Topic: Springer - The first of a fleet. (Read 9252 times)

Captain fizz · « **on:** April 09, 2016, 10:26:56 PM »

Today,whilst at the Coalville show, I purchased a Springer set of mouldings from Models by Design and various other components to build my first Springer.
This is likely to be the first in a fleet of five for my grandchildren.
I will write a build blog as I go.

radiojoe · « **Reply #1 on:** April 10, 2016, 04:44:54 PM »

Hi Simon
Springers are great little boats a lot of fun to sail and a practical use also, mines nearly always with me when sailing, don't forget to make one for yourself, sooner or later you will need her.

incidentally what is the hull made of it looks like some kind of composite material.

Netleyned · « **Reply #2 on:** April 10, 2016, 05:00:06 PM »

It's a glassfibre hull with styrene sheets to cut out for wheelhouse etc.
I have one I have built from Andy's kit and it is at the lake every time I go.
It does one or more rescues a week and apart from the paint chips
It's as good as the day I launched it.

Ned

Martin [Admin] · « **Reply #3 on:** April 10, 2016, 05:38:17 PM »

And they are almost indestructible!

Captain fizz · « **Reply #4 on:** April 10, 2016, 05:44:56 PM »

Yes, materials as Ned said.
The hulls were £20 at Coalville yesterday, just not worth cutting one out yourself at that rate.
All the styrene parts come ready cut as well

ballastanksian · « **Reply #5 on:** April 10, 2016, 06:41:45 PM »

Excellent Captain, may your family be enthusiastic model boaters in years to come.

Captain fizz · « **Reply #6 on:** April 10, 2016, 07:59:05 PM »

That's the plan Ballast.
My father was always encourageing and it did me no harm.
My youngest was mig welding by the age of ten, it is all good experience.
Now it is time o move on to the next generation.

Captain fizz · « **Reply #7 on:** April 13, 2016, 11:29:33 AM »

Prop shaft and Kort installed.
Motor mount and deck support rails epoxied in position.
Now to fabricate a battery box and electronics tray and bracket for the rudder servo.
I am really enjoying the simplicity of this build, it makes a change from my Ayton Cross project.

Captain fizz · « **Reply #8 on:** April 15, 2016, 12:06:28 PM »

Just sorting out the internal layout so that everything is vaguely accessible

Then I shall glue the deck on.

Captain fizz · « **Reply #9 on:** April 15, 2016, 12:09:02 PM »

Another image.

Netleyned · « **Reply #10 on:** April 15, 2016, 01:44:33 PM »

Looking good

You will need a lot of ballast in there.
My Models by design has two SLAs and about a pound of ballast
making the ballast 4lb.
Mine weighs 8lb all told.
You need to ballast slightly bows up to help with the inevitable
nose diving characteristic of the hull.

Ned

Captain fizz · « **Reply #11 on:** April 15, 2016, 05:23:46 PM »

Thanks for the info Ned, I am on layout plan 27 at present.
I have moved the battery tray forward and deeper to allow for two battery packs for longer run times.
I will probably go for lead acid in the next version.
Nearly time to pop it in the bath and see where I am.

Simon

Captain fizz · « **Reply #12 on:** April 15, 2016, 11:33:23 PM »

The final layout.......maybe

Captain fizz · « **Reply #13 on:** April 15, 2016, 11:34:51 PM »

The completed wheelhouse.

Captain fizz · « **Reply #14 on:** April 17, 2016, 01:07:41 PM »

Wheelhouse in the paint shop

Martin [Admin] · « **Reply #15 on:** April 17, 2016, 03:49:31 PM »

Quote from: Captain fizz on April 15, 2016, 11:33:23 PM

The final layout.......maybe

Is the battery shelf removable in case you need to get motor or coupling?

Captain fizz · « **Reply #16 on:** April 17, 2016, 03:53:14 PM »

Yes Martin, I will be able to get at both.

Netleyned · « **Reply #17 on:** April 17, 2016, 04:00:17 PM »

Take both shelf and battery as far aft as you can.
You don't want any weight forrard.

Ned

Captain fizz · « **Reply #18 on:** April 19, 2016, 03:59:59 PM »

Initial sea/bath trials successful with drive train and steering functioning well.
Approximately 3lb of ballast required just aft of midships.
Painting going well.
Now to make a short mast and install navigation lights and fit out the wheelhouse.
I may head for the lake on Sunday for more extensive trials

ballastanksian · « **Reply #19 on:** April 19, 2016, 08:44:57 PM »

Very tidy installation

Captain fizz · « **Reply #20 on:** April 20, 2016, 09:32:25 AM »

Paint work coming on.
Still need to make the mast, install navigation lights and put some internal detail in the wheelhouse.

sharkbite0 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 20, 2016, 03:16:39 PM »

nice clean paint lines captain fizz and looking great.
regards
Mick

Captain fizz · « **Reply #22 on:** April 20, 2016, 03:57:05 PM »

Thanks Mick, you can't beat Tamiya masking tape for the fine work!
I need to add about 3lbs of ballast, now I can place it either side of the motor, but I'm using lead flashing and it did occur to me to epoxy bond the 150mm sheet to the outside of the hull.
I thought it would also make a reasonable scratch protection.
What do the panel think?

In the meantime, here is a springer mast.

radiojoe · « **Reply #23 on:** April 20, 2016, 05:34:24 PM »

Lead sheet outside the hull, IMO not a good idea especially if you intend painting it lead doesn't like paint because lead has a relatively high expansion level, you rarely see lead flashing on buildings painted or stuck.

Captain fizz · « **Reply #24 on:** April 20, 2016, 05:42:30 PM »

Thanks Joe, very good point about the expansion rate.
Inside the hull it is then.

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