Todays Boating

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Today. Weed gone, some light cover viz duckweed but nothing to speak if, nowt underwater.

Proj no3 first test…ok, steered ok, stability at the speed wot we achieved was ok. Swapped to lighter batt and performance increased as you might expect however it is woefully underpropped. I knew this, but I fitted the largest one I had and the motor still only took 5A, under half its max optimum current. Result…very pedestrian and hardly deserving of the special underwater shape. BUT new props on the way so should see a dramatic performance increase soon. Should have taken a 3S Lipo down to try, although I do not necce….hold the boat!! A message has popped up in the old mail saying props available to collect from Argos in Homebase right now.

Where`s me push bike!

Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

First the big news.. I am taking an early leaver package and retiring from BT after a mere 41 years, which I realise is not that much nowadays. Anyone who needs to mail me plse use the home mail address if you know it or PM me. I go this Friday , last day. Wowsy wowsy..I am in a bit of a doo dah, but most of you have been there before eh !!!!

I will now of course have more than enough time for projects and STUFF, and daytime testing…all sorts.

New props is not what I was expecting, but the worse thing is the wotsit to drive them which is as bent as……could be, and is useless, near shook the boat to bits. need someone to make me a small adaptor thats what I NEED. never mind.

Ashley

[Armando LoniParticipant @armandoloni78860]

You'll get used to the free time, Ashley! You did well to get 41 years service. I've been in a similar position for a couple of years, albeit voluntary part-time – but I seem to be doing things other than model boats!

(ps. I worked at BT research labs for a couple of years – Martlesham Heath – but escaped in 1992).

[Trevor HollowayParticipant @trevorholloway99134]

I thought I was doing well at 19 years (and counting) !

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Trevor, we didn't SPEAK to anyone at BT unless they had 25 years in !

Trevor has, as it happens a motor and pulley sold with 8mm shaft, and 8mm pulley hole. They don't fit of course. The shaft measures 8.03mm, the hole 7.97 mm. It is so difficult. It may be that they should be pressed on but I would not have thought so. Trevor's lathe cant quite manage the pulley, I have a pillar drill, but drilling such a precise hole, or at least, opening it out will be a bit of a challenge as all my 8mm drills measure 7.95+mm on the shank. Ho Hum.

Armando. Get it together and do more boats!!

Ashley

[Armando LoniParticipant @armandoloni78860]

Ashley – regarding the shaft and pulley…… try heating the pulley up to expand the hole or cool the motor to shrink the shaft, or preferably both; 'shrink-fitting' is a commonly-used process. I've had success with cooling things in the freezer or warming them up in the oven.

If you want, I can shrink the motor shaft in liquid nitrogen for you and the pulley should just pop on.

A.

Edited By Armando Loni on 27/10/2015 12:27:57

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Armando. Yes a worthy tip, and one which I had forgotten. We are going to have a look-see tonight. It is only driving a bit of machinery via a round belt so to be honest the fit isn't super critical. Ashley

[Trevor HollowayParticipant @trevorholloway99134]

It may not be super critical but as long as there is no hardboard involved it should be OK !

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Only myself and Iain today, Iain sailing his Trumpeter Missouri and what a stonking build. Superb. The number and small size of the parts has to be seen to be believed. Excellent job.

Titanic, aptly sailing in fog. Very foggy/misty today, actually getting worse as I type. Pond nicely misty and wotnot. May think about lights for the Titanic, as a retro-fit, as I WILL HAVE THE TIME!

Project no3 went well with new larger props on and indeed doubling up. The shaft is ever so slightly bent, only just discernable, but in any case needs changing as its not long enough. Only a quick try-out, just two runs per change to try the new bits and in any case there was a lot of water splashing about and the superstructure has yet to be built, did not want to tempt fate! (reminder to self..needs varnish on the inside) Appear to have a blown up T6 receiver as well?? LC(F) out as a last gasp, to keep an eye on the Hippo.

Ashley

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[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

An R/C iceberg should be easy to build….

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

DG (and everyone else!) Thought about an iceberg and everyone else thinks/has thought about an iceberg and keeps on saying so, and I gave it some consideration but in reality what would you do with it?? keep on sailing the boat into it again and again?? keep on swiping it???? It would be a one off photo opportunity and nothing else, despite appearing to be a good idea. Its better to run it as a joke at the pond.

In point of fact, the heavy fog on the pond, a Titanic looming out of the mist and an iceberg would have made a fantastic picture. I have a large thick lump of expanded polystyrene. I may just keep it to one side….

Ashley

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

In point of fact, the heavy fog on the pond, a Titanic looming out of the mist and an iceberg would have made a fantastic picture.

Might have made a good picture – but the original night was quite clear, though moonless and still…

 

Thought about an iceberg and everyone else thinks/has thought about an iceberg and keeps on saying so, and I gave it some consideration but in reality what would you do with it?

 

You would sail it out into the path of the Titanic and bump it. Then you would sail it around into the path of the ship again. … Then, as the Titanic driver got tired of hitting the iceberg and tried to get away, you would chase the Titanic all around the pond with the iceberg….

Finally, you would leave it in the middle of the pond, and whenever a boat comes near, gently edge the berg towards it….

 

Edited By Dodgy Geezer on 02/11/2015 14:49:46

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Dg. I admit you have me there! Fog….should reality get in the way of a good picture??

Sticking more bits on the hull of No3. Not quite sure what I am doing but it seems like a good idea. Will re-profile the hull a bit to make the water entry shallower, as there seemed to be a bit of a bow wave going on and also for aesthetic reasons there are a few steps which on reflection I can do without.

Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Just realised it is remembrance day on Sunday, so I shall be supporting our local parade at Molesey war memorial, and would urge others to do the same, to show support. Not necc at Molesey of course.

Have whiled away the long retirement day remodelling Proj no3. No idea if this will improve it but it looks so much better underneath now. I have also smoohed the underneath down a bit more. may make it go faster. Steering wheel for driver proj no2 also now decided upon and ready to be varnished. Gosh the pace I go at.

Ashley​

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Today, blustery and generally v windy. Herald it had to be then, and it went very rubbish as usual, but in a blowy sort of way. James remained upright, and it is now one of the few boats that still uses an SLA, for ballast mostly as of course the motor does not get much action. I lie of course, the motor gets LOADS of action as its such a rubbish sailor. Pete down with sturdy able-to-handle-a-bit-of-wind fishing boat, Ray with bike for a chat.

Park looking nice in its autumn colours, deer still frisky.

Ashley

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

How are you enjoying retirement Ashley? You now have the opportunity to do all those jobs around the house that you have been putting off – but you still won't want to do them!

Colin

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi Colin

Ashley to busy replacing the motors in the Fantome with a single G60/500kv on 6S batteries and 3 blade 70mm prop!!!!

Also installing a GoPro to video his other projects!!!!

This will get a bite!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Harry

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Colin settled yet, only 3rd week of retirement! One of the jobs is to put in a bathroom window, but we were chatting to an ex-builder on Sunday and he said you now have to be (something or other) registered to put in windows now !!! It is small. I will just bash on next year.

Harry; some point be swapping the 800`s for a pair of 850`s in the Fantome. Nothing more fancy I am afraid. Should go nicely on 12v or 3s, don't want it to go much faster as you simply use up lake too quickly. It is a big boat and looks quite good at a decent rather than ridiculous speed.

It also struck me that when I borrowed a 3s Lipo for the original Ecranoplan it was want to take off, and I should have tried a smaller prop so that the throttle could be banged open and a decent top speed achieved without being anxious about flying. Perhaps soon, as I have more props from something else now.

I may also have a bash at a Felixstowe F2 flying boat to replace the BFB3, but use small brushless and "proper" 5 inch props for a decent sea-skimming performance. All the Felixstowe's were dazzle painted in their own individual schemes during the war, to prevent mis-identification and also torpedo avoidance! That appeals to me, and a model I saw had a simple yet striking red/white stripe arrangement.

Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Comedy of errors today. Mrs had the car for a cub event, back late 9.15, I had a bit of a sniffer and sore throat so wasn't going to go but at 100 it was so nice I thought I would pop down to test proj no3.

Comedy of errors; Had difficulty parking as late down; didn't have receiver in boat (had a spare 27m one but no where to put ariel; Ice in pond preventing longer straight run needed; no one there. Came home'

The split…njbkhwdjgqwef… of proj no3 is now at THE MAN for attention! so things may be moving on depending how quick THE MAN is. If it is like this next week then all projects may be down for fine tuning and photos.

Ashley

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi Ashley

Started another boat it a bit a Swordsman, Huntress with a bit of modern hull and yes minus 5 degrees lower drive line angle.

Also lengthed the by 4 inches, so it's about 37 and 1/2 inches.

I have a D3448/4-1100kv and a XK3674B-1900kv in store.

Project name SEA RAVEN 2016.

Weather very high winds with a bit of rain, but, still in shorts.

Hope for a fine day Saturday morning for boating and the Fantome camera boat turns up.

GoPro camera(servo controlled of course) with Wifi back to monitor on the transmitter.

Harry

[Trevor HollowayParticipant @trevorholloway99134]

Very windy at the pond yesterday, also lots of feathered wildlife encouraged by loaves of bread so I left the boat in the car and went home to some hot chocolate.

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Trevor. I did pop down the pond at 0920 ish, and had a walk around the three lakes. Yes it was a bit windy. I didn't put `owt in `t water as I had visions of conking out (due to all the detritus in the pond obv and not any mechanical issues) and then being blown from pillar to post.

Harry, You have some serious kit there! not something I would entertain sadly.

The gubbins has come back from THE MAN and to my relief fit perfectly on the hull previously made!! Not only that but the fitting of it has seen to be simplified now I have the top in my grubby hands. The long haul of the painting process now begins. Halfords spray paint , filler, rubbing down, more,filler, primer , rubbing down f..p..rd you know how it goes.

Ashley

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

Hi Ashley

The Fantome has a GPS in it also, runs 31mph, so she really lifts up her skirts and moves!!!

I ran with it on Saturday at 3/4 throttle in the Sea Hornet.

I do not know the top speed of the Hornet, but, I reckon about 40mph.

The fellows have Christ her the BLOWFLY!!!

Harry

[Kimosubby ShipyardsParticipant @kimosubbyshipyards]

Hi Ashley,

that last storm we had up here, Desmond, really made some interesting choices of boat. Luckily no one was injured as the vessel was empty before the bridge went, but I just thought maybe Ashley could do with some inspiration for a next project and this could just be the job for a BUSy retired gentleman of leisure 'as what he is now'.

And as we all said – wow, all that firewood and still there!

Oh, and just for authenticity, this is the number 44 school bus from Laxey school to Douglas.

Aye, Kim

Edited By Kimosubby Shipyards on 07/12/2015 11:53:03

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Kim. Whoops a daisy ! We never have it large where we are unfortunately, or even fortunately.

Projects, bus….see PM….

Ashley

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