Vintage Gentleman’s Cruiser

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Bob

So many questions

Lets start at the beginning:

The model can be sheeted or planked (or a combination of both) as both systems have the same level of difficulty (or ease) providing that the major joint of bilge chine is carried forward to the point between the Bow post & F1 where the joint melts into the hull.

If planking I would adopt a board layout from vertical to 30deg from the vertical (tight double diagonal) using, as Colin suggested, a lamination made from 1.5mm thick planks.

If sheeting I would use 2 layers of 1.5mm ply.

Bob: the laminate stringers will be superb and will introduce a great deal of strength to the bows, strength that previously would have come from those bulky breasthooks.

Bob, Dave & Colin: F1 & F2 are the correct shape as the intention is to produce a rapid change in hull direction at this point, as Colin says it will produce the 'pinched' look that was synonymous with boat from the Edwardian era.

Bob: The ABELL drives should fit quite nicely next to each other in the bay between F3 and F4 but as I can only guesstimate the weight of these units we might have to do some clever ballasting to offset the mass of these motors.

Bob: Your boats shouldn't leak but you could use a car washer pump to evacuate any 'liquid problems'

Bob: Internal fitting with dolls house equipment would look great and a 'real' horn could be a nice feature.

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Paul

Pleased to see you on the thread again, I`ve been hanging about for the last few hours, to see if the "Pinched look" is ok or not….and of course it is……..It`s the famous "Thomason Taper"

I can now get on with the build……….Just been out and chopped another forest down for the skins and planks!

Need the latest Transom cover drawing in order to finalise the curvy look on Former 10

Also need the hull side layout showing the step up etc

Won`t be bothering you for the next few days now

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Won`t be bothering you for the next few days now

I am starting a sweep on this statement.

Question by tonight…..the odds are…90:1

Question by morning …………………….70:1

Question by Midday……………………….50:1

Question by Tomorrow night…………..30:1

Question by Saturday morning………..25:1

Question by Saturday midday…………10:1

Question by Saturday night…………….2:1

Just choose your bet.

Paul

[lnvisiblemanParticipant @lnvisibleman]

Put me down for a tenner on the 50: 1 shot – By Midday

Mike ( rubbing hands in glee )

[lnvisiblemanParticipant @lnvisibleman]

BTW if any members would like a bag of hand rubbing glee, just PM me and I will send a string bag full of it by 3rd class post.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Don`t get cheeky….You lot!

Bob

PS……..Are we sharing?…..Sounds like easy money!…..That`s a Monkey each?

[lnvisiblemanParticipant @lnvisibleman]

Am I missing something here ?

Is it possible that the Chuckle Brothers might be able to rig the result ?

NAH !!! Could never happen.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

This is not a question……….Yer money`s safe with me, Paul!

Prelude to the Bows planking……

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Bob

What would I do with a monkey…………unless it could type……..but then what would I do with an infinite supply of Shakespeare.

Mike

Chuckle brothers, I don't think so but Laurel and Hardy, maybe.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

This may look chaotic……But it`s all under control, chaps

We need lots of clamps of all sizes for a job like this…..and it`s essential that you are aware of what clamps you have available……To avoid scratching about!

The main stringers are done and are very strong and after extensive sanding, it will soon be ready for the main side wall to be fitted

Building a large model, really does, make it all worth while

Bob….Still having a Whale of a time

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

More WIP

Skinning the bows section

Brushed on some water and the panel surrendered!

Phew, what a struggle that was!

Bob

I really need to do this section in one piece, but it doesn`t want to cooperate!

General assembly…..The easy stuff!

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Drawing Office to Chief Engineer.

Congratulations are in order and double pay for everyone!

The skinning is superb and the Managing Director is very impressed with your packing solution to achieve the correct curve.

She goes on to say that this is better than the designers method which would have been to use a couple of mechanical fixings(screws) to pull the skin into place (which would have needed countersinking and filling) so the first G&T will be on her next weekend……………………providing the sun is well over the yardarm [what's a yardarm]

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Many thanks Paul and thanks to the MD for having the ability to spot a Eureka Moment!

When there was only about 10mm to go, the strain on the structure was really intense and I started wondering about splitting the sheet!…..Screws would not have solved the problem, they would have cased the structure to snap instantly

Then I remembered the warm water trick. After about half an hour, I noticed the clamps relaxing and taking up the slack, the joint was made………Which was very rewarding

The sheet is still under the clamps, this morning……But not for long!

Shop floor superintendent

[Amy jane SeptemberParticipant @amyjaneseptember49770]

Well done Bob

Planking a fore foot with that much hollow aint easy!

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Bob

The MD asks if you are still using water-soluble pva as your main glue? if so you could have a problem at some point in the future with the glue failing (due to water ingress from your leaky joints)

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Paul

I'm using waterproof PVA and once set and painted, it has never let me own

Thank the MD for her concern, though

Fitted and glued the bendy panel this morning and was a real struggle!

Some areas were difficult to clamp, because of the curves and angles, and the clamping setup becomes very untidy

Hence…..No pictures this morning!

Glue Monkey

[IAN_IParticipant @ian_i]

Hi Paul great design..

Bob … Great work on the planking .

Quite a beast you are building looking very impressive.

Best regards,

Ian

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you, Ian

It is rather large, but I am enjoying the build, all the same

At the moment, I`m using screws to secure the panels, in order to remove the masses of clamps

I can`t see the wood for the trees!

Call again, please

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Ian

Thank you for your kind words, I can't claim all of the kudos for this model as Jane played a big part in putting the design together.

Bob

Will you leave the screws in permanently as a failsafe?

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Paul

Don't think we'll need the screws after a few days, but they'll stay for as long as possible

We might have to use screws when fitting the other curvy piece, because it will be impossible to get the clamps in

We'll see

Bob

Btw….I've removed the spine screws now, ready for the great day

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Shop floor to Stand Organiser

Have now removed the hull off the building board, in order to get it ready for the publick gaze at Haydock

As we discussed this morning

Explanation for our viewers…….I didn`t want to remove the hull off the building board and preferred not to take the model to Haydock, as we are only part way through the present stage, but Paul said that an important VIP was looking forward to seeing it…..So it was a Catch 22 situation and the show must go on!

The hull is in a semi finished guise at the moment and I haven`t had time to smarten it up

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Bob

I appreciate you separating the hull from the building board especially at this delicate stage and I'm sure that you will be able to get the twist out.

The best spot on the stand is reserved for this model…….. its an elevated position with spotlights so everyone will be able to see your work.

Paul

[mike farrellParticipant @mikefarrell21522]

Hi Bob Your concerns regarding the look is bettered by the chance for builders seeing how well you have built Pauls design together.

Being able to see how this boat was to be built will I hope encourage more people to take on such an enormous challenge. So many of us have started with ready made kits will be a bit scared taking on such a build .

Exhibiting the build will encourage many more of us to tackle something more challengingMichael

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Mike

I am only a simple down to earth builder!

The hull construction and planking is being carried out with the intention of making full use of P38 where needed….and a few coats of paint of course

I make sure solid construction and reasonable workmanship is maintained throughout the build

The difficult part of the build is wrestling with plywood to obtain the correct shape around tight corners etc….The rest is easy!

Squareness and accuracy with plenty of common sense is essential from square one

You get the idea…..If you can build Thor……Your all right Jack!

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Getting the boats downstairs for the Haydock Show, the wife saw the Lady Jane 5 for the first time!

She nearly dropped cork legged!

Gobsmacked would be an understatement!

It's only 5'-0" I said, meekly…….Crumbs!…..What have we done, Paul?

We've created a Monster!

No wonder the very important VIP wanted to see it!

You can make your own minds up at the show, chaps

It may look a bit OTT, but once on the water, it will be such great fun

Capt Bob signing off

[Author]

Posts