Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Springer Tugs => Topic started by: Andyn on November 21, 2018, 08:33:36 PM
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Just gauging interest, who would be interested in a laser cut hull (only) pack, and what price would you be prepared to pay for one?
:-))
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As you can buy a fibreglass hull for £20 from Models by Design, which requires a lot less finishing than a wood hull, I would guess not a lot.
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As above.
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That's just six pieces of wood (assuming you do the bottom and deck in single sheets), four of which are rectangles. I built the hull of mine from the scraps I had around the workshop, effective cost zero. I imagine many springers arise from a similar source. Also, a hull-only kit requires the builder to scratch build a superstructure and install battery, motor, rudder etc. with no plan to help them. Anyone who can do that can probably put a springer hull together from whatever they have to hand.
Sorry to appear negative, but you did ask.
Greg
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Ignore the negativity Andy there is definitely a market for a kit but it would need to be a full kit to make it worth buying .A company in the states has a full springer kit available ,maybe take a look at what they offer and go from there .
http://zippkits.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=86 (http://zippkits.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=86)
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Didn't someone else try this a few years back..and it all fell through.
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I can't help wondering why anyone would buy a kit. A springer is simpler to build than the old keikraft kits aimed at 10 year olds in the 1960s. Instructional videos are on YouTube, and the wood costs peanuts. A modeler who can't build one will have a hard time with anything else.
Just my opinion.
Chas
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A Springer kit would be a good starting point for a new modeler. I agree with what was said about a full kit is maybe more sell-able than a hull only, as previously
Some people prefer kits, for many reasons.
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Agreed. A very easy build would give a newbie, kits, grandads a great confidence to work with wood and build model boats.
With clever construction, ie. self aligning / self jigging, photo & video instructions, everyone should be able to look and say;
'I'm sure I could build that in a couple of hours!'
Don't forget optional superstructures, ideas for self build superstructures, motor mount, rudder mount, what glues to use,
what motor, radio, ESC, rudder and where to purchase everything.
But final customer cost if going to be everything!
"Nike!" O0
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I have bought a kit that actually came with glue. O0
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I think there a market for this if the price is low enough. Fibreglass hulls put me off simply because its already made and I would have no idea how to glue wood to the hull to move the build forward. Now wood is a different issue; good PVA and your away which if your working with kids easily wipes away should you either use too much or spill some accidentally. Theres also the realisation from the kids of seeing it turn from flat wood into a three dimensional boat. Just my thoughts ......
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Unfortunately due to other commitments I have neither the time nor inclination to draw a full kit. I'd only planned on the idea of a hull kit as it'd take little time to do and I could sell them cheap, reading the comments here I won't bother.
Mark - to get a really strong bond of anything to a glass hull, first tack whatever it is in place using a small amount of cyano, then build up a mound of epoxy mixed with a filler (microballoons, paper filler etc). Use slow set for this and keep an eye on it while it sets, gravity will pull it down so you want to keep it in place with a cocktail stick or similar. When this is set a layer or two of cloth with a thin resin (West System or similar) will ensure it's never coming out again. See pic below, this was mounts for engine, shaft, fuel tank, skeg and rudder into a polyester hull using this method.
(https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2018/12/08/IMG_20181014_195054.jpg)
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Umm, I thought I had seen a thread a few years ago about a similar venture, not sure really what happened..
https://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,21827.0.html