1920’s Racing Runabout Guide

[David Butler 3Participant @davidbutler3]

I have a set of plans for this fine craft but can't seem to find any build blogs or instructions. As this si my first plank on wood project (maybe a little ambitious but we'll see) I'd appreciate any help. The plans come from the Winter Special 2010 and was designed by J Parker.

[David Butler 3Participant @davidbutler3]

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello David

Not only did John produce the plans but he also wrote a very detailed article detailing the build which is featured in the same edition and is available to all members in the digital archive.

This will help you with your project.

Paul

[David Butler 3Participant @davidbutler3]

And six months on since my last post the boat is almost finished.

Just waiting for the clear varnish to be applied and the brass fittings attached.

It's been quite a challenge – and it hasn't ended up exactly to the plans – but I've very pleased with the result.

[Charles OatesParticipant @charlesoates31738]

Nice one David,wood and varnish is my favourite finish, you should be very pleased with yourself. I bet you will end up with a super gloss when you have finished the model, please post some more pictures when it.s done.
Charlie.

[David Butler 3Participant @davidbutler3]

Charlie – a very happy new year to you.

I did have the option of staining the mahongany first but decided against this opting for the shine of a good varnish. Hopefully I can apply the first slightly dliuted coat tomorrow (Coo-Var varnish) and then over the course of a few days build up a good deep shine. I've just finished coating the brass parts with the second coat of Rustins lacquer so by next week the boat will be complete.

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello again David.

You have made a superb runabout, what did you use for the lighter coloured deck stringing?

Paul

[David Butler 3Participant @davidbutler3]

The plans showed plastic strips for the deck but I choose 1.6mm square bass wood. The advantage is that it sands easily to make a smooth desck but doesn't look as white as plastic. I'm sure the varnish (first coat goes on today) will change the appearance.

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

I am probably telling you how to suck eggs but you should ensure that all of the dust has been removed before applying the first coat, I generally use cotton wool with a little white spirit to get the stubborn dust out of the grain.

And then its lots of varnishing followed by wet & dry.

Paul

[David Butler 3Participant @davidbutler3]

Some good advice – thanks.

I did use the hoover brush to extract most of the dust but will rub over with some white spirit just to make sure. If I can manage to acheive the amazing shine as shown on your boat I'll be very happy – how many coats of varnish did you apply?

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

24

[David Butler 3Participant @davidbutler3]

I'm struggling with the varnish.

It's the smell of the Coo-Var varnish – it's too cold to apply in the garage so I 'borrowed' the spare room and managed to fill it with heady vapours. Then I was told off by the wife. So far I've managed to apply 3 coats of varnish and I think I've become immune to the smell – the rest of the family haven't.

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello David

When varnishing indoors I position a desktop fan at the window pointing outside to create a air flow and push most of the vapours outside.

Be careful with this particular varnish as there can be long term delayed affects to excessive inhalation, you should be wearing a P3 level mask if working indoors.

Paul

[David Butler 3Participant @davidbutler3]

Well it's finally finished. I only managed 10 coats of varnish before I couldn't resist adding the brass bits today. A quick trip to the pond was the only time I had today.

[Charles OatesParticipant @charlesoates31738]

David, that is blooming lovely, everthing I like in an ellegant model. What are you going to call her? Lilly perhaps!
Charlie.

[David Butler 3Participant @davidbutler3]

Thanks, I've learnt quite a bit:

1. Next time I'd like to shape the deck planks at the bow instead of just having them straight

2. This model has no access to the rudder as there is no hatch – hopefully it won't fail

3. I've just added the decals and maybe it was better without them (picture to follow)

4. Boy did it take a long time to finish

5. Next stop is the boating lake to give it a test

6. My next project is building a tug from plans – Anteo – so expect the results in a year or so!

[David Butler 3Participant @davidbutler3]

And today was the day that the 1920's Racer hit the water for the first time – well over a year since I bought the plans. All went well apart from several learnings:

1. At full throttle the boat climbs gently out of the water – a lovely sight

2. But the small port holes down the side that are supposed to keep the motor cool manage to collect quite a bit of water! And they don't cool the motor either. Cleverly (luckily) no damage from the water as the electronics are all well out of the way.

3. The electric 600 motor gets quite hot and is really noisy. Turns out most of this noise is coming from the relatively cheap steel motor mount I used which vibrates. Not sure how to tackle this one as a replacement motor mount would require quite a bit of re-fixing.

4. I managed the classic mistake of not adjusting the frame rate in the Spektrum DX3R Tx for the analogue servo I'm using for the rudder. By the end of three battery packs the rudder was twitching really badly and it seems I've managed to cause enough damage to mean a replacement digital servo is required.

5. I've come home planning my next build – already looking through the plans and checking balsa stocks!!

Fantastic hobby

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello David

Looking really good and a credit to your skills

Paul

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