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[oldtimeracer]

Yes another newbie, lamb to the slaughter maybe! Good morning to you all, after many years of racing model cars I find myself getting past my sell by date as far as reactions are concerned and having "dabbled" in the past with model boats I have decided that my advancing years are more suited to spending time in a warm shed rather than a cold field.

In short I am looking for some helpfull guidance I suppose. I would very much like to be able to try my hand at building something interesting in the model boat field. I have to say that while I may consider myself adequate at putting together a kit of parts, I admit my ability may be limited in the area of scratch building or anything too complicated, at least to start with. So any suggestions of where to start would be appreciated. As a guide I do like off the wall interesting things, speed boats are not my favourites so old school launches, trawlers etc, something with a bit of style and interest maybe.

I have spent some time looking around and to be honest the choice is amazing and confusing to a newbie, well at least it is to me! so any advice would be appreciated.

I do have in the loft a very old model kit of a Mississippi type paddle steamer, have had it a few years and quite often have looked at it but convinced myself that the purchase of it was a mistake as it could well be a long way above my ability. At the moment it is a 4ft long box of wood. I think I need to start smaller and simpler to get my eye in as they say. Maybe later when retirement beckons and I have some experience I may have a go at it. Then again, maybe not!.

Thanks for your help. I need as much as I can get I think!

Ian

[DickyD]

Hi Ian, Welcome.

As you are a relatively new to boat building might I suggest you look at the Model Slipway range of kits.

They have kits for the new and the experienced modeller.

The parts are cnc cut and the drawings and instructions are excellent.

If you have any problems their after service is great.

They have loads of hints and tips on their web site.

If you have any queries just give them a ring.

Dont think you will find anyone complaining about them.

 http://www.modelslipway.com/

Hope this is helpful.

[irishcarguy]

Hi Neil welcome aboard, this is a great place to start. I agree with Dicky, Model Slipway make very good kits & the instructions are first class. Hope to see your builds as you get started on your new hobby. Ask LOTS of questions there is a wealth of knowledge on this forum, enjoy, Mick B.

[Norseman]

Hi Ian

http://www.modelslipway.com/maggiem.htm this is very nice. I have seen a weathered one too - excellent.

As for a low cost scratch build have some fun building a springer - room for imaginative fun in that class. I
have an idea for one but I'm not telling   

Dave

[Peter Fitness]

Ian, I agree with DickyD. Model Slipway kits are top class products, plus there is a wide range of boat types to choose from. One of the first kits I built when starting in model boats was the MS customs cutter, Sentinel - a first rate kit, and an excellent performer on the water.

Peter.

[oldtimeracer]

Thank you all for the advice. I have looked at the Model Slipway range and will be visiting my local boat shop this weekend for a more detailed investigation but it looks like they have some nice simple (?) kits to start off with.

OK so now some advice for someone who knows very little about this. I see many boat plans about and indeed have collected a few from some boat magazines. With regards to building from plans, and I apologise if this is a silly question, is it a case of tracing the plan onto balsa or whatever medium you choose to use?

The other question is that I have been offered a wooden boat kit of a Vosper MTB. The Precedent kit. Having read a bit about them it seems it may well be a bit beyond me and also I have been told the quality of the parts may be not that special? Obviously I have no experience of this so am asking if this would be a viable option for a beginner. It is cheap and that is why it is tempting.

Thank you all.

Ian

[John W E]

Hi Ian and Welcome to the mad house 

With regards to building from plans have you had a look at this

http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=31199.0

and this one
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=7668.0
not that hard to do

aye
john

[oldtimeracer]

Thanks John, no I had not, but I will now.

Ian

[oldtimeracer]

Ah another newbie question.

Plans that show ply construction. Is there a reason why Balsa could not be substituted? OK I realise strength must be a consideratiion but is that the only reason ply would be specified?

[oldtimeracer]

OK so here goes. I have permission from her that walks on water, I have been given (albeit temporary) custody of the cheque book and am off first thing in the morning to my local model boat store. I admit at this moment I have no idea what I am going to come home with but as a first attempt I am hoping my head will outrule my heart and I will get something easy (ish).

I will also admit that I have been given some boat plans which look suitably interesting and simple (famous last words I suspect!) so maybe I will come home with a boot full of bits and pieces rather than an actual kit but heah, does it matter. I assume the overriding rule her is to have fun.

Yes I am excited which is something that does not happen very often at my advanced age. Like a kid waiting for Christmas day.  Heah ho.....

As my son said to me, you are only young once, but you can be immature forever........

Ian

[Netleyned]

Just hope your local model boat shop is just that. A model BOAT shop.
These are rare birds these days. The majority of shops now cater almost
exclusively for planes and cars as they break much easier and therefore
need new bits more often. The financial climate today means the shop
owner needs more than a guy coming in and buying a kit and taking a couple of
years to make it before coming back again. Look after your supplier if he is a
good one. Not many left.

Ned

[Norseman]

Yes I am excited which is something that does not happen very often at my advanced age. Like a kid waiting for Christmas day.

Hi Ian

I know exactly what you mean - I am waiting for some Kalakala plans. A very busy friend is drawing them
up and it does seem like that childish 'Waiting for Christmas Day feeling' ........ I do mean that in the nicest
possible way. When you come to a hobby after spending years working, raising kids, and generaly putting
yourself last of all - well it is an amazing feeling I think to do something 'just for me'.

I hope you picked something you really liked/loved today, and that you post the build too.

Re Model shops - I ended up in Hatton's Liverpool today. Great if you want a train or railway - no boats.
I had gone for some Aliphatic glue - didn't have it, some plastic strip - didn't have it except for on the
display stand  Very very nice staff, but as a model shop for supplies it didn't hit the mark for me.

Dave

[john s 2]

Balsa as a material has pros and cons. Kiel craft made good use of it for small models. Its main problem is lack of strength. A bigger model would usually need sheathing with fiberglass . Personally id stick to ply If you wish to wood build. Good luck John.

[oldtimeracer]

Ok so interestingly my local model shop (about 1 mile away) concentrates mainly on cars and helicopters and sort of "dabbles" in boats but mainly RTR types. Usefull to have someone close for batteries and bits etc but no good for serious model boating parts although I am sure if asked they would get them for you. The shop I have been to this morning which is about 15 miles away from me seems to concentrate mainly on boats and sort of "dabbles" in cars. Very impressive range of boat kits and parts but not much in the way of car parts. For me, if model shops have to diversify to stay open then good luck to them I would rather have an open model shop that sold all sorts than a closed one for sure.

Anyway I am now done for the day, arriving home with a seemingly, not very large, bag of bits and an armfull of wood in various shapes and sorts so the plan is to have a go at the plan! Does that make sense. This is the first time I will have ever built anything from a plan and I am gratefull for the article by Mr Guest that has been passed to me as it will certainly help me.

Surprising how the bill mounts up is it not, such a small bag for such a large bill......all I have to do now is explain to 'er indoors that I did NEED all this stuff.

[oldtimeracer]

Forgot to say how good the staff were in the shop this morning. Having to put up with all the stupid questions from me was a chore no doubt but they were very polite, helpfull and knew their stuff. I will be returning for sure.

Ian

[Norseman]

if model shops have to diversify
Surprising how the bill mounts up is it not,

Hi Ian
Diversify or specialise is ok with me - I knew Hattons were specialist railway. But they should carry the usual glues etc for all modellers, they had the exact plastic I wanted but only one packet for display on a display stand full of other single packets - sort of pointless having it at all in that case.

Yes the bill - if I had know what I was going to spend refurbing my little boat I would have bought a big kit instead.

Dave

[dodgy geezer]

Surprising how the bill mounts up is it not, such a small bag for such a large bill......all I have to do now is explain to 'er indoors that I did NEED all this stuff.

Put up a shelf for her, and then say, "You know, that was so much easier to do because I had that minilathe/bandsaw/airbrush compressor*. Works for me...


*  Delete where applicable..

[Netleyned]

Come on then Ian,
Let's know the name of the shop so other mayhemmers in the area can support the guys.
Good service deserves recognition and support.

Ned

[LarryW]

       WELCOME ,Here are couple of easy ones ......Larry

[oldtimeracer]

No secret and I am sure most of you are aware of them. Did not mention name as some forums frown on that kind of thing, however it was Westbourne Models near Poole. Could have spent a fortune but managed to hold back!

Had to spend yesterday afternoon gardening to stay in 'er good books. Think I got away with it.... so far anyway.

Dave I do know what you mean, I have spent the last 30 odd years racing model cars and have many times visited so called "model" shops that really do not do themselves any good with what they stock and do not stock. Also there are the ones that always seem to have the same stock in all the time and never vary or have continually empty displays of just the bits you wanted.

The plan I chose was a simple steam launch (electric powered though) similar to the Windermere type open launch. I chose this as it seemed to be of fairly simple construction and had what seems like very few parts. I thought this may be a good move for a first time build from plans but I could be wrong there, time will tell.

I spent last night checking I had all the correct bits of wood etc and studying the plans. Hope to make a start this weekend but realise there are a few things I am going to need so off to B & Q this morning for new fret saw blades etc. Exciting stuff although I have this odd "you are going to make a fool of yourself" feeling...

Will attempt to let you know how it goes on the following conditions.

1) No laughing, at least not in public.

2) All advice should be friendly and helpfull and accompanied by a bottle of wine to ease the pain.

3) I know I am going to make mistakes, I also know there will be easier/better ways to do things but you have to learn somewhere so be gentle with me.

4) I DO appreciate the help given by those of you who have been doing this for a long time even though I may not say so so please don't feel I am ungratefull.

Thanks

Ian

[LarryW]

Hi  Ian ,
         When you kick off , see if you can   post a couple of pictures, whose plan of the steam launch did you choose ? best of luck Larry.

[oldtimeracer]

Larry it is the RITALEA. Hope that helps. It's by Eric Leadley? something like that.

[Norseman]

Hi Ian

Is it this plan http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/mar2919.html ?

Dave

[oldtimeracer]

Yep that's the one Dave.

Good choice or not?

[tt1]

Hello Ian, good luck with your venture, just enjoy it, it only becomes life threatening if you empty the bank balance! Don't think you can come across ANYTHING that the folks on here can't help you with. By the way Westbourne models is probably the best model boat shop I've ever visited more than once - and I'm from the Midlands, do miss trying to see Barry through the 'fog' at the back of his shop  - bless him.

                       Keep us posted, we love pics, regards, Tony.