Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Yachts and Sail => Topic started by: tigertiger on February 09, 2007, 02:49:13 pm

Title: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on February 09, 2007, 02:49:13 pm
I am putting together a kit Mary J Ward.

This is how it should look when finished, but I am being a little different
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on February 09, 2007, 03:03:29 pm
The sail plan will be a bit different with topsails and an extended bowsprit with a second headsail.
(http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t244/schooner_photos/PICT0129.jpg)


I have also re-enforced the keel trunk. The kit instructions say use CA glue, but I am a bit dubious and have beefed it up with a good layer of epoxy
(http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t244/schooner_photos/PICT0110.jpg)

I have also decided to plank the deck. I did this with 2mm balsa and used darning wool to simulate caulking.
(http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t244/schooner_photos/PICT0156.jpg)

My first attempt caused the original deck to warp. So I subsitiuted the ply with door veneer. This was thiicker and I had to soak it and bend it over a former (after planking) and to hold it on for gluing I resoted to using small screws as clothes pegs did not do it.
(http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t244/schooner_photos/PICT0218.jpg)
(http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t244/schooner_photos/PICT0215.jpg)

I have also added a rubbing strip. To do this I needed to add additional pieces of wood beneath the sheer strips, inboard, so that I can add a a chainplate for deadeyes on the outside.
(http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t244/schooner_photos/PICT0111.jpg)
(http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t244/schooner_photos/PICT0151.jpg)
(http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t244/schooner_photos/PICT0149.jpg)
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: MCR on February 09, 2007, 04:45:57 pm
Does the model have a false keel,if it does it seems that the keel box is below the water line.
Nice looking model
Mark
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on February 10, 2007, 01:27:45 am
Does the model have a false keel,if it does it seems that the keel box is below the water line.

You are right it does have a false ballast keel and the keel box is below the waterline. This allows the radio tray to fit in.

However I have been out on the pond and it doesn't leak.
There is a bolt at the end of the false keel, a rubber washer and a wingnut.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: MCR on February 11, 2007, 05:25:03 pm
You may find that given time water will find its way up the thread of the studding into the hull, some form of grease will hold back the water for a while.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on February 12, 2007, 01:16:30 am
You may find that given time water will find its way up the thread of the studding into the hull, some form of grease will hold back the water for a while.


Thanks for the tip. Vaseline probably.

I expect some water, which is why the 'toolbox bilge pump' thread was so interesting for me.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: Roger in France on February 12, 2007, 06:36:05 am
Vaseline is water soluble, over time. Silicone grease is better.

Roger in France.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: Doc on February 19, 2007, 08:49:31 am
tigertiger,
I've been the screw tight keel route with another of their boats.  The wing-nut had to be very tight to keep (most of) the water out.  Setting the bolt in the keel very well is a must.  I didn't try adding to the seal with grease, wish I had.  Did try stuffing the keel box with several different things so that the 'squeeze' would be more water tight.  Good results?  It didn't sink, but I'm afraid that's about all I can say for it.  The CA did work well... till I decided that getting the wing-nut tighter was the only thing to do.  @#$... epoxy wouldn't have done any better, all things considered (as in how tight I thought things should be) uh, wouldn't advise that, the -very- tight thingy.  Don't you just love learning by making mistakes (Yeah!  As long as they are someone else's!)?
 - 'Doc
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on February 19, 2007, 11:02:23 am
Hi Doc

I am also looking at ways of making her unsinkable.

I was at a public lake and some dumb F**%^% in a pay by the hour boat just ran over my Victoria.
This is China and this sort of behaviour can be expected by adults who have the attitude that if it ain't theirs it don't matter.
She went right under but I have a reasonable seal.

She only took on about a litre of water and I was able to point her in the right direction before the electrics gave out.

However the MJW would flood in seconds. In need enough buoyancy to stop the keel bulb (5lb) taking her down. Then at least I can attempt a rescue.
But I also need to run lines for the sails below the deck.

TT
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: Doc on February 19, 2007, 11:15:08 pm
'TT',
One solution would be to fill the hull with foam.  Not the 'squirt' in kind, but the 'cut it out' kind.  In layers.  If the lines under the deck can be put all on one 'plane', just cut out parts of that 'layer' to make room.  Same for all the other stuff in the hull.  Sound like a whole new building project??  Yeah, but it won't be me doing the work, so it ought'a be very easy!  ;)
 - 'Doc
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: MCR on February 19, 2007, 11:57:25 pm
I think you might find that the foam you can place in the hull will not match the 5
lbs of lead in the keel just a thought.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on February 20, 2007, 07:49:01 am
I think you might find that the foam you can place in the hull will not match the 5
lbs of lead in the keel just a thought.

I think you are correct.
There is not a lot of room as I have four sheets running from stem to stern almost. And they dont run ina straight line.
So not a lot of room for foam.

But any increase in boayancy will assist recovery.

I think I will have to resort to plan B. A floating hatch and 10m of line tied to the insde of the hull somewhere.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: Doc on February 20, 2007, 08:05:11 am
Second suggestion.
Make the sails out of thin sheet of foam?

Oh well, it'd sink up right anyway.

 - 'Doc
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: dougal99 on February 20, 2007, 11:37:12 am
Surely the aim of putting foam (or whatever) into the hull is to fill the space therein and thus deny access to water. This will maintain the buoyancy of the hull and thus prevent (reduce the possibility of) a sinking. Therefore, if your hull floats with a heavy lead keel, if you can 'fill' the hull with foam to keep water out it should still float in any circumstance.

JMO

Doug
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on March 22, 2007, 05:48:10 am
I decided to modify the headsails.

I used the old jib as a guide and cut a smaller jib from dacron I purchased from Sailsetc.

I cut a flying headsail, the trailing edge of the sail as a curve to allow an overlap that would not interfere with sail movement.
I used a kebab skewer to act as a boom at the foot of the sail.
Also used the 'bolt rope' from Sailsetc, with rope removed as a sleeve for the kebab sick.

Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on March 22, 2007, 09:29:40 am
The routing of the sheets needed a little thought so that the Flying headsail will not interfere with the jib.

They eventually go through the deck close to each other. The original sheet feedthrogh (painted black) is place aft  of the new one (white) The new one is longer so the lines should not rub.

The sail arm has also been moded. there is another hole in it about half way along, as the headsail sheet only needs half the travel.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on March 22, 2007, 09:56:26 am
I didn't like the original portholes. These were just a brass ring (see pic) and you are supposed to paint black behind them.
I replaced with some from the modeldockyard.

I want to add interior light so i needed to cut down the inner cabin supports, I added plastic sheet to reduce any water ingress.

I also beefed up the cabin inner by putting blocks in the corner, thi is not in the origianl plan.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on March 22, 2007, 10:03:49 am
I added a foghorn and a chart to the chart table.
The chart was printed onto some of the decal paper Mentioned on this site. Then layer of plasticote.

The LED on the chart table will be dressed up with epoxy putty to look like a storm lantern.

The decal p[aper worked well on a white background, but not so good on a dark background.
She has had a name change but this is in gold, and it does not show up so well as you think.

But she is now starting to look a bit more like a boat.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: MCR on March 23, 2007, 04:12:31 pm
Looks great well done! How long till she is on the water?
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on March 25, 2007, 08:53:15 am
Looks great well done! How long till she is on the water?

Thanks MCR, kind words.

It will be about a month before I get her on the water as I am waiting for bits from UK. And I am taking my time.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on April 01, 2007, 09:42:49 am
New hatches

I didn't like the recomended hatch set up so I thought I would gve them a tarp cover.

Step 1
I covered the hathes in cling film to prevent tarp sticking to the hatch when varnished, and then covered them with bits of old trouser cut offs. These were summer cotton lightweight trs. I pinned down with thumb tacks.

Step 2
I varnished cotton and then primed and then painted with acrylic and then plasticote.

I used map pins in the corners as they have a long head and the item can stand off the table when driying.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on April 01, 2007, 09:56:35 am
Step 3
Drill holes for small round nails. These will be used to tie down the tarp.

Step 4
Round nails inserted.

Step 5, 6, 7.
prime, paint hatches white, when dry paint nails brown.
Trim tarp with scissors. Puch holes in tarp with bradawl.
Thread line through holes and around pins. I used 50lb braided fishing line as it looks like small line and will be different from all the brown dacron lines I have elsewhere.
When tied down glue with CA. CA down sides of tarp and glue where line goes around nail.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on April 01, 2007, 10:09:02 am
Hatch covers in situ
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: romainpek on April 04, 2007, 09:00:07 am
Hi Tiger

as you know, I'm building the same kit and in similar conditions (I'm in Beijing while you're in Shanghai). Only I just started assembly last week... for the wood keel that is to be glued to the plastic keel, were they a good fit on your hull without modifying parts ?

My plastic hull keel is concave (higher in the center than front and back) while the wood keel is straight. Did you rasp the wood keel front and back ? add a wood shim in the center portion ? or did you force down the plastic keel straight down while gluing the wooden one below ?

The instructions do not mention any needed sanding or forcing...

(I posted the same question on the MJW yahoo board)
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on April 04, 2007, 12:14:29 pm
Hi Romain.

I just applied the CA Gel and pushed the hull down to meet the keel. This may need clamping. I also pushed the keel thwarts down slightly, so as they tried to pull back the added a bit of tension.

It might be worth remembering that the keel is decorative and not structural, so a small gap will not affect performance.

And if you are going to stain the keel, do it before gluing.

TT
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: romainpek on April 04, 2007, 03:25:08 pm
Thanks Tiger !

Staining has started yesterday already (wild cherry tree color). I will later try to glue this straight wooden keel on the curved plastic one...

Did you try to fit the cutwater at the same time or later as in the instruction ?
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on April 04, 2007, 03:45:01 pm
I fixed the cuttwater after painting the hull. I prefered this to masking.

I just scratched paint through to hull to allow it to take.

Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: romainpek on April 10, 2007, 07:43:11 am
Hi Tiger,

I followed your advice. I'm finishing the hull paint before gluing any wood piece to it.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on April 11, 2007, 02:43:38 am
You might need to fix the keel and keel trunk before painting.
I would also suggest you fix the siderails and deck before painting. CA and painted surfaces don't mix to well. As the CA will haze or melt the paint. When fitting the afforementioned I used a lot of CA.

Also everything will tend to take knocks in construction.


But because of the cutwater showing above the waterline I affixed this last. And the cut water needed less CA, and it was Gel so did not run.

Sorry if I caused any confusion before.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: romainpek on April 11, 2007, 09:42:40 am
 :'(

well, we'll see what'll happen...It's all painted now...
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on April 11, 2007, 11:15:35 am
:'(

well, we'll see what'll happen...It's all painted now...


It should be OK anyway.
Remember to scrape the a bit of the paint off the hull where you apply the glue. That way you will be gluing direct to the hull and not just the paint. Much stronger.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: herrmill on April 22, 2007, 02:21:53 pm
Tiger,

So when is the christening / maiden voyage party for Mary Jayne scheduled?   ;)

Its been a few weeks since we last had the chance to sail.  Let me know if you'll around any of the upcoming May holiday.  My PT boat is finally on the water so I'll be able to offer some protection against the drunken holiday boaters out at Century Park.  Give me another month & I'll bring out the whole damn IJN fleet, but then ALL the locals will think its an honor to run me down with a paddleboat!  >:(

Regards,

Chuck
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on April 22, 2007, 04:32:41 pm
Hi Hermil

Just ordered some deadeyes and a couple of bits to finish her off (from UK). So should be on the water over spring break.
I have been working for the last two weekends on URGENT projects.

I just finsihed one (11pm Sunday) to find an email was sent at 9.40 tonight postponing till June. Not happy.
I should keel haul 'em. Arrr Jim Laaadd

So I will take a few days of to work on the old schooner.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: herrmill on April 23, 2007, 12:40:49 am
She is looking very nice!   

I'll be out for a few days over the holiday between 5/3-5, but other than that will be here praying for nice weather & a steady breeze. 

Call me when you want to get wet again. 

Chuck
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: romainpek on April 23, 2007, 01:55:14 pm
Nice to see other "chinese" are doing RC boats !

Tiger, I need your help... again... I'm at step 16 (out of 98) and this is a crucial moment as I must saw my outer wooden keel to free the access to the slot in the hull for the sailing keel.

The instructions + the graph show that I must count 11 1/2 " from the aft end of the keel piece to do the rear cut... but that would be about 1" inside the slot !

I measured 4 times already, no way I could do a mistake. Did you have the same surprise ? did you cut at 10 1/2 instead of 11 1/2" ?

(these imperial units are so *#^#!@... charming...)
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on April 24, 2007, 03:53:47 am
It was spot on for me.  8)

Have you allowed for the Sternpost?  ???

Imperial measures.
Ironic, the first nation to break the Chains of Empire seems to be the last hanging on grimly to its measurements.   ;)

I think even Canada is metric. I was there in the early 80s and road speeds were in kph

People often forget that metric isn't an EU thing, it is global.  ::)
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: romainpek on April 24, 2007, 04:21:09 am
I will take pictures to show you later on tonight but I do really think that the slot is not where it should be...

As a proof, I glued my main mast foot holder according to the measurements of the instructions without thinking about the slot. It is located so close to the slot that I could not glue the fin trunk holder properly over the slot...

Basically, I have 2 choices :
-Either I use the actual slot and i must cut the keel according to its position, shorten the fin trunk so that it fits correctly, modify the radio holder so that the hole is really above the fin nut and I'll end up with a MJW with a fin more aft than designed...
-or I cut the keel according to instructions, find a way to fill the slot at the back and extend it at the front. No more modifs needed.

I think solution 2 is safer... I wrote to Victor Models yesterday but that's the 3rd mail that goes unanswered (the first 2 for missing parts  :( )
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on April 24, 2007, 05:02:41 am
Please stop. It sounds like you are compounding errors.
Don't panic, as CA glue can be broken.

It sounds like you have something wrong with your ruler, or if you are converting to metric your formula is out.
It seems like somethings are one inch out.

All the measurements on the plan worked for me. But not always first time.

You can see from the plan where the foot for the main mast should be. Roughly mark this out with a pencil.
Then measure from where it should be to the stern (on the boat not from the plan).
Compare this measurement with that on the plan. Sometimes if I do this and/or compare the difference a penny will drop.

Did you measure the mast footings and compare with the beams first? These could be out.

I found the measurements on the plan a bit odd, but if I dry assembled 3 or 4 times first (then slept on it) the measurements made sense.

You may have to break off a few bits and re-glue.
Worst case the beams are out. But they can be re-glued onto a bigger gusset and some filler added.

If you are using a steel tape, then also go out and buy a steel rule (or two). B&Q do a nice range and one of the 24" rullers has a good conversion table on the back, usefull for choosing drill bits.

BTW the drill bit sizes quoted are not critical. Just go for nearest metric.

So again, go back to the drawings, and try to see where the original error lies.

Good Luck.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: romainpek on April 24, 2007, 07:27:22 am
I'll take pictures and you'll tell me what I did wrong.

I don't need to do conversions because I have a steel ruler which is both metric and imperial. Also the masts seemed to look and rake fine when inserted in their beams and footings.

The footings position is measured from the inside of the hull. The keel cutting position is measured from the outside of the keel. Both these measurements matched each other and indicated that the slot is one inch more aft than it should be...
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on April 25, 2007, 02:39:59 am
I am looking at your pictures and scratching my head
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on May 03, 2007, 12:19:27 pm
I decided to update her to the early 20th century and decided she would have some lighting.

I went for a series circuit as this means only one strand of wire to hide.
I also mixed 2v and 3v LEDs with no problems.

First pic is the 24v board, very ruff, using two 12v doorbell batteries.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on May 03, 2007, 12:29:41 pm
I apoloogise for only posting one or two pics each time. I have bandwidth problems. so posting is a pig.


There are two circuits.
One running up one mast, across the triasic stay, down the fore mast, and into and around the cabin.
No pics

The second exits at the transom for the stern light and then runs under the handrail down the port side to the stem and returns on the starboard.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on May 03, 2007, 12:34:49 pm
Fixing the wire under the handrails required the use of CA gel and tacking with electrical insulating tape.

An extra piece of wood was put inboard of the handrails. This was drilled to feed up wires for Navigation lights. It will also be used for belay pins.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on May 03, 2007, 12:37:26 pm
The bowsprit was also shaved a bit to allow the passage of wires for the anchor light.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on May 03, 2007, 12:45:10 pm
I decided I did not want to permanently solder inthe LEDs.
The black plastic strip was cut down to size for all fittings of LED.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on May 03, 2007, 12:58:17 pm
1.5mm holes were drilled into the cabin roof for deck lights (in know this is not to scale for a 19th century fishing schooner, but I 20th centurified it)

The nav lights are supported by the sticks you get in Starbucks to stir coffee. Glued back to back for a double thickness.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on May 03, 2007, 01:04:46 pm
One last snag, literally.

The main sheet was catching on the stern lantern.

Fix was a piece of bent brass rod. (must get round to painting these)
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on May 03, 2007, 01:14:00 pm
Trailboards were traced and then carved with a modelling knife, No. 11 scalpel blade.

I was really not looking forward to this but it really was easy.

The wood was then treated with brown shoe polish to bring out the carving.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on May 03, 2007, 01:17:39 pm
The paint on the hull was scratched back, to ensure the glue held, before the noble woods and trail boards were fixed.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on May 04, 2007, 09:43:35 am
Last few jobs now.

Firstly the waterline.
I ordered white trimline for this job. It went on really easy and goes around awkward curves nicely.

The catalogue said 1m length, so I bought two. However I find it is 2.5 m long.
Also, having not seen it, I did not know that there are 7 stripes of varying thickness. So I have enough to do several, nay many, boats now.

After this all was liberally covered with plasticote.

Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on May 04, 2007, 09:54:31 am
Final rigging.

I see now that the deadeys are too high for scale (about 6-8 feet), but the deadeys are a big improvement on the blocks suppled with the kit. And the original plans show  a screw eye insterted into the handrail. It would work OK but I did not lke the look of that.

The line going throught the deadeys is the braided fishing line again.

A brass rod is used to attach the bottom deadeyes, this will allow them to be unfastened to break down the boat for tranportation.

The surplus line was wrapped around a plastic clothes peg and inrpegnated with CA. The coils then bent nicely over the belay pin made from bamboo toothpicks.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on May 04, 2007, 10:01:50 am
Finished, except for some detailing and adding accessories.


Pics
With and without lights.

The lights are two stage. Stage 1 is nav only Stage two is the christmas tree.
They look bright but that is the camera over compensating, the room was actually completely dark. In the pic it looks lighter.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on May 04, 2007, 10:21:52 am
Maiden voyage.

She sailed quit well.
Very little wind to judger her really, but when there was a bit of a breeze she flew.

I made some big changes to the sail plan, some suggested I was mad to do this. I added topsails, cut down the jib and added another headsail.
However, the handling was fine.
The no sail zone is less than 80 degrees, she runs well, I even had her wing on wing on wing (main, fore, and jib).
The stern is a little low in the water which helps when the wind is from directly behind.

She has a tendancy to crab when going very slowly, but when going at a higher rate of knots she turns well.

The only adjustment needed was the rudder was not completley in line.

Compared to my Victoria she is bloody heavy, and my arms got tired carrying her to the pond (150m approx).

Now I am waiting for a breeze again for the night sail.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on May 04, 2007, 10:28:42 am
more pics of maiden voyage.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: Welsh_Druid on May 04, 2007, 12:18:29 pm
Tiger

That is absolutely superb.  Well done.

How do the Chinese react to the Union Flag ? :)

Don B.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: JayDee on May 04, 2007, 12:27:50 pm
Hello Tiger,
That is a very fine boat, bet you are really pleased with it.
A Maiden Voyage and sailing very well, AND you have photos of the Event !!.
Flying the Flag too, well done !!.
John.  :D  :D  :D  :D
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: herrmill on May 04, 2007, 03:23:45 pm
Mark,

She looks lovely under sail under the Union Jack!  Congratulations on the launching.  Depending on the weather, I'll try to make it out tomorrow.

Chuck
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: herrmill on May 04, 2007, 03:25:48 pm
Tiger

That is absolutely superb.  Well done.

How do the Chinese react to the Union Flag ? :)

Don B.

Could be worse... wait until I launch Yamato later this spring with a big rising sun flying off the halyard!   ;D

Chuck
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: bigH on May 04, 2007, 04:35:23 pm
   Yeah Tiger, only the other day you were moaning that your boats never looked as good as others on this site???
    Tell you what!  we will all stop building boats and just admire yours.   Well done Tiger it is a beaut:  big H
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on May 05, 2007, 03:23:00 am
Kind words guys, thanks to all of you.

As for the flag, no problem. The Chinese love flags, and they like all things western. As Hermill points out the only flag they would have a real problem with is the 'rising sun'.

In fact one young boy was running along the bridge excitedly shouting 'Ying-guo chuan, Ying-guo chuan.' (British boat, British boat).

And yes I am please with her, I realise that the main difference is in the detailing. A basic model can be greatly improved with a few well place additions.

Now I must decide on my next project, scale sail again.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: herrmill on May 05, 2007, 09:04:15 am
Here you go Tiger!

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=520465

I'll even assist by starting up a fund & chipping in first 100 quai towards your new purchase! 

Chuck

Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: MCR on May 05, 2007, 09:41:14 am
Great looking boat nice to watch the progress, these building threads are always my first port of call when I log on.
Talking of square riggers I have now completed the masts for my 3rd rater. These are being painted much to the disgust my my wife who thinks that I have covered up all the lovely wood!
I will try to post some photos.
Mark
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: MikeK on May 05, 2007, 09:41:30 am
Lovely boat TT, a credit to you. Look forward to the next build.
With regards to the reaction to the Union Flag, you could try flying the St Andrews Cross at the mast head and see if there is any reaction to that. (That was/is the house flag of messrs Jardine & Matheson who had a bit of influence in the area mostly not good !!  ::) ::)
best regards
MikeK
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on May 05, 2007, 01:04:17 pm
Here you go Tiger!

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=520465

I'll even assist by starting up a fund & chipping in first 100 quai towards your new purchase! 

Chuck



Thanks Chuck. 8)
With the first 100 covered I only need to find another 34,900  ::)
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: romainpek on May 06, 2007, 01:02:11 am
Great pictures of your schooner ! I appreciate a lot. (alas I also realize all the work I still have to do on mine...)
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on June 09, 2007, 08:43:11 am
Now she has some crew and some gear.

I guess she is 90% finished (are they ever finished?).

I can get on with my next project now. My first scratch build.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: roycv on June 09, 2007, 02:44:22 pm
Hi TT, congratulations an a nice build and it has been a pleasure to share the experience.
Have you decided on your next boat yet?  Scratch building is great, I was just wondering about possible supply problems of wood(?) whatever, where you are.
regards Roy
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: chromedome on June 09, 2007, 06:57:41 pm
great to have followed this thread :)

chromedome
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on June 10, 2007, 02:51:52 am
Thanks guys, kind words.

For my next builds.
1/ Shuai Arab Dhow (plan MM2097), if anybody has the Marine Modelling article (Apr/May 1987) for this I would be grateful.

2/ Valerie Anne sprit sail barge (plan MAR 2971). There is no magazine article listed, but if anyone knows of any on-line articles or build logs for this, please let me know.

3/ A French Cutter these plans were given to me by a very kind gent in Australia (thanks John I will reciprocate when I can). The plans are all in French and I think I need to build something else first, to develop some hull building skills that will do the cutter justice.

I will build the hulls for at least two of these projects first, to take advantage of the hot weather here. Best for epoxy. I may also try variants of both plank on frame and bread and butter for the barge in the future.

Timber is an issue Roycv.
I can get balsa here in China and will try 5mm balsa plank and lots of epoxy, I don't know how far I can scale this up for strength.

Other timbers are an issue.
I have a very kind offer of other timbers from one of the members here (thanks S). Which I will use when I need some specialist timbers.

I am trying to find something like a proxxon table saw here in China, but as yet I have been unable to find one. I have a friend who goes back to the US but they are on 110v. So by the time I have bought a step down box (240-110v) I am out of pocket.

But building and modifying the MJW has shown me that it is not rocket science. And I cannot worry about scale modelling. Semi-scale is close enough.


TT
All at sea in China
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: romainpek on June 11, 2007, 05:56:45 am
Hi Tiger,

If you need help on the French, just tell me.

(Nice crew ! are they 1/15 ? Where did you find them ?)
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: bigH on June 11, 2007, 10:34:26 am
 :o  Once again Tiger you have outdone yourself, what a beautiful looking boat.     The small points you made about the blocks etc can, and I am sure you will, easily be altered.     Keep up the good work, I know that I will look forward to your next build........   bigH
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: MikeK on June 11, 2007, 12:34:18 pm
Just a thought re saws etc. Is it worth looking at E-Bay for Hong Kong suppliers, or don't they deal inland ?

MikeK
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on June 11, 2007, 01:21:26 pm


(Nice crew ! are they 1/15 ? Where did you find them ?)

Hi Romain
They are on the painting fugures thread.
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3454.0

They are 1/16 WW2 German troops, slightly modified.
Dragon do a range of 1/16 figures and they are not expensive. I bought them in a model shop in Shanghai so I am sure they will be in Beijing.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on June 11, 2007, 01:24:43 pm
Just a thought re saws etc. Is it worth looking at E-Bay for Hong Kong suppliers, or don't they deal inland ?

MikeK

thanks for the idea
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on March 19, 2008, 01:24:26 pm
Well she has been out regularly for about 9 months now and I want to take her out on other waters, instead of just the little pond on the development.

So she needs to be made more portable. I don't have a van, or my own car in China, so I have to use taxis. This necessitates some small modifications.

I endeavor to make her break down quickly and go into a travel case. This travel case will also be useful when I move house in a couple of months.

With these modifications the aim is 100% focused on ease of transportation. I am not very worried about scale appearance, and once she is 10 meters out, it will be hard to tell any difference.

Job one
RE do the shrouds.
They are made of 60 Kg BS Dacron cord, dyed with black shoe cream. In the picture the diagonal cord is one of the old ones. Thsi has been out in rain and summer sun (UV attack) and it has hardleu faded.

The deadeyes are re whipped with the new shroud. This give me the chance to make good my previous erro of too big a gap between deadeyes.
I found locking forceps really helpful here, saved me from sticking my fingers togerther when using liberal amounts of CA (super)glue. Of course in a well ventilated area (ho humm  ::)  )
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on March 19, 2008, 01:30:01 pm
The shrouds ahve been designed as Quick release.

Below the deadeye an open hook has been formed out of brass wire. I admit this is not well crafted, but my aim is ease of assembly/disassembly.

At the top a hook and bowsie have been used. The bowsie will give fast adjustment. The bowsie was made out of a smal stip of hardwood, drilled with 2mm holes.
The hooks and Dacron from SailsEtc
Hardwood, I had a hardwood floor installed last year, and I have half a pack left over. So perhaps if you see a neighbour is having a florr, grab some off cuts from the floor fitter. Or dive into the skip at your DIY centre.

The tool use to hold the bowsies for sanding a rounded edge is a ring clamp. Ringclamp from Squires catalogue.

On the mast the bowsies are 'out of place', but I am not looking for a scale finish.

The hooks fit nicley into the brass split pins at the mast head. Split pins that came with the kit.

In the past I had coils of rope running off the deadeyes onto belay pins. Now they have been cut off, so as not to foul when de-rigging. But I have glued them in place as a small detail.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on March 19, 2008, 01:47:18 pm
The next thing was to change the Nav lights.

In the first pic you can see that in the past the Nav lights were mounted on a wooden strut. However this would soon get bashed off in transit.

I still want the option of lights, so I did not want to cut them off. I used some thin copper plate to make clips so they can be attached to shrouds. The copper has since been painted white.

Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on March 19, 2008, 01:55:29 pm
Next I figured it is about time I fixed the crew.

I drilled a small hole into the foot, and inserted a brass wire and fixed with CA glue.

I then drilled a hole slightly smaller than the brass rod in the deck. The hole is located through a deck beam for added purchase. The hole was the widened slightly to get a snug fit. This widening was achieved using a watchmakers broach (like tiny needle files).

The hole was marked with a black marker pen so I can see it easily. Using a small bore hole I have no worry about water ingress.

The figure is not fixed, so it can be easily removed for transport. Also I can use these figures on other models of the same scale.

A small piece of the Dacron is used to drape through his hands.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on March 19, 2008, 02:00:24 pm
I have also changed the flags. To be more in keeping with a boat whose homeport is in Aberconwy.

Also as a tribute to the Mayhemers in Llanberis who made me welcome.
Thanks to Stavros and The Welsh Druid.

And some other pics on the water.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on March 19, 2008, 02:02:53 pm
It got so blowey my nav light fell off.

Soon adjusted.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on March 19, 2008, 02:06:55 pm
Next step, I build the travel case. :P
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: andrewh on March 19, 2008, 02:11:52 pm
TT,#

Beautiful, and practical too.

Love the last picture  - worth it all for that!

Are the flags flown in a seamanlike manner?  I don't know the etiquette involved - I seem to rememberr that schooners have flag halliards  to the main gaff peak (similar to vangs, but run to the taffrail).  Do you fly the PRC flag as a courtesy flag when moored?

andrew
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on March 19, 2008, 02:21:36 pm
I know nothing of seamanlike manners. I also buy cheap flags. The Union flag is off a desk stand, and the Welsh flag was from a gift shop and cost me a whopping 50p. Unlike some smaller offering I have seen for 7 quid  :o ::)

I do know most inshore vessels do thier own thing  {-)

When I build Louise Helois she will have a french flag.

When I get round to building a junk it will have a Chinese flag.

And if I ever get around to building the Dhow she will fly the flag of Qatar.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on March 19, 2008, 02:41:59 pm
One more mod I forgot to mention.

I changed the original brass goosenck layout. But only on the Main boom.

Reasons for change.
Main reason, I want to be able to fold the main mast and sail assemby. This is because the main boom is so long that if the rigid brass goosneck (pictured) is used it will be a very wide unit and needs a bigger transport case.

By using the parrel beads there is more flexibility and the boom can be turned up towards the mast.

Second reason. The darn brass gooseneck things are always snapping at the joint. This is a major achilles heal on this model.

Downside
The boom lifts a lot at the end, and the wind spills out of the sails too much.
Fix, a stap was fitted to stop the boom rising.
Fix 2, a second strap was fitted. Now the book only rises a little.

The short strap gets tighter as the boom moves out so if it is over tight it will stop the boom from moving out in light winds. The longer strap does not suffer from this tightening, so can be tighter. It is just a matter of 'tuning'.

Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on December 25, 2009, 08:53:37 am
Some pics of this model coping with heavy water.
She is well balanced and can cope with everything that has been thrown at her.
Note that the topsails have been removed here, because of the conditions.

I do highly rate this kit. I have had her for several years now and she is low maintenance and reliable.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on December 25, 2009, 08:56:38 am
some more
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: tigertiger on December 25, 2009, 08:58:57 am
and a few more.
Title: Re: Mary J Ward Build
Post by: Timo2 on December 25, 2009, 09:22:07 am
Hi Tigertiger

   Love the BIKE can you post one over here ?  :-))

  Timo2

  PS the refit look FAB.

   O0 O0 O0 O0