Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Pleasure boats, Sports, Race, Power and Leisure Boats: => Topic started by: Bayshield on September 10, 2014, 05:24:27 pm

Title: Build log - Aeronaut Diva
Post by: Bayshield on September 10, 2014, 05:24:27 pm

This is my first RC boat build and build log, so any advice or tips are welcomed!

I have wanted to build a Mahogany runabout/cruiser for a while, however all the kits I saw look quite complicated for a first time builder.  Whilst browsing the forums I came across a build log for an Aeronaut Diva which looked like the right sort of level for me so I decided to stop dreaming and start building.


I ordered the kit from Cornwall Model Boats on a Thursday and it arrived the following Monday.  The kit is made in Germany and the instructions are in German, however there are links provided where you can download the English instructions.  My kit came with the English instructions printed out in the box which was quite helpful.


The first thing I did was look for a suitable building board.  I am in the process of putting in some Ikea cupboards, so I chose a spare shelf to use as the base board.  The kit comes with a depron jig which i glued to the base board.


(http://www.bayshield.com/aeronaut/aeronaut-diva-01.jpg)


With the glue dry, I proceeded to carefully remove the plywood bulk heads and keel from the kit and assembled them on the jig.  I spent quite a lot of time checking and double checking everything at this point as there were a couple of things I wasn't expecting (but are probably common with this kind of build).


1. The keel is meant to protrude above the first bulkhead by approx 2mm and sit flush with the second.  My keel was sitting about 1mm above the 2nd bulkhead so I double checked all the frames were fully inserted into the jig and then decided to just use tape to hold the keel down flush with the 2nd bulkhead whilst the glue dried.


2.  The fourth bulkhead actually sits at an angle leaning towards the bow.  This is probably quite normal for this type of boat, however I couldn't see the angle of the bulkheads in the instructions and wanted to be sure before I glued it.


3.  Finally the two rails running from the 4th to the 8th bulkheads are actually slightly curved and need to be bent gently to fit into the cut-outs.


Once I was happy that all the above was as intended, I proceeded to glue all the corners.
(http://www.bayshield.com/aeronaut/aeronaut-diva-02.jpg)


Tonight I am planning on attaching the bow supports and stringers and will hopefully be ready for sheeting the bottom by the weekend.


Cheers
Aaron




Title: Re: Build log - Aeronaut Diva
Post by: SailorGreg on September 23, 2014, 07:08:24 am
Hi Aaron, I hope the lack of response hasn't discouraged you.  We are watching, honest!

Any progress?  I would be interested in hearing your views on the quality of the kit and its materials as well a seeing more pictures - gotta have pictures!  O0

Greg
Title: Re: Build log - Aeronaut Diva
Post by: sparkey on September 23, 2014, 09:47:51 am
 :-)) These are great kits to build everything fitting very well,I have built a lot of the Aeronaut kits and found them great fun to build and sail, the Mahogany looks wonderful with several coats of vanish and really stands out,if you have any problems let me know and I will try to help,Ray. :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) 
Title: Re: Build log - Aeronaut Diva
Post by: Bayshield on January 26, 2015, 11:54:17 am
Sorry, for the delay in posts, the home improvements are now done and the kit is back out!


I will post some pics of my progress tonight, however I have quite a few questions around painting which I could do with so help with.


I would like to paint my Diva's hull white below the waterline and dark blue above.  I would like to varnish the transom, deck and cabin leaving the cabin roof white.


So my questions are....  What kind of paint should I use on this model and where can I buy it from?  Am I ok to use an exterior paint from Dulux like weathershield and maybe a ronsol clear varnish, or do I need to buy marine paint?


The most pressing issue at the moment is inside the hull.  The instructions mention using sanding sealer, but can I just use any exterior paint?




Sorry if this has been answered elsewhere.  I did quite a few google searches but didn't find a definitive answer and I really don't want to stuff the boat u up at this point!!


Thanks for your help!




Title: Re: Build log - Aeronaut Diva
Post by: Bayshield on January 26, 2015, 12:02:06 pm
I will post more pics tonight, however here is one with the side panels attached and one of the bottom panels in place.  Trying to get the bottom panel to sit flush at the bow was one of the most frustrating parts of this build.  The finished result was still sitting up about .7mm, so i have had to sand it back to make it flush and reinforce it from the inside (not shown in this pic).     


(http://www.digitaliq.co.uk/aeronaut/aeronaut-diva-04.jpg)
Title: Re: Build log - Aeronaut Diva
Post by: sparkey on January 26, 2015, 12:26:11 pm
 :-)) Good day mate,if I was you I would use the dark colour below the water line,if you ground the white will show up more marks than a dark colour,as for vanish I use a good exterior vanish, you can use Dulux paints I personally use Wilkinson paints and have done for many years,some of my boats are 20 years old and are showing no sign of wear why not vanish the wood above the water line and paint below these boats really do come up nice with a bit of vanish on them,Ray :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-))   
Title: Re: Build log - Aeronaut Diva
Post by: Jherek on January 26, 2015, 12:55:00 pm
Hi Mate, I'm building this boat with my daughter at the moment. We have got to the same stage as you. Our kit (slightly different version from the instructions on the aeronaut website) comes with two half length spray rails which fit on the lower panels at the bow just below the join with the upper side panels, we had the same issue with the slight difference in height and these rails hide that problem.


As for paint, this is small lightweight model and we plan to paint below the water line with halfords car paints, above the water line with le tonkinois varnish and do the roof in white spray paint. Spray paints can give you a fine finish if applied in thin coats. Inside the hull we will apply epoxy on the join between the upper an lower skins and sanding sealer to waterproof it but you could use varnish...


There are many ways to finish it, but my preference is to show as much of that nice wood as possible.


Si
Title: Re: Build log - Aeronaut Diva
Post by: Bayshield on January 29, 2015, 10:15:25 pm
Lots of progress over the last couple of days including the installation of the rudder and prop tube which I was able to line up perfectly with the 380 motor I got for it.


I have just finished painting the inside of the boat with Ronseal Exterior Varnish which I will also use on some of the outside areas of the boat.
(http://www.digitaliq.co.uk/Aeronaut/Aeronaut-Diva-05.jpg)



(http://www.digitaliq.co.uk/Aeronaut/Aeronaut-Diva-06.jpg)
Title: Re: Build log - Aeronaut Diva
Post by: Bayshield on January 29, 2015, 10:20:17 pm
Thought I would mention the rudder tube that was included in my kit was around 60mm long, however the parts list that came with the kit stated that it should be 25mm.


After looking at other build photos, it appeared that the rudder tube should finish just above the servo support.  The instructions specify that the rudder tube should protrude approx 3mm from the bottom of the model.  Putting these two together I was able to confirm (I hope) that the tube should indeed be 25mm long so I cut the one that was supplied before installing.
Title: Re: Build log - Aeronaut Diva
Post by: radiojoe on January 30, 2015, 06:23:10 pm
Just an observation but your rudder tube looks a bit low, as far as I can tell looking at the photos, remember the tube should be well above the water line within the constraints of the hull, a fast boat will usually dig it's stern in at speed, so the tube is even lower in the water, resulting in a risk of a leak.