Hi all, I wanted to drop by and say HI
before I start harassing you with build questions and stories of how I'll probably sink my boats in the bath/Parents Hot Tub during sea trials.
I'm from Cardiff in sunny (if that's what they call rain) South Wales.
I have 2 boats, 1 that is going to be built and the other is more an update/restoration project.
My first project will be to build/retrofit a fibre glass test/sample hull that I was given some time ago by my grandfather who was a boat builder in his youth and happened to have a few test boats that are built from fibre glass (i think it's modeled on a pleasure boat of sorts).
My plan for it, is to first re-reinforce it with wood battons to give it some structural support and an internal ridged frame, install all RC kit and powered by twin jets with a bow thruster (it's quite long) then it will be down to editing the cabin - installing lights and a solar panel on the roof to power the inboard lights (and maybe the RC kit if it's powerful enough) as well as paint it all up and make it all look pretty.
My Second project will be to restore and modernise an old boat that I was given as well. This was custom built my my late great uncle and has some sentimental value to the family as it was one of his prides that he built whilst working on the light houses.
It's built from wood mostly with some sort of plastic covering around it to give some protection and a manual rudder that you fix into position before running - I intend to strip it back to bear wood, re-varnish/paint and decorate it and install new servos and motors (currently none fitted) to make the rudder remote controlled and power up the propeller (thankfully all the shafts etc are still there). Then I have to rebuild the cabin as unfortunately over the years, the glue has degraded and everything has fallen apart on the upper deck.
I also have a small Pilot boat that myself and my Grandfather built some time ago that I may re-configure to be remote controlled instead of just static (currently built for a pond).
So would any of you ever consider my ambitious plans or am I completely barking mad?
Where would any of you purchase things like decorations for your Boats though? IE like life ring,s running frames and general stuff to make it look real.