A Tug of two halfs

[Eddie LancasterParticipant @eddielancaster]

Hi. Roger, at the last count I am on No.7, but am still making mistakes, the last one was setting up the rudder control the wrong way, as pointed out by Ray, I have now put the quadrant on the rudder and it is better that way round, thanks Ray.

It had its first sea trials (well fish pond trials)this morning and did well, the low speed control is really good with the geared motor and large prop.

I think it's advanced enough now for proper trials at the big pond on Thursday morning, it will be without the wheelhouse though as I am now on version 3, although made to the drawing 1 and 2 were too wide, there would not have been enough space between the railings and the side for a scale figure, so No.3 is on the way, over 1" narrower.

As you say Roger an interesting group to knock into shape, but it looks like they can do a bit of cleaning and finish the painting.

I have ordered a couple of crew members from The Model Dockyard.

Regards.

Eddie.

[Eddie LancasterParticipant @eddielancaster]

Hi. Roger, I have now finalised the electronics layout.

All the electrics are on one board and can be removed by taking out the four screws, the rudder servo board can also be removed in the same way, allowing access to the motor which is also removable.

If I decide to change to Action electronics at a later date it will be a simple process of swapping boards.

Regards.

Eddie.

[Roger ClarkParticipant @rogerclark]

Looking very neat and tidy Eddie, I approve Are you mounting the on/off switch for external access?

I've done a coat of wood stain on the decking and 3 coats of lacquer, it's okish but not perfect but I'll put up with it. Should have gone with separate stain as I know where I am with that, never mind lesson number 364 stashed away for reference if I can remember where I put it!!!

I've started the dumb barge, cut the main ply, might interject that with the tug build.

I've also ordered the full pack for Veronica as I think that's my next build, Would like some feedback from the forum as to whether I document this as it will be a lot more considered build. I would like to go with spruce or lime for the planking, get it trimmed and tight, use the packing tape method to epoxy and get it watertight. It won't be a racing barge as I'm too far away from any venues and I'm not really the competitive type (because I'm rubbish ).

So if I document the build is it a blog or a scratch build?

The decisin is yours

Regards

Roge

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

There's not that many builds being documented so go for it, the more the merrier.

Some seem to have fallen by the wayside, for whatever reason, which is a pity.

I've got mine in Build Blogs even though they are scratch built. I doubt that it matters as long as you don't put a non-scratch built in the scratch built? They are all builds after all.

Chris

Edited By Chris Fellows on 08/05/2019 14:03:41

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Roger/Chris

There is a build blog way back by Geoff Sleath on the SB Veronica hull, he had a merry dance, as the first batch of bulkheads were slightly wrong, all sorted now, but the more barge coverage the better in my book, lots of pictures on my old thread, well not mine exactly "Thames Barge Stuff" somebody has just started a build on the Facebook group.

When you see Peter's excellent DVD you will see she is basically a ply box in the centre section, with ply planked bow and stern sections, plank the deck, but they were mainly painted on the real things, my Veronica has scribed lines for the planking which is one of the 12 Peter has built so far.

Regards Ray

Edited By Ray Wood 2 on 08/05/2019 14:54:19

Edited By Ray Wood 2 on 08/05/2019 14:56:16

[Eddie LancasterParticipant @eddielancaster]

Hi.Roger, pleased to hear that you are going to build a barge and Veronica in particular, I found it a good barge to cut my teeth on. As Ray says use the Thames Barge Stuff thread,it's all in the same place then, I will put my build of Cambria there when I get back to it.

Thanks for your kind words,I hadn't thought of putting the switch outside, I will see how it works at the pond side.

I agree with you about remembering were I have put things, both mentally and physically, I'm sure I have a gremlin that keeps spiriting things away.

Regards.

Eddie.

[Roger ClarkParticipant @rogerclark]

Hi all, I'm pleased to see the response even if it is off my 'usual posters', don't get me wrong I love to see them and would miss you guys but with the number of views I've had on this one I'm surprised that there haven't been others who have an idea/ comment good or bad tosay but it is what it is and onward we go.

I did sit and read through Geoffs blog and very interesting read it was but it is an old one with the issues there were. I thought if I do a current one then it will be with the current plans and cnc cut formers and keel and I regard this one to be another step towards a sloop or sqaure rigger of some type if I feel so inclined.

Eddie, I did think that a switch in a suitable position on the upper deck/bridge would be most accesible in case of emergencies.

Ray, which facebook group is that?

Regards

Roger

[Tim RoweParticipant @timrowe83142]

Hi Roger

Maybe it was not on this forum but I have seen some people get very uppity about others describing a kit or a pack as a scratch build. The purist would say you have to build everything to qualify but life's too short eh?

Anyone having a go at building regardless how they set about it deserves to be applauded and anyway I haven't yet met anyone who doesn't put some personal touches or stray away from the exact plan whether intentional or not. It is part of pleasure as well as the satisfaction of watching your own creation performing as intended even if that is looking out from the mantlepiece.

Ray has tempted me into a Veronica. It would have to be plan built and as I have not seen that many Thames Barges in Mallorca, I doubt I'll be racing it. Ray's Wild Duck is first in the queue which appeals to me a lot.

Keep up the great work and the interesting blog.

Tim R

[Roger ClarkParticipant @rogerclark]

Hi Tim,

Thanks for the comments and encouragement. I haven't seen Ray's Wild Duck (sounds kinda rude said like that ) but I'll go and have a gander if I can find it! Strangely I was having a trawl through my usual places on the net for some bits and lo and behold thar she rises not 10 miles from me, a built Veronica hull for 275 notes! What a coincidence? Do I or don't I that is the question!!!! Oh with plans as well.,

Regards

Roger

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Roger,

She was designed and named in the age of innocents, and is a Yachting Monthly 22' sloop and was my rendition a feature plan in Model Boats a couple of years ago. That barge hull sounds very expensive and is the easy bit of the build, the time consuming part is the the spars, rig & sails.

Regards Ray

Edited By Ray Wood 2 on 08/05/2019 21:08:20

[Roger ClarkParticipant @rogerclark]

Hi Ray, That's a lovely boat, beautiful lines and yes I can believe the work is in the topsides, big learning curve for me.

This is the barge for sale:

Looks to be a good build but what do I know? I know you said that is expensive but if the initial purchase was £100 for the cnc and plans, then add what another £50 for the rest of wood, paint etc. so what would you expect a fair price to be? Not accussing, I just don't know how much is a fair price.

Regards

Roger

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Roger,

Something is worth what somebody is willing to pay for it 😀

I enjoy tracing and cutting out the plywood on my bandsaw, the plywood from SLEC would cost £25 for the cheap cross grain sheets for the bulkhead & keel.

No response to my advert in the ME 😢

Regards Ray

[Roger ClarkParticipant @rogerclark]

Hi Ray,

Yes you're absolutely right there.

I agree that is the way to go but I wanted to make sure that I had a good accurate frame to start with, the tug hull showed up the discrepancies in my frame cutting so I thought I would make sure that bit would be right to start with.

Sorry to hear that, I have my Speedy and Simplex up on Ebay at the moment, no bids but 40 and 25 watching currently so here's hoping that 2 turn into bids, I'd be ok with 1 on each more would be nice

Regards

Roger

[Roger ClarkParticipant @rogerclark]

Hi all, Found another site with tugboats: Steam Boats.com, some interesting stuff on there.

Regards

Roger

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Roger,

I really like the Stern Wheeler in the 3rd photo, there's a challenge as a steamer with the long stroke cylinders driving direct onto the wheel, another one for the list

Regards Ray

[Roger ClarkParticipant @rogerclark]

Hi Ray, I hope you mean your list

Regards

Roger

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Roger,

Yes ok my list if you like, always thought the Gauge 1 spirt fired Project boiler would suit a boat, they are quite compact and not that hard to build, I've built a couple for loco's in the past.

Regards Ray

[Eddie LancasterParticipant @eddielancaster]

Hi. Roger, Ray,had first sea trials of Master Elliott today, in the rain, went very well, only criticisms was the volume of the 'steam engine', no photos, I forgot in the excitement of the moment,it doesn't take much to excite me these days. Did a bit of video but can't load it onto this site.

Regards.

Eddie.

[Roger ClarkParticipant @rogerclark]

Hi Ray, haha we'll make it 'the list' then, I'll just go and put in a request to extend my lifespan to 150 .

Hi Eddie, congratulations I'm really made up for you……. and jealous too but I am glad everything went ok and be careful with this excitement thing, you never know what might happen! Shame about the sound, could you add an amp into the mix? Is the quality of the sound worth the added expense?

Regards

Roger

Edited By Roger Clark on 09/05/2019 14:14:38

[Eddie LancasterParticipant @eddielancaster]

Hi. Roger, thanks for your enthusiasm, I am pleased as well.

I was going to add a potentiometer but have gone down the route of simplicity and reduced the voltage, I have gone from 9 volts to 6 and now 3 and I think 11/2 will be enough.

I now have to finish the wheelhouse, I should have that fitted by the bank holiday weekend when we have our model boats Mayhem at Wicksteed Park Kettering, all the little bits will then be added later.

I think a recording of me sandpapering would make a better noise, but I am going to check out the Action Electronics unit as soon as I can.

Regards.

Eddie.

[Roger ClarkParticipant @rogerclark]

Have a listen to the 2 tracks here Crosshead & Puffer engines, also there is another sound module here that could be useful.

I'm going to contact them and see if they can tie in with prop speed.

Regards

Roger

[Eddie LancasterParticipant @eddielancaster]

Hi. Roger, I think I looked at those units some time ago, but discarded them as they are not linked to the throttle control, and they don't appear to run on a loop,the engine sound is more realistic though.

Regards.

Eddie.

[Roger ClarkParticipant @rogerclark]

Yeah I know what you mean Eddie, a catch 22 situation, realism of sound or realism of acceleration etc. or spend out a big wad on the Harbor model.

I'm sure there's something lurking out there to suit though, must be. If they can make them for railways then should be able to make them for boats.

Regards

Roger 

Edited By Roger Clark on 09/05/2019 18:01:40

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Roger,

I must admit I never thought about a sound system for a powered boat, no worries with a sailing barge just the crew whistling for a wind , or singing 😊

Keep up the good work

Regards Ray

[Roger ClarkParticipant @rogerclark]

Hi Ray, The crew could be singing shanties

Regards

Roger

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