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[slewis]

No worries Mick  I will post some detailed shots over the weekend hopefully and include some measurements . I may if its any help scan the relevant pages in the instruction book and email them to you . I can always send the lot /plans and instructions when I have finished if that would be any help to you 

On a different note I installed the motor mount tonight the removed it as its flimsy to say the least and made one up out of 1/2" ply instead using the old on as a template so I get the angle right.
Now it gives all relevant measurments for positioning these things and where to install stuffing box and prop sfahet and how much it protrudes inboard etc etc , then proceeds to tell me how to mechanically line it all up with the motor shaft . No problem i can do that easily but then I hit a problem . The "dog bone" between the 2 connecting blocks is too short by 3/4" ! So what to do ? Do I remake the motor mount (going to be a pain as they are epoxied into position ) Or can you buy these things in different lengths ? I have one that is 1.25" and need one of 2" .
Pic below showing the shortage . Apologies its been taken with my phone as the camera battery is dead  :-\

Shane

[cbr900]

Shane,

They are available in different lengths over here so should be available over there, but I know not where, If you cannot find any let me know and I will send a couple over...........


Roy

[slewis]

Thanks Roy ,
I have been told that they are also used in RC cars and my LHS seems to sell nothing but these so I may well take a trip there this weekend .

Update as well I have been sent a diagram to tidy up the prop support a bit and its looking like quite a nice idea so keep em peeled ! Cheers for that Colin 

More soon

Shane

[kendalboatsman]

Hello Shane,

What is the diameter of the shaft ends? I may have some R/C Buggy Dogbones kicking around you can have.

Clive :)

[slewis]

You mean the round bit of the dogbone Clive ? I have not got it here in front of me and its peeing it down out there at the moment so I cant measure it accuratley . I can give a good guess at approx 1/4" though .
If its the motor shaft  that is 1/8" I dont know about the prop shaft but best guess is that it is also 1/8"

Gonna get me coat on in a minute and go measure up ! (maybe  )

Thanks for the offer Clive

[slewis]

Right then time to sort out the cock up !
Firstly I have found the fittings I need in a new model shop in Stourport on Severn might have been there years I never knew it existed ! Very very helpful http://www.shop.edirectory.co.uk/model_craze/2408/index/

So thats one sorted ! Now onto putting right the paintwork after hacking the hull about due to my forgetfulness in not fitting a prop shaft and rudder post !

The shaft was mechanically aligned with a 1/8" piece of brass tube fitted into the ends of both couplings on the motor and shaft and marks were made screw the motor down in the correct place . This was trial fitted with just one screw to make sure everything was ok and once happy the other screws were fitted and I am happy to say everything appears to move as it should with no binding or rattling around of the prop shaft 
Then with it all in place a mixture of epoxy and micro ballons was prepared and forced into all the gaps around the shaft (this has previously been roughed up to allow a better bond) . On the outside I had applied masking tape all around the edges and over the hole as I didnt want it running through onto the hull surface.
Once dry I turned her over and filled the gaps on the outside and flaired the shaft into the hull with a strange product that I have never used before , it's an epoxy filler that you activate by kneading the 2 parts together for about 10 mins . This was pushed into any remaining gaps and roughly shaped around the shaft . Once dry in about 1 hour it was sanded to shape with 240 grit paper and 2 coats of high build primer applied .
That was yesterday. Today I rubbed back all the primer smooth and also the entire painted surface of the hull with 800 grade wet and dry (used wet) This was then cleaned off and the hull was remasked for a fresh couple of coats of paint . In the pics you will see a fine band of tape around the edge  this is 3M fine line tape which creates a knife edge finish and is quite fexible so you can bend it around different shapes .
Then after finishing the masking it was repainted after de greasing and tacking off .
Pheeeew ! Thats that little lot finished (again) .
This will now sit there and harden off fully over the course of the week and the only thing left to do to the exterior paintwork is to paint a thin white stripe along the waterline and then spray the clearcoat !
anyway enough waffle some pics ............

[mick]

Hello Shane, pleased to note you have overcome the problems, looks fine now.

When you have time I would appreciate a close-up photo of the motor, ESC, wiring layout. Without sounding rude...what length is your propshaft/prop.

I have started my Triple, and now need to decide on the motor/prop, etc.

Keep posting, do you know of any boat related model shops in the Powys/Shropshire area, I live on the border, and obtain most boat items by mail order...Mick

[slewis]

Mick I have taken a load of pics from the plans for you showing all you ask  can you pm me your email address please and I will forward them to you .
PS 3.6mb so I hope you aint on dial up !

Shane

[mick]

Hello Shane, who/where did you purchase your motor/ESC/ batteries from?..... and is this setup powerful enough.

I have considered a twin motor arrangement, but I am not looking for speed...just as long as she moves along nicely...Mick

[slewis]

Hi Mick
I brought the motor and ESC from Westbourne models and the battery from Overlander .
As for is this set up powerfull enough ? I think it should be as its above and beyond what is reccomended for it by Dumas . Time will tell 

[DickyD]

What set up did you get Shane or is it a secret.

Got over the propshaft and rudder problem nicely, very neat.

[slewis]

Hi Richard  Thanks for that   it turned out OK in the end 

set up is ........
Battery is a Tornado trc4300 nimh .9.6v pack.
On the front of the pack it says constant discharge 25-35 Amp . Burst (10 sec) discharge 35 Amp.

The motor is a Graupner speed 600 BB
Nominal voltage is 9.6V
range 7.2-12V
idle current drain approx 0.8A
current drain at max efficiency 6.6A
Blocking current drain 55A

The ESC is an Mtroniks viper marine 20
20 Amp current limit
6-12V input


Should be up to the job 

Shane

[slewis]

Well as my long awaited trip to RAF Cosford today to go to the large model airshow there ,which is usually one of the best of the season , was cancelled due to the appaling weather .I took the opportunity to spend some more time on the build.
This is it the final coats of KlassKote clear finish.
KlassKote is an epoxy based clearcoat which is totally waterproof and fuelproof and sprays like a dream . So really it was the only choice for me as I have used it before to great effect.
So it had a quick rub down with 1200 wet and dry and then degreased and tacked off to remove any dust .
Then it was on with 3 coats of this with a 20 min flash off time between them .
This finish is rock hard once cured in about a week (even though touch dry in 1 hour ) .
So then it will be taken to work and if there are any marks in it caused by dust settling on it I can machine polish them out .

Phew No more rubbing down 

Shane

[DickyD]

Beautiful, wonderful finish you sure you haven't made one befor Shane.

[boatmadman]

hmmm - that is a superb finish - well done!

[mick]

Hello Shane, terrific finish, well done....I have ordered my motor and fittings, prop etc, from Westbourne, very helpful guy.

I have completed the basic structure, frames/keel, on my 'Triple'.....feeling well pleased...then noticed the keel at the bow had warped. Spent ages cutting through the side stringers and realigning the formers....finally satisfied that all is well. Thanks again for the photo's, of the motor/prop setup. I have gone for the single motor as this is my first build of this type. Keeping it simple....Mick

[slewis]

Thanks chaps comments are much appreciated .
No Richard this is my first ever go at boat building . I have been building planes for years though 

Shane

[slewis]

Ok a small update here .........

I was disatisfied with a small part of the top deck which bothered me , if I didnt show you it you would never know it was bad but being the person I am I took it upon myself to rub it down again (knowing I would never be happy with it) and took the easy fix of taking it into work this morning and giving it (another) final coat of laquer in the spray booth (dust free) .
I will have a look in the morning before deciding its good enough for me to say enoughs enough and finish the build .
In the mean time I have been looking into how to upholster the seating on this one and after a few goes at trying to stick the faux leather onto the abs blanks I now realise that faux leather and evo stick dont get on at all ! The solvents melt the leather  :-\

So I have another plan which involves making ply backings for the seats and seatbacks and then stapeling the leather onto the ply .

Will it work ?   I dont now   but time will tell .

I have the next week off from work (from saturday) so hopefully I can get this finished .

Someone told me they sail in Netherton (about 10 mins away ) so if you are reading this can you reply and we can arrange a test sail of it later next week ?  Sorry I forget who it was  :-[

Shane

[HS93]

what part of the country ??   Netherton there are a few.

Peter

[slewis]

netherton west mids

[slewis]

Well I am happy with it now and am NOT going to rub it down again 

I have tested my method of applying the leather with staples and it looks like its going to be a go'er .I will assemble the seating this weekend and hopefully get the motorand working bits installed and working .


Shane

[Tug---Kenny]

That is utterly fantastic.      I'm speechless.  What a superb job. Well done


Ken

[colin-stevens]

heading over with paint stripper.
so jealous, wonderfull job
colin

[bluebird]

Hi there, just wondering 'what did you serve your time as?   a French Polisher?  ' amazing truly amazing and just to think you are going to put that boat in the water - I would put it in a glass case surrounded by armed guards 

aye
john e
bluebird

[slewis]

Thanks all

and just to think you are going to put that boat in the water

No other reason for building it really , just a load of wood and time spent for one reason only ,to sail her .
I have seen other builds on here that to be honest beggar belief in the detailing people use and I bow down to their vastly superior knowledge and experience .
To my mind the only thing this has that others dont (or the majority of them ) is a nice shiney exterior .

The build has been fun (I LOVE building) and at times hard work   but its just a model and the next one will be better 

Shane

[DickyD]

Wow  !!
What a finish Shane, you're not really going to get it wet ?

[Wetwater]

    Brilliant Shane.  Ive got my shades on and the finish is still dazzling me.   

[mick]

Hello Shane, got my motor running, MFA850, ESC etc, the Chris Craft Triple is still a basic frame, am inspired by your finish. Will be interested in the cockpit seating arrangements and the construction thereof. Mick

[slewis]

Thanks for the nice comments chaps .
Today I started on the seating but had a bit of a disaster with my methods  ::) I successfully epoxied ply backs into the supplied plastic seats and then tried stapling the leather to them . Unfortunately my staple gun is a bit OTT for this type of thing and proceeded to break the ply when shooting a staple into it . Oh well I have tried another method , this time fitting birch rails around the hollow inside edge of the seat parts to take the pressure of the staple gun . These are drying at the moment so hopefully tomorrow I should have some pics to show . Then its time I got the leccy bits installed 

Mick on those pics I sent you have a look at the layout of the battery esc and motor and you will see the main battery runs down one side of the hull . Is this normal ? seems to me that it would make the whole thing heavy on one side and make it list ! I am going to fit mine across the hull above the prop shaft against one of the frames unless someone has some reason why I shouldn't .

Thanks chaps

Shane

[slewis]

At last the seating is built and covered , Looks a lot better than painted plastic in my humble opinion 

I will install these this afternoon I am currently waiting for the frames they sit on to set then they can be epoxied into place .

Shane

[DickyD]

Upholsterer as well, what next ?
nice neat job as usual.

[mick]

Hello Shane, the battery will provide a more stable balance 'across the boat', trial and error, plus the available space will dictate where you can place it, I expect there is a technical term in boats for this, as an aero modeller you will know how important the balance point is. You can get away with it up to a point in a boat. I have used an extra battery to achieve this in a 'Puffer' build.

Impressive seating.....make sure you can site all your electrics...have you run the motor yet...mind you with a finish like that I would just place it on the dinning room table....and admire. Mick

[slewis]

Thanks Mick  I will be placing the battery across the boat as was my original intention .

On the subject of CofG is there any way this can be worked out ? I have a formula for doing it with model planes and this would no way convert to model boats.
Boats must have a CofG as well and obviously the closer I can get to this the better . Any clues chaps ?

Shane

[mick]

Hello Shane, the only way I have balanced my boats, (just three of them) is to level them, on the water (bath) at the indicated waterline, shown on the plan. Worked fine, I guess fine tuning on the lake is the answer. We will now receive a definitive answer from someone who has the knowledge...Mick

[slewis]

Thanks Mick .

A bit more progress today and it seems like all the little small jobs are taking up most of the build time !

Anyway the seating has been fitted along with shelving in the cockpits and also fitted a dashboard and the steering wheel. Next up was the cockpit combing (sp?) which proved a nightmare to cut and fit to get right . Dumas show you how to cut the neoprene tube with a handy little self made jig arrangement but obviously do not make any allowances for how thick the deck is now its all been finished ! So in a couple of places its a little messy , but as its superglued on I cant remove it now .

So what to do ? Hmmmmmmm  if someone was sailing her he could put an arm out nice and relaxed to cover up the messy bit , and a bit of female company to do the same in the second cockpit could work . So off to toysrus and 2 willing participants were brought . Ok I am having to cut his legs down considerably but once in a pair of jeans you will never know ! 

Shane