Thames Sailing barge

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

I`ve been thinking about building a large Thames sailing barge for quite a few years now and an eight footer to me sounds very exciting!

Paul and Capt Bob have been swopping ideas today, so have decided to create a thread and take it from there

Just look at this beautiful example!

Such splendour, gracefulness and old world charm!

Imagine a model regatta with eight footers competing……An awesome sight?

My first suggestion is that a powerful motor would be required to act as a brake in emergencies!

Capt Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

I've already started the research

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Paul

Well done, a nice start, but we need to be familiar with this very official website……….Modelbarge.info

It's run by Richard Chesney and is the quintessential website for model barges

Kimmosubby Shipyards is an active member

We don't want to invent the wheel or tread on anyone's toes either

We are only thinking out loud at the moment, but we ought to heed what these experienced builders have to say and take their advice?

I'm hoping we design a very competitive racing barge. Some of the commonly available model plans are deemed uncompetitive

Early days yet

Capt Bob

Edited By Bob Abell on 29/04/2014 18:25:11

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

In 1962, I was sailing in an Everards motor ship (Frederick T. Everard) at a time when the company still had sailing barges!

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Nice model, Bob

When did they start painting the decks blue?…..It seems to be the norm these days, for some reason?

I believe some barges actually sailed in the Dunkirk evacuation………They must have been very brave men

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

This is the link to the model barge website….

**LINK**

Capt Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Bob

Its fairly easy to build in a competitive edge at the design stage by choosing lightweight materials and trimming weight by adopting an airframe style of construction.

But I presume that the chaps who race the 4ft versions must have some kind of rules regarding construction so this needs looking into first.

Paul

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

I didn't know they painted the decks blue nowadays! Can't really remember for sure what colour they were when I saw them on a regular basis, but have a feeling they were just scrubbed wood!

Yes, they lost at least one at Dunkirk!

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you, Bob

I`ll post some Blue pix shortly!

Paul

I`ve just joined the barge websight and asked a few questions

Some nice models on show too

Don`t fancy building light, as we`ve got nobody to race against!………..lol

The model we are talking about will be about 96" long x 20 " wide!…..Wow

Early days

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Drawing Office to Bob

Don't confuse lightness with lack of strength

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Made Lady Daphne a few years ago

48" Hull length

Bob

[lnvisiblemanParticipant @lnvisibleman]

Hi Bob

Good idea you have. The photo that you posted appears to my Grandfather's barge "Thalatta" that he owned and skippered in the 1920s. She is currently owned and operated by East Coast Sail Trust. She is 90 ft long and 200 tons. I have been out on her many time and would love make a model of her but my skills are sadly lacking for a project of that complexity.

I am sure that if you contact any of the trustees, that they would be happy to assist in the building of a replica in any way they can. Full plans may even be available as she has just undergone a full restoration

Here is a useful link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sailing_barge_Thalatta

Mike

Edited By lnvisibleman on 29/04/2014 20:48:41

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you, Mike

Very useful information for the project

It won't be too difficult to build, and Paul is anxious to get going with his CAD skills

If we decide to build, it will be immense fun and very interesting

Thanks a lot

Bob and Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Shop floor to Drawing Office

Still thinking aloud……I have a novel idea!

To build a 1/12th scale barge at 96" x 20" is a great undertaking and probably, plain bonkers?

We only want to sail a large barge, to control it and admire the big wind filled sails etc…So why make life hard for ourselves?

Why not design a freelance barge that is simple and easy to build?

Let Paul run amok with a free hand?…….Just up his street……..He'll love it!

What do you think of that, Paul?

I'm still undecided about building a large barge, but at least, we can reduce the build time

We could use 8mm plywood sides for the hull and a simple 1" plank for the bottom, with 6mm top deck with planking etc, simply drawn on?

I'm beginning to like the idea!

Capt Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Interesting article about Thames barges at war etc

Didn`t realise we lost so many at Dunkirk!

One barge was found in the sand dunes and has been restored and is on display in a museum

**LINK**

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Bob
It sounds like you are talking yourself into building this boat….ready when you are.
Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

I'm only talking at the moment

What do you think of my idea?

Capt Bob

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Madness.
How on earth are you going to transport, rig and launch something that size? It will weigh more than I do! The last thing I saw which resembled in size and shape the one you're talking about was in a suite in the Liverpool Adelphi hotel. It was carved from marble, with H+C taps at one end of it and had a plug the size of a man-hole cover.
DM

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Dave
I disagree as the model will be no larger or heavier than a small sailing dingy and could be rigged and launched in much the same way.
As for transport the model could be trailered in one piece or built up in sections at the lake side.
The main difficulty that I can forsee is trying to sail it single handed.
Paul

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Just a reminder that last year's World of Model Boating special issue (to which some of you contributed!) had a comprehensive article by Richard Chesney on the model barge racing scene. Lots of information there.

Colin

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Dave

You are right, Dave, it is a sort madness, but you imagine controlling such an impressive model on the lake……You've got to agree, it would be very exciting?

An eight foot model is only 12" longer than Great Eastern

It would be great fun, but we are only talking at the moment………..If the idea caught on with several more members out there, I could get interested.

Actually, the main problem, is convincing the Wife!

Building crazy large boats is not uncommon, they are always to be seen at the shows

Colin

Thank you for the Richard Chesney and magazine info

Paul…..You've still not answered my question

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Bob

Which question do you want an answer to?

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Worra puddin'?

What do you think of my simplified version of a Thames barge idea?

ie…..A free lance easy build

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Dear Captain Bob

It sounds like a good idea to me………………… but I'm not the one who will be either building it or convincing Joyce that its a good idea.

Looking into my tealeaves I can see someone living in the camper

Lots of nice and easy to cut out frames.

On a practical note the boat will probably require a dagger board type of keel to prevent the whole thing from being blown over.

Paul

ps Jane like the idea but emphatically rules herself out of sail making duty.

Edited By Paul T on 30/04/2014 16:04:28

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