Thames Sailing barge

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

I was not envisaging the curves shown on your photo, but simple square corners and flat bottom

If Ashley was building it, he would use hardboard!

Is my idea too crude?

You would think that with an all over flat bottom, there would be a reluctance to heel over

Too crude?

How much lead would be needed, bearing in mind that our lake is getting quite shallow these days at 20" deep?

Capt Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Just had a look at Bob Wilson`s model and it looks very much like what I am suggesting!

Flat sides meeting a flat bottom?

Have you got a cross section to show us Bob?

Bob

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

I based it on the Kathleen. The plans were in a book about barges, but I can't put my hand on it at the moment!

Lots of barges had completely flat bottoms with an almost right angle between the side and the bottom, so that type would still be authentic.

Bob

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Here is a plan and cross section of a typical barge.

Bob

**LINK**

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Many thanks, Bob…..That'll do nicely

What a nice surprise, hey, Paul?

Bob

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Ashley would use a nice thick plank on the bottom and plank it with ply, and then smother it in jam fibreglass.

I might use a variation on bread and butter for the front and rear. Can use a hand held belt sander then..the way to remove wood I can tell you.

The thick plank would provide a good anchorage for mast and keel and the solidity of it appeals to me in view of the nature of the barge.

Ashley (knows nowt about sailing boats especially at the size contemplated)

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Chaps, you are not thinking about this right.

A length extension of two feet would allow a proper MANning arrangement and thats what I would call exciting, not sitting on the side wondering why your boat looks very small at a distance.

Ashley

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Well said, Ashley, but if you are going to smother it in fibre glass…..Why not use your humble trusty hardboard…..and prove a point?

What are your feelings about my OTT idea?

Capt Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Ashley

Because of the mast / sail configuration Bob would have to lie down to control the boat from 'onboard', it might be a tad uncomfortable for Bob but it would provide a great socket for the rear mast.

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Bob Wilson…….Have you noticed how high the waterline is, on your barge drawing!

But I suppose that if the hatches are battened down, decks awash is acceptable?

That would look rather nice on a model!?

Bob

[Bob WilsonParticipant @bobwilson59101]

Yes, the decks were almost level with the water when loaded. I used to think how horribly dangerous they were with water on deck in the slightest swell and no guardrails either. But they were generally pottering about in estuaries only by the time I went to sea, although I have come across one or two in the North Sea. Not all that many seemed to come to grief, so I suppose they were OK if they knew what they were doing, which they undoubtedly did!

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Shop floor to Drawing Office…….Get your thinking cap on!………Got another super idea!

The big question!……..How much ballast will we need?……….A lot!……….About 60lb?

Now then……Is it time to show our cleverness cunning and ingenuity by designing a composite hull?

Errrrrr……What's a composite hull?…….The legendary plank type hull of course?

We need to reduce the unnecessary air space!……To reduce the amount of ballast required……Clever eh?

Ballast required now…….20 lb?

We could also have the appearance of a heavily laden craft……….Low in the water, as per Bob Wilson's drawing…..ll.l…As though we are carrying 100 tons of hardboard for the Needhams Landind Craft Factory

I hope you are paying attention, up there, as these are truly Golden Words of Wisdom!

I'm feeling very pleased with myself this morning and expect a Bonus!…….Another ten bob an hour, please?

All good food for thought?

Capt Bob

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

I know it's early in the planning, but what about the rudder servo and sail winch(es)? They would certainly need to be powerful. For the sail winch perhaps the old screwed rod method would be strong enough.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Good morning, Tony

Keep those ideas coming!

Don't think there is much of a problem with the rudder…….It will be similar to the Great Eastern model

The main sail should be a challenge though!

Thinking about it……Do we really need a winch?……..Clever….eh?

Why ever not?……….. I hear you say

If we have a some slack in the system, and we do have a motor…….Just motor around and find the wind?

It will work, as I used to do that on the Louis Heloise, when the winch failed!

I like it…..Bob

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

We need to reduce the unnecessary air space!……To reduce the amount of ballast required……Clever eh?

Eh??? Archimedes and I are both waiting for your explanation, Bob.

DM

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

My dear Sonny Boy

To sink a plank takes less ballast than to sink an empty box

Capt Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

My dear Bob
I agree with your point about removing unnecessary air pockets within the hull as this will reduce buoyancy but it won’t solve the issue of displacement.
Perhaps we should look at how much displacement this boat will generate.

Paul

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Quite, but unless your proposal actually means reducing the volume of hull below the waterline then you won't change the total weight of the thing by a fraction of an ounce by swapping ballast for planks. Perhaps you could clarify what you were driving at for those of us who can't fill in the missing words for ourselves?

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

You chaps know exactly what I mean!

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Just had a phone call from a notable knowledgable lurker to say that the proposed 96" barge may be unmanageable on Etherow water…….In a strong wind with all that sail area?

He could be right…….But that sounds like fun to me!

Capt Bob

[lnvisiblemanParticipant @lnvisibleman]

Is there any reason that water could not be used as ballast if kept in baffled or foam filled tanks? As in racing cars etc to prevent movement of fuel causing alterations to balance of vehicle.

The water could simply be pumped in and out, with a small 12v pump, at the waterside.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Paul

Have acquired a set of plans for a Piper Laurie barge from a lurking Club member

Will you post a photo of your completed model, please, Terry and join the thread?

We need some fresh blood around here

Bob

[LARRY WHETTONParticipant @larrywhetton68737]

cheers Larry……

hi Bob ,

i have built a kitty Tm plank on frame using styrene,…….

quite a easy build lots of flat bits … good hull acces ………

sailed well ., sold now to happy modeller , looked good on water …

see photos

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Many thanks, Larry

Look after yourself, old friend

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Invisible Man

Thanks for your suggestion…..I've already replied via Email elsewhere

But the snag with using pond water like ours….Is that the water is totally polluted with duck muck and is toxic

Bob

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