ebooks on model boat building

[Rod smartParticipant @rodsmart62545]

Hl all, I am looking for ebooks covering model boat building.at this time I have not found any.as a beginner I enjoy this forum and many of the members have helped me around problems. I look forward to hearing from you.

Rod.

[Rod smartParticipant @rodsmart62545]

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Rod

Although there are many books relating to model boat building I have never come across one in ebook form.

What aspects of building do you wish to learn about?

Paul

[LARRY WHETTONParticipant @larrywhetton68737]

Good Morning Rod,

There are many books on modeling , but which type as Paut T commented on

YOU can not being hands on , plenty of help on a lot of model forums,

all can also join a local club , as you no i scratch build , kit building is a good starter,

mostly every thing covered on plans and build instrcucions …..

or you have a look at simple build plans . if you have a pal who builds buddy up and build somthing together , there is a lot critics out there who will say things that will upset you but dont worry… take on good stuff , and move on its your model…….good luck ..Larry….

Edited By LARRY WHETTON on 23/01/2013 11:06:08

[Rod smartParticipant @rodsmart62545]

Hi Paul , just book about building ideas in general so I can decide what to try next.

Rod

[David WooleyParticipant @davidwooley82563]

Hello Rod. I don't know your circumstances but one of the best ways to get hold of information regarding model boat building , for beginners and for free is to go along to your central library . For inspiration then you really can't better the Model Boats magazine and that is available in an e-format.

Dave Wooley

[Phil BrowneParticipant @philbrowne39943]

sorry to jump in on this thread but can anyone reccomend any good (paper) books. I bought one but it was not great for me as it covered radio control and basic setups and how to handel the boat on the water but not much about building.

I would be most interested in books covering scale details, finishing and techniques for decking, varnishing. I am most interested in power boats like cabin and river cruisers

kits and plans do give alot of info of how to put things together but its the info not on the plans i need

ie i need techniques and ideas to make one of these

look like this

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Back issues of the 2011 Model Boats Construction Special issue are still available:

**LINK**

This includes an article by myself on choosing a project plus lots of other useful information.

You can see a full list of contents here: http://www.modelboats.co.uk/news/article/model-boats-construction-special-2011/8072

Colin

Edited By Colin Bishop, Website Editor on 23/01/2013 11:45:07

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Rod

When it comes to building choices there are as many different styles of boat as there are building methods.

Your choice can be fine tuned by eliminating the models and building styles that you don't like the sound of.

For example for a type of model you might not fancy building a yacht or warship and yet you might have a preference toward river cruisers or vintage speed boats, and for building methods bread & butter or GRP might not suit you but plank on frame could be your preferred method.

Finally the overall size of your intended build will have an influence on the building method, eg I tend to build large models in the 4ft to 8ft range and as such I find it easiest to use a variant of the plank on frame method.

If you can fine tune you choice there will be members on this forum with specialist knowledge who can point you in the right direction and ultimately guide you through the build.

Paul

ps I should have added that anyone wishing to learn more about the basics of our hobby should try reading books by Vic Smeed.

Edited By Paul T on 23/01/2013 11:53:43

[David WooleyParticipant @davidwooley82563]

.

Hello Phil Further to what Paul has mentioned two long standing publications by Vic Smeed which deal in depth with regards to your interest and will answer many of your questions on traditional methods of construction.

Boat Modelling MAP publication

Model Maker Manual also MAP

Although first published in the 1950s they remain informative and relevant even by today’s exacting standards. I cut my modelling teeth on these two books and still make use of the information. The latter also contains a set of plans for a small cruiser run about. Both should be available through the inter-library lending scheme . There have been many books published over the years on the subject of model boating and a swift Google search will reveal just about every one. Two well known names spring to mind , Phillip Connolly and former editor of Model Boats John Cundell . Both contributed a huge amount to the hobby and their books which are ideal for the beginner are available from any central library . . I have found that certain “basics” remain a constant after that there are numerous specialist boat modelling publications relating to specific subjects which I have contributed to over the years but the two examples mentioned above although dated have stood the test of time.

Dave Wooley

[Rod smartParticipant @rodsmart62545]

Hi all,I am pleased for you imput Paul as I really like classic open river cruisers like Pauls barrel back.My Jenny in off plan build and apart from the cold stopping me getting into work in the garage I am enjoying it.As for size 600mm is about right and plank on frame build. seems a good route to go down.

I cannot see me building ic race boat or scale sail.

Larry good advice as I had planed to go to a club with a mate but the snow put an end to that for now.Roll on the warm weather! so I will get good advice.I have had model plane books with good build practice and in one pictorial which is one of the best I have read.After reading Pauls article on varnishing (Barrel back cruiser)I think he could write the book!!

As for Model Boat mag I would buy into a digital subscription.

Rod

Edited By Rod smart on 23/01/2013 18:37:51

[neil hpParticipant @neilhp]

maybe, Rod, if you tell us what area of the country you reside in, one of the members would invite you round for a chat.

I live near fleetwood Lancs, and my workshop is always open for a chat and a look at my modelling techniques, so long as you aren't allergic to dust, lol

neil.

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Rod

Given your last comments perhaps you should look at slipper launches, Italian speedboats like the Riva, the prohibition era rum runners or the American lake boats of the 1920s – 30s.

Plank on frame is eminently suitable for this size and type of model and would present a challenge to both your woodworking and varnishing skills.

Paul

[Rod smartParticipant @rodsmart62545]

Hi,neil have a club to goto when the weather improves.

Paul they sound likely builds and saw a plan for one.What is a "slipper launch"meaning?

Rod

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Rod

Slipper Launch

Paul

Edited By Paul T on 24/01/2013 09:20:11

[Rod smartParticipant @rodsmart62545]

Alright love this and the line, but I think I would need more detailed plans and instruction.

Rod

[LARRY WHETTONParticipant @larrywhetton68737]

Hi Rod,

I see you like sport boats and semi scale ,…..this is a boat that as it all ,

easy build plenty of info on plan a good on the water performence, and not to pricey to build ..

if you you want help PM me The boat is a SWORDSMAN…

ANOTHER EASY BUILD

AND ANOTHER

YOU WIL NEED A BIGGER WORK SHOP FOR THIS ONE..

cheers Larry……

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

To be honest, I doubt if you will ever get very much in the way of modelling content in E Book format in the near future. Current modelling publications, whether books or magazines, rely very heavily upon colour illustrations and diagrams. Current E Book readers use E Ink and cannot reproduce colour which is obviously a big drawback! More pertinently, the large proportion of graphic content makes it time consuming and expensive to reformat the material for use on E books as magazines and hard copy books come in different shapes and sizes. The cost of doing this compared with the potential market would rule this out as a commercial proposition in most cases.

You can of course see everything in colour on screen if you subscribe to Model Boats, whether to the magazine itself or the digital editions, as these are simly reproductions of the published pages. The ability to see everything in the digital archives back to 2007 is also a tremendous bonus.

Sample articles can be viewed from the home page of this website and by using the Features link above and many of these are free to view. The covers and contents of all recent issues are also published as a separate section under the Features tab above and you can usually order back issues of any particular copies that interest you.

If you are simply interested in free material then the online model boating forums are the obvious place to go but you will often need to do a bit of work to track down the exact information you need. It is normally expected that new members will do a bit of homework browsing the forum to see what is there before asking general questions, many of which will have already been asked and answered previously.

Colin

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Rod

The slipper launches are lovely and have been discussed before on this forum (see Bob Abells Slo Mo Shun page 28)

The downside of building a model version from a beginners perspective is the lack of detailed plans / instructions or kit format.

Plans or drawings for the more obscure types of boat are usually for full size versions and have to be adapted for model building, if there is a plan for a model version it would be a basic line and layout drawing and would require 'working up' to produce templates etc.

Paul

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Deans Marine do a Slipper launch kit called Lady Beale **LINK**

It got a positive review in Model Boats a little while back and the article can be seen under the Features tab above but for subscribers only I'm afraid.

Colin

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Instead of ebooks perhaps an electronic publication could be based on a CD rom, easy to compile in PDF format with an interactive index.

[Rod smartParticipant @rodsmart62545]

Think I found a boat to plan in with Traplet SG&K gentleman's runabout £23.with wood pack.any thoughts?

I am going for the Digital Model boat to run on the Tab,sorting that out Colin.

Paul I found two Vic Smeed books second hand.I will look at bob Abells page.

Larry my mate has a huntsman he is refitting but i haven't seen it yet due to the weather again.sounds similar to the Swordsman.may PM you when I sort things out,thanks.

Rod

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Rod

The Traplet kit only supplies the frames so you will have to buy some extra wood to skin the hull but it looks ok.

You can't go wrong with Vic Smeed, most of us cut our modelling teeth with his designs.

Paul

[Rod smartParticipant @rodsmart62545]

Hi Paul,It is the frame lazer cut I think,save me breaking them.I'm in no hurry to blast out loads of boats as I have a tiger moth to start some time and An MGB roadster to get ready for summer.

Having said all that the member are helping me alot.

Rod

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Rod

All those chrome spokes to degrease and polish…..I don't envy you.

Paul

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