Dutch Courage

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15 April 2009 at 20:30 #20263
Paul Godfrey
Participant
@paulgodfrey14946
Hi guys,

Further to all my previous threads (and once again, thanks for all the advice kindly given so far), I’m pleased to say that I’ve finished my first ever boat.

Bearing in mind its the first time I’ve used plasticard, the first time I’ve ever soldered, etc etc, I’m quite pleased with the end result, but I’ve learnt a hell of a lot along the way which will help no end with my next boat, Sir Lancelot.

I have made quite a few mistakes during the build, with some major schoolboy errors as well! Too many to list, but I must mention the glazing. When everything you read states ‘do not use superglue’, then DO NOT USE IT!! I did initially, it wasn’t so much getting it onto the visible areas of the window, but the way it seems to ‘seep into’ the edges of the piece, making them ‘cloudy’. I had to remove them all, re-make the windows, and use clear contact adhesive (but I’ve still left fingerprints on the inside of the windows which I didn’t notice until the roof was glued on!!).

Anyway, I’ve put some photos into an album, and look forward to your comments (good or otherwise! – all will be useful!).
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15 April 2009 at 20:30 #1859
Paul Godfrey
Participant
@paulgodfrey14946
First boat now finished!
16 April 2009 at 13:52 #20279
neil hp
Participant
@neilhp
I’d be more than happy if that was my FIRST attempt at model boat building…….I’d be ecstatic, Paul.

very nice indeed.

neil.
16 April 2009 at 14:08 #20280
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Paul,

That is a an excellent piece of work which you can be really proud of. Last week I visited The Model Slipway in connection with a forthcoming Trader feature we are doing about them in the magazine and I am wondering if it would be possible to use one of your photos as an example of what a great job even a beginner can make of their kits with a bit of attention to detail. You won’t get paid I’m afraid but would have the satisfaction of seeing your work in print.

Colin
16 April 2009 at 17:55 #20282
Paul Godfrey
Participant
@paulgodfrey14946
Thanks very much for your comments Neil & Colin, its so encouraging to receive such remarks – much appreciated.

Colin, it would absolutely fine to use as many photos as you wish!! To see my boat in the mag would be great!

Paul
16 April 2009 at 18:50 #20284
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Hi Paul, I’ve sent you a personal message.

Colin
17 April 2009 at 10:35 #20291
Ducky
Participant
@ducky
Hi Paul

Like your self I started my model boat building with Model Slipway and have just finished my third model the “Aziz” check out the galley pictures on their website.

Model Slipway would be only too pleased to add your pictures to their gallery I’m sure, they will want a brief description of what you put into it. Its all good publicity for them knowing even beginners can make a model as good as yours.

http://www.modelslipway.com/

As for the windows I had the same problems as you on my first couple of boats and then found some stuff called Formula “560” which is used by model airplane people for gluing Canopies in their models and IT WORKS ! its a product of PACER Technology in the USA ,though I bought it at a trade stall at a show here.

Looking foreward to your next project.

Ducky
17 April 2009 at 19:35 #20297
Paul Godfrey
Participant
@paulgodfrey14946
Thanks Ducky, I’ll make a point of getting hold of some for future builds. Thanks also for your kind comments on my Dutch Courage.

I know this is probably not best practise, but it got its hull wet for the first time tonight (in the bath), and I was so pleased that it remained bone dry inside! It also sat very well on the water, needing only something the weight of a tin of beans (a tin of beans) in the back to get it perfect. I’ve seen many pictures of boats with lead strips inside for ballast – where can I get hold of some? or what else can I use instead?

Paul
17 April 2009 at 20:22 #20298
neil hp
Participant
@neilhp
Bags of LEAD SHOT FROM A GUN SHOP OR EVEN BAGS OF SAND put inti freezer bags are great ways of finely trimming your boat. easy to fit move and remove when needed.
17 April 2009 at 20:56 #20299
Paul Godfrey
Participant
@paulgodfrey14946
Thanks Neil, I’ll use the sand suggestion, as I’ve got some to hand (why didn’t I think of that?!).

Paul
18 April 2009 at 08:32 #20305
Ducky
Participant
@ducky
Hi Paul

How about a plastic bottle marked to level you want for weight , (same weight as your can of beans) and then you can fill it at the lake ,saves carrying all that weight around.

Any extra deck clutter you might add later can then be easily catered for as well

Ducky.
18 April 2009 at 08:49 #20307
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
That`s a………………………… “Good idea………..Son!”

With a bit of forward planning………………….You could fill the boat up instead…….in watertight compatments?

Alway`s goes one better!………………Bob…………………….LOL
22 April 2009 at 19:33 #20381
Paul Godfrey
Participant
@paulgodfrey14946
My Dutch Courage had it’s first outing this afternoon, at the club I’m going to join – The Brentwood Model Boat Club (just 10 mins drive away, nice and handy).

All went very well indeed . Unfortunately nobody else was there to witness the event! Their small lake for scale boats is in a lovely setting, surrounded by fields on one side (with a windmill nearby), and trees on the other. Plus the weather today was ideal.

I shall be there again Sunday morning (weather permitting) to watch the competition, and to give my boat another sail afterwards (wish I’d fitted a bow-thruster!!). If anybody reading this is a member of this club & is going on Sunday, please come and say hi.

Paul.
23 April 2009 at 12:51 #20389
Terry Small
Participant
@terrysmall72176
Well done Paul and as they say welcome to model boating.

Any chance of a few pics for us to enjoy.
23 April 2009 at 18:04 #20392
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Paul has put an album up here: http://www.modelboats.co.uk/albums/member_album.asp?a=5508

Colin
23 April 2009 at 19:16 #20394
Paul Godfrey
Participant
@paulgodfrey14946
I will be taking some photo’s of it in the water hopefully on Sunday, if its not raining, and will add them to the album.

I will also dust off the telephoto lens to take some pics of the clubs ‘steering competition’ on Sunday morning, and will put these in a new album, to which I’ll add some pics of various boats I’ve taken this year & last year at The Model Engineering Exhibition at the Ally Pally.
8 May 2009 at 07:48 #20701
Southern O Josh
Participant
@southernojosh
I just looked at your gallery and I like it a lot. You sir are a much better detail painter than I. I especially like the deck hand. Nice work!

Josh
8 May 2009 at 08:50 #20704
Ducky
Participant
@ducky
Hi Paul

You’ve made a great job of your first build and praise from Terry is praise indeed after seeing his models on the Model Slipway Gallery.

Whats the next project ?? ,plenty of choice on Model Slipway who is my manufacturer of choice,they do exactly what they say on the box don’t they, and perhaps you could try the Bow Thruster on the next one.

Ducky
8 May 2009 at 18:40 #20715
Paul Godfrey
Participant
@paulgodfrey14946
Thanks Josh & Ducky for your comments.

If the pics were in a higher resolution, you could zoom in and see all the imperfections!! Oh, and Josh, I would like to take credit for the crew, but being an honest guy, I have to admit that they were bought from GT Models pre-painted!

Although I have already bought Mountfleet’s Sir Lancelot as a long-term build (I will paint the crew myself for this one), I am toying with buying another tug. The club I’ve recently joined has a great little lake with various obstacles for steering comps etc, and I’m enjoying the challenge of trying to master this skill. I have already changed to independent control of the motors, which makes a huge difference, but didn’t fit a working bow-thruster as it was my first boat.

So, my dilema. I want a smallish boat, with twin props, which I will fit a bow-thruster to. I’ve narrowed it down to 3: Model Slipway’s Tsekoa II (a great looking boat, and does well in competitions, but an older MS kit); Model Slipway’s Al Khubar (a fairly simple build I understand, and a nice size for manouevering); and finally Metcalf Moulding’s Graemsay (again, a nice size, quirky looking, and space for a nice model tractor on the back!).

Any preference??
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