as a place to have the main on/off switch for the electrical systems. On the basis of "If anything can happen, it will " I like to have that switch easily to hand in case of problems..

The size of all these parts being scaled to fit the skipper when he's installed later.

Also following my general principle that anything mechanical or electrical should be easily accessible for maintenance or replacement purposes, I made the unit a stand alone one that just bolts to the main bulkhead and I've drilled a hole in that for the electrics to the switch to pass through. ... The skipper's strategically placed duster on a hook hides the switch when operational

Cabin Door also knocked up out of mahogany veneer with a walnut stripwood surround and brass bits out of the bits and pieces box for a handle. All woodwork, as I go along, is being given a protective coat of Eze-Kote ready for varnishing later.

wavedancer · « **Reply #47 on:** March 11, 2012, 11:10:32 AM »

I have been reading this with some intrest as i too am building the sea scout , and one comment that has been made and I do, agree upon is the fixing for the motor which to my mind spoils a well thought out construction of the said boat.........That said I will adapt a different engine mount and run the sea scout on a 545 motor.....pictures to follow at a later date

Artistmike · « **Reply #48 on:** March 13, 2012, 06:48:01 AM »

Quote from: wavedancer on March 11, 2012, 11:10:32 AM

I have been reading this with some intrest as i too am building the sea scout , and one comment that has been made and I do, agree upon is the fixing for the motor which to my mind spoils a well thought out construction of the said boat.........That said I will adapt a different engine mount and run the sea scout on a 545 motor.....pictures to follow at a later date

It's great to see another version is on it's way and I'm looking forward to reading your thread and seeing photos of your build.

One thing I may have not made clear, it appears, is that the current engine mount and bed is a temporary one that is there to allow me to make the multiple adjustments to the power train that I'm sure will be necessary. Not having the faintest idea how this engine will work in this boat with the current prop, batteries, cooling, coupling etc. that I've chosen, I've made the whole thing totally removable and adjustable so that when the boat is finished and ready for the water, I can run tests. ..... At that stage it will be a simple matter to make change anything as the motor comes out very easily for disassembling the total drive system.

When I've tested everything then and only then, when I'm sure everything works, will I build and install the final engine mount.... which though it will still be easily removable, will be of a more solid and aesthetically pleasing construction..

Artistmike · « **Reply #49 on:** March 19, 2012, 01:41:32 PM »

Well, while the forum was down I actually got a bit more done to the boat ! ...

I've mainly been concentrating on the bits of detail as you can see. The brass flagstaff holder and flag I purchased but knocked up the staff itself from some walnut I had knocking around as was the screen base and post. I made the screen itself from 1mm acrylic and the white surround to it is some 1mm Plastruct U section. The wooden upright of the screen has a brass rod hidden in it's construction that goes right through the roof to keep it strong and rigid. Fairleads are commercial brass ones and the Sampson Posts again made from wood and bits of brass I had knocking about. I made new handrails as they needed to be shorter and as I wanted them in varnished wood I thought they would look nicer in Mahogany than the ply ones supplied.

I'm just about at the stage now where I need to throw some paint on it !

Artistmike · « **Reply #50 on:** April 01, 2012, 10:42:58 AM »

I haven't posted here for a while as I've been busy putting on many coats of paint on the boat and I'm not yet even half way there! Still it's starting to look a bit better so a quick photo to show the process.

It's quite difficult at the moment to show the correct colours in a quick photo but the hull is actually a nice antique white/ cream colour that I produced from mixing two Eze-Kote colours, the White and Creme De La Creme, which has produced just the typical fifties/sixties look I was after, these coats were all hand painted on. The cabin Sky Blue is also Eze-Kote rather typical of the boats I see here every day on the quay. Next job will be to paint inside the well and get the red underwater colour painted on, probably by Spay Eze Kote this time. All gloss surfaces will be then sprayed with a Clear coat to finish it off but in the meantime, back to the red......

Artistmike · « **Reply #51 on:** April 24, 2012, 03:31:04 PM »

Finally there's been a nice enough day to get outside and give the bottom of the boat a spray ! ... I took advantage of it even though it was a little cooler than I wanted but it's unlikely that we are going to get decent temperatures this side of midsummer's day ! Paint is Eze-Kote enamel again and seems to have gone on very well, two coats so far and I may leave it at that with just a few coats of Clear on afterwards, as it's covered extremely well.....

Artistmike · « **Reply #52 on:** April 29, 2012, 03:29:55 PM »

Latest job on the boat has been to put the name on the Stern that BarrieW had very kindly cut for me in gold vinyl and made a brilliant job of ! Thanks Barrie, you're a star

I've also put some gold strip at the anti-foul junction and one higher on just to liven up the boat.

The Skipper and crew as you can see have been aboard to check progress

and next I have the final varnishing and painting to do as well as fitting windows and then all the electronics, propshaft, rudder etc., which have been trial fitted but now need to be made permanent....

I have plans for a few extras to the boat for W&G including some sound if I can work out how to do it but I shall make sure the darn thing works OK before I get to that stage

.... I'm hoping this is all going to be done before my grandson comes over from Japan, the boat is being built for him to hopefully sail at my club with his grandpa.

Norseman · « **Reply #53 on:** April 29, 2012, 09:32:55 PM »

Hi Mike

Just found you again post meltdown - my you have cracked on.
Very nice it is too - love the crew.

Dave

bj · « **Reply #54 on:** May 05, 2012, 10:44:28 AM »

Ivan has made himself a fabulous flat pack high level boat stand. Shame I did not take a picture of it last week when I saw it.
Wonder if he will add that to his web site for the kits? He also had about five new kits with him ready to add to his web site. He has also made himself a neat little boat on the same "Lesro" lines that he calls Mr Tom.

Artistmike · « **Reply #55 on:** May 24, 2012, 11:09:22 AM »

Having now managed to get many coats of varnish on the hull, without too much in the way of fluff and debris, the boat has now gone through a quick trial in the domestic testing facility with some positive results :-

It didn't sink
The engine/propshaft alignment appears to be OK, the prop turns nicely with no binding
The motor appears to have more than enough power with this set-up, nearly empting the testing facility with a quick blip of the throttle and emptying the contents on the bathroom floor...
After throwing the servo reverser on the Planet 5, the rudder now appears to work in the right direction too. ..

As you can see it all fits in quite nicely with room left for some additional electronics planned later, I'm only using a short 2200 mAh battery pack at 9.6v as the size is perfect across the hull. For prolonged running I shall just buy another of the same to swap over when it runs down. Trials at the club will determine just how long it actually runs for in practice..... The Speed Controller is an Action P80, which seems to be perfect for the job, again, trials will determine exactly how well it performs but tank tests look good.

The Receiver has been tucked away safely under Gromit's seat, which has a removable top and is well away from other electrics and water and the Receiver Battery is hidden under the Well Deck in a waterproof container as it's down near the bottom of the boat.

Just a few more bits of detailing before the lake trial, I've ordered some cream cotton fenders for a bit of safety and I already have cleats to affix when I work out where they need to go to put the bow fender etc. in the best position.

Not long now then before the official ~~sinking~~ launch!

Nordlys · « **Reply #56 on:** January 07, 2013, 05:42:29 PM »

Hello Mike,
I have read all through your build post on the Sea Scout and what a pleasureable read
it has been - Have you finished now? I note there are no entries after May 2012.
I have two Sea Scouts from the original kit issue. One is complete and running the other
will be one of my refurb tasks when the spring arrives.
I have installed a Graupner 600 7.2volt motor as this revs somewhat higher than the 8.4v version. However I note you are running on 9.6v!
Recently took on board large amounts of water in a reversing movement in error! But all electrics seem to have survived!
Nordlys...

Artistmike · « **Reply #57 on:** January 07, 2013, 06:27:34 PM »

Quote from: Nordlys on January 07, 2013, 05:42:29 PM

Have you finished now? I note there are no entries after May 2012.
Nordlys...

Yes Nordlys, the Cruise-O Matic is now finished and up and running, regularly !

... In fact to end the build log I'm just waiting for my nephew to come out with me, with his video camera, in order to get a decent video of it on our club lake to put on here, which hopefully will now be quite soon if only this rain would stop..

It really is a great little craft, loads of fun and yes, on 9.6v it's what one might call ... a little frisky ! .... In fact the powers that be in our club have relegated me to the half hour on Sunday's on the lake when fast boats only are allowed on the water, so as not to put the others in jeopardy !

Which can't be bad for what is basically an old design in wood and a small one to boot. .. Wallace would be proud !

Two Sea Scouts from the original kit issue ! .. Wow lucky chap !

Do do a log on here when you do the new refurb, I'd love to see that and have you any photos of them at the moment ?? .. Les Rowell designed some great boats and the more on the water the merrier as far as I'm concerned, especially the originals. Back in those days I was a young chap who couldn't afford what I thought were the greatest kits going, I'm only pleased eventually to have done this one and am hoping to do another this year ... I've done a lot of scratch building over the years since then but these have a real place in my heart.

Great to hear from another Sea Scout owner !

Nordlys · « **Reply #58 on:** January 07, 2013, 07:41:58 PM »

Mike,
Here are two photo's of my Sea Scout in the colours of Frankel
the racehorse (upholstery)
I gave the boat to my son who sails her on Tobacco Dock and Spirit Quay
in Londons Docklands.
She is back with me now for an overhaul following the water intake episode.
It too moved very fast and would need some room! Your club were right to be cautious with you!
Resized these photo's for this site so hope it works ok.
Sorry, can't get the pictures to upload. Used to work ?

Nordlys · « **Reply #59 on:** January 07, 2013, 08:14:13 PM »

Mike,
I think this might have worked.
Nordlys.

Artistmike · « **Reply #60 on:** January 07, 2013, 09:46:31 PM »

That's looking really great nordlys, like the colour scheme ! .. You've gone for the same sort of cream, two tone look that I thought was of the period and tried to achieve. I think your son has more room in docklands than at my club lake, I tend to run out of room pretty quickly and full reverse gets a fair bit of use on mine too to stop it at the other end..

. Another quick photo of mine ..

Nordlys · « **Reply #61 on:** January 07, 2013, 10:50:01 PM »

Hello Mike,
Yes, they are very much the colours of that time - 60's, very nice. I have my battery below the steering wheel compartment, being just 7.2v its that bit shorter than an 8.4v and fits very neatly across the boat - midships.
I rather like the idea of a gold stripe too - its very suited to the colours you have chosen.
You have given me many ideas for when I begin work on my 2nd boat.
Thank you! Its a model to be very pleased with.
N.....

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Author Topic: Build of Vintage Model Boats version of the Sea Scout .... (Read 4582 times)

Dannysfod

Dannysfod

wavedancer