Sea Breeze – Vintage Model Boat Company

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

The problem with a number of the members of that forum is that they are so self-absorbed that they don't realise that the names on the receiving end of their snide and hurtful remarks are actually real people. It's easy to be a keyboard warrior from the comfort of your back-bedroom where the outside world is just a video game.
"Do as you would be done by" – works for me.

Now – back to Graham's triumphant return to building plywood boats!

DM

[Eddie LancasterParticipant @eddielancaster]

I have been going to model engineering exhibitions now for longer than I care to remember, and I now believe that looking at a model produced to the highest standard, with not a machine mark to be seen or a brush mark in the paint, can be more off putting to a beginner, thinking I could never achieve that standard, but looking at a model that is just short of perfection may make them think "yes I could to as well as that" and get them started.

Just a thought.

Eddie.

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

That was the purpose of the Kit Class in the Model Engineering Exhibition originally when it used to have a lot of marine trader support. You could see the models on the stands and right behind you the kit could be bought which was an excellent introduction into the hobby.

Colin

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

I have often wondered what the proportion of exhibition quality models vs ordinary builds is nationwide.

​Certainly it is too easy to assume ALL the boats everyone else builds is of superior quality to the one you (the royal you, not you personally) are building.

When Graham finishes his it will one more to the expert side of course.

Ashley

[Graham Ashby 1Participant @grahamashby1]

Posted by Paul T on 19/01/2018 19:35:28:

You don't get off the hook that easily so until somebody else steps up to carry on where Bob left off you are now our official warts n all standard barer.

Whats next in line when you finish your 'humble speedboat'?

 

Oh, damn.

Ah, well, I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about it. At this moment in time I really fancy a scale-ish traditional wooden sailing boat of some kind. Maybe a small schooner. My trouble is that I keep changing my mind.

Edited By Graham Ashby (Editor) on 21/01/2018 10:07:46

[Graham Ashby 1Participant @grahamashby1]

Ashley, Ron, Dave,

I have to agree with you on your forum musings and your opinions.

Ron – Grade B plus! Better than I ever got a school by a country mile. Nice

[Graham Ashby 1Participant @grahamashby1]

Posted by Colin Bishop on 20/01/2018 17:44:45:

That was the purpose of the Kit Class in the Model Engineering Exhibition originally when it used to have a lot of marine trader support. You could see the models on the stands and right behind you the kit could be bought which was an excellent introduction into the hobby.

Colin

That's a darn good idea Colin. Pity they're not still running it.

[Graham Ashby 1Participant @grahamashby1]

Posted by ashley needham on 20/01/2018 18:02:24:

When Graham finishes his it will one more to the expert side of course.

Ashley

EEK! Ashley, don't be so sure, I may yet paint it with the yard broom!

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Eddie's and Ashley's musings have suggested an interesting question to me:
You know when you're a novice/newbie/beginner/ham-fisted clot because everybody's models look better than yours. When, however, do you classify yourself as an expert – or is that an epithet which can only be bestowed by others? What criteria define "expert"?

Dave M

Edited By Dave Milbourn on 21/01/2018 11:27:18

[Graham Ashby 1Participant @grahamashby1]

That's a very good question. It's a little bit like photography. At what point can you call yourself a professional photographer? When you get paid to take photographs is what you might expect, although I've seen some god-awful images from supposed professionals and some outstanding work by people who call themselves amateurs. I don't think I'd ever classify myself as an expert in anything, especially modelling, because you're asking to get shot at – although I've got pretty good broad-shouldered armour. In modelling terms, given that there are no professional qualifications, I think you'd either have to be paid, have the accolade bestowed by others, or win awards, which is much the same thing. Hmm… Graham

[BanjomanParticipant @banjoman]

Dave,

For me, an approximative definition of when one could think of oneself as an expert (in this kind of context at least) might be when one has a sufficiency of knowledge, experience and skills that that which one sees in one's mind's eye at the beginning of a process is identical to its result.

As a consequence, I don't think of myself as an expert model boat builder (or expert owt else for that matter).

As it impossible for someone else to share a mind's eye view, calling someone else an expert cannot be based on the above. I would think that the expert moniker would have to be awarded on the basis of evaluating the quality of the result. As this would always to some extent be subject to the subjective opinon of others, its unlikely that full agreement in every instance is achievable, but I dare say that a general sort of consensus could probably be found.

Mattias

[Charles OatesParticipant @charlesoates31738]

How about. An expert modeler is someone;

Who has made most of the mistakes and understood and learnt from them.

Chas, ……..lots of mistakes to make yet.

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

My late father in law Eddie was the chap that I had the most respect for and his view on experts was:

Ex is a has been and Spurt is just a drip under pressure.

I lived my professional life by this mantra and it has served me well.

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Graham. Re next build. The things you keep changing your mind over are not for you. Your next build should be the thing you DONT change your mind on.

​We have has a thread on that from (deciding what to build) from Colin.

​Ashley

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

If we are going to start suggesting subjects then I propose a Griffon Hovercraft as Grahams next build as it nicely brings together the two disciplines of model boating and model flight.

I did think about a float plane but that would be to easy.

Paul

[Graham Ashby 1Participant @grahamashby1]

If only it were that easy Ashley. I'd better go and read Colin's thread

I do like the idea of a hovercraft Paul. I came 'that' close to buying a kit not so long ago. As for the Cessna photo, that brings back some very happy memories. It was a beaut' – should never have sold it.

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Graham

No need to buy a hovercraft kit as they are very easy to scratch build, the magazine covered a simple hovercraft build back in February 2014.

Paul

[Graham Ashby 1Participant @grahamashby1]

I'll take a look Paul but in truth I think it'll be the trad' wooden sailing boat. That's top of the list at the moment

[Graham Ashby 1Participant @grahamashby1]

Okay, no-one said this was going to be quick. At least, I hope I didn't.

Photos showing a little more progress. One more hull skin and I'll have to seriously contemplate buying some running gear.

I quite fancy fitting a sound unit. Can anyone suggest a good one that'll mirror the throttle position?

[Graham Ashby 1Participant @grahamashby1]

[Graham Ashby 1Participant @grahamashby1]

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

The problem you'll have looking for a sound unit is the small size of the model. Have a look at Forge Electronics website (aka Alan Bond). I've handled one of his engine sound simulators and I was very impressed.

Dave M

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

For a sound unit in such a little model Graham could always use a bumblebee in a matchbox

[Graham Ashby 1Participant @grahamashby1]

I'll have a look Dave, thanks for the steer.

Failing that I'll get myself a butterfly net and a box of Swan Vestas. Thanks Paul

[Graham Ashby 1Participant @grahamashby1]

I'd like to say that I selected this bit of wood for its natural twist and penchant for conforming to the hull contour… Still, it's good to have a bit of luck now and again; tucks in at the front and splays out at the back – Woo hoo

Edited By Graham Ashby (Editor) on 25/02/2018 23:09:24

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