Commodores Challenge

Hi Bob.

I recently met you at Etherow some weeks or is it a month ago, I was the chap who had scratch built a pleasure cruiser using the slats from a venetian blind for the hull, I heard you were entering the Commodores' Challenge and just wondered how you got on?

I am new to model boats and your posts have been inspirational, hope to meet you again soon, I am having a go at a clinker built 'Auxilliary boat' at present which I am finding quite difficult, might have to scrap it! some pics of my efforts below,

Rgds..Bob Mc.

Hello Bob Mc

I do remember meeting you on the landing stage several weeks ago

The Slipper Launch was finished months ago and it appears that I am the only entrant!

I`ve sailed the model in the garden, using an inflatable kids paddling pool

Not sailed on the Lake.

Don`t understand why there were not more entrants though

See you again next time

Regards......Bob A

Bob. Yes, I don’t understand why there are no challenge entries. You would have thought people would only be too glad to have something to work on??

Bob Mc. There’s not that much wrong with your launch as far as I can see. Paint looks good. Some applique wood or white strips at the front would help to get a good gap-less fit, and once accessorised with people, fittings and so on, it will look the biz.

If you were worried about the unevenness on the hull, attack it with some course sandpaper and spread P38 filler down the sides with a wide scraper, then wet’n’dry. Should sort it out easy.

Ashley

Thank you. Ashley for your post

The Club members seem to have gone over to Yachting only these days, en masse

Probably because the Commodore is a well known Yachter

Power boats of any kind are rarely seen these days

A sad situation indeed

Bob

Thanks Bob / Ashley....

I don't go to Etherow on Tuesdays as that seems to be the Yachting fraternitie's time slot as well as Friday .. I think, but I can say I have met a at least 8 to 10 power boat sailors in the short while I have been a member and there are usually 3,4 or 5 other power boaters there each time so its not been a case of being the only one! .. and friendly helpful chaps they are as well !

I have to say that even when the yachting men have the lake they don't seem to mind my powered boat but I have adjusted my time slots now so as not get in the way.

The cruiser in the photo's above has twin props, the rudder being in between, as a complete beginner I did not realise this was a bad idea! I powered the two motors from one ESC and it became obvious on the first sailing that the steering was rubbish, consequently I put micro switches on each motor feed so that when the rudder was full over it switched off the relevant motor and provided good steering at low speed but its not ideal.

I have now got a "W" tail system which gives proportional control and have yet to try it out... will let you know.

The next project I am on with is this clinker 'Auxilliary' boat from a design by Jim Pottinger, as said in my first post,.. it ain't easy ! but I will persevere unless its obviously a dead duck....pics of the build up to now below.

Rgds..Bob Mc.

Checking the keel...made of oak.

Making a start planking.

Plank fitting ran out of oak and found a piece of mahogany and cut into strips using bandsaw below...