Vintage Gentleman’s Cruiser

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Bob, I know it is a big boat but the less you have stuck on the bottom the better the hydrodynamic efficiency will be. Two unsupported rudders were quite adequate for the battleship Warspite so should be no problem on a model Edwardian launch!

Where will it end? Are you going to fit wheels in case she goes aground in the shallows?!

Colin

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you, Colin

The idea of unsupported rudders give me the goose bumps!…….But the wheels idea is rather interesting!

Why didn`t you suggest it earlier?……I could have planned for it

The layout is just about right for a pair of wheels!

We could fit a removeAbell axle across the two supports and wheel it about!

Ideal for Haydock and Ellesmere shows

Bob

[David WooleyParticipant @davidwooley82563]

Having had a few years experience in modelling I guess I can offer my own two penny worth on the subject of participation . There is little doubt that our hobby is changing and if it didn't I would then be concerned . All things evolve and our hobby will adjust as it has always done . My visit to Telford confirmed that model making as a hobby is vibrant . There where a healthy number of younger people interested in making things, with organized work shops for old and young alike remembering this is the largest model event in the UK . Telford attracts as many scratch builders as kit builders but nearly all are static models ..In fact the model impute numbers in the thousands . The problem is not so much our hobby but in the perceptions of those involved. . I see a very different world to perhaps the one Paul sees. In the 1960 -70 R/C power boats took over from what was non R/C and went on to dominate the world of boating for many years , in fact the big problem in those days was getting a place at an event . In fact some locations there where lots of R/c power boat events and all on the same day , if you didn't book weeks in advance you didn't sail, it was as simple as that. Now ask the question . Where has that vibrant and huge national support for power boating gone. It has moved to a much lower level of participation but generally the hobby changed and moved in a different direction towards R/C scale which has also undergone massive changes . Granted there are many more attractions for younger minds than years gone by but if I mentioned that the biggest selling constructive item on the planet is Lego and like Meccano did for previous generations introduced many a young mind into the world of making things . Paul mentions about involvement on the Forum , .some people are actually reticent to get involved but like to take a look at what others are interested in. Many sites are like this limited involvement but massive number of views. The number of view is one of the methods of evaluating interest If I where Paul I would not be to concerned what so ever as there is a good interest in what is posted.

Dave Wooley

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Colin

I agree with your comments about Warspite but it should be mentioned that it is highly unlikely that the Warspites Captain would ever get into water shallow enough to endanger the rudders.

However Bobs model will be more likely to run aground in the shallow and uncharted waters of Etherow and in doing so inflict considerable damage to the rudders and bend those flimsy rudder posts.

Bob

From my point of view the newly fitted supporting fins are a good idea although I agree with Colin about the need for them to be as hydrodynamic as possible.

The wheel idea isn't as daft as it sounds as they would certainly prevent the model from grounding and make it easier to move around on land.

Dave

I'm just ranting.

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

An interesting post Dave,

Yes, things move on and perhaps leave some of us with our particular interests high and dry! But it is something we have to accept.

Back in the 70s the scale scene was really booming with some of the best fine scale modelling you will ever see and steering regattas every week during the season all over the country. If you wanted to qualify for the MPBA National Scale Finals you had to be very good indeed. Those halcyon days are now long gone and most model boaters now shy away from entering their models in competitions. It is a different mood altogether now but I feel privileged to have participated at the time.

I consider myself to be a scratchbuilder and still have two unfinished projects in the workshop but in recent years I have tended to build kits, for review and because they offer relatively quick results. Initially I felt a bit guilty about this but it's all about enjoying the hobby really and if there are other pressures on your time then you just have to compromise a bit. I have just bought the Chylds Hall RN Yarrow torpedo boat semi kit simply because it appealed to me as a subject although naval vessels are not usually my preferred subject. But then I only have to please myself, not others.

Colin

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Paul,

That big brass rudder on the port side should be proof against anything short of a nuclear explosion. You could probably hang the boat up on the wall from it without harm!

Colin

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

The big brass rudder has no strength whatsoever without the top support

The length of support at the deck end is only about 25mm…..and is no support at all

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Bob

You should have rudder posts with an overall length of 6in, 3in being inside the hull so there should be plenty of support.

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

No can do, Sunshine…….Stuck for space………Hence the extra support

How`s this for da wheels, man!

We don`t hang about…….

I like it………It was Colin Bishops idea!

In fact, our rescue boat has the same idea…….And nobody complains about the extra drag!

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Nice Bob

But I would raise the axel by an inch or so it runs on the other side of the tube…… then the wheels can be positioned closer to the fin.

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

No problem……We need more height anyway

We could leave the wheels on for sailing………Might be a novel launching feature when fitted with a skid bar on the central keel and a sturdy handle up front!

We`ve made good progress today

Bob

[DuckyParticipant @ducky]

Bob

Perhaps a word with your brother Geoff about the quick release axle system on his bike would give you some ideas for your wheel system, on for transport and off for sailing, thus no drag?.

I'm sure you could work your magic on your lathe for this!.

Duckie,

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Duckie

I will be keeping the wheels on and use them for launching

The goose wires may be a problem though

Bob

[CookieOldParticipant @cookieold]

Thank god we are on about boat building again.

Dave

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

I knew some of my influence would rub off eventually, boats and wheels. You are getting there Bob !! Only need to get the drive to them now and it will be self-launching.

My Toyboata self-launches… (when not iced up)

Ashley

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Ashley

So much for the draggy rudder blocks, hey?

The wheels have solved a serious problem!………Launching!

How would we have launched the boat otherwise?

With a metal skid on the centre keel……The job`s a good un!

I can`t wait to see the next instalment!

Bob

PS………….. Since yesterday morning, we`ve had 361 views!

A bit of controversy and a few outrageous ideas, works wonders?

Boy!…….There`s some lurkers out there!

Edited By Bob Abell on 31/12/2014 08:18:34

Edited By Bob Abell on 31/12/2014 08:32:12

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

361 views, and you were all going on about lack of interest !!!!! it is unreasonble to have thouight that 361 people viewed and would have something constructive to say rather than clog up the thread with "i like that" or Thats a good one" or something inane.

Ashley

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Latest development

Many a true word was spoken in Jest!…………..So they say……………Thanks Colin

Rearranged the wheels and it really do like it

Bob

[Dave_PParticipant @dave_p]

First we had wheelie bins now we have wheelie boats.

Sorry I will get back to lurking

Dave

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Bob

The wheels solve quite a few problems but the axle creates a very effective weed trap, would the wheels work on stub axles?

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Not a problem, Paul

There's no weed at Etherow

Stub axles not relevant

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Bob

Ashley has a good point about getting the wheels to drive, it would be a fairly straight forward task to connect the axle to the propshafts and a steering wheel to the rudder servo.

The boat would then be a self launching/recovering model.

Paul

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Worm drive, meccano, very easy. Ashley

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Worm drive, meccano, very easy. Ashley

And right up Bobs street

[Mark Jarvis 2Participant @markjarvis2]

Worm drive, weed trap!!!!! how big do you think the fish are in Etherow lake????

Mark

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