Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Model Boating => Topic started by: PRG on January 22, 2022, 06:43:33 pm

Title: Amarti Riva Aqurama
Post by: PRG on January 22, 2022, 06:43:33 pm
Here are a few photos of my finishes RIVA. I started the build in June 2021 and completed in November, if one ever finishes. It’s a great quality kit with plenty of scope to improve and customise as you build. Hope you like the photos, I have used 540 motors, so nothing flash but it still give a good show. If you have questions just ask!  I have learnt a lot!
Title: Re: Amarti Riva Aqurama
Post by: ChrisF on January 22, 2022, 10:29:15 pm
Lovely job. You've done well to build it that quickly.

Chris
Title: Re: Amarti Riva Aqurama
Post by: Backerther on January 23, 2022, 05:42:50 am
Hi PRG;


Thank you so much for sharing nice pics of your RC boating with us .!! %%
The boat itself is surely well done in a comparatively short period and her pics look also so enjoyable as to co-exist with a waterfowl in a pond ?! :-)) %% O0


Kiyo
Title: Re: Amarti Riva Aqurama
Post by: PRG on January 23, 2022, 09:34:34 am
Thankyou for the kind comments. A friendly duck pond is the closest place to sail at Tattersall Lakes otherwise a drive out to Skegness, Mablethorpe or Clethorpes that all have sailing lakes on the sea front. More photos to follow.
Title: Re: Amarti Riva Aqurama
Post by: PRG on January 23, 2022, 05:22:39 pm
So a few photos of the build……hopefully useful for reference if you are building the kit.
Title: Re: Amarti Riva Aqurama
Post by: PRG on January 23, 2022, 06:39:10 pm
So a few more of the planking, you need to take your time to get the planks to fit tight.  I finished buying more mahogany as the kit has only just enough.  I also bought mahogany veneer for the top as the material in the kit did not match for grain lines or colour. It makes a big difference, particularly for colour matching. Lots of fine rubbing down  before the application of epoxy and Yacht varnish.
Title: Re: Amarti Riva Aqurama
Post by: PRG on January 23, 2022, 06:52:14 pm
So now for the high gloss!  I took a lot of time deciding on what finish to use.  I finished up splashing out on International Schooner Yacht varnish with their dedicated thinner.  This was a revelation!  The quality of finish leaves run of the mill varnishes standing.  Well worth the expense, so 12 coats in total to get to what I was happy with, this is where waiting between coats for the finish to harden is important!
Title: Re: Amarti Riva Aqurama
Post by: PRG on January 23, 2022, 07:45:58 pm
So the varnish was left to harden for three weeks before adding the shiner stuff. This is where it’s up to you to adapt parts, as Amarti in their wisdom have replaced a number of parts with cheap plastics. The rubbing strip I made from Aluminium that had to be shaped to semicircular from the round I could buy on the Internet. There is no stern light in the kit, so I made one from plaster, although I now know you can buy a metal version from https://www.newcapmaquettes.com/Riva-Aft-Hull-Marker-Light.html (https://www.newcapmaquettes.com/Riva-Aft-Hull-Marker-Light.html).


The first outing was to get water line mark before painting.  She floated and no leaks :-))   The next outing was a month later with radio fitted and boy was it windy and choppy! As you will see we still need a driver, so my neighbour produced a Fr Christmas who has brought a few smiles to people watching.
Title: Re: Amarti Riva Aqurama
Post by: Martin (Admin) on January 24, 2022, 10:09:38 am

Masterpiece PRG !    :-))
Title: Re: Amarti Riva Aqurama
Post by: PRG on January 28, 2022, 03:55:22 pm
Well today was the first outing running with two batteries in series, 14volts and two MFA 540 motors ….. yes that’s right not brushless.  What a difference to how she sails, there is plenty of umph! The bow now lifts out of the water and even with quite a lot of rough watershe lifts and goes. A very respectable bow wave without swamping the boat.  Photos to follow
Title: Re: Amarti Riva Aqurama
Post by: SteamboatPhil on January 28, 2022, 06:14:09 pm
That is an excellent piece of work  :-))
Title: Re: Amarti Riva Aqurama
Post by: PRG on January 28, 2022, 07:59:26 pm
Thankyou to all who have made comments. :}
Title: Re: Amarti Riva Aqurama
Post by: Backerther on January 29, 2022, 06:05:12 am
Hi PRG;


What part of the boat do you get the cooling water out?
It seems to me it's at transom,but other two holes around the front..?


Kiyo
Title: Re: Amarti Riva Aqurama
Post by: PRG on January 29, 2022, 08:27:17 am
Holes on transom for cooling (painted red).  Holes at front for lights.


Paul
Title: Re: Amarti Riva Aqurama
Post by: DJW on February 15, 2022, 09:26:08 am
Morning Paul


Just came across this thread with your build pics, great to see..!  And interesting re the schooner varnish, looks very good, everyone seems to take a different approach to the varnish finish for these Rivas.  I'm not 100% happy with mine, not sure what I'll do next time around.


Best regards
David.
Title: Re: Amarti Riva Aqurama
Post by: Stuw on March 24, 2022, 08:40:17 am
Just seen this thread. Wow. A great and speedy job you’ve done!
Title: Re: Amarti Riva Aqurama
Post by: PRG on March 24, 2022, 11:48:47 am
Thankyou Stu I need to upload more photos of the boat on the water.  I have added another Tornado 5000 battery so now the motors are running on just over 15volt so now it lifts out of the water with speed and a big bow wave.  The only downside is that on rougher water the inside gets spray water. :(( . Lessons learnt so far, make sure to resin everything inside the hull, I originally used varnish, but have now sealed everything inside with resin.  The greater speed now means the water pickups to cool the engine now work, so water comes out of the exhausts when she is moving.
Title: Re: Amarti Riva Aqurama
Post by: Backerther on March 24, 2022, 02:04:07 pm
Hi Paul;


I look forward to your pics to be uploaded.!! :-))
Especially sailing scenes on the rough water like the followings.!
Getting spray /splash water sufficiently all around the hull.!! {-) %%


Kiyo
Title: Re: Amarti Riva Aqurama
Post by: PRG on March 24, 2022, 03:25:20 pm
Great photos - send for the Lifeboat  :-))
Title: Re: Amarti Riva Aqurama
Post by: PRG on March 26, 2022, 03:38:45 pm
So here are a few update photos. Had to go into dry dock this week due to water damage on the stern and also the supplied pinstripe in the kit coming unstuck. Both quite annoying having being so careful in the build.  So finished up removing the pinstripe and rubbing the white paint back.  A total re-spray and this time I have painted the pinstripe.  The commercial 3M blue tape 6mm is worth every penny when masking up, it gives a very sharp line.


Hopefully back on the water next week. :-))  I have also sourced a figure to steer, so fingers crossed that when he arrives he is ok. Didn’t realise how difficult it is to source a scale figure.
Title: Re: Amarti Riva Aqurama
Post by: PRG on March 28, 2022, 05:26:41 pm
We have a driver, quite pleased with this purchase off eBay. Just about the right scale, it’s a WWF action figure by Mattel. He seems happy with his new boat.  So a kids wrestling figure but for £10 not bad.  I have now ordered a lady to accompany him.
Title: Re: Amarti Riva Aqurama
Post by: PRG on March 30, 2022, 05:30:39 pm
And now we have a lady so he not on his own! She came with blond hair and odd makeup so a play with acrylic paint for a start on the face. I think once I am happy with the pose there will be some modelling to loose the joints. She originated off eBay for £8. WWF Action Figure.
Title: Re: Amarti Riva Aqurama
Post by: DJW on April 06, 2022, 05:24:08 pm
Hi Paul


Good job with the pinstripe. I also used same 3M tape after recommendation here on the forum, excellent stuff.


And the figures look great..! Scale looks pretty good to me. Makes the boat come to life I think.


Will you be going to the Wicksteed event in May with your Riva..?


Best regards
David.
Title: Re: Amarti Riva Aqurama
Post by: PRG on April 06, 2022, 06:05:50 pm
Hi David


Off into Europe in May so not at Wicksteed. 


Awaiting for the wind to drop in order to go out and sail with the new figures.  The lady has had some surgery with P38 so her joints are no longer showing!  The figures definitely change the look of the boat on the water….photos to follow.