“Westral Chief” inspired little big boat

This topic is empty.

Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 58 total)

1 2 3 →

Author

Posts
27 November 2011 at 10:02 #32557
RJR
Participant
@rjr
Hello. I am new here and am just getting into model boats. I have for some time built model trains but have recently joined my Dad and put a toe in the water of boating.

Never one to do things by halves, as a first project I plan to build an “inspired by” model of a Westral Chief, small fishing boat but in a large scale (1:6) I have ordered a hull from an ebay dealer and have been collecting as many pictures of the proto inspiration as possible.

As I get more to show, if there is interest I will continue with this thread. In the meantime you can find out a bit more about my idea and previous exploits on my modelling blog RJR Models
Advert

27 November 2011 at 10:02 #6754
RJR
Participant
@rjr
27 November 2011 at 10:08 #32558
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Welcome aboard, John

Bob
27 November 2011 at 16:05 #32560
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Hello John

Getting the top surface correct and true, is quite a tricky job!

To start with, I would make an accurate stand to set up the hull, then fill the hull with heavy weights.
Stand well back and study the lie of the land.

Check the heights of each side of the hull, with a suitable height gauge

You are now in the lap of the gods!

It’ll be a good starting point

Bob
3 December 2011 at 18:04 #32610
RJR
Participant
@rjr
thanks for the welcome and advice Bob, you must have taught Duckie well as he gave me the same advice re. a cradle.

I have made a cradle today, I was lucky that the top of the hull was neat and straight which was a good starting point.

I would post all the “Heath Robinson” methods I used to get to the following point, but when I tried the forum software told me it was too many characters long so I’m affraid you will have to follow this LINK to my blog to have a laugh!

John
3 December 2011 at 20:26 #32611
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Hello John

You have made a good technical start!

Your hull is about the same size as my Slo Mo Shun model so you may find my build thread useful in setting up your motor drives and propshaft etc

Here is the prop tube setup template…..

You will need a layout drawing of the hull and a further drawing of the motor assembly to determine the exit point of the prop tube, preferably on CAD in order to determine the best final drive position

This is yet another tricky job!

Lucky you!

Bob
3 December 2011 at 20:36 #32612
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Hello John

Here`s my layout for reference…

Bob
3 December 2011 at 20:41 #32613
RJR
Participant
@rjr
thank you Bob
15 December 2011 at 07:41 #32695
RJR
Participant
@rjr
I have just updated my blog with some build progress

Motors and rudders

John
17 December 2011 at 09:26 #32706
RJR
Participant
@rjr
Things have progressed further this week, here is a peek of the boat in the bath…

For more about how it got to this point, info and pictures can be found on my blog..

Wheelhouse blog post

John
17 December 2011 at 09:33 #32707
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Well done, John

Didn`t realise how big the hull was….till now!

I wonder what the hull was originally for?

Plasticard is very nice to work with, but is rather heavy….beware being top heavy!

and hence…..Wobbly!

Bob
17 December 2011 at 09:40 #32708
RJR
Participant
@rjr
Thanks for that note of caution Bob, noted !

Im guessing your comment on the motor size was before you realised how big the hull was..

When I bought the hull off Ebay the seller described it as being of a “BJR workboat” hence the pictures I am using for inspiration are of a BJR Westral. I contacted him to see if he had plans or more info but apparently he bought the mould and was just using it along with others to lay up and sell F/G hulls
18 December 2011 at 07:26 #32709
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Might be a good idea to fit two outer bilge keels for stability and then you wouldn’t need a stand either

Just a suggestion…..Bob
18 December 2011 at 12:46 #32715
Ducky
Participant
@ducky
Cracking on the same as you Bob when you get the bit in your teeth.

I’m just a chip off the young block
20 December 2011 at 16:28 #32737
RJR
Participant
@rjr
Another update for any one interested

Wheel house update
20 December 2011 at 17:14 #32738
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Coming on nicely, John……..But!……

I’ve never seen anything like it in my life!

She looks extremely top heavy and the motors look extremely small!
It would be interesting to see your Dads Aziz alongside?

I would suggest a sailing trial ASAP!

We wait with baited breath!

Bob
20 December 2011 at 18:24 #32739
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
I think for that size hull a geared motor and very large prop/props might be required? Pictures of my Fantome ( 48″ by 13″) with Torpedo 800 motors in were commented on by Bob as “small engines” but yours…whew!

it is certainly a whopper!!!

Ashley

Edited By ashley needham on 20/12/2011 18:26:39
20 December 2011 at 22:18 #32741
RJR
Participant
@rjr
Hopefully your wait with baited breath wont be for too long, hoping to get it in the lake in the very near future.

After tonight’s progress I have added another blog post. Mainly adding covers to make it a bit more lake ready ! The next step is open water tests before progressing further

HERE

Edited By RJR on 20/12/2011 22:20:11
22 December 2011 at 07:59 #32743
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Well, young Teal……How`s the Ugly Duckling this morning?

Boom! Boom!…….These are the jokes folks!

Only joking, but what a crackin` name for your model?

Will you be fitting bilge keels before the big splash? I wouldT……There`s nowt worse than a wobbly boat, first time out!

Frostbite Sail day would be ideal for the first outing, where the all the experts will be on hand for instant praise or otherwise?

Just a light hearted Christmas message of encouragement, old chap

Bob
22 December 2011 at 08:31 #32744
Dave Milbourn
Participant
@davemilbourn48782
Those motors look awfully small for the hull size, John. Which Graupner Speed variant are they and how big are the props (e.g. diameter and number of blades)?

Dave M
24 December 2011 at 21:20 #32760
RJR
Participant
@rjr
Well guys the big day was today…. She was lowered into the water at Etherow and allowed to do her stuff….

Thanks to Bob for donating a steering wheel that allowed the little guy to do the business..

Dad picked this guy up from the local charity shop for a £1 unfortunately he is only wearing underpants and it was a cold morning !!

Prior to going I fitted some deck covers in case of splashes or worse!

There is more pictures and a video of the maiden voyage on my blog

Full Report
25 December 2011 at 06:47 #32761
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
Hi John and Duckie

That’s a nice Christmas present!……..and a load off your mind!
What a pleasant surprise?……….for me especially!
Apologies for my incorrect predictions!
You can now proceed with complete confidence and have fun creating interesting detail and extra features.

See you at the Frostbite Sail

In the meantime…….A merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all

Bob
25 December 2011 at 18:00 #32762
RJR
Participant
@rjr
It sure was a relief.. I was sure that we had made our corrections correctly, but it was good to see it work out!!

Looking forward to Frostbite, with an unfinished but stable boat!
2 January 2012 at 09:37 #32813
RJR
Participant
@rjr
New blog update with build progress now online….

Windows
2 January 2012 at 09:57 #32814
Bob Abell 2
Participant
@bobabell2
You`ve been crackin` on, the last few days!…….Very nice build

Love the toolbox and Jerry can…..Nice touch

Bob
Author

Posts