Artesania Latina Atlantis

[GrumpsParticipant @grumps]

Hi – I'm fairly new to model boat building, having built control line planes in my teens. After successfully building a slightly pimped Aeronaut Diva for granddaughter No. 1, I'm now about to build an Artesania Latina Atlantis trawler for granddaughter No. 2, who's only four. The kit comes with the usual poor quality running gear, including (unusually) a 3mm shaft, running in a slim 5mm OD tube. Motor looks to be a cheap 380 unit (although the can is longer than a standard 380, at 46mm) and the prop is a weird, cheap plastic 2 blade 40mm item. I'm going to junk the running gear that came with the kit (the shaft's bent, anyway). I have an MFA 385 that I'm hoping to run off a 7.2V NiMH supply. My dilemma is what propeller and shaft to use. The kit has a false keel designed for the slim 5mm OD shaft tube supplied. I'm hoping I can ease it out to take a 6mm (ish) tube, with maybe a 3mm shaft from the Prop Shop, who seem to be the only suppliers of 3mm shafts. All of this swinging a 30mm three blade brass prop, instead of the large 40mm 2 plastc 2 blade supplied with the kit. I am rather groping around here, so any advice members might have would be welcome! Yeah, I know, don't build the Atlantis!!….

[GrumpsParticipant @grumps]

[GrumpsParticipant @grumps]

This is the Diva:

[Richard SimpsonParticipant @richardsimpson88330]

Hi Grumps and welcome to the forum. I actually think you are doing the right thing already by talking to The prop Shop. They certainly know their business and should be able to direct you to the right components. It might also be worth having a look at Cornwall model Boats, who have a fairly comprehensive range of shafts and tubes, in particular Raboesch products, which are generally good quality, and Caldercraft items. You can get Raboesch maintenance free shafts with ball bearings fitted which are very good.

I think all you can do it try to find components as close to the originals as possible to save too much hacking around the model. Have a look through these:

Cornwall Shafts

As for propellers it mainly depends on the performance you want. Some prefer a sedate cruising speed whereas some want something that flies around at a well over scale speed. I would have thought for your Granddaughter that the former would be more appropriate. two bladed tend to be the performance type whereas a three bladed brass prop would be a more sedate performance. 7.2 V going into a 385 motor should be more than enough for the Diva and I would have thought that a 30mm prop would be plenty. If you think it is too fast for your Granddaughter you can simply change to a 6V battery to start with.

[GrumpsParticipant @grumps]

Thanks Richard. It's sedate all the way for me – and speed limited as far as possible for the granddaughter! I swapped the Diva kit shaft and prop for a Caldercraft shaft and Raboesch three blade prop, which worked a treat. However, the Diva only needed a 25mm prop and I could use a 2mm Fineline shaft. I think I need more than a 25mm prop on the Atlantis, so need to go for a bigger shaft, which brings clearance problems with the false keel construction. I shall take your advice and (apart from the prop) match like-for-like as far as I can. Thanks for the advice about the 385 and 7.2V supply – wasn't sure about this, as the motor's rated to 12V, unlike the 380 in the Diva. After the Atlantis, I'm going to scratch build a 1/24th Thorneycroft MTB presented as a post-war private motor cruiser conversion, so there may be more questions on the way. You have been warned!! And thanks for the warm welcome – I'm pleased to have joined the Forum.

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Welcome to the forum Grumps.

Following on from Richard's suggestions, I think it would be a good idea to look at the Caldercraft Fineline range as they can accommodate a standard 4mm shaft in a 6mm outside diameter tube. This would give you much more choice with props.

**LINK**

Propshop propellers are generally held to be the best but are relatively expensive and delivery can sometimes take a while.

Raboesch do a wide range of nice props which would be quite adequate for your trawler.

**LINK**

Deans Marine alsao do a wide range of shafts and props including 6mm tubes with 4mm shafts.Well worth a browse.

**LINK**

You will find 3mm shafts and props at Cornwall Model Boats and Deans if you want to keep the existing tube and can find the sizes of shaft and prop you need.

Decisions!

Colin

[GrumpsParticipant @grumps]

Many thanks Colin – I’ve discovered it’s all about decisions in the model boat building world!

Not sure if there is any theory to back this up, but my instinct is that it’s not good practice to run a shaft that’s a lot bigger than the output shaft of the motor. I feel a bit iffy about running a 4mm shaft off a 2.3mm shafted 385 – hence my leaning toward a 3mm shaft. No doubt I’m wrong!

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

It's not a problem Grumps. The most important thing is that the motor can deal with the load imposed by the prop at the back end.. A very rough rule of thumb for brushed motors is that a 3 blade prop should not exceed the motor can diameter.

For your trawler a 35mm prop should be more than adequate. With a 385 low drain motor go for a 7.2 or maybe 8.4 NiMH battery pack. Lots of choices from Component Shop.

**LINK**

Colin

[GrumpsParticipant @grumps]

Many thanks for the advice Colin – I’ll check out the links!

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