Vic Smeed’s Silver Mist

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Sorry chaps…….Another Senior Moment!

It's not the Starlet controller…….It's Starboard!

Should have gone to SpecSaver?

Bob

[Gareth JonesParticipant @garethjones79649]

I did wonder why a Starlet yacht would need two motor speed controllers but then having seen the Abell drive system………

Gareth

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Gareth

I thought the same at the time!

But brain wasn't quick enough………….I'm now wondering if the board can safely power the Marlin motor?

Lucky for me, I've still got the Coniston test facility

Got a few 25amp units in stock, but I like the old time quirkiness of it all

All the best and regards to Liz

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Working on the hull deck which is always great fun and very satisfying

Bob

[Ian GardnerParticipant @iangardner62867]

Looking very good, Bob. Got any plans for doing the deck?

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Ian

Thanks for looking in

I was going to cover the deck with lining paper and draw the deck planks, but I would like to plank the deck now

Because I've just remembered a drawer full of deck planks, left surplus from the failed galleon kit I started a couple of years ago

I'll dig them out and have a count up

I ought to call my model……..Second Hand Rose?

Bob

[Ian GardnerParticipant @iangardner62867]

Bob,

I look in every day (I just don't say much!)- and am following with great interest as this is a design dear to my heart. It took me over forty years to get round to building a Silver Mist but she was always a favourite. I think she deserves a planked deck although a lined deck would be more in keeping with Vic's original design. I think he veneered his but it was a much smaller model. Whatever you decide will no doubt look fine.

Keep up the good work.

Ian

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Bob,

I also like to follow the progress of this model with great interest. It is interesting to watch how you are overcoming problems with building a double sized model. I am sure there will be many issues to be overcome as the build progresses, but isn't that part of the hobby.

As Ian says – keep up the good work,

Tony

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Tony and Ian

It's nice to know that you two vintage enthusiasts are looking over my shoulder

Keeping a sharp eye on things

About to make a start on the cabin now……….When I've sorted it out

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Ian………Managed to locate the long lost planks from the Sov of the Seas build

I knew they would come in handy, one day

So it`s a planked deck afterall

Bob

[Ian GardnerParticipant @iangardner62867]

Excellent! So the long slog of deck planking begins, but always worth it in the end. I have often lost the will to live doing a deck but used to use parana pine as I fancied it looked more like teak. It was a bit harder to cut than the ubiquitous obeche. Black paper for caulking? Or do you have another method? I await with interest.

It's always nice to recycle materials- I just had a Proxxon table saw for my birthday which cuts very fine and smooth and will enable me to use some of the stacks of old timber I have kicking about. I started with some masts for my steam yacht in douglas fir, cut from some old spars I had on a dinghy years ago. It'll be fun to know that that wood is in the boat.

Also nice to know Tony is watching with interest- he is one of the good friends I have made through this forum, but we have never actually met. I hope we can rectify that some day.

Happy decking,

Ian

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Bob

She is looking good and must be very strong, you have the raised deck to construct next for the wheelhouse to sit on. are you cutting out your access hatches as you go ? are you bothering with cambering the decks ? I usually build the hatches insitu for a better fit.

Regards Ray

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Ray and Ian

I`m just in the process of posting the next instalment…….Which will answer all your questions!

Using the top deck as my drawing board and fixture to hold the bulkheads in place, the cabin structure is taking shape

We must have cambered decks……It`s all part of the olde worlde look

Bob

[Ian GardnerParticipant @iangardner62867]

Hi Bob,

With regard to access I made the wheelhouse and part of the deck forward of that removable- but I wish I'd made a hatch in the aft deck as well, as acess has been a bit of a problem – especially when I wanted to change motor and drive system. Just thought I'd mention it as now is the time to decide! I expect you have already made a decision.

It looks as though you will have loads of deck planking to play around with.

Ian

 

Edited By Ian Gardner on 06/06/2016 10:14:12

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Bob

Yes I'd agree with Ian the more access the better

Regards Ray

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Many thanks Ray and Ian

I did notice on Ray`s model, that access had been improved

I may fit an hatch in the foredeck too………For access to batteries etc

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

The lower cabin, roughly assembled

Decided to glue the cabin together, as a subassembly………Then place to one side in order to cut the top lid away

Then glue the cabin in position permanently, as this section is not removable on completion

Not one of Vic`s good ideas

This is because the thin cabin sides have nothing to cling onto

It makes a change

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Work in progress…….Mmmmmmm?

The sub cabin is now glued and quite a solid structure and is a loose item at the moment

I`m thinking about making it detachable, as is, with some neat method of locating the fragile spikey cabin wings

Then the upper cabin can be a simple glued on item

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Can I ask a daft question?

Vic's model is only 21" long and made of balsa wood…….Made in 1958

And not having the complete instructions……

Was the model intended for Radio Control?

Could it have been a free sailer?

Just an idea

Bob

[Ian GardnerParticipant @iangardner62867]

Hi Bob,

It did have radio control and if I dig out the relevant mags I could tell you what he suggested. I'll see what I can do. It may even be on the plan.

I'm wondering why you don't make that whole cabin base a permanent fixture and have the deck above with the wheelehouse as a removable piece. That way the cabin wings could be fixed to the deck. I used a small mahogany quadrant inside the wings to give more gluing area- at your size you could pin them and put a capping on top. It would make the openings higher above the water level for rough crossings.

I'll get back to you over the radio if someone doesn't beat me to it.

Ian

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Ian

Having read your post several times, it has finally dawned on me, what you are suggesting!

Glue the bottom section down and have the top section removable, complete with bottom section roof!

That`s more like it!

Will look into it

Bob

[Ian GardnerParticipant @iangardner62867]

Hi Bob,

I have dug out the three months of Model maker mags containing the Silver Mist articles. Vic suggested the use of 'the Triang Radioslave radio/motor equipment or other lightweight radio control with separate motor.' I was surprised to note that there was such lightweight equipment in 1958.

On the plan there is an isometric drawing of the wheelehouse and upper deck- it's on the right hand side below the materials list. It's how I made the access on mine but I note from subsequent photos in the articles that Vic also made a section of the aft deck removable too- as one piece with the wheelhouse and upper deck, back to B4 on the plan.

If I were doing it again, I'd make a section the width of the wheelhouse removable from B2 to B5- maybe in two sections- basically what Ray has done if you look back at his photos. I don't think you'd ever get those shaped wings to behave themselves if they weren't glued down! Hope some of this makes sense- I know what I mean.

Ian

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Bob

Yes I'm with Ian on the centre section, couldn't see why you carried your decked over it only to cut it out later, but its all part of the fun ? my first Silver Mist back in 1970 had McGregor single channel on the steering, those were the days ! I'm off the forum for a couple of weeks going to study Spanish fishing boats in the sun keep up the good work I'll be watching on my tablet in the bar !!

Regards Ray

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you Ray

Just to satisfy an idea……I could support the wings with a double gusset as shown

What do we think?………..It has some potential, we have to think about the painted areas

In the meantime……Have a nice time in the sun

Bob

[Ian GardnerParticipant @iangardner62867]

Hello Bob,

I can see why you might want to go with this idea if the whole lower cabin was to be removable but I thought you were moving towards having acess in the upper deck only, as actually shown in your last photo, which would be the best option, in my opinion. In that case a more elegant solution would be to glue the the shaped wings to the deck and perhaps reinforce them with a quadrant or rectangular strip glued inside them at deck level. You could even pin them with thin brass rod and put an elegant capping piece over the top. Vic Smeed describes them as a 'foot strip or spurn water'.

I'm not quite sure how you would achieve your deck planking with your double gusset. It might look a bit odd if it was painted and the deck underneath planked. Just my thoughts.

Ian

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