Topic: 12m SSRS Victoria Class Lifeboat (Read 22362 times)

Charlie · « **Reply #25 on:** December 23, 2019, 02:54:04 pm »

I have fitted a small flange around the topside of the plug to give the mould a neat edge. Now i'm busy with the Squadron Green Putty filling all the small gaps and then more rubbing down.

Charlie · « **Reply #26 on:** December 27, 2019, 08:14:28 pm »

The hull plug is now complete and put aside to await for warmer / drier weather for GRP layup.

So today I had some free time, so headed over to Tonbridge with my KNRM (Dutch equivalent of the RNLI) 1:14 scale model of the 14m inflatable lifeboat 'Christien'. During the past few weeks the heavy rainfall in Kent has caused the River Medway to burst it's banks, which resulted in the flooding of the Tonbridge Racecourse recreational park. This now makes an ideal boating lake, so I was eager to try it out! The RIB with it's water jet propulsion and shallow draft was the ideal boat in these quite shallow waters, although the Jets did tend to suck in the grass.

Youtube clip here: https://youtu.be/DVoJjtLRDGY

Capt Podge · « **Reply #27 on:** December 27, 2019, 08:31:59 pm »

That's a great little boat you've got there Charlie, looks excellent on the 'lake' - thanks for sharing.
Going to be a while before weather improves for the grp job, so at least you have something to sail in the meantime

Regards,
Ray.

RMH · « **Reply #28 on:** December 27, 2019, 08:33:25 pm »

Lovely model is the 'Christian' and it performs really well. I'm often tempted to buy the similar mouldings from KMB but I've got enough projects as it is.

Charlie · « **Reply #29 on:** February 28, 2020, 07:16:22 pm »

So, it's still too cold and damp to get out to the shed and start laying up the GRP mould. Looks like it will be a few more weeks before i can get started on that. So to keep myself entertained i have been out finding new interesting sailing locations. After Storm Dennis a couple of weeks ago, the River Medway flooded again, and i found such a good location by the Rugby Club grounds. This area is a flood plain and this is what it is meant for; the flooding down here has not been bad enough to affect anyone's houses luckily. The last photo shows the same area a couple of days after, when the waters had receded. I have also uploaded some more videos onto my YouTube Channel.

Capt Podge · « **Reply #30 on:** February 28, 2020, 07:40:18 pm »

Nice one Charlie - your photos cover the two extremes and the second from last even has the rugby posts in view

Regards,
Ray.

Charlie · « **Reply #31 on:** March 20, 2020, 01:48:51 pm »

GRP supplies have arrived. Time to self isolate in the shed and get moulding!

Charlie · « **Reply #32 on:** March 20, 2020, 06:03:09 pm »

I'm using a new GRP supplier, and the Gel Coat and the Laminating Resin all comes pre-mixed with White Pigment, which looks a lot better that my previous mouldings which didn't have any Pigment. This will be a 3-piece Mould, so i started off with the most tricky part, which is the stern. Lots of sharp 90 degree bends to mould around. Looking ok so far!

Charlie · « **Reply #33 on:** March 23, 2020, 06:08:36 pm »

Moulding completed. Will give it 24/48 hours to completely harden before trimming and splitting

Charlie · « **Reply #34 on:** March 28, 2020, 06:58:29 pm »

Today I split the moulding, which was actually quite easy this time. And the Plug survived virtually intact. For some reason the release agent wasn't very effective in places which has resulted in the yellow primer attaching to the mould, so I had to spend a few hours today rubbing down with wet and dry, to remove this. The moulding around the spray rails needs a bit of touching up, so I have been applying filler where needed, and will rub this down tomorrow. Overall this has come out really well.

Charlie · « **Reply #35 on:** April 04, 2020, 05:01:44 pm »

So the 'Wet Work' is finished, for now anyway. The mould was completed; the 3 sections are held together with bolts which were drilled whilst the Plug was still in place. Then yesterday I laid up the Hull, and today I trimmed the top of the hull down to the Gunwales. Tomorrow I will attempt to release the Hull from the Mould.

Canterbury Coxswain · « **Reply #36 on:** April 04, 2020, 06:37:38 pm »

Charlie,
As ever that looks so neat and tidy and I am sure when it is released it will serve you proudly. That is a very unusual lifeboat [over here!] and I look forward to seeing the build progress. As always, I stand in awe of those that build the hull, deck and wheelhouse too. It must be so satisfying.
I trust you are well and that this Covid 19 'situation' is not affecting you too much. I doubt that the Dungeness Open Day will take place.......but we shall all have to wait and see.
Cheers,
Kim

Charlie · « **Reply #37 on:** April 04, 2020, 07:09:15 pm »

Hi Kim, Good to hear from you. It is an unusual boat, but I really like the design and the colour scheme. It should be an eye catching and unique model. I think I may have had Covid 19 at the beginning of March. I went on a Ski Trip to France, and the day after I returned I went down with a fever for a few days, and I had a cough that took about 3 weeks to clear up. However without being tested it's impossible to know for sure. But luckily I am back to normal now, and the wife and kids didn't catch my bug fortunately.
You are right about it being satisfying making everything from scratch; I find the moment when you release the hull from the mould and it has turned out ok, to be extremely satisfying! All that work put in over the preceding months suddenly comes to fruition! Hopefully this will go well tomorrow. Next job will be to start making the deck mould.
I believe that all RNLI activities including training launches has been stopped, and the ALC in Poole has been shut down (although they are still responding to emergencies). We will have to wait and see when the lockdown is lifted, to know if any open days will go ahead this year.
I hope you and your wife have escaped the bug.
All the best,
Charlie

Charlie · « **Reply #38 on:** April 05, 2020, 08:38:54 pm »

Success! The hull just popped out of the mould without too much trouble at all. Looks pretty good, will just need a bit of fettling in a few places, but overall it's looking pretty sweet! I was concerned that the spray rails wouldn't come out very well due to the sharp corners, but they actually came out perfectly. I couldn't do any more work on it today since there were some urgent DIY jobs to be done, but hopefully I can make a start on the stand tommorrow whilst I am working from home!

Capt Podge · « **Reply #39 on:** April 05, 2020, 08:59:46 pm »

I'm no expert Charlie but that's a good looking job you've made of that moulding

Regards,
Ray.

Canterbury Coxswain · « **Reply #40 on:** April 05, 2020, 11:15:04 pm »

There, just as expected Charlie [by us out here!] - wonderful. Those spray rails and edges are so cleanly shaped. When I said 'unusual' I still meant I liked it. Just like the Dutch SAR RIB type designs I like too................but I must not go there, too much else in the workshop. At least I will not be going to Dortmund, when I usually see them and am almost tempted. I hope your 'day at work' goes well tomorrow.
Kim

PS - thanks for the news and update.

Charlie · « **Reply #41 on:** April 06, 2020, 06:36:55 pm »

This just popped up in my Facebook feed - how do they know?

Charlie · « **Reply #42 on:** April 13, 2020, 08:25:54 pm »

A few photos showing my progress. I made a stand from some timber I had in my shed. This follows my standard design which I have refined over my last few builds; the ergonomics allow easy and comfortable lifting up, walking from car to lake with a secure grip, and placing down of the stand with a heavy boat. The recess for my hands has to be large enough so that my knuckles don't rub on the ground, which could be uncomfortable if placing the boat on a concrete surface, for example! Lots of the stands I see don't seem to consider the ergonomics! The pattern for my deck mould has been progressing; the most useful tool that has helped with this has undoubtedly been my Black and Decker Power File.

Charlie · « **Reply #43 on:** April 15, 2020, 05:03:56 pm »

This just popped up on my Facebook Feed. The NSRI (South African equivalent of the RNLI) are building a number of new 14m All-Weather Lifeboats; this is part of the hull mould which has just been removed from the plug. It's interesting to compare my miniature efforts to the full size version. This looks so similar to my hull mould, they would appear to be using a 3-piece mould just like mine.

Capt Podge · « **Reply #44 on:** April 15, 2020, 07:51:54 pm »

Wow!

Imagine trying to mould something that size on your own

Also shows how good your plug was in relation to accuracy

Regards,
Ray.

Charlie · « **Reply #45 on:** April 22, 2020, 02:11:01 pm »

The master for the Deck Moulding is taking a bit longer that i expected. I've now got to the stage where all the beams are fitted, and are now being sanded down to the correct profile. Then i will be able to add the Coaming, and sheet-over the deck.

Charlie · « **Reply #46 on:** April 27, 2020, 11:55:32 am »

My deck plug is pretty much completed. Just a bit of finishing and priming to do, then i can prepare for moulding.

Charlie · « **Reply #47 on:** May 03, 2020, 05:08:48 pm »

Due to the warmer weather, yesterday was quite productive. I was able to apply 2 coats of release agent to the plug, and then complete the layup of one half. Today is cooler, and I have been waiting all day for the release agent to dry. Looks like I will have to wait until sometime during the week to layup the second half.

Taranis · « **Reply #48 on:** May 03, 2020, 05:27:42 pm »

What a fantastic thread Charlie. I don't know how I missed it.

Capt Podge · « **Reply #49 on:** May 03, 2020, 09:11:33 pm »

Just a shame the weather gods have let you down Charlie - still, that gives the first side a couple of extra days to harden off.
Looking good so far...

Regards,
Ray.

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Author Topic: 12m SSRS Victoria Class Lifeboat (Read 22362 times)