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[northwind]

Hi all

I've been scouring the mayhem archives for ideas for my next build, one theme that caught my eye was that of loosing / sinking boats..

What do you do to stop your pride and joy dissapearing to the bottom?

One thought that came to mind was to put partly deflated balloons in the hull. - has anyone tried this - would it work?

Another more whizzy thought was to mount a couple of these things in the hull.. http://www.water-buoy.com/index.php not sure if they would work, as the weight may be too great.

I'd be interested to hear what others do.

Daniel

[DickyD]

Another more whizzy thought was to mount a couple of these things in the hull.. http://www.water-buoy.com/index.php not sure if they would work, as the weight may be too great.



Daniel

A boat less than 1Kg is going to be mighty small.

[warspite]

don't most people fit expanded polystyrene from packaging or bubble wrap in the empty spaces, reducing the area for the heavy water to fill ?

[nhp651]

The best way of stopping a boat from sinking is to build it methodically and properly in the first place, without any leaks(tried and tested in the bath before even putting it on the lake) and making sure that decks are sealed and combings are high enough,

And finally that it is ballasted properly without anything loose inside to cause a list.

Not being bigheaded, but I have NEVER EVER put any bouancy aids in any of my models and have never had a surface boat sink yet?

[Philipsparker]

I agree that a properly built boat shouldn't sink but still like to fill voids with polystyrene just to be on the safe side. It's like a spare wheel or lifeboat - you hope you won't need it but if you do then you're glad you went to the bother.

Polystyrene is much easier and longer lasting than part inflated balloons as these would need replacing from time to time.

Phil

[dan]

The best way of stopping a boat from sinking is to build it methodically and properly in the first place, without any leaks(tried and tested in the bath before even putting it on the lake) and making sure that decks are sealed and combings are high enough,

And finally that it is ballasted properly without anything loose inside to cause a list.

Not being bigheaded, but I have NEVER EVER put any bouancy aids in any of my models and have never had a surface boat sink yet?

i agree about that for scale models, but what about the fast nitro and petrol boats that do not have hatches? in rough wether or strong winds they can flip. so wether or not their build properly they can still sink unless there is some sort of bouyancy in them.  could a childrens toy "float" that they use in pools be used if it was cut up into the right shape of the hull space in which it would be fitted?

[w3bby]

...what about the fast nitro and petrol boats that do not have hatches?.

Pool noodles, pipe insulation and sleeping mats are all good for this. Distributed throughout the hull so it doesn't end up vertical with the bow in the air.

[dan]

Pool noodles, pipe insulation and sleeping mats are all good for this. Distributed throughout the hull so it doesn't end up vertical with the bow in the air.

thought they would be, thanks w3bby.
what boat are you thinking of making daniel?

[Colin Bishop]

You still have to be sure that the buoyancy you are adding will be sufficient to offset the deadweight of the boat it's in. Only one reliable way of finding out. 

Colin

[Martin (Admin)]

Another idea, from many moons ago, was a deck hatch or item of clutter, attached to a float,
attached a bobbin with a fishing line attached, glued to a piece of soap (or a tablet ), the tablet glued inside
well in the deck or superstructure. If your boats sinks, after a while the soap / tablet dissolves,  releases the
bobbin that then floats to the surface deploying the line as it goes.

It doesn't prevent your boat from sinking but if it does, you should be able to find it again (even pull it up if
you have the right weight line!).

[tobyker]

a. Ping pong balls
b. Don't put it in the water.

[warspite]

make it a sub 

[Bee]

How about an index of ponds only a couple of feet deep.

[WLJayne]

You could use builder's expanding foam, spray it into the recesses and voila. We used to fill our old RNLI training ribs with it when they were on their last legs (the hull not the sponsons) and it put another year of service onto the boat :).

Will.

[Peter Fitness]

Sounds like the best idea yet, Will. Like nhp651, I have never fitted buoyancy aids in any boat I've built, but I don't run fast electric or nitro boats.

Peter.

[tigertiger]

You could use builder's expanding foam, spray it into the recesses and voila. We used to fill our old RNLI training ribs with it when they were on their last legs (the hull not the sponsons) and it put another year of service onto the boat :).

Will.

WARNING

Builders foam expands uneavenly, and in an uncontrolled manner.
I have read elswehere that it can, and does, burst boats.
Remember a model is not as strong as a RIB.

[Martin (Admin)]

Yep! I can vouch for that! - http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/My_models/02%20shadow.htm

[keef666]

no matter how good you build with or without buoyancy, its other boaters that you have to watch out for [ young lads with high speed birthday gifts ] it some one takes there eyes off their boat and bang hits yours and the worst happens, it starts to sink, so i always fill foam when i build,
       Keith

[northwind]

Wow.. what a lot of ideas!

I suppose my thinking was along the lines of a worst case insurance policy. 

I liked Martin's idea of sending a string to the surface.. perhaps surfacing a ping pong ball with a divers flag attached 

Agreed with everyone that you obviously want to build it to not sink in the first place, 

Regarding what am I looking at building..

1, A classic broads yacht - I was lucky enough to be passed plans for a Herbert Woods boat that my father sailed on during his youth, and I also remember from my childhood on the broads.
2, THV Galatea - Its a mighty looking machine, the attraction is getting the various cranes etc to work.
3, A RIB.. I've always fancied building one.. but the tubes have always put me off!

Currently on the bench...

1, A micromagic - will be ready to get wet this weekend.
2, A Robbe Paula - I have built the hull, but I don't like the superstructure, so am currently rebuilding this.
3, 3 Springer Tugs.. 2 hulls built, (I have 3 children, so I have to make one for each of them).. the idea is for me to make the hull and them to design and build the top.


Well they should keep me busy for a few years!


Daniel

[dan]

no matter how good you build with or without buoyancy, its other boaters that you have to watch out for [ young lads with high speed birthday gifts ] it some one takes there eyes off their boat and bang hits yours and the worst happens, it starts to sink, so i always fill foam when i build,
       Keith

exscuse me  im a yougn lad but i didnt chose the fast boats first of all    i have a tug which  if im honest i dont think it could do much damage to other boats even if i tried  , but then again it wont belong befor i do have my first nitro boat so watch out everyone 

[dms toucan]

Hi
I have action self bailing units fitted in all my boats
and I have not lost one yet,
Martin