Todays Boating

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Todays bbbbb boating. Very cold! we must be either silly or just v keen to go out when its blowing up and jolly freezing. Oddly enough water a few degrees warmer today.

Loads of waves on the pond and a very stiff wind. Took the sub out, having fitted a standard 540 motor in place of the 540/1 lower power job, and also a 7.2V nimh battery pack (and 400 grams of lead to ensure the ballast was maintained). Striking difference, lessened the fore-plane angle by quite a bit, and now the sub goes a lot faster before diving, and it can be kept under on turns, as there is much more oonph available. Not that I COULD keep it under as there was not much feeling in my throttle thumb and I had big fat gloves on. However, when it gets warmer….

The Hasty was also out, and enjoying the heavy sea. You could see the effectivness of the turtle back deck, in fact this was on display almost constantly, and after a 30 mins voyage the onboard pumps were failing and the dockyard one had to be employed to empty the front compartment, whereupon the captain decided it was too cold, too high a sea state and dinner was almost ready in the oven.

7 boaters there I think. Barry`s Perkasa and large cabin cruiser unnafected by the weather as one would imagine (48 inch jobs) but Ray`s small thames barge was struggling and the mast on his other sailing boat was bending alarmingly, leading to a failure in the nerve department. A couple or three new men with very nice larger fishing vessels turned up, boats weatherly due to design and size.

Prop came off the sub, at last knockings (underwater boulder or something) so called it a day. Shame, it was my nice 6 bladed scimitar prop, plastic so not expensive..not right for the model of course, but jolly sexy (if you know what i mean).

Ashley

Edited By ashley needham on 10/03/2013 15:26:30

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Today. Rain stopped play. Speculativly popped down with two boats but the rain was on and off and on and off. No one else bothered so I went home for a nice cup of tea and some toast.

I took the Manchester, which I have not used for a while, and did voyage for a bit but gave up when the rain started to get too heavy. I have not had the Manchester out much, not sure why..it is one of my "original" boats, although only actually finished a few years ago after languishing in the shed half made for 25 years… It is certainly a "looker" and big with it (57&quot but the radar drive needs attention. It uses one of those MFA plastic gear units, which is fine, but the actual transmission is a spring via pullies (like a Mammod steam traction engine) and while this turns the radar ok it is a bit jerky..the 996 radar is ok, but the main 1022 is the culprit. I am thinking that the long brass rod, in its greasy tube, may not be supported enough at the bottom. One of those little things on my list to do.

The Argus stayed in its box. Looks much more "modelly" now with loads of portholes along the sides. The original had 4 rows of them, and fairly close together. I have still not put enough on, and the sides look a bit spotty rather than having distinct lines of portholes marching along the side. The cat sat on its box last night, and so one of the planes it is tiny bit , er, not level. Ho hum. Something else to sort out.

Next week perhaps?

Ashley

 

Edited By ashley needham on 17/03/2013 17:03:22

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Why have I got a smiley face instead of a close bracket???? happened in another post?? ()

A

[Trevor HollowayParticipant @trevorholloway99134]

Not quite true four boaters there getting wet.

Will admit to only giving the MTB a try on 7.2v and the new 8.4v battery to gauge the difference (now even easier onto the plane).

Need to waterproof it a bit more though !

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Trevor. I left at 10 ish or just before, obviously missed you all.

Last time it poured we stood on the grassy knoll in the shade of the tree for ages, but of course this is not an option in winter!

Ashley (should have bought the sub again given the weather..)

[Trevor HollowayParticipant @trevorholloway99134]

You must have just missed the "early arrivals" – your absence was noted and commented on !

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Well, I shall just have to lay the law down on timekeeping!!

There by 0900 (ish) or a letter from their Mummies will be required.

Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Sorry. Sunday too cold and lightly snowing. Didnt fancy standing freezing my MOTORS off just for the sake of it! Had boats prepped up all ready but..

Nuisance this weather as I need to take some photos of some boats and stuff for something and the weather has been dreadful. I am going to have to go to the pond on a NON DESIGNATED BOATING DAY to take pictures!!

Ashley yes yes you were all down there again wondering where I was……

[Trevor HollowayParticipant @trevorholloway99134]

Not me – wimped out too.

Away next Sunday, so will miss out on the gloriuos weather and smooth water.

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Things are looking good for a sail tomorrow. I am taking the carpet carrier (with its third new motor) and possibly the Manchester.

I have purchesed a few more harriers to blu-tack on the deck, and a standard 540/1 motor has been fitted..see how this one goes. The previous one came out a cordless drill. It looks a bit like a long 600, and was marked 7.2V, and did not appear to be that juicy, but a comparison will be good.

The Argus with its new portholes in place may also get put in the boot come to think of it, as it was ready to go two weeks ago so needs no prepping.

If Mr Andy the croc man is down and could bring his spare selection of 3/16 dog drive props for me to borrow for the fast boat that will be fantastic cheers mate.

Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Looked out of the window and rejoiced in the blazing sun wot shon through my bedroom window. Loaded boats.. Carpet, Manchester and Argus, arrived at lake to find it was frozen…solid, all areas !!! Upset Andy as he was wanting to try new project RIb out, and there was insuufficient room.

I played with the Manchester for a bit in the capacity of ICEBREAKER (now nwwd to repaint Black boot topping) but it was not powerfull enough. Eventually a lot oif ice went but it was too late then.

Andy had purchased TWO outboard powered cat`s for the motors and ESC etc for his Action-man style Rib, and the hulls he was going to bin, but could not bring himself to do it..Did we know anyone who wanted one for a nominal sum, well, yes I did actually….

The catamarans, "Hornet" by Beilimodel are superb. Very thin and beautifully moulded fibreglass, superb white glossy coat on the outside, and , considering what you get included, ridiculously cheap. 750mm long by 280 wide.

I have been looking through my boxes to see what we can do without spending much, as the money is needed else where and this will just be a bit of fun. I may buy a Robbe Z drive, as this does the steering as well as getting a prop in the water…

Unlike the present projects which are simply hard work at the moment.

Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Just as an aside, I made this game for us to play on a Sunday afternoon, years ago. We would cycle down the towpath (a nice ride) and pop into The Wier PH for a couple (cokes and crisps for some of course) and play a selection of games. Used to keep him occupied for a pleasant couple of hours.

We had a few normal games, but the thing I like about quality games is the board and playing pieces. Plain counters and so on do not ring my bell. So. I made this. A bit of A3 Daler artists board, painted suitably and marked up, some Victorian battleships (my faves) from MDF and various sizes of dowel, and a few printed game instructions. Easy. It goes with the Submarine game and the Tank game. This features WW1 tanks (glimpsed on the battleship board).

It is like a Sundays boating but in the comfort of a living room. Can you imagine this game with plain coloured round playing pieces?? of course not.

Anyway, it is being dusted off and the boats refurbed a bit as we are going camping with my friend and his two boys and I know we will have some fun with this, all of us being militarily minded (weekend camping to go to the Bovington tank museum).

Notice the Argus, the light and heavy cruisers in the foreground, and battleships, both Atlantic and tropical coulours (twin turrets)

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Spent some time in the shed (as you do) looking at this catamaran. It had an outboard motor originally, and there is a small wooden platform with velcro straps for the battery in the centre of the hull. The hull is very narrow, despite the generous overall width and so it is all looking a bit cramped.

I have decided NOT to buy anything, I have sufficient bits to convert, I think.

I am going to fit A Graupner speed 600 ECO with a solid coupling on to a short 4 inch length of 4mm propshaft..this will stick out the back approx 1.25 inches, and terminate on a dog driven 35mm hydro prop. The height or rather depth is a bit of a guestimate, but I am banking on the boat sitting perhaps 1/4 or 1/2" deep on the sponsons when at full speed, and so the centre of the prop at at this depth.

For the prop tube, I am using a bit of redundant flexi-drive brass tube and teflon liner! There is enough thread on the end of the stub shaft to fit normal 4mm screw-on props…. x pitch or whatever, so I can try different props out cheaply. I am hoping that having the motor this far back and the battery in the place set aside for it will preserve the balance (approximately) of the original set-up. I realise that a speed 600 ECO is not the fastest motor, but there is one in my spares box. There are loads to choose from in that size if it is just too slow, the mount will accomodate a "hot" 540 or a different 600.

Rudder position is the only other thing and I am going to go with a rudder at the rear of the hull, to one side..so that is BEFORE the prop. Should not be an issue once moving. There is vertical space available under the clip on canopy for the receiver and ESC..this can be at the rear benefiting form a bit of cooling breeze. I dont want to watercool unless absolutely necc, as getting a scoop behind the prop may be tricky..

Popped to the Weir PH, also as you do, to get out the house, on me bike. River quite fast, nice wave hight..saw a narrow boat going down river, lots of splosh on the bow. Thought my Manchester (58&quot would look good on this sea slicing through..the 39" Jersey would look better, a bit of pitching adding to the "look" of ploughing through the waves, The TBD would be bows under mostly, showing off the turtle back. A plastic magic boat… glug glug. Nuff said.

Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Snaps of the latest project. It never ceases to amazes me how they come along. Quite out of the blue this one.. All I need buy is a speed controller, I have sufficient spare bits forthe rest of it. the "propshaft" for want of a better word is about 80mm long, and is a peice of ordinary brass tube of the right size to put the teflon liner in (it is a bit beefier than the original flexidrive soft brass tube).

Where will the rudder go, or more to the point, if the battery is in the middle, where can I put the servo??

Will it work?? no idea. We are off to the IoW next Sat so there will be no boating for a bit, not sure if I will have sorted this one out in 2 weeks time…never know!

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Decided to put the servo just in front of the motor, on the handy ply battery board, and the rudder at the rear about 40mm forward of the transom on the port side..sitting it the corner of the centre hull section. I will have then two short bits of wire from servo to tiller running over the top of the motor.

Battery can go in the forward velcro strap (its a square hump pack) and the ESc will go above the rear motor under the top cover… this will; put it in the breeze, and I will cut a hatch in the top to allow air to flow through.

If I can get another speed controller I might have it ready for boating Sunday week!

Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Well boaters. A mixed bag last yesterday. Very breezy so caused more than a few issues. Good selection of boaters and boats.

I had the secret project no1 down, painted and not liking the wind at all but showing promise (at last), followed by the new cat. As suspected there was virtually no forward motion on its first dunk, lots of thrashing but no go. (32mm Hydro prop) so we tried an X 30 prop…same. A 45mm S45 went on there..small improvement..and finally a whopping great X50 out of desperation. This was more like it, and I had a very respectable speed out of it. Ran very smooth and quite considering teh 4 inch "flexidrive" shaft (and incidently what a good source of short prop-tubes)..the outer was ordinary brass tube as you get in those counter displays..of a suitable size to fit the teflon liner, and the shaft was a cut down item from the odds`n`sods box. After several runs the ESC and motor were barely warm..odd considering the size of prop and an ECO 600 motor..but there again only half the prop is in the water. Despite NOT being a hydro prop, there were hints of a rooster tail and I was well pleased. OK, it was not FAST but as a bit of guesswork and bits I happen to have in the box, not bad. Next week I will try an S50 and hopefully we should have a few more revs out of the motor and a bit more oomph. I have no hotter motors other than buying something else. If this shows promise I may get some plastic hydro props to try. Finally the carpet carrier went in. Looks so much better on its own rather than with the other one, oddly enough! Too slow with the 540/1 motor on 7.2V and virtually no reverse. May try it on 12v next.

Ashley

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Ashley

Re your comment:

'Too slow with the 540/1 motor on 7.2V and virtually no reverse. May try it on 12v next.'

Could you simply double up the 7.2v and run the model at 14v.

Paul (the petrol head approach)

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Paul. Yes, there is lots of scope there. There is loads of room, and the 540 size mount will accept a good range of motors . What it needs is a much larger prop, and I have a 2.5;1 geared MFA unit to hand. I am just trying out a few motors like wot I have to hand, as we all do..some unmarked from drills and wotnot..

I could, as you say, simply double up to 14v or just stick in a 12v gel battery.. loads of room and ballast allowance. However, the hull shape is not sympathetic to too much more power. I am not too worried as it is simply a "fun idea".

Getting the cat (Hornet) to run a bit better without splashing out on fast motors and so on is more of an issue. I have though splashed out £1.90 on a proper 50mm hydro prop (yes I know, soooo impulsive) so we will see.

I may well make a QE carrier if I can find F35 die casts to put on it. I have seen some but only via post. none in toy shops yet. I dare say I will find an outline drawing/plan somewhere. (car boot size of course, say 54&quot. I could then make a T45 as an escort !!

Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Todays boating. Fantastix day. too bright unfortunately to take snaps of project no1, and in any case i HAVE DROPPED A PIECE OF WOOD ON IT AND BROKEN A BIT OFF AND DENTED ANOTHER BIT..HO HUM.

5 other boaters there, Andy had his croc out, now with a tail on and this outshone all our other efforts with the public. We decided he needs an Ibis on the back of it, but the Early learning centre only has parrots he says..

The Invincible was out, performing well as usual. The Hornet cat was tried with an S50 prop and it was agreed it was not quite as fast as last week, so the Graupner P50 prop was tried. This is a hydro prop and so I was expecting better results and lo and behold they were forthcoming. A snippet of rooster tail and a definite increase in speed. I am not saying it is FAST as per, but it is going fast enough now, and all on bits from the box and a very cooking speed 600 ECO motor.

Project no1 was tried with various smaller props and the consensus of opinion was the original one was best..I had been going smaller, but it may be I might go BIGGER just to see whats what. I need a higher voltage battery for it as I recon another 3000rpm will get me where I want to be.

This years (fresh) project has been supplanted by something even more audacios. This new project will encompass so many variables I shudder just to think of it. I have had a drawing enlarged to supply the usual "plans" and I am now in the process of dickering with this to get the equipments I envisage I will need in place, and am discussing the various options and methods of construction with fellow boaters to get a different viewpoint as this is always useful.

Should be good

Ashley

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

This years (fresh) project has been supplanted by something even more audacious. This new project will encompass so many variables I shudder just to think of it.

Ashley

It must be something really wild if you think that it is audacious….a rocket powered duck….a pulse jet powered Nothosaur…..I wouldn't be surprised if you announced a nuclear powered Thunderbird 4.

As an aside I came across this lovely waterside public house,…..shame about the beer though.

 

 Paul

Edited By Paul T on 22/04/2013 07:31:00

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Paul, this looks suspiciously like The Weir wot I go in a reasonable amount, as it is 15 mins cycle ride from home. Not had a problem with the beer?? As if you didnt know.

Ok, so I MAY have talked up the new project a bit, but it is full of unknowns, and I shall be as usual dickering with the original design in order to simplify things a bit and remove the need to use servo`s, and their attendant linkages. The balance of this item is going to be the main trouble and my gut feeling it that it will be one of those things only manifesting itself "on trials" as it were. As soon as you dicker with an established design obviously the original c of g goes out the window, but u never know!

I hope I dont have tooo much trouble or I shall have some words with the person what put the idea in my head in the first place.

Ashley

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Ashley

Which damm fool gave you the impossible task.

Paul

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

I have a bottle of champagne in one hand, and a large bit of wood in the other. It depends on the success of this…project as to which one I will have a mind to use.

So saying.. I have been giving the matter more thought and a number of possible solutions are coming to life. It involves going fast and completely moving away from the original design philosophy. The construction method is also going to me most unusual for a home-built craft, and if it is a success I may employ this method a bit more.. it makes hitherto very difficult constructions very very easy…   say no more (and I am not going to)

Ashley

Edited By ashley needham on 22/04/2013 20:32:29

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Posted by ashley needham on 22/04/2013 20:31:05:

I have a bottle of champagne in one hand, and a large bit of wood in the other. It depends on the success of this…project as to which one I will have a mind to use.

I am so glad it wasn't me

The construction method is also going to me most unusual for a home-built craft, and if it is a success I may employ this method a bit more.. it makes hitherto very difficult constructions very very easy

Like get someone else to build them! lol

Paul

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Todays boating fantastic. great day until Andy put his CROC in the water and stole everybodies limelight.. he needs a bird, an egret or whatever it is, to sit on the croc. He has his eye on a large bit of foam in a skip, he was muttering "Hippo"…we will see!

First project, more tryouts of props and was going well. Unfortunately not able to try alternative batteries as I noticed that the Futaba battery connection was melting…oops! (Must find a way to stop it filling up with water, as well).

2nd project unbelievable!! fantastic. Also shipping water and had to hurredly withdrawn. Hasnt done that before? possibly loose-ish prop nut, needs adjustment..or more grease here and there?? workshop, again,. hmmm.

LFM. going well and rescuing (?) other boats nicely with the old long-bit-of-string-and-a-cork method. ALSO shipping water and I think it had got to the receiver..fortunately we were almost done then. Usually fairly dry but did notice loads of play in propshaft (dont know why as was ok last time) so need to do some adjusting, and build a small upstand for the receiver, just in case.

Good selection of boaters. A small mishap, but recovered ok, apart from that, top hole!

Ashley

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