Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Seaport Tugs => Topic started by: Damien on August 12, 2008, 01:32:10 pm

Title: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on August 12, 2008, 01:32:10 pm

Finally took some pic's of the rebuild so far, as stated elsewhere I decided to base the build loosely on the Queensland Tug "Lorraine" in 1/26 th.
First I raised the coaming to restrick water ingress from under the superstructure.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/b5.jpg)

With the nifty clamp extensions i made the cabin structure went together easily.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/clamp3.jpg)

The walk way behind the cabin had to be extended after i received the sailors i'd ordered from Redbank Models, extension seen in this pic.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/b5.jpg)

This was my first attempt using styrene it was a learning curve &  my junk box has lots of styrene bits in it, the next few pic's are of the cabin with bridge waiting on detail and dimensions from Brian  "chingdevil" the pic's he posted in my post requesting bridge detail pic's suit as i had decidedon a wooden ships wheel.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/b1-1.jpg)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/b2.jpg)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/b3.jpg)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/b6.jpg)

I liked the look of the stabilisers in 6705russell's thread so added similar to my tug.

 (http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/b4.jpg)

I'll continue with the bridge using Brian's pics, i'll change it if the dimensions Brian provides prove i was wrong lol

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on September 29, 2008, 10:02:36 am

Using the pic's posted by Brian, i made 4 items of furnitutre
1/ the helm & control panel .
2/ Power board/computer desk.
3/ Drawers for books charts etc (with chart on top)
4/ Storage drawers/seat (real leather seat cover)
Using PhotoBase 3, I cut & pasted parts of Brian's pic's to get control panel & Power board details & the radar ? plus depth sounder ? screens, the computer is a photo of my own, with  MS Publisher i shrank them to appropriate scale size.
Slow progress but 30 mins is all i get looking down before blurred/double vision sets in.
Here's some pic's
The 4 units
(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/b5-1.jpg)

The next few are the units in place in the yet to be painted bridge.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/b1-2.jpg)
(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/b2-1.jpg)
(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/b3-1.jpg)
(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/b4-1.jpg)

I'm still trying to work out how to glue the window glasing in, nothing i've tried will stick to the clear sheet i'm hoping to avoid messy contact glues.
I've tried Plasti-weld, CA's,  epoxy, plumbers PVC pipe glue, any clues appreciated.
Damien.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: andrewh on September 29, 2008, 10:11:18 am

RC Modelers glue - it seems to be a type of PVA that sticks well and dries clear

andrew

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: DickyD on September 29, 2008, 10:24:21 am

Modellers Craft Glue

http://www.ontracks.co.uk/index.php?page=product&prodID=18078&catID=1143

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on September 29, 2008, 12:05:22 pm

Andrew & Richard thanks for the info ontracks takes paypal so i'll order some in a couple of weeks, we are going 1200km for our sons wedding on Oct 5th leaving this thursday the 2nd, home on the 7th or 8th.
Damien.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: bigford on September 29, 2008, 07:30:43 pm

what no coffee pot :D  looking good O0

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on September 30, 2008, 12:21:54 pm

Never thought of coffee machine in the bridge. Thought the Capt'n would have a thermos with his lunch or a galley for ocean going tugs.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Weeds on October 01, 2008, 04:01:57 am

Quote from: Damien on September 30, 2008, 12:21:54 pm

Never thought of coffee machine in the bridge. Thought the Capt'n would have a thermos with his lunch or a galley for ocean going tugs.

Are you thinking about adding LED lights to you seaport tug?

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on October 01, 2008, 12:22:30 pm

Weeds, i'll definately add Led's I have several thousand 3mm Leds on hand that i sell on ebay.au, I plan on port/starboard lights deck, cabin/bridge and mast lights.
Damien

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Weeds on October 03, 2008, 04:23:09 am

Quote from: Damien on October 01, 2008, 12:22:30 pm

Weeds, i'll definately add Led's I have several thousand 3mm Leds on hand that i sell on ebay.au, I plan on port/starboard lights deck, cabin/bridge and mast lights.
Damien

Someone shared this through youtube; it's a good lights and coloring guide for the Dickie, don't you think? The port/starboard lights deck, cabin/bridge and mast lights you mentioned are all there.

(http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa36/Stevelum_2007/asdf.jpg)

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on October 08, 2008, 03:40:49 am

Weeda, sorry for the delay i've been across country to central coast NSW for my son's wedding for the past week, home now exhausted 14 hours by car.
That pic looks great will definately work on a Seaport tug, the yellow looks good i'll have to order them i don't currently stock them,
I currently stock 3mm super bright whites, red/blue flashing and red/green bi-polar for the model train enthusiasts.
Damien

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on October 19, 2008, 11:26:26 am

Two pic's of brass stanchions, railings & ladder

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/sp.jpg)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/sp2.jpg)

Next is running lights, mast lights & deck lighting.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: TugCowboy on October 19, 2008, 01:09:52 pm

She's looking good Damien! love the railings there.

Alex

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on October 20, 2008, 02:15:20 am

Thanks Alex

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on October 31, 2008, 01:41:55 am

Weeds, in your twilight pic are the light white & look orange in the pic or are the orange for night vision ?
I'm working on light fixtures with 3mm Led's and would like to get them right first time.
Another Q. What is used on floors in the bridge on modern Tug's, is it checker plate, Lino ,Timber  or what please ? At the moment i have appropriate scale timber flooring printed & cut to shape.
Look forward to any and all replies.
Damien.

Title: Lady Jo to be Deep Dive Support vessel
Post by: Damien on December 18, 2008, 12:28:09 pm

I have a notion to use my Lady Jo, Seaport as a Deep  Dive Support vessel using a crane to lift a submersible off the deck.
I got the idea while eating a small plum pudding, the plastic container looks perfect for the base section.
it is 75mm at the top and 55mm deep i have some clear acetate sheet to mould a lid with.
Pic of pudding tub. It should look great with 2 thrusters and various Air tanks grabbers etc.
 
(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/sub.jpg)


As my Seaport came as Hull and Deck only does anyone with a paypal account ( so I can pay outside Aust ) have a crane from a seaport they would like to sell me and post to Australia Pretty Please......
Or suggest where i might buy one.Damien

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: craftysod on December 18, 2008, 01:54:38 pm

With the work your putting in,the original crane would look to toyish,a proper model crane would look better.
Nice build,chucked my crane in bin sorry
Mark

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on December 19, 2008, 12:05:41 pm

Basic paint complete, Hull in Enamel, deck and superstructure in Auto Acrylic (because i had it left over from race car build), just waiting on 6mm masking tape bought on ebay to put the stripes on the living quarters.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/sp-1.jpg)

Roof & mast sitting in place.
The Bulwark locate & screw posts need reamingto remove several layers of paint to let them fit.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/sp2-1.jpg)

Also made a start on the Submersible made a GRP Plug to mould 1mm styrene & Acetate to make the 2 halves,
ready for trimming.

 (http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/sub2.jpg)

Do any of you talented folks have pic's or know of plans of ships hydraulic cranes Please?

craftysod, no probs, can't get a crane ay any shops in Aust. i'll email Float a boat but none in online cattledog.
Thanks for the comment.
I showed Jo (wife) a sample of the name decal "Lady Jo" in sweet big time she thrilled to bits.

Damien.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on December 20, 2008, 06:15:01 am

I Googled ships cranes and found telescopic boom cranes by Noreq & Jo Mac among others that look easy enough to model in 1/30 scale.
My head is swirling with ideas for the mini sub, i found my ancient heat shrink gun  (30yo) from past model glider hobby is not hot enough to soften styrene enough to mould there's a few paint strip heat guns on ebay cheap enough. but with Christmas upon us I doubt one could arrive before new year.
Problem solved my neighbour gave us a ride to the Kmart store & i got a 2000W heat gun.

After researching Kort nozzles on the net, i found the Seaport nozzle shap could be improved the leading edge being 2mm thick was shaved to an airfoil like shape with a Dremel & sanding drum, this will remove drag & improve flow characteristics into the Kort, i've done considerable work with airfoil shapes for race car & model aircraft which came in handy.
pic shows shape.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/kort.jpg)

This pic also of Kort plus the plug for thr mini-sub trimmed to size.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/kortsub.jpg)

mor pics as i start the mouldin trials soon.
Damien.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on December 20, 2008, 08:54:12 am

Looking at the typo's in the last post perhaps i should have had a rest instead of traipsing all over a large shopping centre for a heat gun, my feet & knees feel like they're on fire.
Then after dinner ran to the shed (well ok a faster than usual waddle) eager to try moulding with plug & styrene.
the pic shows a promising first try just need a few more hands  and to decure the styrene more firmly.
Method was 1/ To fix the 1mm styrene over a hole 2mm larger than the plug cut in some 5/16 plywood, 2/ Heat the styrene to a floppy jelly state. 3/ Quickly plunge the plug through styrene and hole in plywood 4/ remove plug from styrene 5/ remove styrene from plywood & 6/ admire first efforts.  7/ Tell self next one WILL BE BETTER.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/sub3.jpg)


Anyone with tips on a better way to do this please speak up, I used this method years ago for moulding aircraft canopies in acetate, first try in 30 years and first with styrene, so i'm happy with it.
Damien.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: hama on December 20, 2008, 02:17:55 pm

Know absolutely nothing about styrene moulding, just wanted to drop in and say that I think your boat looks fantastic. And that kort looks ten times better than the original, well done! As for the crane, I have one and would gladly give it to you for free if it wasn't that I live on the other side of the globe and seeing your building skills I think you will produce a much better one yourself. Good luck, and keep up the good work!
Hama.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on December 21, 2008, 12:25:00 am

hama, Thanks for the kind words I have decided on a crane to model.
This is it,  i'll use round styrene tube only because rectangle is not available, making the boom and the hydraulic ram movable.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/crane.jpg)

Damien.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: tugs46 on December 23, 2008, 03:29:41 pm

Very ingenious!!
She's going to be awesome!!

Well Done!!

...Best Wishes for the Holiday Season!!!...

...Cheers...

Mike

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Edward Pinniger on December 23, 2008, 05:09:13 pm

Great work! I really like the wheelhouse interior detailing.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on December 25, 2008, 12:12:04 pm

Thanks guys I try to be a bit different with my hobbies,
Pic,  Wheel house/cabin masked ready for stripes to be sprayed tomorrow.
Got a little heavy handed applying the masking a split one of the welded seams about 20mm long did you heare me curse at 2030hrs aussie EDT Chrissy day.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/sp3.jpg)


The blue under the masking is a 6mm plastic masking tape that i bought along with 3mm mask tape, from a motor bike shop with an ebay store. Not sheap at $23 for one of each with postage but they weren't available in Melbourne, bike shop was in QLD. Excellent product though.
 
Damien.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on December 26, 2008, 12:08:42 pm

All paint now complete,

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/sp5.jpg)
(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/sp6.jpg)

Glazing is cut, floor coverings ready for laying.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/sp7.jpg)

PC board strips  on the inside of the crew quarters for +ve and _ve conections of the Deck, Wheelhouse, Mast and rear Deck lights (Led's)
bit messy but who's gunna look at the ceiling of the crew quarters.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/sp4.jpg)

Damien

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: dougal99 on December 26, 2008, 09:19:31 pm

Quote from: Damien on December 21, 2008, 12:25:00 am

  i'll use round styrene tube only because rectangle is not available, making the boom and the hydraulic ram movable.

Damien.

See here (others sources available):

http://www.alwayshobbies.com/Store/Craft-Materials/Plastruct

HTH

doug

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on December 26, 2008, 10:41:24 pm

Thanks for the link Doug, unfortunately the site states they take all major credit cards and i don't use credit, i'll email them and ask if they'll take an international money order, they cost $10AUD though, a bit high for 2 lengths of plastruct me thinks.
Damien.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: derekwarner on December 26, 2008, 11:00:02 pm

Hi all.......Damian ..if you are in OZ [Australia].........Plasticard/Plastistrut...is available at most Hobby Shops in all States.............Derek  :-))

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on December 27, 2008, 12:17:45 am

Hi Derek, I got what i could at Hearns Hobbies in Melbourne been a customer of theirs 45yrs only had a quarter of the range in stock & said it was very slow moving  the had Plastruct & Ever green. From what i've found the rectangle sizes are not a slide fit within each other like the round section stock though.

Damien.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on December 28, 2008, 12:51:16 pm

Sometimes i surprise myself with flashes of brilliance, walking through a shopping center the answer to the clear moulding for my minisub came to me, 2 cut down plastic wine glasses. Jo my other half said buy 3 incase you stuff one lol smart Gal, first thing i did when home was to test styrene glue and plastic weld, both work fine. 

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/subnstart.jpg)

trimmed off at the 4 black marks the joined will form the basis for the sub.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/subn5.jpg)

The stern on left will be trimmed close and drilled in centre for prop shaft, I have a 30mm 3 blade prop that will do for drive prow will be trimmed longer and tapered for nose. Rudder and diving planes will be styrene sheet.
I'll alter my standing 1/25th sailor to sitting position for sub crew.

Thoughts and suggestions most welcome.
Damien.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on December 29, 2008, 11:43:56 am

Got some quality time in shed today, Dremel, flex shaft and a Diamond cutoff wheel and i went to work.
The result a capsule measuring 155mmtip to tip of prop and a Diameter of 75mm
pic 1

 (http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/subn9.jpg)

40mm 3 blade looks ok for size. I should get 2 sailors side by side inside
pic 2

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/subn8.jpg)

pic 3

Shows the off cuts of the wine glasses, seeing them i thought Wow they'd make cheap Kort nozzles for 65mm props, dimensions are Tapered inner dia 67 & 70mm max outer dia 77.6 Length 40mm. The trailing edge of the nozzle would need trimming the reduce the blunt 5mm flat edge causing turbulence and slowing water flow.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/subn10.jpg)

More pic's soon.

Damien.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on January 04, 2009, 05:17:30 am

The name decals were applied yesterday no grog in the house so i sprinkled some water on the bow.a series of picks with details added Ladder, port holes, furniture added to wheel house.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/spg.jpg)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/spf.jpg)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/spa.jpg)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/spb.jpg)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/spi.jpg)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/spc.jpg)

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on September 09, 2009, 11:20:53 am

After 6 months doing other thing i got back to the Seaport, finished the wiring of the cabin mast and deck lights.
I fitted motor, kort, ballast and tried the radio all sitting in my test tank.
I was called away and got back to it 24hrs later, there was enough water to just wet the bottom of the motor can subsequent checks found water dripping from the  prop shaft, using a tip from earlier posts i chucked the outer shaft in my cordless drill and easily removed it  from the hull.
I had a 4mm shaft and outer on hand and it was easy to shorten it and swap the bearing over, i bought a 45mm 3 blade prop on ebay for a ggod price once it arrives i'll centre the prop in the kort and bog the shaft in place and try again.

Damien.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: andygh on September 10, 2009, 08:11:07 am

This is the best conversion I've seen, I'm tempted to buy one now O0

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: hollowhornbear on September 10, 2009, 11:34:55 am

hope the mini sub won't be painted yellow, it'll look lke a manned lemon.  :} :} %% seriously though excellent idea. I like it and it has me thinking.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on October 02, 2009, 06:51:35 am

Definately not yellow  lol

The submersible need a crew and i had some 0-gauge figures, the females were some what shorter than the men who were all in overcoats, not appropriate for crew nor sightseers so with the help of my dremel some auto putty and weld it glue i did some gender re-assignment and plastic surgery to get the shapes i need in this pic. Only one on the left is the only one to remain intact arms and legs changed and chest alterations to make men.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/figures.jpg)

Damien

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: ralphhager on October 03, 2009, 08:14:20 pm

Hi Damiem:
Reply #34 by andygh I agree this is a very good build.  :-))  But what about showing us a couple of pictures of the new shaft and 45mm prop? %)

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on October 04, 2009, 05:26:28 am

Ok ralph i'll take some pic's tomorrow rather weary after 5 hours to and from the lake today.

Damien.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on October 07, 2009, 04:50:40 am

As requested Ralph 3 pic's of the new shaft and prop.

Not much to see on the inside just lots of auto body filler.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/tug.jpg)

A dremel with diamond burr easily opened up the opening to allow the larger diameter prop tube.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/tug2.jpg)

I left the motor/shaft in the same position even though the prop isn't central in the Kort nozzle as was the original but changeing would put the motor/shaft out of alignment.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/tug3.jpg)

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on October 14, 2009, 12:27:37 pm

The last few weeks i've been stewing over how to do the rudder/diving planes, numerous times to i tried to build a fin above and below the prop and gave up in frustration i had planned the dive planes horizontal to the rudder double trouble, I  gave up and thought about it for a few weeks finally decided on a kort for rudder with forward mounted dive planes, (the kort was cut from a used liquid nails cartridge) as the pic shows a good fit for a 35mm prop.
Dosen't matter whether it would work or not it is My Fantasy build. lol 
A few pic's

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/mSub.jpg)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/mSub2.jpg)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/mSub3.jpg)

The hatch will be the top 8mm of a Berocca vitamin tin, cut at the black line on the tin it's a good fit to the access hole in the top of the sub i've removed the logo of  the lid, thinking on what to use for the hatch lock screw next.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/mSub5.jpg)

Tomorrow i'll fit the instrument cluster & a joystick for sub control.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/mSub4.jpg)

Damien.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Martin (Admin) on October 14, 2009, 06:19:27 pm

Looking good!  :-))

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on October 19, 2009, 11:01:26 am

Sub progressing the Captain, passengers, dash and control joystick added two halves joined.
Braces were needed for the kort arms as one broke off, next was the hatch ring epoxied in place I found a small metal button just the right size for the hatch lock down screw handle. ? Oxygen and hydrogen bottles  were then added for the propulsion engine and air mix bottles for the folks on board to breath it is now masked ready to paint tomorrow hopefully.
4 more pic's.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/mSub7.jpg)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/mSub9.jpg)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/mSub6.jpg)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/mSub8.jpg)

Damien.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on October 24, 2009, 10:56:35 am

Almost done just 2 attachment points for attaching the crane cable to lift it on and off the deck,
3 more pic's.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/mSub10.jpg)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/mSub11.jpg)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/mSub12.jpg)

The gas bottles colour codes are
Black with white ends = Oxygen
1/2 black 1/2 red      = Hydrogen
Black with green end  = Air

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on October 31, 2009, 07:59:10 am

Work crane to lift Sub on and off deck.
1 Berocca vitamin can , 2 plastic lids, various round 1/2 round and flat styrene, and a crane is made.
First pic is parts so far.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/mSub14.jpg)

this pic is the crane so far working on motor and winch

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/mSub15.jpg)

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on November 03, 2009, 06:05:58 am

time to finalize the ballast and finish the wiring.
She's a tad top heavy and bobs around in the test tank, but stays relatively upright with a 80psi blast from my air duster at 1 metre from cabin i also tipped her over until the bullwark was under water and she popped upright ok.
2 pic's

 (http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/tug6.jpg)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/tug7.jpg)

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on November 04, 2009, 05:31:56 am

I just had to do a test float on the Sub lol

The pic is a little fuzzy but it's now screwed to the deck so another pic isn't possible.

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/mSub16.jpg)

Hmmmm seems it has a little too much positive boyancy.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on January 04, 2010, 10:04:00 am

My undersea explorer is now ready for the lake, i've taken some pic's in my darkened lounge room to show the lights, our club holds a couple of friday night sail events throughout the year but it's not safe to travel on Melbournes public transport at night so i'll stick to sundays.

 (http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/LJ.jpg)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/LJ2.jpg)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg264/GardnerDG/LJ3.jpg)

Damien.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Davenotdone on January 04, 2010, 04:31:05 pm

Hi! like the look of your conversion but please be wary of just adding a larger prop. I have recently done a conversion myself on the same tug and put in a larger shaft and prop.Off to the local lake i went and after running for approx 45mins i checked the inside for leaks etc. As soon as i removed the upper wheel house you could smell the motor and it was too hot to touch!!! Allso, you might notice on the original motor that the heat sink unfortunately covers up the motor cooling slots and the engine mount at the front has no slots in it making the motor run hot. It may be ok spinning the original prop but seems to struggle with anything bigger. I took my motor out, cut slots in both the engine mount and the heat sink. On my second run of the tug the motor still ran hot and i am now in the process of fitting a larger motor.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on January 05, 2010, 09:06:21 am

The prop should be ok it's only 3mm bigger hardly notice the difference in the kort nozzle, i've done some amps testing in the test tank and the current draw is not excessive. the only problem power wise is the flood lights on the rear deck i wired 2 sets of 2 led's in series they require 7.2v when the 9.6v battery starts to drop off these leds go out not a problen as  i'll never be night sailing.

Damien.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on March 14, 2010, 05:41:00 am

Lady Jo had her first run in our clubs lake. She was very stable even on the tightest turn there was very little lean with good scale speed.
Steering in reverse is a little tricky as is stopping forward movement but she got a lot of interest fro the general public at lakeside especially the kids who loved the sub.
I'll try to get someone to take pics or video next week.

Damien.
 

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: TugCowboy on March 24, 2010, 02:52:32 pm

Did you manage to get any pics Damien? would love to see how she looks on the water.

Alex

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on March 24, 2010, 10:58:51 pm

Unfortunately not Alex, after placing on the water 4' from the bank the motor started a glitchy stop start routine so i let her drift back on the wash from other boats.
Her first trial last week i thought she was doing the same but 50' out it's hard to tell, i suspect an antenna location problem inside the hull.
I packed herup and sat around yarning with other club members so the 5hr round trip to the lake wasn't a total waste of time.

At home with better lighting i found the antenna scrunched up underneath the  Rx/battery box  "where the water tank used to be" and close to the motor, i have now routed it above the deck I was trying to avoid this because it spoils the look of the deck.

I will try again this Sunday BOW forecast fine day of 31C  Trains will be super crowded as it's F1 GP weekend here in Melbourne.
I'll get one of the other members to drive the Lady Jo and i'll try for pic's and video myself.
Damien.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on April 25, 2010, 07:11:35 am

Finally made it to the lake this morninghad a very good 20min run was very responsive forward and  reverse however agter 20 mins it just slowed to a crawl so i'll swap the motor for a 12v hair drier motor i have 9 i'm not using yet they were a great ebay buy coincedently from a seller in the UK.
Still no pic's or video batteries went flat just as i was about to get someone to steer while i took pics.
Damien.

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Martin (Admin) on April 25, 2010, 08:12:22 am

Well done that man!    :-))

 Are you using the original motor set-up?

Title: Re: Seaport morphs to Lady Jo
Post by: Damien on April 25, 2010, 09:28:45 am

Thanks Martin, at present it's the original motor with a new 4mm shaft and a 45mm 3 blade prop the Kort inner dia was profiled to resemble a aircraft wing profile.
The hair drier motors are 12v and only draw 165mA with a 30mm prop in my Sub Chaser