I painted the hull below the waterline with 2 coats of revell matt brick red, I think it looks much better than the gloss signal red. It was good for sealing the hull and a good base for the brick red. It took about a tin and a half, about 20mls, I have used two 14ml tins of revell grey so far and about half a tin of the humbrol equivalent grey on the crane and hatch covers.
I had masked off the waterline with pinstriping tape, try for a straighter look than my handpainted edge. Laying the pinstriping tape showed how bad my line actually was, in places, lots of places. 😁
Anyway, removal of the tape took small bits of the grey off showing some easily repainted red showing through. The line is sharp though, well happy. It needs another coat of grey, I have a full tin and a tiny bit left.
If its not enough paint, the shop that I got the paint from is a 45 minute motorbike ride over one of the best biking roads around here. Its called the Dukes Pass if anyone fancies trying it.
Anyway, back to the ship...
I have started drawings for a workboat/lifeboaty type craft, which will sit on deck along with my portakabin, to move about with my crane, I am also going to fit a tiny aircraft radio board in it, meaning it will be forward only, but it is only 175mm long, so shouldn't really need reverse if I am careful. Motor is 8.5mm x 20mm with tiny quadcopter prop cut down.
Propshaft and coupling will be home made.
The radio board has 2 servos, so one for steering and one spare. I dont know if these servos could work a microswitch, they are tiny. Steering and forward will be sufficient. The 8.5mm motor is powerful when used in micro planes, 1 to 2 foot span, so a very small boat should move ok, I can always cut the prop down a bit more if the motor gets too hot, I dont want it too fast anyway.
The workboat is really a separate project, I am sure the ship will be launched before the workboat is ready. Once my last coat of grey is on, I can do a bath test, see how it looks. Need to remember to fit the rudder first, save any leaks. The top of the rudder tube is well above the waterline so should be fine anyway.
Need to get some ballast weights looked out. The battery will add some weight, I will probably use my 7.4v mega pack, twelve 18650 cells, that I made for Sea Rover, should be enough for a few hours of gentle cruising.