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[Neil]

As suggested by Monogear, here are what I'm attempting to do, in no particular order. (I don't normally talk about myself, but here goes.)
A friend gave me an empty hull, (which started this). I vowed never to get into boats, or locos, but..... I was totally happy with my steam engines, boilers, etc., some made by yours truly, Traction Engines and the like. But, noooo, along came this pesky boat and upset all of that. (And a loco, by and by.)
If I live long enough, I plan to do the following.
Make the hull into an open launch, as I have several very nice boilers and steam engines, (more arriving periodically), so why not display them? It's 850mm long by 30 wide. (Note all the Nautical terms?) 
I have an Imara on the way too. I'll do more when all the bits are amassed. 
I have built from a kit, a Griffon Hovercraft, just a toy really, but quacked into another too, an SRN5. I can't remember why. They are way over priced, and the instructions are way worse than bad, but, I got there in the end.
I have a Creole Queen Riverboat in the air on it's way to me, so that's another to work on while I have nothing to do.
I found an old "Speed Boat" that I had forgotten I had. As I got it for a Chrissy Pressy as a kid, it's over 60 years old now. It looks pretty tired, but, I've started to restore it. It used to be powered by a Frog 150 deisel engine, but that's almost a crime to own one now. (It still goes like a bought one.) Unfortunately, I'll be using electricity. None of my boilers are small enough, but, if that works well, I'll make a little boiler and stuff that goes with it. I have a smattering of engines small enough for the job.
I'll try to attach some photos of the last one, to show you how the ravages of time, and the non understanding of a very small boy, can take their toll.
If I can't manage it, I'll try again tomorrow or Sunday.
Cheers.
Neil.

[Circlip]

If the pictured gem from the past is 24" long, 8 1/4" beam with 2 1/2" freeboard it's the Yeoman Spraymaster price 37 shillings (Including purchase tax) in March 57.

  Regards  Ian.

[benjaml1]

If the pictured gem from the past is 24" long, 8 1/4" beam with 2 1/2" freeboard it's the Yeoman Spraymaster price 37 shillings (Including purchase tax) in March 57.

  Regards  Ian.

Sweet memories..... 

[Neil]

You may be right about it's origin, BUT, I think it's highly unlikely, considering the place dad bought it from. I remember the day well, who wouldn't with such a prize coming my way.
Way down on the Belarine Pewninsular, Queenscliffe. I don't think anyone knew what the term import meant in those days.
I hope you are right though, because I subscribed to Model Boats, and the first issue I received has an article nearing it's end, on restoring just such a boat.
I'll measure it exactly and refer back if it's significantly different. It seems too much of a co-incidence though, I agree, especially if one looks at that article in Model Boats. It's just the import thing that stops me. I know it would not have been impossible, but, if you had seen Queenscliffe in (mmmm) 1950, you wouldn't think there was anywhere else in the world. I'll just say, "it was isolated", at least, I keep forgetting, to a small boy.

Whilst I'm here. I see a lot of reference, from time to time, about paraffin as a fuel. Where I come from, Paraffin has the consistency of Olive Oil, and used for what? I wouldn't have a clue. It took years for me to find out what the paraffin used abroad was. I think Mr Google informed me in the end.
We call it Kerosene, Kero for short, just like Metho, Methylated Spirits, whatever that means.

Cheers.

Neil.

[steamboatmodel]

The reference to Paraffin in the English Magazines always puzzled me too, Here Paraffin was something that had to do with wax that they used for canning/preserves or candles. It wasn't untill the Internet that i found out it is what we call Kerosene or stove oil.
Regards,
Gerald.

[Neil]

Has anyone got any suggestions on the adhesive I should use on the de-laminating ply (especially on the keel)?
I have my own ideas, but I would like to know the experts' opinion. Adhesives have taken a quantum leap in recent years. I don't think I'm quite up to speed in that regard. Please don't forget, use generic names, not "advertising gimmick names". Most names of chemicals I read in English books, are unknown here. (That's dangerous, don't you think? Look at Paraffin for one!

As an aside, have a look at this site. You will not believe the skill of this man.

http://compound.modelengines.info/block.html

http://modelengines.info/projects/paddler.html

Neil.

[steamboatmodel]

Hi Neil,
I remmember at some of the boat shows that they were sellling an epoxy type wood filler for repairs on full size boats. I don't remmember the brand name, but they said that it could be sanded and drilled like wood once it cured. If you use epoxy as a filler go with the slower setting type as the 5 min. type goes gummy when exposed to water.
Regards,
Gerald.

[Neil]

Appreciated Gerald, thanks.
Neil.

[Circlip]

Tube type epoxies are the wrong type to try to effect the repair, you should be looking at the laminating or skinning types. When mixed, they are just a bit thicker than water, also used for skinning wings on toy aircraft and the hulls of toy boats. Getting the old oil out of the wood is likely to be a problem though.

  Regards  Ian.

[Neil]

Sorry for my tardy response, I've been away.
Thanks for the advice, I have found what you suggest in a catalogue I have.
I've been told that the "Gel" type Cyano, is very forgiving of oil etc.
Any input would be welcome.
I'm a little afraid to, but I think some careful placement of screws will be the best answer. The wood around where the engine was is getting a "little tired".

Thanks,
Neil

[Circlip]

With ref. to the fuels, most had some "Secret" form of home brew for the "Diesels" of the time. One of the basic ones was equal quantities (By Volume) of Ether, Castor oil and Paraffin (Lamp oil) and if you REALLY wanted some extra oomph, a splash of Amyl Nitrate.

  It's more than thirty years since I ran a Diesel but despite raving All zimmers, I can still remember the "Three day stench" of Castor oil that our hands were embalmed in after a Session.

  Thats the rub, if there is any residual Castor in the wood, it's a b****r to get out and I'm sure that in the land of Brian Winch that "home brew" was prevalent as well.

  Regards  Ian.

[Neil]

I have bought another boat, in the meantime.
That means I only have 5 in the pipeline now. What a glutton for punishment.

There is another site that has the photos I would like to post, and show the interested what I bought. I'll give the link, and if I'm wrong, the powers that be can kill it. I hope it's ok though.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4427224/anchors_4515415/mpage_2/key_/anchor/tm.htm#4515415

I found an adhesive that seems to be "the goods" too. So for the interest of the few who are so stupid, (like me) as to want to build a boat, here it is.

Music Maestro - please da, da!

It's called Purbond. It's a single pack waterproof polyeurethane adhesive which will turn your fingers black. (So, it has it's roots in Alchemy, it seems.) Joke, for all those serious folk out there.

According to the packet, it will do all but slice bread. It's made by Boatcraft Pacific P/L, aparently. It DOES seem the goods though.

I thank you.

Neil.

[benjaml1]

I'm sorry, I see a boat in very poor condidtion & then see a link to another thread  with a stunning model. Tell me it's not the same craft ?.... If so... I'm totally in awe ...

[Neil]

Oh, no Benjalm1,

It is not the same craft. I'm so sorry if I misled you.
What I wanted was a boat to float, and have fun with. As my 60 year old boat will take a little while to restore, I thought I would buy another to have fun with at the club on Sundays.

I hope I didn't mislead other Mayhemers also.

If so, my humble apologies.

Ciao.
Neil

[benjaml1]

No probs Neil, For a moment then I  thought you had divine powers... 

[Neil]

Just to prove my integrity, I will attach a photo of both boats in the one photo, (if I can). 

Cheers.

Neil

[Neil]

I do, however, hope to achieve a similar outcome, as the Venice 90 with my old friend.
The Venice 90 is a very strong boat, as I found out to my total shame.
Read my signature and you may see why.

Neil

[mogogear]

Nice purchase there Neil..
I know what it is like to need something to run while many boats are "in process" at the Stumptown Boat Werks " here in Portland.
If that is indeed Toms boat it is a beauty and should start many a conversation

Good luck-I to have about 5 boats on the assembly line.

Keep the faith on the steamer-headed hull!!

[Norseman]

Hi Neil

Whatever happened with this old boat - I'm just curious.

Regards Norseman