Vintage Gentleman’s Cruiser

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Mark

I'm happy to be back even though its on a part time basis.

Paul

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

yes. Old tins of paint and varnmish should be banished! i have taken to writing the puchase date on the bottom of my tins now, its suprising how old they get..

I have just varnished proj no1 but it had beem car spray painted, and so I used the same make of car spray varnish (laquer…is there a difference??) so easy choice. Next project will involve mahog veneer and varnish, and I will be purchasing a new tin of marine varnish especially for this, I will be tapping the forum font of knowledge on this subject nearer the time, as I have not used veneer before.

Ashley

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Ashley

It might be tempting but don't use the ready glued veneers…..those that are activated with an electric iron….as they have a nasty habit of falling off.

The comments contained within this posting do not represent the opinions of the management, trying to apply heat activated veneer can result in burnt fingers, using the family electric iron to fit veneer can directly lead to cold nights in the shed.

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Work in progress

Very labour intensive, but well worth the effort?

Bob

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Paul. Nice disclaimer.

I will be glueing the veneer on with whatever all you experts think best. Will not be for a while yet.

Wood effect Fablon is looking very good though…..

Ashley

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Ashley

What type of surface are you veneering?

Flat?….Concave….Convex…..Spherical…..Is it important……Large or small area….etc

I used very thin veneer on the giant Slo Mo……0.010", which didn't any room for sanding

Bob

[DuckyParticipant @ducky]

The planking is looking really nice, Bob,.

Now it does look like a gentleman's cruiser.

Duckie.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Duckie

Thanks my mate……You forgot to inspect the progress yesterday

The ornamental planking was straight forward at first, but starts to develop tricky situations when the pattern needs to be balanced out on the opposite side, then it's time to exploit the Artist's Licence!

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

The decks are one coat varnished now and are looking delightful……What a relief

A big stressful job out of the way……The build should be all freewheeling downhill from now on?

For me, making a boat is not all Sunshine and Roses…….Viz

Some jobs are great fun….Such as building the structure, knowing that all is going well or fitting the motor drives…….Or slapping on the undercoat

Some jobs are really hard work and boring…..Such as cutting out the frames………Filling and sanding

Some jobs are fiddly time consuming and nerve wracking…….Like planking a difficult tricky, impossible to make area…..Like the Thomason Bow……Or the deck stripes…..Or using Fablon for the first time….Or covering the hull and decks with lining paper

Some jobs are light entertainment and bring a smile……….Running the motors for the first time……..Loverly

Some days I feel like packing it in!

But standing back, right now……It`s looking very pleasing

What building jobs do you chaps, love and hate?

Bob

[BanjomanParticipant @banjoman]

That is an extremely pretty striped deck effect, Bob! Looks very classy indeed, with a truly lovely flow to the lines!

And am I right in thinking that the brassy thing up at the bows used to be a coat hook? It does rather look like one …

For my part I've always enyoyed most parts of a build except filling, sanding and waiting for glues or paints to cure properly … Whenever one of those are on the programme, I have to give myself a proper talking to, in order to make sure that I don't let my innate impatience get the better of me.

/Mattias

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you, Banjo

The stripey deck was a lucky alternative solution to the original idea of having an inked lined planked deck

It also hides the imitation wood finish!

The hook at the front is a brass coat hook, I was after an enclosed handle type really, to be strong for beaching the boat, out of the water. Will keep my eyes open in the mean time

Cheers…….Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Bob

The brass hook looks quite neat from the camera angle and really fits in with the colour scheme.

Paul

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Captain Bob

It might be a little late to ask these questions but the answers will help me with the Charlie build.

Are your motors wired in series or parallel and how many amps do the 4 motors draw? What voltage will you be running them at and which batteries will you be using?

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Paul

Not decided on the final wiring at the moment

Can't imagine the motors being wired in series though?

The actual amps is also in doubt

D M suggested a single ESC of 24 Amps per pair of motors, would be OK

The batteries I intend to use are the 7.2 v sticks…..One per motor

When all motors are running……..That'll be four batteries in use……….Not bad for a Gentleman's Cruiser?

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Bob

For Charlie I have estimated the typical amp draw at 6 to 7 per motor, which fits in very nicely with DMs expert advice.

I will be using 12v lead gel batteries, old fashioned but I need the ballast and I don't intend to thrash this model.

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Any more tips on how to transfer the gold letters onto the transom please

Can`t make any sense of the Cricut instructions

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

It is straightforward.

I sent you the letters on a background sheet and some transfer paper.

First step…. you place the transfer paper over the letters and gently rub the transfer paper.

Second step….the gold letters will be picked up by the transfer paper and lifted off the background sheet.

Third step……Position the transfer paper (with gold letters attached) onto the transom and gently rub over the letters.

Fourth step…..Gently peel back the transfer paper and the gold letters should now be on the transom.

Fifth step….If letters haven't adhered to transom simply repeat the fourth step.

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you Paul

Have tried every whichway……..Even peeled off the plastic backing to the transfer film!

Some of the letters peel away, but the marjority of the letters stay firmly put!

Will try the local handycraft shop…….Hobbycraft, next week

Thanks anyway

Bob

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

D M suggested a single ESC of 24 Amps per pair of motors, would be OK

Perhaps you could remind me when and where I said that, Bob? The FR40 speed controller is a 40A unit; I wouldn't trust two 850 motors in parallel with anything less than 30A continuous rating – and that's proper English amps. Despite MFA's published specifications, I've seen several 20A speed controllers burned out by 850 motors on 12v.

DM

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Dave

Just before the Ellesmere Port show, Ashley was talking about one ESC controlling two 850's

Then you posted a link about the FR 40' but with no words attached

Since the 850's were supposed to be 13 amp….I wrongly assumed that a 40 amp unit could handle two 850's

In your last post, you say….."You wouldn't trust two 850's with anything less than 30 amp"

So…….I am again thinking the Fr40 can handle two 850's!……Or have I misunderstood you again?

Is there any sense in wiring up a pair of 850's in series?…….We are not after speed with Lady Joyce

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Dave

Just been onto a well known supplier and have spoken to one of your contacts…..John

I asked for his recommendation for one ESC to control two 850 motors

He first thought the RV11 would be ok…..but is not sure now

In fact, John is not sure what to recommend!

He would be interested to hear what your recommendation would be, from the Mtroniks range, please

If four ESC`s are the way to go…….Then that`s ok by me

Many thanks

Bob

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Bob
(Presumably the chap in question is John Cox at Howes?).
I'm afraid I don't quite understand your first post above (09.38) but as the FR40 is no longer available it seems purely academic now.
I would not recommend connecting any motors in series unless they were exceptionally well-made to tight specifications and tolerances (e.g high-grade industrial types) and very accurately matched for performance – MFA 850's are neither. Generally one motor will "hog" the battery and run faster than the other.
I'm not a great fan of connecting two motors to one ESC either, unless it's puposely designed to operate two e.g. the ACTion P94 Dual ESC/Mixer. My preference is to fit one ESC for each motor whenever possible; it reduces the mechanical and electrical loads on everything to their minimum and makes trouble-shooting much easier. Yes – it is more expensive but that's inherent in building multi-engined models.
My hands-on experience of MTroniks speed controllers is limited to the 20A Marine, which in my opinion is a hateful device, and the little 10A micro-Viper, which works well in my 'Twinkler' with a Speed 400 motor.
I don't think it would be right to recommend to you anything which I haven't personally used or handled. That would be reckless.

Dave M

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thanks Dave

The chap is from Howes and speaks very highly of you

I'm thinking four RV11's will be ok

Bob

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

**LINK**

Really? Have a close look at the specs. This is a model car speed controller designed for 540 motors or smaller and with a maximum voltage of 9.6v. There also must be a reason why they are less than half-price; I wonder what it is?
Caveat emptor, m'duck.

DM

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thanks Dave

Howes are recommending two Viper Marine 40 units to control four motors

Not ordered yet……Just in case plan B pops up!

Bob

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