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Author Topic: Balsa boat  (Read 4374 times)

phil b

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Balsa boat
« on: February 07, 2013, 08:10:04 pm »

I have a plan and the boat is made mostly from balsa. ie chines are made from 3 x 1/16 balsa strips with balsa planks making up the hull.
Using balsa wood makes it an easy build but it does not make a very robust model.
I wish the model to last once finished
Can I make a balsa hull strong by using glass cloth ans resin on the inside or would I be better off using a stronger wood?
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hammer

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Re: Balsa boat
« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2013, 08:15:27 pm »

Balsa impregnated with resin on the out side is fine, here is one of mine. 40 inches long. Geoff
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phil b

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Re: Balsa boat
« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2013, 08:25:19 pm »

Cheers hammer using balsa wood will make building a lot easyer
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tobyker

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Re: Balsa boat
« Reply #3 on: February 07, 2013, 11:31:06 pm »

Paint it with z-poxy.
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MarkScratchBuilt

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Re: Balsa boat
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2013, 12:45:20 am »

Thats a nice ship Hammer!  :-))
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Circlip

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Re: Balsa boat
« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2013, 11:13:06 am »

Depending on the shape of the hull you can also use dope and tissue or silkspan. Still valid despite Cyanos and resins various.  :-))
 
  Regards  Ian
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Circlip

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Re: Balsa boat
« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2013, 11:51:18 am »

And an additional disaster saver, if you don't get the covering smooth, you can always blather more thinners on and smooth it out. Try that with cured hepoxy and polly esther.
 
  Regards  Ian.
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Martin (Admin)

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Re: Balsa boat
« Reply #7 on: February 08, 2013, 12:30:06 pm »

Thats a nice ship Hammer!  :-))

Quite!  :o  Any more pictures and details please?
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hammer

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Re: Balsa boat
« Reply #8 on: February 10, 2013, 10:50:31 am »

The ship was The Flying Foam of Bridgwater. Model had 5 channels rudder, fore sails, main & mizzen, rotate square sails, furl square sails . Another feature was a drop keel attached to the carry handle, only lowering in the water.  A very narrow window in the wind was required to sail well so I sold her. I think it is on display in a pub now. Geoff  not taking photos even less than 160 KB ?
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hammer

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Re: Balsa boat
« Reply #9 on: February 10, 2013, 02:36:47 pm »

Try this Yes. that's it
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MarkScratchBuilt

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Re: Balsa boat
« Reply #10 on: February 10, 2013, 06:38:05 pm »

Quality  :-)) :-)) :-))
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phil b

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Re: Balsa boat
« Reply #11 on: March 04, 2013, 08:15:54 pm »

Well I have built my balsa hull as per the plan. It still needs a little tidying and filling. I don't want to loose the plank lines so I guess I just paint it in resin? Do I need to thin the resin and if so what do you thin it with?
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Mad_Mike

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Re: Balsa boat
« Reply #12 on: March 04, 2013, 08:51:13 pm »

nice hull what is it?
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phil b

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Re: Balsa boat
« Reply #13 on: March 04, 2013, 09:18:11 pm »

Its going to be the "ORCA" from jaws built from Pat Tritle's plans. Its been done before I know
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Peter Fitness

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Re: Balsa boat
« Reply #14 on: March 04, 2013, 09:48:02 pm »

One of our club members, Michael Marks, uses balsa almost exclusively for his models. A photo of his freighter, "Hawaiian Pilot" is attached.


Peter.
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hammer

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Re: Balsa boat
« Reply #15 on: March 04, 2013, 09:48:36 pm »

You will find it will soak in well, the important bit is don't leave an lumps.
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goBulawayo

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Re: Balsa boat
« Reply #16 on: March 04, 2013, 09:53:19 pm »

I used cellulose dope on my tug, http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,41945.0.html

Has worked quite well, I am just waiting for more before adding a layer of tissue & dope

Wayne
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MarkScratchBuilt

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Re: Balsa boat
« Reply #17 on: March 10, 2013, 09:10:29 pm »

I just used resin all over and poured off the excess. it has kept the planking well and is solid hard. i didnt have to think it at all. ;)
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