Vic Smeed’s Silver Mist

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Tony

Pleased you are still following the build

One distinguished follower has Emailed with his approval of the fan idea……………Many thanks

The fan should be interesting to see and raise a few eyebrows

Bob

[Ian GardnerParticipant @iangardner62867]

Hi Bob,

Neat looking installation and the fan seems a good idea. It might pose a health and safety risk inside the boat though! You certainly keep busy.

What's a crystal? Seriously, I like the idea of using up redundant gear- hope it all works out.

I also like the idea of a Vic Smeed boat day- I have three boats built to Vic's designs now- Silver Mist, Veleta and Mistral and might be persuaded to journey north to attend such a day- it could be good fun.

**LINK**

Ian

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you, Ian

I`m pleased the fan tickled your fancy!

I hope to fit a nice mesh guard after final installation of the junke

Also pleased, you like the Vic Smeed at Haydock idea………It will happen, one day

Your latest link shows a very elegant Broads model………And nicely made too

Vic certainly had a flair for designing pretty boats

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

What were you saying about Health and Safety, Ian?

I just thought I'd try the motor……..!

You get the scene……..Odd wires pushed in, here and there……Motor not bolted down etc

A quick blip on the battery……..Whhhhrrrrrr!……Whizzzzz……..Whack! Whack! Whack!…..Fingers rapped…..Ouch!

Loose wires……No longer loose!

Where's the Germolene?

Bob………Has learnt his lesson!

[Ian GardnerParticipant @iangardner62867]

Oh dear! I was only half joking about the risk of having a dirty great brass prop whizzing round inside the boat. I don't suppose you'll get caught again though!

Thanks for your comments about my Mistral- had her out at Cheddar yesterday in the sunshine- a lovely boat, and people often mention what a nice old classic she is. I wish I'd built her a bit bigger though.

I wonder if my steam yacht built on a Silver Mist hull would count- don't see why not – an example of how Vic inspired us. I must put some photos up- still a work in progress.

You'll have to sit nursing your sore finger in front of the football tonight!

Ian.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hi Ian

No harm done really

A whack on the fingers and the fright of my life!

Watching the British GP at the moment……..The rain is frightful

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Not much to show for my efforts today, chaps

Besides finalising the motor drive and fixing in position and general fiddling etc……..Not to mention some more nonsense with Win 10!

I made another prop from sheet brass………Couldn`t use the GE prop afterall

Might have to make a new rudder now………Don`t like the prop / Rudder gap?

I was actually toying with the idea of reversing the rudder and having the blade in front of the prop!

Which would probably work?

Bob

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Bob

To reduce the gap you could make a new balanced blade with a section in front of your rudder post, I always thought that would reduce the load on the servo in operation ? rather like a balanced ailerons on a plane ?

Do your brass props work ok, I've just ordered a 80mm 4 blade prop for Cullamix £28 !!

Regards Ray

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Ray

Congratulations on your Barge/ Boat publication

My Daughter has just purchased a similar full size jobbie……..Photo to follow

A balanced rudder would fill the gap nicely…….If only I had some brass

Could use Ali and rivet it?

My props work quite well………Take a look at Great Eastern sailing at Etherow

Just type in "Great Eastern at Etherow"………Not bad for a 540 motor and 3" prop……….And ……..7'- 0" long

Just popped the pond, moving it about!………….Will get a smaller one next time, just for floatation tests

Bob

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Bob

Thanks, I've not seen the article yet, but was pleased to see I'd made the front cover

I should have learned how to weld 20 years ago and built a fullsize one, a chap down our boat yard built a 60' ketch and just launched, it took him 16 years but looks lovely. Good luck with your daughters narrow boat should be fun

Regards Ray

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you Ray

It's very exciting seeing your model in print for the first time!

I once made the front cover at Christmas time with my Great Eastern before she was famous!

Found a picture of the aforesaid canal boat now………Would make a nice model?

Bob

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Bob

That's a lovely little "boat" of the narrow variety

You should make your daughter a model of Missie, take 6" out of the centre of my design and re-arrange the windows and Hey Prestow ! she would be pleased with that I'm sure.

Regards Ray

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Just a few more pictures of the drive train, for those forum members interested?

Got the system more secure now and running like an old sewing machine

But there is some mechanical noise coming from the coupling area

I could fit a solid coupling or a midshaft bearing support…….Which would be more attractive………With an oil tube of course

Note the motor base fixing……..Screws and two dowels , passing through the hull wall

Didn`t fancy the usual blobs of chewing gum, all over the place

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Problem solved

A bearing housing close to the loose end of the coupling has cured the noise problem

It was obvious really…….A flexible coupling has to have support at both ends!

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

You heard it here first

…………A flexible coupling has to have support at both ends!…….

The ceaseless toil from generations of philosophers searching in vain for the right question, even knowing the answer is Twenty Two they still could not begin to fathom the depths of right question.

Einstein came close with his theory of special relativity but even the greatest mind of our era couldn't solve this problem.

And then Bob resets everything by moving the goalposts further back with his earth shattering statement.

Paul

btw I like the milkshake wizzer prop

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Well Thomason……..You certainly missed the chance to get one over on me!

I posted a picture of the unsupported coupling end and you all missed it!

Lucky for me………I sussed out the answer to the problem……Without resorting to dy/dx reaching zero!

Those were the days!

Pleased you like the multi purpose milk shake whizzer!

The cooling fan is also a multi purpose feature……..Going ahead it cools the controller and going astern, it cools the motor!

What next….I ask myself?

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

What's this then?………..Ian and Ray

What's that, Captain?

Look at the cabin side walls!

Well?

They extend all the way to the prow!

Blimey!…….We never noticed that before!

Perhaps, one of Vic's deliberate mistakes?

Looks a nice departure from the plan…….And it's not too late to make a mod……….In my case

Just the thing to generate conversation at the pond!

Here we go boys

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Sorry chaps…………Have I got egg on my face!………..It is on the plan!

Bob

Edited By Bob Abell on 15/07/2016 08:34:09

[Ian GardnerParticipant @iangardner62867]

I don't think those nice side wings coming forward of the wheelhouse front are on the plan and they may be a a nice touch- I only noticed them on the photograph after I finished building mine.

I think it's always a good idea to spend time studying a plan, Bob.

All the best,

Ian

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hi Ian

The plan is as above…….Not easy to spot

I`ve found the plan a bit tricky at times

Bob

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Bob

I didn't bother with them, as I'm basically lazy, I also ignored the shaping of the stem in the picture

Regards Ray

[Ian GardnerParticipant @iangardner62867]

Hi Bob,

I was talking about the curved wings coming from the wheelhouse front seen in the photograph you posted- the cover of Model Maker of the time. They aren't on the plan and would look nice I think. Have another look at the photo- it would distinguish your Silver Mist from others.

I agree the plan is a bit confused and it did take me time to get it sorted out. Actually, it put me off starting for some time, so you're not alone! Looking at Ray's photo reminds me of what a lovely craft she is.

Ian

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Ian/Bob

Only thing that looks like a pigs ear ( no offence to pigs intended ) is the guard rails between the stanchions, I used BT copper wire which is all wobbly, the Caldercraft brass stanchions were the most expensive part of the boat.

Happy days I'm off to the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich to price a project there this afternoon Sunday's Chantry MBC open day so all the boats out this weekend

Regards Ray

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

The usual Belts and Braces procedure………Must get it set right though……..All part of the fun, eh?

Good job I didn`t throw out the prow gadget!

Just the job for gripping the prow ends of the splash strips

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Splash walls finished

That foredeck is simply crying out to be deck planked!

Can`t really use the dark wood planks though, as intended…..Only 0.018" thick with no scope for sanding the glue off

So it`s plain white only, but don`t fancy the black oakum involvement

Hmmmmm………Ah!……Got an idea!

Bob

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