Steam Tug WATTLE

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi all…

I have just started to build the Steam Tug Wattle from the plans of J. Parker and guidance of the article in the Winter Model Boats issue 2013.

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

1930 Australian steam tug

[Diede van AbsParticipant @diedevanabs87670]

That looks very promising, ian!

Please keep us posted on the progress.

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi Diede…

Thanks for looking in, will post as I build.

It was an interesting article in the winter model boat mag.

I had been looking for something interesting to get me back into the hobby after open heart op.

Thanks again for the interest, best regards,

Ian

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

That looks like a pretty build, Ian.

I shall sit back and enjoy this!

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi Amy…

Thank you for the encouraging comments… I will try not to disappoint…lol

You have been slaving away on your great build while I have been sitting back and enjoying it, you must be very satisfied with the results.

Best regards,

Ian

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

Thanks Ian. Yes I'm happy enough with my build, though things could always be better of course!

She's not a boat I would build for myself, where as your build is more my cup of tea!

She'll be lovely, I'm sure.

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Thanks Amy..

Will you start on a steam tug next ?

I have about seven three foot lengths of planking to go in either side of the hull.

[Yabbie1Participant @yabbie1]

Hello Ian,

It’s a pleasure to see your build underway from my plans. You seem to have taken a “top down” approach and made splendid progress so far.

If I may, I’d like to offer a few extra notes for builders of the Wattle. My prototype model was “commandeered” by the Bay Steamers for display on their stand at a show late last year, with all the Wattle experts in attendance. Their scrutiny left me feeling rather nervous, but I am happy to say they gave the model a “thumbs up”, with just some minor observations as follows:

There should be a ladder up the side of the funnel, to the port side of the steam pipes, visible in one of the full-size photos on page 22 of the Winter Special (I thought this was fitted later, but apparently not).

There should be stanchions for the railings at the corners of the bridge deck. Somehow I convinced myself that there originally wasn’t, as they would interfere with the running lights (later moved to the top of the wheelhouse). However, it appears the running lights were mounted outboard of the stanchions, overhanging the edges of the bridge deck.

The anchor windlass should have winding handles each side, not one at the rear as I have shown.

The whistle should have a polished brass finish.

It was usual for only one of the two swing davits to be mounted, but at least one early photo shows both in place.

I can now confirm there were three portholes on the port side of the hull, as per the starboard side – we found no traces of it because the complete hull plate was replaced in this area long ago.

Work continues apace on restoration of the full-size Wattle, but there are always more tasks to complete – a situation well familiar to all scratch-builders, I’m sure!

With regards,

Yabbie1 (John Parker)

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi John…

Many thanks for all the added detail and information on the Wattle build, it will come in very handy, I was looking through the plans and magazine also detailed pictures from the Wattle restoration site, it was becoming a problem of what to do in the case of the three portholes?

You have answered all me questions without even posting a request, very much appreciated.

I hope my build will come up to a decent scratch build.

Many thanks and best regards,

Ian

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Planking complete

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Both sides even

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Measured a stand from rib C to G.

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Can now epoxy resin inside before sanding outside.

First coat of sanding sealer on the out side.

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

Hi Ian

Your build is progressing nicely.

My next boat will be a small fishing, come bootlegger, motor boat from the 1890's. She will be a similar size to your's, and not unlike your's in hull shape, though with out the fantail stern.

All in due course…..

Watching your build with pleasure.

Amy jane

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi Amy Jane…

Thanks for the kind comments..

Have you got a picture of your next build or is it still in the planning stage..?

Best regards,

Ian

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

Hello Ian

Still in the planning stage. Where I do my boating is often very rough (in model terms, although I have seen 4' waves) so I want a very sea worthy little boat, that I don't have to worry about! I don't have any drawings to hand, but shall post a set of lines next week.

all the best

Aj

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

Hello again, Ian

Here's a set of lines for my next build

Originally a small sail boat, from the Casco Bay area of Maine, New England. They were amongst the first boats to be converted to engine, and had a reputation for being fast under low power. Should be an interesting build.

Amy jane

[michael wilkinsParticipant @michaelwilkins74576]

Hi! Ian, thanks for the lines, I love these open boats and have built quite a few mostly open boats of men-0-war Nelsons time so many to go at another I will be building soon is the deal lugger I have already made the Deal galley just for my dad as he and Vic Ferris ran one of the beach at deal called Skipjack I have lines for most of them,

thanks again

mick

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi …AJ and Mick…

Thank you for the on going correspondence, the plans look great and will look out for the build mick.

slow process at the moment as I am just back from hols..

a couple of pictures att.

best regards,

Ian

[michael wilkinsParticipant @michaelwilkins74576]

Hi! I cant for the love of me figure out how to insert a picture have followed to the picture of the camera and instructions but it keeps coming back "your message is 4789000 to long any idea what the problem is?

may be able to get some pics up then

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

Hi there

Have you tried to reduce the picture size to 640×480?

Just a thought…

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

Looking good Ian, I'm enjoying watching her take shape.

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi Mike…

AJ is right… you don't need a very big picture, if its bigger than 6×4 , it chokes up the system.

When you view your picture look at the size and see if you can re size and save for your online images.

Hope this helps,

Ian

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