Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Yachts and Sail => Topic started by: mikgo on June 08, 2011, 12:12:28 pm

Title: Thames Barge
Post by: mikgo on June 08, 2011, 12:12:28 pm

I have just been given a scratch built Thames barge, It is 24 inches long and made out of plywood. it weighs about 4 kg would i need to fit a keel for it to sail as it is flat bottomed at present. Thanks for any comments

Title: Re: Thames Barge
Post by: dreadnought72 on June 08, 2011, 01:14:01 pm

Hi Mikgo.

My first thought is "that seems quite heavy" for a 24" model. Does she float to her waterline? If so, then there's not many options for using a weighted fin, which would appear obligatory for a sailing model.

Was she made as a static display model?

Andy

Title: Re: Thames Barge
Post by: tigertiger on June 08, 2011, 01:22:28 pm

Some people use a drop keel.

Does she have lee boards on either side that drop down?

Title: Re: Thames Barge
Post by: mikgo on June 09, 2011, 08:01:25 am

Hi all
She has lee boards but these do not operate, It was originally built for RC but never sailed. It was rigged as a pond sailer with only the rudder RC controlled.

Title: Re: Thames Barge
Post by: tigertiger on June 18, 2011, 03:50:46 pm

If she doesn't have a keel fitted, and has been sailed, she probably does not need one.

Put her in the water and test this.
You need to watch for how much the wind pushes her sideways.

Title: Re: Thames Barge
Post by: rickles23 on August 24, 2011, 02:16:20 pm

Hi,
If the barge sails without a keel how about attaching a plywood keel/fin instead.

No great weight and it should improve the sailing.

Regards

Title: Re: Thames Barge
Post by: Jimmy James on September 05, 2011, 01:33:29 pm

Is she motorised? if so try her on a calm day and see how she maneovers, make 2 or 3 sharp turns to see how far she heels over then do a righting test ( pull her over from the top or the mast until the water just touches the bottom of the hatch comming . Then let go, if she springs upright she should be OK to sail in light to moderate weather if she hangs over or only rights slowly, she needs a ballast keel --- If you put a keel on you will also probably need to increase the rudder area or she won't steer
 It is really a case of suck it and see.  with out seeing the model All I can do is give general advice . Just remember this most model barges are sailed in the Light ship (no cargo)position but it is quite acceptable to sail in a loaded position which allows you more ballast
Jimmy

Title: Re: Thames Barge
Post by: LarryW on September 05, 2011, 03:16:07 pm

HI . JIMMY IS RIGHT,     in middle building a KITTY TSM . plan shows a plug in keel box , to add ballast to suit sailing conditions ,
 have a picture of model . it would help ,.......LARRY.....
(http://s4.postimage.org/gqrd09b8/2011_08_06_001.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/gqrd09b8/)

(http://s4.postimage.org/gqt0jlt0/2011_08_06_007.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/gqt0jlt0/)

Title: Re: Thames Barge
Post by: mikgo on September 05, 2011, 03:27:07 pm

Many thanks for all of your comments / advice. I will try to photo the boat and post it for you to see it, but it is a little wet around here at present (It always rains when I am not at work and sunny when I am working).  %%

Title: Re: Thames Barge
Post by: rickles23 on September 06, 2011, 02:17:17 pm

Hi,
Are there any small r/c barge kits available?
Regards

Title: Re: Thames Barge
Post by: LarryW on September 06, 2011, 02:32:09 pm

HI , MODELS BY DESIGN ALSO WAVERLEY MODELS CARRY KITS ...LARRY.....

Title: Re: Thames Barge
Post by: Jimmy James on September 12, 2011, 12:17:28 am

Nice Barge Larry
Pitty you can't mount guns on it
Freebooter

Title: Re: Thames Barge
Post by: LarryW on September 12, 2011, 10:01:44 am

HI JIMMY ,  now there's a thought , way be a war ship version , may be first , stiil looking for a suit of cheap sails ......LARRY...

Title: Re: Thames Barge
Post by: Jimmy James on September 12, 2011, 07:35:16 pm

RE; cheap sails
 Easy ---Put the Rose to sea in her old suit , Lay yourself along side a suitable Prize and there you go free sail cloth.
 you haven't really got the hang of this Privateering lark yet have you?
 De Freebooter

Title: Re: Thames Barge
Post by: LarryW on September 12, 2011, 07:55:31 pm

 THANK YOU JIMMY,  i will have a go at that with all guns blazing and my scurvy crew, will succeed and my reluctant sail maker SWMBAB will get on with them....LARRY...