Hello.
Ran the boat in our local pond this evening, other than a quick test in the bath this was its first time for real.
Unfortunately there was no one there to work my camera for me. Will definately get someone next time even if it's the wife.
The boat ran really well, the 35mmm props seem just right, gave a very realistic scale like speed.
I have limited the throttle to 75% Fwd and 25% Reverse which turned out to be O.K. a little more reverse say 35% would be better and maybe allow the ability to spin the boat in it's own length.
There is however one problem that needs solving before I hand it over to the Grandsons and that is that after getting the boat home, 10 mins fron the pond, I did find a puddle of water in the rear most compartment.
That's the one that houses the rudder tubes, water in/out fittings and cooling pipes. The 4 pipes were / are a very tight fit onto the fittings and the rudder tubes do finish above the waterline.
Everything is well sealed, with epoxy pooled around them inside the hull as the picture shows on the P brackets, absolutely no water ingress beyond the last frame.
I think the problem may be that water is leaking through the rear hatch cover which is directly over the rear compartment.
Will attack the problem one thing at a time and start by fitting the seals to the rear hatch which I had already made but for some reason forgot to fit and then progress from there.
One fix then one run in water until I find a cure. Can't really give it to the boys as it is, so it's a must do.
All work on the Vaporetto will now have to stop until this is fixed, shame as I am really enjoying the Vappi build.
Some pictures that may help.
Mike.