Thanks for the reply Charles, this clarifies it a bit better. Where do you source the rubber couplings. I've only used Huco in the past.

Also thanks for your comments Glynn. Being and aeromodeller in my youth I built among other things some of the Ray Malmstrom planes, and your straightforward approach to boat construction appeals to me in the same way, now that my aeroplane chasing days have passed. I believe in simplicity, and I have read the article but was trying to grasp what the changes I am making would have and explore possibilities in my inexperienced effort to get things right if I can.

My first effort was from your excellent small book introducing boat building and radio control, and I have to admit that you would probably recognise the hull but the superstructure kind of went its own way. It sails well though and creates interest from passers by on the canal where I sail it.

Thank you all for your encouragemant and advice. I'll submit photos when complete.

Ian

THE SAGA OF THE TRAMP STEAMER PROJECT JUNE 2017

Part one

The boat I was planning was to be built up in pine,

Saw the wood guy to try and explain it.

He said that’s OK but he didn’t stock that size

And his machine had broke down that would plane it.

So we thought for a bit and he said yes that’s it

I’ve some nice marine ply, but not so thick.

And it looked to me about the same weight,

So I agreed that it may do the trick.

I’ve a five inch beam, deep water line,

And a lead acid gel battery moreover,

So I guess if I’m careful and make the top light

When it turns sharp it may not roll over.

I’ve extended the boat a bit from the plan,

Bought a brass prop and a tube with an oiler,

A dirty great motor and flex coupling too,

‘Cos I can’t justify a steam engine and boiler

So now I await the wood guy’s call

To say “Bits are cut to your templates, my man,”

Then I can start to build me a lovely strong hull,

Inside my Man Cave, beer fridge at hand.

Part two

So I’ve got the wood and some offcuts too

And some square bits as Glynn’s plan had listed

And the sawn up flat bits all seem OK

But the square sections all came out twisted

Well that’s no real problem, I need only short bits

And the framework’s progressing quite nicely

And the bottom and decks and bulkheads too

Fit together nearly almost precisely.

The motor’s gone in and the prop shaft too

And to my surprise they seem to align

So next I’ll buy and fit the rudder

Fingers crossed it will all go in fine.

Well it did nicely sit in a hole drilled to fit

With a fairing to extend the fin blade

And with epoxy for glue the prop shafts in too

And now some progress’s being made.

Part three

Well now for the sides of the hull we select

Some two milly ply stocked in the shed

And using the new scroll saw – a boon I must say

The sides were roughed out ahead

The straight bits for sure went in a treat

Glued with clamps and weights overnight

The transom end behaved with just a few clamps

But the bow was going to be tight

Now Balsa is generally forgiving stuff

And will most easily bend round if you try

But even thin ply I found to my cost

Is stiff and unyielding and quite spry

So the first side was glued and clamped and taped

But resisted my attempts to do it

So forgetting all the wisdom looked up and read

I decided to drill it and screw it

Well I’ve got to say it worked, and worked well

I must recommend this approach to you chaps

And flushed with success the other side was tried

But despair! I was vexed. The play snaps!

So you sit and look at the damage as wrought

How’m I going to get the side off, it’ll take ages

Until one of those light bulb thoughts Glyn sometimes reveals

I thought “lobster back the side in small stages”

Well this seemed to work and the side went quite well

Curving nicely around the boat’s bow

So panic is over at least for now

But the inside needs reinforcing a bit now.