Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Working Vessels => Topic started by: Chris G on January 07, 2014, 06:38:55 pm
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Twelve months ago I was given a ‘Mountfleet’ kit of a lighter and started a blog in a previous post under Tugs & Towing as I thought it would be good to give it a personal touch and requested lots of information to help me decide on the type of craft to build.
After much deliberation I decided to adapt the kit to produce a maintenance barge giving me lots of opportunities to include some toys to make the model look good.
This is my first build which includes a GRP moulded hull, in the past all of my builds have been with wooden hulls so I am on unfamiliar ground. After lots of hours reading articles referring to previous builds and particularly Humber barges decided that I should chop off the stern of the lighter to enable me to fit rudder and prop and shorten it as a carrying barge would be longer than a maintenance barge.
My thanks to Howard for pointing me in the direction of Malcolm Slaters ‘Humberside Working Barges’ and the waterways museum in Goole also thanks to lighterman, we are out of R&D and the steel is ordered.
Anyway a start has been made with a section carefully cut out of the GRP moulded hull, moulding lines helped achieve a relatively neat cut and the section yet to be removed for the rudder and prop marked out. Some trials to be made with various adhesives to decide on the best for the job, very little filler will be needed and maybe a couple of reinforcing pieces added to the inside of the hull.
Chris G
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Will be following with great interest Chris looking good so far very neat cut. maybe you,ll come back up with it when your finished on one of our open days at Goole Model Boat Club now you know where we are and give it a sail.
Regards Howard.
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An interesting project - looking forward to your progress on this one :-))
Regards,
Ray.
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Progress is maybe too optimistic a word. I now have a stern section of the barge with a huge orifice for the prop and rudder. It was easy to cut out not sure how to fill it. I built a beautiful Patrick and Blunt model Tug some years ago using the sandwich balsa method. Maybe have to use that method to achieve a reasonable 'swim' on the barge stern. Alternatively the bin men come on Tuesday, watch this space. Chris G
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I now have a stern section of the barge with a huge orifice for the prop and rudder. It was easy to cut out not sure how to fill it.
at least it's a very neat hole, chris.........got to admire that %% %% O0 O0 O0
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The clever thing is filling it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cannot get 'smileys' just get dots dashes and lines, what have I done? Chris G
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Hi Chris
When i converted my Thames lighter i cut out a section then used a piece of rainwater pipe to form the tunnel for the prop and rudder, nice and easy to work.
Dave B
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Hi Dave
It would seem there are two early birds out and about.
Good idea and I will check it out although the hole I have got after trimming rough edges is 5 1/4" or 130 mm in new money.
I will let you know how I get on Chris G
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Dave B
Hello I seem to have lost the reference you sent me to check for pictures, only have the first part of your post, or am I going mad?
Chris G
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Hi Dave
It would seem there are two early birds out and about.
Good idea and I will check it out although the hole I have got after trimming rough edges is 5 1/4" or 130 mm in new money.
I will let you know how I get on Chris G
With which you paste the rainwater PVC pipe on the hull fiber?
How do you seal
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Hi Chris
No you're not going mad i had to edit the post as the 2 pictures i had posted did not show the tunnel only the finished craft. If the hole is that big you could probably use drainage pipe maybe a friendly builder has an off cut. http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,3407.0.html
Hallo Gazou
I went over the top in fixing the pipe i roughed up the outer surface then spot fixed using p 38 body filler before reinforcing using glassfibre, when set i then cut the pipe to the shape of the hull.
I've posted the link to the photos i can probably get some of the boat later if it helps.
DaveB
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Hi
you get to join the fiber and resin on PVC pipe?
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Hi Gazou
Yes roughen up the pipe first then use the method i mentioned, i've been sailing the lighter for nearly seven years now and never a leak.
Dave
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Thank's Dave
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Dave the lighter looks a treat, I am glad to know I was not imagining things earlier.
As I have no fossils I plan to load mine with a JCB and some gravel but that is a long way off.
Thanks Chris G
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Chris is this to be a motor barge or a sailing barge?
Scratch that, just read your last post doh! Motor barge obviously.
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Could that be due to a lunchtime of lovely Rjoca (that is wrong) jealous as I sip my Bovril. Yes motor barge. Chris G
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LOL- not for another 9 days matey, still stuck in 'Dull Ull' until then. Came home for xmas and don't return until the 20th Ferry timetable don't you know!
Can't wait get back to my build, currently a Humber sailing smack.
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Hello
Traumatic time figuring how to fill the hole !!!!!! the balsa method was a failure and a costly one at that, I then after 24 hours thinking about it resorted to the good old GRP.
The two halves of the hull are now joined using glass and webbing, strong as original lay up. The hole is filled and with enough space to have both the prop (up to 50mm) and rudder protected by the stern overhang of the vessel. This I wanted to achieve as I did not want either hanging below the hull or aft of the hull.
I am chuffed, the inside looks ugly but that will be covered by deck and superstructure, the rest as good as I can make it.
More next week GW Chris G
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Looks great Chris,
Regards Howard.
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It is really nice to see something different, and smaller working boats always look great to me. Perhaps because as a kid, these are kinds of boats I would see working on the rivers. They always seemed more accessible than the much larger ships. Perhaps because of the films of people owning and working boats I used to see.
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Trying to achieve good proportions for the vessel. {:-{
The 'lump' at the moment after the original has been chopped about is 700mm length 220mm beam 90mm height to gunwale.
The length of the hold is determined by the build and proportions from 'Humberside Working Barges', the width of the hold is wrong at 55mm each side 45% of beam and I intend to reduce it by 25mm each side which will leave enough room for a 1/32 scale man to comfortably walk the side decks.
Another stage of the build which is difficult to scale and build is the wheelhouse and accommodation. The photo's show some of my expensive scrap balsa cut to give some indication of size and height, but is it right? {-) The 1/32 scale man looks right against the balsa.
I have fitted a fore and aft bulkhead not in the original but what the hell I had a bit of gash ply and it will tidy up the hold.
I have fitted prop tube and rudder but will describe its fitting when it looks finished.
Still thoroughly enjoying the build and look forward to any comments, well maybe! Chris G
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Sorry
Should read each side deck 55mm which equates to about 50% of beam. Chris G
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expensive scrap balsa cut to give some indication of size and height
Cereal packet card is a reasonable alternative to the Balsa (keeps the costs down) and should still help with "eye-balling" the results prior to committing the Balsa to the sawblade. O0
Getting along well there Chris :-))
Regards,
Ray.
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Chris from the pics above it looks like your deck is flat? From memory I think they had a radius from centre line to outer hull with a coaming of sorts around the hold. I remember being on the docks as a kid and almost coming to grief on one, it was offloading linseed, I leaned over the coaming to grab a handful and overbalanced. Off course the linseed being very very oily it would not support me, Hands just sank into it rapidly followed by me. Fortunately a bargeman grabbed me by the collar and pulled me back from what could have be a tragic accident.
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Hello Brian
The hull is just slapped on while I consider the build and yes there will be a camber between gunwale and hatch coaming. Not sure what to do with the hold, it will be quite large and deep and if I am going to have sand, gravel, cement, and what I wish to show as a working area the hold will in its current form be too deep. Do I fit a false bottom in the hold to raise all of the machines, tools and materials?
Thanks for your interest and when we look back at some of the things as kids we lived through it frightens the life out of me certainly. Never had an argument with linseed though. Chris G
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If you were to fit a false bottom and disguise it with sand or whatever would that give you extra room for rc/motor internals? just a thougtht.
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Brian
I have managed to get the motor (not yet fitted) battery and R/C gear in the stern behind a bulkhead. I do think the false bottom is a good idea, I can't think of a better way to raise the work area.
The other thought is where am I going to fit many kilo's although not yet calculated of ballast. Under the false floor in the hold I hear you say, Another eureka moment, well maybe {-)
Thanks for the interest Chris G
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Another week on and seem to have spent lots of time achieving little. Some days all goes well and others it doesn’t. >:-o
I have made and fitted the rudder, that seems ok. I then fitted a modified M5 shaft , I should have waited and got an M4 as the prop choice for M5 seems more limited. The prop currently fitted is for lining up only and will be replaced by a 4 bladed around 45mm. The motor is in position and lined up with a universal joint M5 to M4 the motor is from and recommended by Mobile Marine Models for high torque and low revs.
Brass skeg fitted to support the rudder and ply supports for the prop shaft.
I have glassed in 2 bulkheads, not on any plan but seemed a good idea. It will enable me to carry at least 1kg of lead ballast in the bow without it moving. The aft bulkhead will allow me to have 1/2 6v 4.5 Ah batteries (approx 1kg each), the motor, the esc, steering servo and receiver all enclosed and hopefully watertight.
I read on mayhem some time ago about the ‘Lead Weight Company’ for ballast, I ordered 3kg from them and it was delivered quickly, packed well and competitively priced. I did however see in ‘Wilko’ 1kg bags of ‘budgie’ (yes budgie) %% gravel @ £1, not much larger in volume than the lead shot and a saving of £4 per kg.
I anticipate needing quite a lot of weight to get this lump down in the water so I might use lots of Budgie gravel, as long as it doesn’t tweet. %%
Next job will be to check all fittings which will be impossible to get at when the deck is on also to tidy up rough glass work in the hull and give it all a lick of paint. Then when all that is done fit the deck.
Regards Chris G
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Well another 10 days has passed with lots of hours spent trying to get a grip on the scale of the barge and all of the bits I hope to put either on or in it. {:-{
The deck has been fitted using the original but shortened to compensate for the reduced hull length, I have also fitted a gunwale although the drain lots have still to be cut out. The aft deck and accommodation block is made and fitted with the wheelhouse still w.i.p trying to get it to look right, the one seen in the photo is made from a cereal packet (thanks Ray) before cutting the ply.
The hold has been fun, my intention is to divide it crudely into 2 sections, one for rocks and a JCB the other section which I propose to cover with wriggly tin will be for stores and working gear this subdivided with my take on an old railway sleeper partition. The white metal castings from Mountfleet are pretty good and a lot of them will be used on the build. Not sure where to put the 'bog' yes there is one supplied. %%
I really must paint the hull although cannot make my mind up on colour or colours, black, white, anti foul red but maybe something a little different, who knows. ;)
I have finally sourced a M5 4 bladed 45mm prop, although I hav'nt got it yet.
Think I have probably bored you enough for a time, if you can stand it more to come %%
Thanks for looking Chris G
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Sorry. {:-{
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A neat looking job there Chris :-))
Keep it going - nice and steady.
Regards,
Ray.
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I like how this is going :-))
Mark
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I have chosen the colours for the barge, deck sand colour, topsides dark gloss green with a matt black and anti foul red below the boot top. The wheelhouse when I get to it will be white.
I got some fabulous plastic 1/32 wriggly tin for the 'workers shelter' and have wired in a light under the roof, there is a pile of gravel ready for the cement mixer and the main hold has a load of gravel epoxied on it. I hope that the scale of the gravel is good for large rocks, keep looking at the 1/32 crews heads for comparison.
There is a large space under the removable hold for up to about 10 kgs of ballast if needed, have not floated her yet %%
Next task is to build the wheelhouse, quite a challenge as I am new to all of this scratch build stuff.
Prop should be delivered within the next few days so I will post some pictures of her underside.
'Back to the drawing board :-))
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Problems with this post {:-{
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Try again <*<
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Its looking good Chris. Do you fancy doing another but longer? Take a look at these. Rix petroleum based in Hull run these types around the Humber ports....
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Hello Brian
Yes it would be good to do but would not fit in my car and I would need a Hiab to lift it into the water.
You back in Espana now you lucky man {-)
Take care Chris G
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Hi,Chris,
Its really coming together mate your making a great job of it, Did you notice Goole Model Boat club in the back ground in the middle photo Do hope you and your good lady will be able to make up to one of our open days.
Regards Howard.
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Hello Howard.
No I didn't recognise the club but do now and yes we will be delighted to re-visit and maybe float my boat O0
Looking for a butch name for the barge any ideas chaps %% And Daisy and buttercup will just not do.
Regards Chris G
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What about WELLHARD Chris.
Regards Howard.
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Hello Brian
Yes it would be good to do but would not fit in my car and I would need a Hiab to lift it into the water.
You back in Espana now you lucky man {-)
Take care Chris G
Yep back in Spain Chris, maybe I'll be able to get around to posting some pics of my current build shortly- a Humber sailing smack. Keep an eye on the yacht and sail section :-)
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Howard, It has been decided to call the barge 'Wellard' I have taken the liberty of dropping the 'H' and sent for the necessary transfers, I hope that you will not be requesting royalties on the name.
The prop finally arrived by snail mail and is now fitted, 4 blade 45mm m5 from Ship Wright Shop I am very pleased with it, seems quite well made although speed will not be an option. Attached photo shows the underside of the barge, strange I hear you all say and not the normal barge 'swim' lines but was the best I could do.
The last week has been spent building a Hiab crane for the barge, kit from 'Model Slipway' and although not quite finished I am very pleased with it. The scale is 1/24 which is not in line with the rest of the craft but I think it will look the dogs doo daa's. I must stress not easy to build in fact very fiddly but I think the crane folded and on the fore deck will look good.
I am waiting for the stanchions to enable me to fit the handrails and need bits to go below but must say I like the look of her, different anyway.
Anyone looking for model building materials try 'Holly Loves Toys' great for wriggly tin, bags of cement and RSJ's and other bits.
Regards Chris G
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The crane is now finished and on the foredeck where things are 'tight' don't tell the health and safety rep. >>:-(
I claim an element of artistic licence as one the crane is 1/24 scale where the barge is 1/32, it will just be a large crane on a big barge, the crane kit from 'model slipway' I could not resist not an easy project but it does look good. It probably should not be sited on the foredeck but there is so much going on in the rest of the barge it was about the only place left.
I have to concentrate on the wheelhouse and finishing several other bits and the installation of r/c gear.
In general I think it looks better than I had hoped, wonder what it will sail like %%
Regards Chris G
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Looking good Chris, you mentioned the scale of the HIAB, its not going to be out of scale to the digger that is in the hold is it?
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Hello Brian, no intention to ignore you but have been away in France and Belgium for a few days looking at WW1 cemeteries and memorials.
To answer your question, my thoughts are that the JCB is a mini digger variety as they come in lots of sizes and the HIAB is a big version as they also come in lots of sizes. When looking for a Hiab I saw several kits that were to say the least rubbish so settled for this one.
Busy making a 'portaloo' at the moment for the aft deck. {-)
Take care Chris G
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Conclusion to my build :(( ready to go in the lake maybe Sunday.
I have enjoyed it and there are certainly things I would change but overall 9/10.
Topsides I am happy with, below decks see how she performs. Surprised at the amount of ballast, to get her looking good in the bath needed just 3kgs.
Any body looking to build something different with a ready made hull give this a try. O0
Back to the 'Billings' Yawl and lots of rigging.
Howard if this model performs we will see you in Goole on one of your open days, might be a conversation piece.
Regards and thanks to all who have contributed Chris G
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Sorry forgot to post the photo's.
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Looks great :-))
Mark
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Chris,
Well done mate she looks great you should feel proud and will look on our pond not sure of our dates will let you know has it got lights as would be good on our night sail in sept.
Regards Howard.
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Yes Howard fully illuminated ready and rearing to go %%
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Nice job Chris - well done :-))
Regards,
Ray.
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Nice pics of the complete model Chris, hope we are going to get some pics of it on the water.
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Well yes she went in the water on Sunday, 1 kg of weight in the stern compartment which comprised of a 6v battery one side and equivalent in lead shot in the other. An additional 2 kg put in the main hold before lowering into the water. She sat reasonably level with little port or starboard bias. I thought her level in the water was about right, I would be interested in any comments.
The steering was fine with the rudder big enough to retain control, she ran at a good scale speed in forward but when it came to reverse {:-{ there was none. Not surprising with the aft keel shape, when you think about it there was nowhere for the water to go when it passed the prop. Not sure there is an answer to the problem, or is it a problem? I know of plenty of full sized boats that do not do backwards very well. %%
It was good to get several favourable comments on the build and I am delighted with the finished boat.
Thanks for all the help received from Mayhem enthusiasts. Best regards Chris G
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She looks lovely on the water. :-)) :-)) :-))
I think your problem going astern is
that the thrust is just hitting the scooped
out hull negating the stern power.
Learn to slows down before coming alongside
and you won't have a problem.
Ned
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Chris,
Looks great :-))
Mark
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Looks fine Chris, I can't see from the pics but is it slightly nose up? If so you have the stance completely correct, they always float nose up unless completely loaded to the gunnels.
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Congratulations Chris. Looks great on the water.
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Thanks for all of the positive comments it is very rewarding. I think because she is unusual and colourful helps get attention for the model, it is great to push the boat out so to speak %% and build something a little different.
Our next project, although it might be in the Autumn is to build a pair of yachts, prize for the best build and I know who will win that and then racing on the water which I should win easily O0. That's me in the doghouse >>:-( Hope that Pearlsfirstmate does not read this.
There are so many wonderful builds out there it is difficult to find something different. Any suggestions and please there may be children reading this ;)
Thanks again Chris G
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Dream on Chris - I'll be round the first mark before you've even crossed the start line. Oh and yes it WILL be the Autumn when we start building the yachts and not before :kiss:
But credit where credit is due, Wellard looks great :-))