Fairey Fisherman 27 Motor Sailer

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

As has been the case for a long time I’ve only been able to spend time here and there on my builds, but from now on that situation should be improved.

I’ve now glued the frames to the hull keel and have now turned to securing the sleeve for the drop keel. To ensure correct alignment I first cut the keel section from thin ply and glued it to the frame battens to secure the keel in place. I then applied some acrylic putty to the underside of the sleeve to hold it in place and to stop the epoxy running out.  Once this was set I turned the hull upside down so that I could dribble 20 minute epoxy around the sleeve. A small amount did manage to find its way out but I can top it up once set. Once that is done I can fill around the exposed part of the sleeve with P38.

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Chris,

Glad to see your progressing, is there an extension to your sleeve to stop the boat sinking ?? 🙂

I think that deck is on the stout side ??

Regards From Kent

Ray

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

How was Cape Verde Ray? Hope you had a good time.

Colin

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hello Colin,

We had a great time , fabulous hotel 5*, but amazingly windy all the time 🙁 26 degrees sunny which is why we went

There is nothing there to see

🙂

but Costa del sol or Greece next time

Best regards

Ray

[Ray Wood 3]

On Ray Wood 3 Said:

Hi Chris,

Glad to see your progressing, is there an extension to your sleeve to stop the boat sinking ?? 🙂

I think that deck is on the stout side ??

Regards From Kent

Ray

The deck is a bit stout but will look much better when cut to shape!  🙂

As to the sleeve, yes I’ve now butchered the standard fitting (2nd photo) to facilitate fixing it to a ply mounting piece. The joint between the two parts of the sleeve will be made and surrounded by silicone sealant.

Was going to ask about your holiday, good to hear you had a great time.

Chris

 

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Chris,

Sorry the comment about the deck was in bad taste 🙂

I had a shock the other day when I visited RC Sailing for some bits and an A+ rig for my Dragon Force 65 which is apparently legal !! won my first race yesterday with it only £65 for the new mast,booms & sails 10% bigger than the standard rig.

Anyway I’m putting a DF95 keel on my Spring 25 project, and was shocked to pay £95 for the carbon fin 🙁  still needs must and all that !!

The DF short alloy fin is only £6  🙂 as its a stock profile

Best Regards Ray

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Why was it in bad taste! Could have been worse!

Good result with the Dragonforce. Yes, I was surprised at some of the prices for DF bits but as you say the short alloy fin is a steal, why use anything else!

Chris

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Faired in the keel sleeve with P38 – this area will be painted black to match the keel. Fitted the stringers and decided to add an extra one each side and I’m pretty happy with the shape of the hull. Started planking using Ray’s recommendation of 1/32″ ply. I did buy some 1.5mm bass planks as well as an option but a trial fit and bending around the bilge resulted in the plank breaking so that option was discounted. 1mm may have done it but I won’t know now.

Cutting the ply into 6mm wide strips and not making the diagonal too much to limit distortion around the bilges which is working out fine. Enjoying it but as we know progress can be slow with this method which is par for the course with me anyway!

I’m ready to start planking the Faun hull as well and will probably do this using the bass strips – I did get some 3mm balsa as well but prefer the bass really.

Can’t load photos as there seems to be some problems with the site again?

Chris

 

 

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Chris, they seem to have been fiddling about with the site today. Not sure why.

Colin

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Thanks Colin. I’ll have another try later.

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Here we go.

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

After a few days off and on the first layer of planking is nearly complete. Despite using 6mm wide strips I’ve got some venetian blind effect where turning towards the bow and stern. Have tried some 4mm strips as well but it’s not too bad and P38 should fix it before applying the second layer.

I’m going to use the American method that Tim mentioned and lay the second layer longitudinally. Need to order some 1mm thick planks for that though.

Chris

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Chris,

That’s a lot of strips !! Diagonal Carvel was used by Vosper Thorneycroft on White Marlin back in the day, 1/16″ ply is a bugg*r to bend and plank with !! if you use balsa it’s easier to sand , IMHO  🙂

Regards Ray

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Hi Ray

A lot of planks indeed! Seemed to be making very slow progress initially but once you get into a routine it isn’t too bad.

I tried some medium grade 3mm balsa but it broke when bending and I think the spacing of the frames is too great to use it longitudinally. I’ve tried the 1.5mm bass strips I’ve already got on top of the ply and I think it will be fine.

I’m pleased with how the hull is looking though and even though it is a lot of work it will be worth it. It’s been a good learning experience.

[James Hill 5Participant @jameshill5]

Very nice planking,

It’s always a pity I think when some planking gets hidden on the outside and you can only see the work involved on the inside, which is is then mostly hidden by the electrics etc.

Jim.

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Thanks Jim. Yes, with this one it will be difficult to see much of the inside at all.

Chris

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi Chris

I used IKEA 3mm wooden blinds(cheap) stronger than balsa.

I got mine from a tipshop for $20au about 50 sections at three metres long.

I cut them down with a little electric 63mm blade bench saw which I got from Aliexpress.

It has a speed control on the transformer box, so you can cut plastic as well.

Harry

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Hi Harry

 

I’ve heard of folks doing that but I don’t have a table saw – I keep buying small power tools which I then don’t use preferring to do by hand!

I use 3mm thick for the roofs of my other Faireys but I find it too thick for my hulls. The 1.5mm is OK, which I’m using for the Faun and will use for the second layer of this one.

Chris

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Well, that’s the first layer of planking completed. Some filling required with P38, a good sand and it will be ready for the second layer.

As you can see I changed the direction of planking as I neared the bow to eliminate the venetian blind effect. With hindsight I wished I’d carried out vertical planking of all of it but the original plan was for it to be two layers of diagonal planking before I changed to longitudinal – if I ever do another plank on frame that’s how I will do it. But all adds to my experience and why I enjoy scratch building.

Chris

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Looks like pretty good coverage Chris, if it works then that is what matters. Quite a tubby hull by the look of it.

Colin

[Richard SimpsonParticipant @richardsimpson88330]

Nice neat job Chris.  That’s going to be a lovely strong hull.  It won’t win any awards for graceful lines but it will certainly have plenty of buoyancy!

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Chris,

She is looking good 🙂 interesting with the radial bulkheads at the bow and stern , gives me food for thought !!

Keep going 🙂

Regards Ray

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Thanks chaps.

Yes it is quite tubby and certainly not built for speed! I reckon it will be pretty stable without the keel but I will use it.

Chris

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m a bit wary of taking power tools, except for drills and the like, to our models! But one of the reasons I bought a Proxxon belt sander was for building this model and so with some trepidation I set to.

But it was just the job, not running too fast, and even using a fine belt it made short work of the ply planking. Good news is that it doesn’t need any filling for the next layer and I’m happy with the hull profile. Finished it off by hand using a cork block and 400 grit.

Chris

[Richard SimpsonParticipant @richardsimpson88330]

That showed it who’s boss!

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