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[Tom-C]

As I am unlikely to ever be rich enough to own a real one, I decided to try and build one from scratch.  Reading DJWs posts about a 1:5 scale one, this seems much more humble, but I might get it done within the year!  I reckoned 1:10 would be too big to display, so I reduced it to 60%, which is about 1:16.  However finding fittings for it is proving difficult: there are some at 1:15 which might do, but nowhere near a full set, and I have not been impressed by the quality in the pics.  So I might try to draw up what I need, and 3D print them: my brother has a 3D printer he has never used so I will try to relieve him of it!
Its not a full log, but you can see my progress here:
https://new.express.adobe.com/publishedV2/urn:aaid:sc:EU:e548be67-eefb-42a6-8b18-0d4003700bc7?promoid=Y69SGM5H&mv=other
(This works on my desktop, but I'm not sure if it works on a phone.  Please let me know if you have any bother!)
Cheers for nowTom

[SteamboatPhil]

That is looking really good, really nice work 

[DJW]

Hi Tom

Great to see your Aquarama build..!  Looking forward to seeing it progress.

I've found these 3D links a while ago which may help out with some of the Aquarama fittings, they'll just need scaling appropriately:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6368501

And here's a siren:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5603287

This Italian company is also a great resource for full sized fittings, and I've found helpful as they often provide size information, helps when trying to scale:

http://www.morosinigiovanni.com/ProdottiUK.aspx

I've just had a look at that West Systems 655 Epoxy.  Very nice (but not cheap..!), I could have used some of that to prevent my recent prop shaft fiasco where I managed to glue a shaft into a P bracket with drips of resin...

My feedback based on experience with the 1/10th build (admittedly from different plans, mine was based on the Amati kit) is that it builds heavy and combined with the proportions of the Aquarama care is needed to keep the bow as light as possible so it lifts when under way.

A lovely looking build, and great to have access to a CNC workshop..!

Very best regards
David.

[Tom-C]

Thanks for your encouraging comments!
And thanks for those links, David.  Those 3D files look very promising and should be easy to scale, but I thought the morosinigiovanni site was really brilliant, until I realised they were full size fittings!  However, very useful to get such detailled views.
Thats a good point about the weight distribution - it was in the back of my mind when I was deciding where to place batteries etc. I think as it stands it might be a bit stern heavy: will have to wait until the bath flotation test, and hopefully it will not need ballasting too much.  I guess your build will not fit in the bath!
Glad you like the epoxy: it comes in a handy twin syringe (unless you are buying industrial quantities) with a clever cap that only fits one way, so you can keep wastage to a minimum.  I will update the web page as I go now: just starting the outer planking, which is trickier than it looks!
All the bestTom

[Tom-C]

Well its been quite a few months, and progress has been slow due to other committments. Mainly turning my garage into a decent workshop - still a work in progress!  An updated version of the webpage is here:
https://new.express.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:EU:c9b4d793-408e-4fa3-a6b4-90b703e0bf56?invite=true&accept=true&promoid=Z2G1FQKR&mv=other
I made a cardinal mistake with my approach to the mahogany layer on the hull.  I tried to 'veneer' it with some relatively narrow strips of veneer: this worked fine over the rear 2/3 of the hull, but the bow section with a 3 dimensional curve proved to be a nightmare, requiring long thin wedges to be inserted, and getting a good contact with the underplanking also proved challenging.  I should have stuck to narrow strips of planking - it would have been quicker and more satisfactory but you live and learn.  Reading DJWs post on his foredeck has also sent shivers up my spine!
All the bestTom

[DJW]

Hi Tom


Coming along nicely..!  That mahogany veneer can be tricky stuff in my experience, for me it's that it can't cope with being sanded, or maybe I'm just too heavy handed with the sandpaper..!  And have to agree with you, the compound curves of the Aquarama are beautiful to see, but a challenge to get right.


Best of luck, and look forward to next update.


Best regards
David.