So guys, you've all made me so welcome and enthusiastic for this hobby that I have decided to go full geek (or as far as i can possibly go for a first build). I have decided to design and build a small cabin cruiser type thing, not fully sure on size as of yet, but roughly 0.75m in length. And as of this second I have just realised my scaling is all wrong and I have managed to design it at 1.5m long
. I shall remedy this at a later point, and just work it out to be HUGE for now.
My design process is a bit rough for now, starting with some simple virtual prototyping on the PC using Solid-works which some of you may be familiar with. I have been taught basics at university, but hopefully i will learn much more along the way. I then plan to try some models using various materials, most likely cardboard, foam-board, balsa wood, sheet plastic, and eventually develop onto a final material. I am unsure whether I will have access to the machinery just yet, but there is a chance I could vacuum form it if i make a mould.
For now, I am going to design it to be simple, with just a single motor which can be turned on and off by a switch, so I can use it on my own pond which is quite small, but when pennies allow it, I may upgrade to an RC system. With any luck I will be able to manufacture some of the parts myself using the machinery available at university.
I'm really excited for this project, which will probably end up spanning until next summer as I have a dissertation to keep me away from the fun things in life, but I hope to keep this thread updated as and when I work on it. I still have a huge amount of work to do on the caldercraft NorthLight so thats another one, as well as several small model planes and other airfix things. I am just glad I finally get to do all the fun things I wanted to do as a kid, the excitement is brilliant.
I'm doing my ranting thing again, I'll shut up for now, and leave you with a picture of the first stages of drawing out the hull. If anybody has any advice to give me, go ahead, learning is what I'm here for
Cheers guys, Pete