Prototype build of ELLIE

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Bob, I'm mortally wounded I am actually a proud Australian. I know some people regard New Zealand as the 7th state of Australia, but the Kiwis don't want to be a part of us as they then wouldn't be able to thrash us at rugby

I have just downloaded the plans and had a preliminary look at them; they look very good, great job Paul. I will let you know my thoughts regarding the format as time progresses, but my initial reaction is good.

Thanks to you both, and I hope the appeal goes well.

Peter.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Peter, A thousand apologies, kind Sir!

I knew I would get it wrong!

We look forward in seeing your model taking shape

Post plenty of pictures, please, so that we can see how the Ozzies do it!

Bob in mucky old Manchester…..But where there's muck, there's brass!

Old English saying….btw

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

I was just looking at the practically finished Ellie Cruiser this morning and wondered about the Centre of Gravity position, in preparation for today`s maiden voyage

The waterline has a length of 35 inches. I placed the model on a length of Ali tubing, midway along the waterline and to my complete surprise……It balanced!

That must be down to the Chief Designer?……..Well done Paul!

And for good measure, the model, complete with two stick batteries weighs 4.5 Kg…..(9.9lb)

All good info for the Drawing Office

Bob….Test Engineer ONC

[Keith StothardParticipant @keithstothard46727]

Good luck today Bob and don't forget we want pictures – lots of them!!

Keith

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you, Kieth

We've picked a right day!

Ghastly north wind blowing, but at least, the sun's shining!

Bob on the water

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

(Quiet, isn't it? Do you suppose he's back yet?)

DM

[Keith StothardParticipant @keithstothard46727]

Perhaps he is still trying to run down both of those battery packs

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Don't worry Dave ….Bob won't let us down.

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Posted by Keith Stothard on 14/11/2013 16:44:06:

Perhaps he is still trying to run down both of those battery packs

That would take him about ten hours at full throttle. His dinner had better be in the oven, then……..

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

We ignored the howling wind and the roar of the crowds and the fireworks etc

After a quick check that all was well, we launched Ellie into the choppy icy water……..and she purred away!

All was well, perfect balance first time……..Well done Paul

Dashed about the lake, fast and slow….No problems at all

Had a very good turn of speed ……..That`s good news for Sea Spray and even better news for Red Leader…..They will fly!

The only problem we had, was that the Tranny had the controls reversed on this crazy programmable device and we`d forgotten how to set it. Not a problem with the stills, but may be noticeable on the video

Now for the pix…..

Might be slightly nose down, but the batteries can be slid backwards to correct this

Picking up speed with a good bow wave

Purring away

Moving the batteries back, should get the nose up?

Very pleased with the Maiden voyage

 

More photos in the camera and a video to come

Back soon

Bob at the helm

Edited By Bob Abell on 14/11/2013 17:10:47

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Very very pleased with the results Bob, slightly heavy in in bow but easily corrected.

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Ha! Ha!……Just spotted your impatient comments…..All good fun, chaps

We went in the campervan and wifey cooked us a lovely meal!……. That is the reason for my delinquence

Sorry chaps, but it was worth waiting for!

Many thanks to Duckie and the helpers

Bob having a well earned rest

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hi Chaps

Nice little video, compiled by my pal Duckie

**LINK**

We are sure you will like it!

Bob and Duckie

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Nice, Bob. Glad I've fitted the spray rails though, as Sea Spray will be more bow-heavy than Ellie (twin motors).

Dave M

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

The model was quite fast, even though I hadn`t set the ESC

Since it was running quite well on the bench, I didn`t fiddle with it

On the water, the motor kept cutting out on full throttle………It sounded like a shot up B17

I wondered, would it be possible to make it run erratically intentionally?…As it was quite interesting?

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Dave

As mentioned before the designs have three levels of difficulty, you have already discovered one of challenges in getting everything to fit below that cockpit deck.

Another challenge with a twin engine SeaSpray is getting sufficient ballast low down and far enough back in the hull to trim the weight of those motors. Imagine how difficult it would be to use the three engine version!

The ultimate challenge would be to build a triple engine hull that would accommodate all three of the different superstructures, I might even award a prize to the person who beats this particular challenge.

Paul

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Very nice, Bob, she looks great on the water.

Peter.

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Congratulations Bob, a very successful maiden voyage although you'd probably get arrested running it at that speed on the Norfolk Broads!

Colin

Edited By Colin Bishop, Website Editor on 15/11/2013 11:56:14

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Many thanks, Peter from Australia and Colin

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Paul…..How are you getting on with the Red Leader build?

Anybody got a WIP picture to show us?

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Bob

The MTB version 'Red Leader' is coming along, the hull is built and the shafts installed. I am keeping the upper weight down by building the superstructure out of card and so far all of the main components are in place. I will take some photos when the camera comes back from repair at Canon.

Paul

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Paper copies instead of a download.

Jane has reminded me that not everyone is comfortable using computers and might be put off building one of these boats simply because they might not fully understand the technology.

With this in mind I would be happy to print and post a set of drawings to anyone who might be interested but please pm or email me with your address so that I can work out the postage cost.

email is [email protected]

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Paul

As already mentioned earlier, the motor was very noisy on the maiden voyage and could be caused by the following……..

The 20 inch propshaft could be whirling

The hull skin could be vibrating and may need a doubler somewhere?

The motor coupling could be the cause……Dave M has some info on this subject

Have moved the batteries to the rear and will have another sea trial and report back

Bob…….Research and Development department

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Paul

Just realised….The windows are not glazed yet!

Glazing will make a lot of difference

Bob…R & D

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Dave

How is the SeaSpray getting on now and when`s the ETA for your maiden voyage?

The thread needs waking up at the moment, it`s a bit in the doldrums

Bob on a watching brief

[Author]

Posts