Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Working Vessels => Topic started by: Drydock2017 on March 15, 2017, 03:33:47 pm
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Hi guys picked this billings kit up off eBay pretty cheap, dads built the Mary Ann in the past well two off them in total one when kit came out and one a few years ago Mary Ann would have been my choice but it seemed silly to get a boat that dads already got, one of the problems is he can't remember what prop shaft he's running in her and wondered if any one has built this kit and can advice me on what size to go for I'd prefer to go m4 just because I already have a brass prop perfect size for it,
I picked the kit up cheap off ebay a gentleman was selling her as unstarted and unwanted due to problems with his hands and not being able to build any more so I put a bid in and got it a lot cheaper than expected here's some pictures of the kit I haven't had chance to start it yet but I'm looking forward to cracking on with it 👍
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Looks like a decent kit, I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun building it :police:
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Thank you currently in the middle off looking for a new job and a prop shaft so boat building and model making on hold until I can get both sorted, the problem is there's really not much room in the hull too play around with and I want a m4 shaft I need to sit down and work out a size really but I'm unsure of any company's that do decent custom shafts if any one can help it would be great full
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Contact Simon Higins at Protean Design Propellers his contact details are on a post yesterday or just put
protean design propellers in your search box.
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Hi again guys thought I'd fill you in with an update, things are a bit hectic at home due too getting a new job and now working 9-5 instead of shift work and also trying to get my head round the new company and different systems etc, I haven't really had time to look or do much with my trawler and with a two year old as well with free run of our flat it's not easy I spoke to my father and he's going to build the hull for me and plank it just purely because I don't want to say put in a load of time on the bulkheads etc and it being strapped to the building board at that stage to then come home from work and find little ones got hold of it so dads going to do this for me and then plank it so atleast at that stage I can put it up high so no little hands can get at it, dads already made a start on the keel for me that you will see in the picture, I plan on weathering this one like my puffer was I have a lot off ideas and new things I'd like to try out it should be a good build I will update you guys on the hull being built as and when dad sends them and moves on with the build
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Dads done a bit of work on the trawler couple of the bulkheads are in decks just been roughly placed on not stuck on he was having trouble with the bulk heads due to the kit being so old as soon as he was taking them out the sheet they were just showing signs of badly warped etc so he's had too steam them but he's doing a great job so far here's a few pics.
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Hi guys hope every one has had a good Easter my dad sent me this picture over today update on the trawler all bulk heads fitted and true and straight he was having a bit of trouble as the bulk head wood had bowed quite a bit but he steamed it and got it all sorted decks just fitted in place not glued yet next is getting the rudder installed and prop shaft and motor placement etc and then looking at where to cut the deck for opening etc he was explaining on the phone that he's going to trim back one or two of the bulk heads like he did with Mary Ann [/font]
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Prop shaft and brass prop fitted had to go for an m2 shaft I don't really like running them but m4 would have been too thick for the keel it's a bit of a tight squeeze as the boats not designed to be radio controlled it's meant to be static but it should be ok just the rudder to do then start the planking looking good so far[/font]
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Hi guys haven't been on for a while firstly wanted to say a massive thanks to Martin for mayhem this year and the other guys that help set it up me and dad had a fantastic time after being away from shows for a while. It was nice to come back and be treated well especially meeting up with the old faces like klunk etc . Dad brought my grandfathers old boat out and had her on the lake still looks good in my opinion even for a model over 50 years old 👍
Any way Update on fishing trawler motor fully fitted now with universal joint servo fitted now rudder shaped and dad made a metal joint to hold the rudder and keel in. Battery box made and also parts cut out for easy access to radio gear and battery etc, at the rear is going to be my first conversion from kit standard. It's supposed to be flat but I want a raised section to show storage and more detail will be added as build goes on the rudder head has been custome made by myself so I can run like a rc car set up for steering with a bar and plastic cups on the ends to just pop on ball connector's First half strip planking has gone on to the hull coming along well, still haven't made my mind up if it's going to be built as a drifter or a crabber or what yet sorry if pictures aren't great
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There is a nice lot of modification and scratch building there :-))
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Hi Drydock, I am enjoying the build. I hope your new job suits OK.
I have an old Mary Anne kit started at home and was wondering about encouraging the ageing wood with steaming. I do not think I shall use the old planking wood though.
I have seen a few really excellent ones at exhibitions and is one of their best.
The Cux 87 looks good as well. Will your dad clamp the hull straight for the initial planking, as my Mary Anne (not yet planked) is far from straight and stable?
On my models I also fit a screw on pintle base for the rudder, just in case, but have never had to remove one yet!
The Monoperm (super?) is going to give you more than enough power for this boat.
Look forward to more.
regards Roy
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Hi Roycv and ballastanksian thanks for your nice comments and the job is going well thank, I took over from Dad a while ago after he got all the bulk heads in and shaft and trued it all up etc I have started to find some time to get back in to building and I have some where safe to keep it now from little hands, yeah we have never had to remove one I just do it because that's the way my grandfather and father taught me, with our plank on frame builds we always have them screwed down while the bulkheads go in then when there in and supports are in and deck is fitted we remove it and just plank, the cux is a bit different to the Mary Ann the Mary Ann is planked in each strip with out cutting on the cux it says to cut the strips in half seems the cux is slightly longer than mary Ann only slightly and obviously the cux hull is detailed differently we have tested the wood for planking and it seems ok so far the only thing so far I have changed is I'm not using the wood the mahogany coloured wood for decking and the cabin as I ordered a load of the same size and thickness birch wood as I'm going to be weathering the cux and I want to try a new technique with the decking and cladding, also steaming and soaking the wood in water we find works when planking and then glueing and pinning everyone has there own techniques tho, also I had to change the motor I was struggling to get the monoperm in so went for a small 400 motor, here's a picture off dads mary Ann at this years model boat mayhem
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More work done this week made big start on planking it's coming along ok so far when it's all planked I will rub it back fill areas with filler rub it back and then use some sander sealer enjoying it so far 👍
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Trying something a bit different as I said it's not going to be kit standard but thinking about adding a whale back still need to adjust the height tho and sort out correctly just playing around, one my old puffer figures 1/35 blokes that I brought and didn't use but correct scale for this boat too so I may look at getting some from the same company again, done quite a bit off planking now as u can see coming along I will update with more as and when the picture of the trawler is what I'm possibly aiming for when it's finished but still haven't made my mind up yet
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Hi guys lots more planking done nearly finished planking her I'm looking for some reference books or pictures on different set ups for old trawlers if any one can help
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More photos
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Hi guys so the trawlers coming along Its just a tad to hot to be modelling at the moment in my opinion lovely sailing weather tho so I'm just gathering a list off extras I would like but can any one advise others than the normal places like Cornwall model boats who have always been amazing and still are and macs mouldings any where I can get decent brass Deck fittings etc thanks in advance
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All the planking pretty much done just few more bits to do then start rubbing back and filling in areas and then some sander sealer and undercoat upper whale back added but no sides yet got some new wood to do the planking of the deck and the cabin as I don't like the standard mahogany type it won't be very good for weathering it loads work to be done Still but it's getting there managed to get some good reference books and photos etc [/font]
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Hi, all looking good, may I suggest that you do not sand and then paint the deck. Instead scrape it with a sharp blade and use thinned varnish put on with a pad of cloth wrapped around a finger. It gives a much better finish.
regards Roy
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Hi thanks for the advice yeah with the kit your supposed to plank the deck with mahogany wood but I will be changing it and using birch plain wood and doing as u have advised and staining them in different grades of stain to make it look aged
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Hey guys All the top rails done now on the hull just the fun part off rubbing back and filling in areas 🙈 but started on the custom cabin there's a reference picture for what I'm thinking and how I'm going to do it hope u guys like I have cut the standard cabin about to convert it etc all needs cleaning up sorry about poor pictures and not much of an update
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Cabin
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Sorry me posting again More work under way on the cabin conversion been cleaned up bit and side gone on won't look anything like kit standard only thing really standardish is the hull and that's been converted too lol 😂 the front cabin will be planked the back cabin will be steal so painted
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Keep it up Drydock2017, lovin' it :-))
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Amen. A Blog isn't a blog without updates. Small installments are good, you don't always get a response but you get lots of views from interested members and visitors :-))
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I echo that as well,
all the best Roy
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Hi guys just checking in thank you for your kind words. Front cabin now planked in birch wood strips ready for detailing and weathering on the exterior looking and thinking about the interior of the cabin next hope everyone's had a good weekend 👍
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Hi guys another little update sides now planked half way up the top half of the back cabin will be painted thought would look better like this theres some more detail to do build some stairs for the back up to the door I will be adding and then over little grab rails and brass port hole for the circle parts on the side I'm happy with how it's coming along just wish had more time so I could start getting paint down and weathering
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More work completed
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Some nice and neat work being done there! O0
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Thanks I'm in the process of deciding on colours and what I am going to do for the interior I just don't no what colours to do the main hull and trim, also been foucusing on crew members ordered a few
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What are your favourite colours? I would start there, or consider if my spouse or someone I was going to name it after had any known colour preferences.
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I'm going to be calling it after my daughters name and middle name Libby rose have been talking with the wife she thinks yellow and white I think blue and white and my dad thinks green and white I'm unsure to be honest but I'm wanting to take my time with the build adding loads of detail as this will more than likely be my last build for a few years my daughters two and I'm finding it hard to get the time I love building etc but I also don't want too miss out on anything with little one, I am now also waiting for a load of parts to arrive as I have ordered some brass work to detail 👍
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Hi Drydock, first lucky you with a lovely young daughter, my one is now nearly 50 but I still like to remember her as a 5 year old. I like blue and white but in this instance you will not be doing yourself any harm by following your wife's ideas on colour. I have a small mauve coloued fishing boat I did decline to add the pink! (grandaughter). Also you can build the next one in your colours.
Building time, not easy, if you have a place to work away from babies and tucked away so you can leave it without having to clear up, then consider getting up early in the morning and doing just one hour on the model boats.
You might get away with 45 minutes when you arrive home from work as a wind down. Having a deadline will speed up construction. A very well known model boat builder gave me this advice after your wind down you belong to the family.
When on limited time scales planning is essentioal, forward thinking here will find you specific jobs that take 20 minutes 40 minutes etc. Let the glue dry while you are commuting.
Your wife will be knackered looking after a toddler so be there when needed and take over, all else will be forgiven.
This is the distilled analysis of building model boats garnered over nearly 70 years.
The best advice I can give you is if your wife wants something done, do it straight away do not put it off, I promise you this is the way to stay happy!
This may seem that you 'do as you are told', but those that do not follow this dictum are nagged! You choose.
With no nagging you will have more time.
So with a yellow boat having your daughter's name on is a very good start!
Good luck
Roy
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Hi guys, sorry for the late reply Roy it's been a manic week 🙈, yeah what I normally do is get home from work about 7pm bath little one she's in bed by 8 then I have my tea then do about an hour or so then if I feel like it, we have agreed to go for a yellow colour with white and a black under water line colour when i eventually get to that stage lol like u said it's best to keep wife happy first before working on the boat lol.
Only managed to get a little bit done this week just started a bit of detail on the roof of the cabin, the cabin roof isn't stuck down yet as I want to detail the inside still etc, had a delivery of some parts some rail parts to make grab rails 👍 Loving the build so far just wish I had more time to put in to it
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Hi DD sounds like you are well on the way. I used to love bathing my 2 when they were little, great memories. That was a while ago and now they bath themselves.
Making models is very therapeutic. however I hope all your distractions are nice ones.
Rpy
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Hi guys. Haven't updated for a while been very busy with work and spending time with family but managed to get some done. I have made some changes to the cabin. This is how it looked in first pic. I wasn't happy with it, looks a bit rough in areas but that's going to play to my advantage when weathering it. I need to fit the new port holes and I'm still awaiting parts from modelling timbers also got lot work on the hull still.
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More work done deck planking started still needs some work as in rubbing it back etc but it's coming together well, more work done on the hull to deal with few issues with it still need to get some fibre glass resin on it but others to that it's getting there put thin coat just some paint had lieing around to see some imperfections in the hull and improve them also got some protected port holes from modelling timbers to go in the lower cabin still got loads to do on the back cabin and wheel house but getting there slowly
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Hi guys still slow progress work and family life getting in the way but managed to drill the holes for the port holes just need to fit them and add the rivets hope everyone's builds are going well going to be looking at getting some paint down on cabin soon any thoughts on a scheme guys
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Hi DD, I am impressed that the ship's mascot is bigger than the ship! Lovely dog. The woodwork is coming along nicely and it seems to sand well so with some primer you should get a good finish.
Re colours, you are wise to choose your wife's colours as the main ones but if it isn't a bind, how about doing the boot topping in blue and green so having everyone's choices represented? Alternatively, have a single colour boot topping and do the toprails in the other colour. Green and blue and yellow all go together well and will be fresh looking especially with the white.
Keep up the good work :-))
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Thanks still haven't decided but I'm talking with the wife over the colour lol
Bit more detail work done on the rear of the wheel house and lower cabin 👍
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More work has been done planking for the deck and is now finished more work done on the hull and it's getting there done and bit more done on cabin still got a lot more to do
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Nice and well used looking but without being scrappy. Keep up the good work :-))
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More work on cabin done
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Bit more done ordered the primer and the base colours looking forward to getting started 👍
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More work
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The figure really compliments the way you have built her :-)) I love that wood detail.
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Thanks 👍 She's getting there slowly here's some more pics
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Still really unsure on what colour to go for with her any one have any ideas even wife doesn't no now lol
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Still really unsure on what colour to go for with her any one have any ideas even wife doesn't no now lol
I think you are doing a fine job, Good to see a photo of an RTTL...one of my favourite Launches, looks a really well built model :-))
I nearly built the Billing Cux87, chickened out because of the complicated nets! sold the kit on...
A few photo's at this link...a bit mixed up with other boats but quite a few examples in lots of different colours, don't let the wife choose...it's your build..your choice...I think %%
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=billing+boats+cux+87&client=firefox-b&dcr=0&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiom5fV_fLWAhWE1xoKHYEWC4sQsAQIJw&biw=1536&bih=725
Lets see more photo's of your work...it's going nicely :-))
JB.
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Hi all, since my previous post i have bought a Mary Ann and I am in the last stages of refurbishing her My one is ready built but probably 10+ years old. The planking is white wood not mahogany.
I have had to attend to a dozen or so splits, just visible but they need deep attention. I have been using wet and dry finishing between coats of paint, the original colour was white with a dark brown hull.
I have been using Humbrol yellow and it is very appealing, although I am thinking of a pale blue hull and Hatfords dark red for the underwater parts. My decision is in the air as well. The original model did not have the transfers but they were in the nice box of bits that came with it. I made a new rudder from brass as per the drawings and it does look nice.
I would also like some crew as well, I have some fish so that is a start.
My ebay purchase came with a slightly older version of the building jig as a boat stand and as I was proposing to build a Cux 87 and modify it to look similar to Mary Ann from the very old kit I have by me, I may make that up as well then they can go fishing in pairs.
regards Roy