Thanks for the compliments folks
![Thumbs up :-))](https://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/Smileys/Tug/thumbup.gif)
Was pretty nervous putting her on the water for the first time - and the Free Enterprise ferry was in the back of the car in case things went quiet in the middle of the canal....
![embarrassed :embarrassed:](https://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/Smileys/Tug/embarrassed.gif)
Need not have worried though - she really did perform very well with plenty of oomph and was as stable as a rock.
Been back in the workshop today cracking on with the superstructures. A fiddly and time consuming process but worth being patient over to get everything squared up. It is far easier to build up the structures in situ on the boat as opposed to off the model (I tried both methods). That way, checks and adjustments can be made as you go along.
Firstly, small tabs from scrap sheet were glued around the opening to assist in locating the structure walls:
This element was built off the model and then located on the deck - I don't advise doing it this was as it was a bit of a bind to make it fit in the end:
The middle section was built up in situ - much easier:
The permanently fixed part of the superstructure was braced with wood and small sheets of 1mm styrene added as decks - these can be seen through the windows so I will detail these with seats/tables etc. later and form a 'backdrop' around the opening in the decks from photographs:
Once this lot had dried sufficiently, I continued with the removable part of the superstructure:
The question was raised earlier about reducing the amount of structure within the rounded front (with the black windows showing). Unfortunately, I don't think this is going to be possible as a fair amount of strength and rigidity is needed in the framework of this part to allow the skin to be wrapped around and held tightly while the glue sets. If there was less support structure there would be a danger that it would collapse as the modeller tried to wrestle the skin in to position and add elastic bands/clamps/masking tape etc.
OK!!! That's it for tonight.........shower and bed methinks..........
Pip pip