Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: CJK on March 01, 2019, 04:21:03 pm

Title: First Post ( Billing Calypso )
Post by: CJK on March 01, 2019, 04:21:03 pm
 Having recently joined the forum I received a welcoming private message from admin (nice gesture) and suggesting a post here to make a short intro. So here we go.

Having taken early retirement some 12 years ago, I’ve kept myself reasonable busy and active riding my motorcycle – not the bum up head down type of riding I should declare. However, and unfortunately, my body is now telling me it’s nearly time to think about hanging up my boots. As the old saying goes ‘the brain is strong but the body is weak’, so what next to stop me vegetating? Will RC modelling do the job?  Very likely I think – always had an interest in making/modifying things for my bikes.

Initially my intention is to start modestly. My modelling skills are limited and just by trawling a few topics on this forum I can see there is a huge amount that needs to be learnt – my learning curve isn’t a curve, it’s a straight vertical line! Hopefully there are some willing experts on here that will give me advice that will be gratefully received.

I have started the ball rolling by joining a model boating club (and this forum of course) plus buying a ready completed boat. Its approx 18 years old but had relatively modern and serviceable RC gear installed. The boat isn’t  really my cup of tea though – too ‘busy’ for my tastes with lots of bits and pieces, some of which needed re-gluing. 

The up side is only a 6v SLA battery had to be purchased and the crystal type RX replaced with the one that came with my new TX a Flysky FS-i6 if anyone is interested. It all seems to work OK but won’t really know until I can get it on water. At least there is something for me to play with until I feel ready to start my first build.

Well this short intro seems to be a bit longer than was intended, oh dear! In future I will try as best I can to keep my info requests shorter and in the correct topics.

I have tried to insert an image but won’t know if successful until I click [Post]. Hopefully there will be a photo of the boat I mentioned above.
 
Title: Re: First Post
Post by: TailUK on March 01, 2019, 05:24:12 pm
Welcome!  You might think about trying your boat in the "testing tank" before putting it on the lake.  Trust me, it a lot easier fetching it out of the bath if something goes amiss than getting out of the lake in a rush.  Good luck!
Title: Re: First Post
Post by: CJK on March 01, 2019, 06:07:44 pm
 :-)) Thanks, I will.
Title: Re: First Post
Post by: morley bill 1 on March 01, 2019, 06:35:57 pm
Hi CJK welcome to mayhem hope you enjoy the forum and benefit from the large amount of knowledge available  Bill...
Title: Re: First Post
Post by: Colin Bishop on March 01, 2019, 06:37:02 pm
That looks like the Calypso. The model is notoriously unstable so yes, definitely try it in the bath! You might have been better fitting a NiMH battery pack which will have a lower centre of gravity than the SLA but try it anyway.
Colin
Title: Re: First Post ( Billing Calypso )
Post by: Mark T on March 01, 2019, 10:36:02 pm
Hi CJK welcome to the forum  :-))
Title: Re: First Post ( Billing Calypso )
Post by: Fred Ellis on March 02, 2019, 08:14:46 am
Hi CJK
Welcome to this forum.


I to have the Calypso and as every one has said keep the C/G as low as poss, mine is now just wall art.


Fred
Title: Re: First Post ( Billing Calypso )
Post by: malcolmfrary on March 02, 2019, 09:41:36 am
Welcome to a great hobby
Calypso - what the others said.  Lose the 6 volt SLA and replace it with a 6 volt NiMH pack which will be lighter, but make up the weight with some sheet lead laid as low as possible.  A boat with a lot upstairs and not much below needs all the help it can get.
Title: Re: First Post ( Billing Calypso )
Post by: CJK on March 02, 2019, 01:41:38 pm
 Many thanks for all that have commented and advised. That appreciation also extends to any future replies.
As was mentioned in my intro, Calypso was taken on very much as a stopgap until I build my first boat. I am learning some of the do’s and don’ts already from it, which is a bonus. I really want to only spend the minimum on this thing as it will also likely end up as wall art Fred.
It was fitted with an SLA originally and so it seemed a no brainer to carry on in the same vein. The cost was less than £9 and it will get me a few hours thus lowering my learning curve a tad. So I’m not ignoring your advice Colin and Malcolm, just not going to use it yet.
Today she was subjected to the ‘testing tank’ ordeal which, as expected, did not go entirely to plan.
Observations:
She’s bow heavy. Water level about 4mm above the waterline at the bow and 6mm below at the stern.
Has a very very small seepage where the starboard prop tube goes through the hull.
Prop shaft inboard tube ends are 25mm below the waterline. Sings of water getting up there. How do you keep the water from traveling up the tubes? Starboard seems worse that port. See photo.
Rudder spindles are also below water line but seem to be leaking.
Electrics are a mess – no fuse protection at all. No switch on the battery cable. Components not secured properly.
Positive, there is a fair amount of thrust from the props, I would think it would have enough speed – for me anyway.
Most of the above I should be able to fix easily - hopefully.
Title: Re: First Post ( Billing Calypso )
Post by: CJK on March 02, 2019, 01:53:06 pm
Duplicated image, how do you delete them?  :embarrassed:
Title: Re: First Post ( Billing Calypso )
Post by: CJK on March 02, 2019, 09:24:03 pm
Following the testing tank trial today one of the things that showed up involved the stbd propshaft. The 1st image below shows a silvery dust/debris under the end of the tube, also a spray pattern stain on the plywood. The spray pattern was there before the test, the silvery dust not so. The aluminium type dust seems really odd as all the parts of the shaft assembly are brass. The stain and dust is only on one side and looks like it may come from a lube/water mix coming out of the end of the tube. Has anyone got any ideas whats happenning here please?
The second image shows all the parts of the shaft assemble. Is this the norm? There are no seals and I don't understand how water will not travel up the shaft and enter the hull, particularly as the inboard end of the tube is 25mm below the water like on this boat.
Lastly, how do you lube the shaft? There is a sign of dry scuffing at the motor end already.
Just thinking should this and other posts be in another topic now?
Title: Re: First Post ( Billing Calypso )
Post by: Peter Fitness on March 02, 2019, 10:24:11 pm
Duplicate image removed.

Peter Fitness,
Moderator.
Title: Re: First Post ( Billing Calypso )
Post by: malcolmfrary on March 03, 2019, 09:59:39 am
Pending the new thread -
Quote
Observations:
She’s bow heavy. Water level about 4mm above the waterline at the bow and 6mm below at the stern.
Has a very very small seepage where the starboard prop tube goes through the hull.
Prop shaft inboard tube ends are 25mm below the waterline. Sings of water getting up there. How do you keep the water from traveling up the tubes? Starboard seems worse that port. See photo.
Rudder spindles are also below water line but seem to be leaking.
Electrics are a mess – no fuse protection at all. No switch on the battery cable. Components not secured properly.
Bow heavy - the main contributor to the center of gravity is the battery - a lighter battery plus compensating ballast will allow this to be corrected by you being able to pick where the battery and ballast go.
Seepages around prop and rudder tubes - application of epoxy to seal the gaps.  Thinned slow epoxy to get into the probably very narrow gaps.
Water resistant grease is good for stopping water from getting up prop and rudder tubes - also good for lube.  Look through the site search engine, there are as many preferred tube lube solutions as modellers.
I didn't see any in the pics, but I would look for some brass or stainless washers to use as thrust washers at both the inside and outside ends of the shaft.  They also serve as seals when greased.
Other white metals apart from aluminium are steel and nickel silver, you find out which when the surface corrodes.
As an ex-electric tech, I have found that modern electrics in sedate models don't need much fixing down, just enough restraint to discourage them from wandering around.  A bit of plastic channel from the useful bit at B&Q does that.  The rubber band shown along with the natural stiffness of the wire will do a perfectly adequate job.  Sometimes Blu-Tak does the job.  Depends on whether or not anybody will be looking.
I am assuming two motors but one ESC.  A fuse between Battery and ESC is usually surplus - it is only protecting against a faulty ESC.  Fusing the individual motors is a good idea when there is more than one motor as it provides a handy test point.
Title: Re: First Post ( Billing Calypso )
Post by: justboatonic on March 03, 2019, 12:58:59 pm
Very nice looking model.
Title: Re: First Post ( Billing Calypso )
Post by: malcolmfrary on March 04, 2019, 09:36:56 am
New thread about the boat - https://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=62622.new#new
Title: Re: First Post ( Billing Calypso )
Post by: ChrisF on March 10, 2019, 06:33:31 pm
Welcome CJK - I'm into motorcycles as well but haven't replaced them with RC boats. Just wanted a winter hobby for when I'm not using the bikes when the roads are salted.

I'm a relative beginner as well, having got into model boats a couple of years ago and like you bought a boat or two until I could build my own. As you say there is a lot to learn and can get quite expensive, though a lot less than motorcycles!

Chris