Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Springer Tugs => Topic started by: barryfoote on July 17, 2008, 07:47:17 pm
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Hi Guys,
Well I have the Springer bug and have started mine off. The basic hull is made and while waiting for some wood to be delivered, I have cracked on with the superstructure. It is supposed to be off Tessa PG, my sons tanker in the Caribbean. I am not sure if she looks a bit top heavy. Any advise would be welcome. If you are interested I will post as I go along, but don't want to bore you all...For now, see the pictures below.
Barry
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If you are interested I will post as I go along, but don't want to bore you all...Barry
Post away.
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Footski,
Maybe reduce the height of the main S/S a little and the depth to make it skinnier (there's good maritime term - not). To me it looks too bulky as it is. JMO
HTH
Doug
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You could well be right Doug.....I will give it some thought overnight..
Barry
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Maybe the superstructure only two windows wide (side view) ? Shove everything back a bit too, do you need the rear box. Think as much clear deck at front as poss...and of course MILES of piping, vavles, hoses etc.
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Hi Barry if you look at Angies Monster Springer, the top is almost as high as yours and covers most of the deck, it is made from 6mm ply and the truck body is injection moulded plastic (not the light weight lexan) it looks top heavy but we have had no stability problems with the tyres on or off, just keep the weight as low as possible
Mark.
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If its any thing like mine, I had to add 2lb lead just to bring the front down, and it has made for a very stable boat-----keep buiding, it should be fine
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I have just realised one of the real beauties of these Springers.....Build as you like and if it has a problem just redo the upperworks........I think I will just carry on and se what happens......Watch this space mis amigoes...
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More... more... excellent Footski!... O0 O0 O0
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May i suggest the name 'Torrey Canyon' for your tanker Springer... {-)
Or 'Exxon Valdez' if you prefer that... {-) {-) {-)
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May i suggest the name 'Torrey Canyon' for your tanker Springer... {-)
Or 'Exxon Valdez' if you prefer that... {-) {-) {-)
I am hoping that mine will have a better history!!!!Got to be Tessa after sons vessel.
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I thought "Spanker" might be suitable name ::)
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I thought "Spanker" might be suitable name ::)
Now that one I like.....Mind you maybe not for a three year old!!!
Any way, a little more done on the superstructure.
By the way, anybody know whats up at SMG. I hve emailed an order and phoned them but can get no reply to either!!!
Barry
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Okay a little more progress has been made. The "keel" has been fitted and the hole cut ready for the prop shaft. I have included the prop which gives no ore than an idea of it's final placing. The end of the keel has been cut out ready to take the brass rudder support.
As for the superstructure, I know it seems large but it is very light and tankers do have very large superstructures. I am going to have to keep the detail to a minimum as this is being built for a young child and although it won't be child proof, it does have to as close as possible to it..It is ready for spraying white, but not quite sure what to treat it with before paint! Any ideas ?
Barry
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She is going to look impressive when finished, that is for sure.
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It is ready for spraying white, but not quite sure what to treat it with before paint! Any ideas ?
Dope
No, I'm not being facisous O0
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Or you could try thinned matt varnish
Doug
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Sanding sealer, used in model aircraft to fill grain and strengthen balsa.
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A little more done. The rudder post is in and the rudder support done. Drilled some holes in a brass block for the support and so far all is well. The only problem I have is with the prop shaft which I ordered from red Bank models and got very quickly. Excellent service.......but noone told me we had changed to metric......so I have a decimal shaft and imperial prop and never shall the two come together....
I hope to sort this little problem out shortly.
Barry
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Hi ya there Barry,
May I ask a question please? Looking at your above-photographs of the rudder and skeg; I note the skeg is of a 'sharp' construction around the propeller shaft area. Also, noted that the rudder is not of an aerofoil shape - is this just because you are still in the fitting stage? If not, may I make a suggestion; the area around where the prop shaft exits the skeg, you radius or bring to a point. Also, you may make the rudder of an aerofoil cross-section shape; this will improve her performance of steering of the model - not that it would matter much because of the actual shape of the springer hull, but, it would help stop cavitation between the propeller and the surrounding areas.
If you already knew this and were going to do it - just totally ignore this old 'b'.
aye
john e
bluebird
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Glad you chipped in Bluebird, I second the tapering of the skeg and while in that area perhaps a longer(going towards bow) brass skid to accommodate two fixing screws. A sideways knock with your single wood-screw means the rudder gets strained as the brass strip moves sideways, maybe bending rudder shaft. Pity the rudder sticks out beyond stern, again prone to knocks. Consider a sheet brass rudder with the "salmon tail" or even just a T down the trailing edge. Details are buried somewhere in the RCGroups.com Springer pages. If you don't think it looks right do a Google search on "Gurney Strip" (yes Dan Gurney racing driver and car designer). I just file out the rivets on a standard (Ripmax?) rudder and replace the blade with a 2sq" brass sheet soldered in the slot. A vast improvement on "streamlined" rudder.
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Bluebird and arrow5,
Much as I would like to say..."Of course I knew all that".....I am afraid I did not so I am very grateful for you pointing it all out to me.
I will round off the sharp edges and may cut the skeg back a little so the rudder is flush with the stern. At this stage though I will carry on with the wooden rudder, when thinned down and rounded off of course. It is designed for my grandson so will not be doing heavy work. If I have a problem I can always change it later.
Thanks guys, saved me from a serious error there.
Barry
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Gurney Strip & Rudders split off: http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=12070.0
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Sorted the prop problem out by recutting it's thread to match the shaft.
Also got the painting of the superstructure started. Following several sealing coats, I gave it 3 or 4 coats of matt white.
I have also, thanks to FLJ and that great company ACTion, got the rest of the electrics sorted. Radio, suppressors, fuses and speed controller, should all be winging their way to be before too long. Many thanks Dave (FLJ)...
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Some superstructure detail added...
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Some superstructure detail added...
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Now is it my eyes or do those windows look wobbly????They are dead straight honest.....Must be reducing the image size that has distorted the image somewhat!!!
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Now is it my eyes or do those windows look wobbly????They are dead straight honest.....Must be reducing the image size that has distorted the image somewhat!!!
I like the NO Fumar warning!! {-) {-) {-) {-) makes it worth it to look close at the things that get posted!! Nice detail
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Cheers Mo,
I have just had an email from Junior who is on Tessa at the moment to say I have one window too many.......Typical.
Barry
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B****y rivet counters >>:-(
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That's gonna look great on the water Footski!
Are you going to make a matcing barge to compliment it when not playing Springer football?
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Never thought of a barge martin and as for football well you need more than one. may have to build several so we can play football on the local swimming pools.....Could form a league with home and away..... ;D ;DOh no my imagination just ran away :-X :-X
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Right,
Got the 1st hull painting done, after removing the prop shaft and securing the rudder post in place permanently. Guess what.....I couldnt get the prop shaft back in. No room from inside the boat so after much swearing and cursing I removed the rudder post, put the shaf in and replaced the rudder, without too much damage to the paintwork.
Next for the ballast test. Most of the weight is in the battery on the starboard side, so I balanced it up with anything I could find....Result....I need about a kilo of lead to ballast it. That said, DOES SHE FLOAT ON THE RIGHT PLANE??, or is she bow light?.. ADVICE WELCOME please...
She is sinking....shouts Mrs Footski, whilst I am typing this out, so I rush into the bathroom and sure enough water is flowing in at an alarming rate......Damn, Bl$&"%y damn.....Now I will have to dry her out and cure the leak....At least I know where she is leaking from....
.....Who said this was fun??? >>:-( >>:-( >>:-( >>:-(
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She is sinking....shouts Mrs Footski, whilst I am typing this out, so I rush into the bathroom and sure enough water is flowing in at an alarming rate......Damn, Bl$&"%y damn.....Now I will have to dry her out and cure the leak....At least I know where she is leaking from....
.....Who said this was fun??? >>:-( >>:-( >>:-( >>:-(
Told you that it needed to be called the 'Torey Canyon' or 'Exxon Valdez'... {-)
Instead of the extra ballast, add another battery!... :P Its also sitting WAY high in the water.. does it sit lower with the superstructure added?
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Told you that it needed to be called the 'Torey Canyon' or 'Exxon Valdez'...
Very good........I will cure the leak though.....I hope. I think another battery and some lead shot may be the answere as it is likely to take a couple of kilos to get her much lower. The superstructure is fairly light so won't make much difference. Thanks for the advise.
Barry
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Footski, did you put the rudder-post close to the stern on purpose ? Seems to me that your rudder will stick out a bit beyond the transom. Where was the leak by the way ? Invest in another battery instead of ballast. O0
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arrow5.
Yes I did put the post close to the stern........My first Springer and a tough learning curve. Still it is to be used on its own in a lake by my young grandson, so should be okay. The leak is on the joint amidships between the bottom and sides of the hull. It needs filling and repainting I think..I must admit, I am going to call at the shop and enquire about an identiacl battery to even it up. should then require minimal ballast to bring her down to the right level......or so I hope.
Barry
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Might by wise to run a few small nails or screws round the leaking area after you`ve filled the gap, use slow curing epoxy, allow it to seep in and clamp/weight area when part cured. I`d think about a couple of full depth bulkheads with foam blocks where you can. Keep all electronics off the bilges, stick them on a shelf or velcro them half-way up the sidewalls. The wet stuff WILL get in....dont ask. Diver-arrow :(
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I have now fixed the leak, I hope, installed another battery identical to the first one and raised the important electronics from the bilges. I hope to try her on the water shortly.
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Looking good. If you moved the servo to the transom you would have a nice big area to put some polystyrene foam blocks in, say from the dark coloured strip on bottom to level with top of hull sides. Just the pessimist in me talking, sink happens :embarrassed:
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arrow5,
A good idea I think. Just got back from its first water test. Seems to be ballasted about right and manouvres well. Under throttle I can see that water will go over the top, but the leak is no more....
The second video shows her performing her first rescue of the poor old watering can that had fallen into the pool... :D
The video is very poor as it was shot on my phone, while trying to operate the radio at the same time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVuoNtZHELs
Barry
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Well with a test-tank like that I`d be happy to do the recovery of a wet Springer. Re foam see if you can squeeze some into the bow cavities , if you know what I mean
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Fallen in or did you throw it in . . . . ;) O0
Andre {-)
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Hi Barrie
She looks to her marks, and that's before you put the cabin on. Could be that you don't need the second battery. ;)
ken
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Hi Barrie
She looks to her marks, and that's before you put the cabin on. Could be that you don't need the second battery. ;)
ken
Now don't say that Ken........I could cry now.... :'( :'( :'(
No, the superstructure thingy is light so it won't make much difference.......I hope..... :-\ :-\ :-\
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Right,
She is sinking....shouts Mrs Footski, whilst I am typing this out, so I rush into the bathroom and sure enough water is flowing in at an alarming rate......Damn, Bl$&"%y damn.....Now I will have to dry her out and cure the leak....At least I know where she is leaking from....
.....Who said this was fun??? >>:-( >>:-( >>:-( >>:-(
as its a tanker, was it washing its tanks out ? ::) :D
Proteus
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Well she now has clean tanks and most of the superstructure done....Tomorrow she is going for a swim with Lady T, so should then be able to start the finishing touches like, spraying the upper works and deck, adding the crane lifeboat...oh, and the crew....
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Second water test done. She appears to run well, slight list to port, but moving reciever bateries sorted that out. Still got plenty to do but am very pleased so far. Shot a little video of the run..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdw9Nl-0S1g
Barry
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Looking great, Barry. Well done. O0 O0
ken
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Nice one Barry, actually floats right side up. ;)
When are we going to see your boats in something other than your bath. :-\
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Very nice, cant quite see the company livery on the funnel :o, Junior will be sending some stickers I hope O0 Passing thought, how about a couple of barges with stern to fit bow, like a notched barge except sideways instead of verticle. Painted to match you could have a tanker or a super- tanker as and when you chose :D
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Nice one Barry, actually floats right side up. ;)
When are we going to see your boats in something other than your bath. :-\
Maybe in September or October Richard...
arrow5,
Now that is a good idea. may have a look at that when she is finished.
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SHE?S FINISHED
Completed at last and I have really enjoyed building her and learned a lot on the little journey. Now I have to put my mind to the next project, if I can get Mrs Footski to agree the expense!!!
Bye for now fellas,
Barry
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SHE?S FINISHED
Wot?... no pictures?... :(
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Opps sorry. Forgot the piccies.....
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O0
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Excellent ! Let us see it one the water soon, calm day ???
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Barry
How thick is the wood you used for the rudder support, I see it was made in two pieces.
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Barry
How thick is the wood you used for the rudder support, I see it was made in two pieces.
Yes it was made in two pieces. each being 1/8th inch ply, joined after the rudder post was inserted between the two pieces.
Barry
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Really sooooper dooooper, Barrie.
I love the lifeboat, you must know someone on one of these to get such detail. ;) 8)
Great job
ken
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Come on Barry, where are the "working photos" and video?
Martin :-)
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Okay Martin,
Well this is the only video of her and she was not quite finished then.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdw9Nl-0S1g
I do have some photos of her on the water after completion......
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Next one has to be a Super-tanker at a whopping 24" (60cm) long same, ;) standard beam :-)) Check your email BTW.
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Next one has to be a Super-tanker at a whopping 24" (60cm) long same, ;) standard beam :-)) Check your email BTW.
Checked, but got nothing since your last!!!
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Next one has to be a Super-tanker at a whopping 24" (60cm) long same, ;) standard beam :-)) Check your email BTW.
Checked, but got nothing since your last!!!
Was that today about RTW ? Never got a reply >>(
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Found the email. It went to where it shouldn't have. Reply now sent. :-)) :-))
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Dang I just re-sent it ! (slow reader me {:-{) No reply yet, will give it 30 minutes and then PM you.