Grand Banks Cruiser build

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Grand Banks Cruiser build

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4 May 2009 at 00:30 #6561
Peter Fitness
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@peterfitness34857
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4 May 2009 at 00:30 #20612
Peter Fitness
Participant
@peterfitness34857
In October of 2008, I started construction of a Grand Banks Cruiser, to a free plan by James Pottinger in MMI magazine. I had the plan enlarged slightly to give a hull length of around 80 cm. Jim was kind enough to send me copies of some of his photos of full size vessels for reference.

Construction is plank on frame, most of the hull planks being cut from 1.5 mm ply, while the deck planks are cut from pine. The frames are from 6 mm ply, and most of the superstructure is made from 1.5 mm ply.

The main cabin is fitted out with appropriate furniture, and the cabin windows are big enough for the detail to be seen, even though the cabin roof is a permanent fixture. I am currently in the process of completing the fly bridge.

The boat’s tender is a scratch built RIB, using pine dowel, with an outboard motor made from scrap wood and brass bits. I have made a decal of the Mercury outboard name which will be put on soon. I have named the boat “Lady Catherine” after our daughter, and that decal was printed on our computer on to water slide decal paper from Crafty Computer paper.

Construction has been somewhat stop and go, being interrupted by several trips away (retirement is marvellous), but is proceeding well at the moment, as we are home for several months before our next caravan trip.

The rest of the photos may be viewed in my photo albums, under Grand Banks Cruiser build.

Peter.
4 May 2009 at 08:05 #20615
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
You`ve made a nice job of it, Peter

Bob
4 May 2009 at 08:25 #20617
Barry Foote
Participant
@barryfoote68385
Beautiful as usual Peter..
4 May 2009 at 09:28 #20622
David Meier
Participant
@davidmeier28154
Hi Peter. The boat looks great, you have done a lovely job on the planking. Why did you choose ply for the hull planks and not pine as for the deck? I couldn’t help noticing your little helper in one of the pictures. Looks very much like our Rosie.

Cheers.

David.
4 May 2009 at 23:53 #20647
Peter Fitness
Participant
@peterfitness34857
David, the main reason I used ply, and not pine, for the hull planking, was convenience, or just plain laziness. It was easier to cut strips of ply than pine, plus I had some planking left over from my Nordkap kit, and the ply matched the thickness of that perfectly. Because the hull is sealed and painted, the difference is not noticeable.

Well spotted, my “helper” is also a Corgi, called Cassie, who usually lies under my feet while I’m in my shed.

Peter.
15 May 2009 at 02:59 #20863
Peter Fitness
Participant
@peterfitness34857
I am nearing the end of this build, with just a few finishing touches to add before the maiden voyage, which should take place next week, weather permitting.

David, here is a shot of our Corgi

Peter.

Edited By Peter Fitness on 15/05/2009 03:08:14
16 May 2009 at 08:01 #20881
David Meier
Participant
@davidmeier28154
The boat looks really smart Peter. It is beautifully finished. What do you use for glazing the windows? They look nice and clear and there is no encroaching glue showing. How do you mount them?

Cassey looks pleased with life, I suspect she is one lucky dog and knows it.

Our corgi likes to come for a ride on the boat rescue canoe at the pond, when ever she gets the chance.

David.
16 May 2009 at 13:52 #20889
Peter Fitness
Participant
@peterfitness34857
David, the glazing is clear 1.5 mm styrene sheet, which comes with a protective plastic layer on both sides to prevent damage. I bought it at a model shop in Lismore some time ago. The glue is aeromodeller’s canopy glue, which seems a type of PVA, and it dries very clear. Any excess can be wiped off with a damp rag, much the same as woodworker’s PVA.

Cassie loves nothing better than going body surfing, yet is not keen on still water. She happily hurls herself into broken waves at the edge of the surf, and has realised, if she gets carried out a short way, she can catch a wave back in to shore.

Peter.

Edited By Peter Fitness on 16/05/2009 13:53:48
16 May 2009 at 14:46 #20891
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
First class model Peter.

When will you be sailing her?

Paul
16 May 2009 at 23:45 #20904
Peter Fitness
Participant
@peterfitness34857
Thanks, Paul. I should finish it today so, provided the weather holds, and the forecast is not promising, she should be having her maiden voyage this week. Her first club outing should be next weekend, when our club is hosting a visiting club from Brisbane.

I will post some photos at the first opportunity.

Peter.
17 May 2009 at 07:28 #20907
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Peter

Just had a look at your part of the world via google earth.

What a fantastic place to live…doe’s it ever rain? I bet you don’t suffer from frost and snow……there must be a bigger risk of sunburn.

Paul
18 May 2009 at 01:56 #20930
Peter Fitness
Participant
@peterfitness34857
RAIN!!!! Don’t mention it. Our annual average is around 54 inches, but last year we had 93 inches, and so far this year we’ve had over 37.

We live right on the coast, and a lot of the rain has been coastal, not falling farther inland, where it’s needed. Normally, this time of the year, Autumn, is beautiful and, in fact, the last week has been gorgeous, but the rain is back with us again. At least, being sandy here, it drains away quickly. Frost and snow are definitely not a problem on the coast, although west of the coastal hills can be frosty in winter, but sunburn is a big risk in summer.

To make you envious, I have included some photos of Lennox Head, where I live. I have to say, the weather in the photos is the way it usually is. The 2 aerial shots I took from a friend’s aircraft a couple of years ago. Our house is obscured by the aircraft wing, but is only a few hundred metres from the beach, and fresh water Lake Ainsworth. The photo of our car on the beach is taken at the northern end of the beach (7 Mile Beach) and the headland can be seen in the distance.

Peter.
18 May 2009 at 06:54 #20931
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
It looks like one of those very difficult places to live in…….with all of the high rise and gheto areas….its a hard life but someone has to do it.

I took the google street level virtual tour and ended up on Gibbon St / Foster St.

Paul

You are very lucky to live in paradise.
18 May 2009 at 07:06 #20932
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Peter

Although its not boat related and might upset some members I wanted to show you a typical image of my home area, which is far removed from your beachside location.
This is a photo of Oughtrington (Lymm) my family have lived within 2 miles of this church for over 500 years.

Paul
18 May 2009 at 08:21 #20935
Peter Fitness
Participant
@peterfitness34857
Absolutely beautiful, Paul. One aspect of England that has always fascinated me is the age and history of everything. Australia has only had European settlement for a little over 220 years, and your family has lived in the same area for over 500 years – amazing. My family arrived in Australia from England in 1855.

It’s not looking good for the maiden voyage of my Grand Banks, rain and strong winds are forecast for the next week, although I have had it in the “test tank” – bath, to check for ballast requirement.

Peter.
18 May 2009 at 08:29 #20936
David Meier
Participant
@davidmeier28154
Gee Paul how old are you? But seriously that setting looks lovely and is something that I would like to see some day. When you live in a recently civilised country like NZ you just don’t get to experience the sense of history that you are surrounded with. Most of our 100 year old houses are on their last legs.

David.
19 May 2009 at 06:37 #20973
Peter Fitness
Participant
@peterfitness34857
Well, it is finally finished, and the weather has deteriorated; strong winds and heavy showers with the promise of more to come, just what we didn’t need.

Some photos of the finished article below.

Peter.
19 May 2009 at 06:43 #20974
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Good Morning Peter (or good evening as it will be for you)

What have you built the dive platform out of and could you post a close up photo of it.

I ask because I am playing around with the idea of one for the barrel back and yours looks ideal.

Paul
19 May 2009 at 06:51 #20975
Barry Foote
Participant
@barryfoote68385
Beautiful as usual Peter…
20 May 2009 at 00:42 #21006
Peter Fitness
Participant
@peterfitness34857
Thank you Barry, coming from you that is high praise indeed.

Paul, the dive platform is made from strip pine cut on my Proxxon saw. It is attached by drilling a hole in the ends of the cross pieces, inserting a short length of 1.5 mm brass rod into each, then pressing the rods into holes in the stern of the boat and gluing the whole assembly to the boat. It is very rigid and seems quite strong. The platform sits just above the water, which would seem to be prototypically correct. Photo below, and more photos in my album.

Peter.

Edited By Peter Fitness on 20/05/2009 00:45:42
30 May 2009 at 00:30 #21173
Peter Fitness
Participant
@peterfitness34857
My Grand Banks cruiser, the Lady Catherine, had her maiden voyage yesterday, and here is the photographic evidence. She handled beautifully and, despite the dirty water as the result of recent heavy rain, looked great underway.

Peter.
30 May 2009 at 09:47 #21185
David Meier
Participant
@davidmeier28154
It looks great Peter. I particularly like the top photo it looks really purposeful.

David.
30 May 2009 at 11:16 #21188
Paul T
Participant
@pault84577
Peter

Very very nice……..

I want to build one now……..

A nice little model at about 2m long……

It might be a cheek but is there any chance of you taking photos of the plans and emailing them to me.

Paul

Edited By The Fat Controller on 30/05/2009 11:22:47
31 May 2009 at 02:34 #21200
Peter Fitness
Participant
@peterfitness34857
Thanks David and Paul.

Paul, message sent.

Here are a couple more shots.

Peter.
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