Vintage Gentleman’s Cruiser

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Bob. At last. Very nice, magnificent even. You should have had champagne and cucumber sandwiches ready'

In a boat equipped with four engines I am unfamiliar with the terms "carefully" and "gingerly". I would have preffered to see the terms "full throttle" and "chucked it about" used .

Ashley

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you, Ashley

We noticed a touch of erratic ness at times

Sometimes it appeared sluggish and other times it simply galloped about?

When we were back on the bench, I noticed that one of the pulley grub screws had worked loose and also…..One of the battery connections wasn't quite pushed in

So for the next sail, we can expect more liveliness!

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Bob

It all seems to have gone quite well and I am very pleased with how the boat looks on the water, as you know the bow design is a change from the norm so its nice to see that it works well.

Are those rear wheel removable? as it would be good to see how the boat performs without that extra drag.

Paul

Edited By Paul T on 27/06/2015 17:57:23

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Paul

The wheels are detachable and it would be interesting to see the effect, with the wheels removed

Will need to get used to the present set up first though

Bob

[mike farrellParticipant @mikefarrell21522]

Now then Bob what a delight to see your build on the water .The end of a long build which saw many remarks which at times I thought someone would get it in the neck.

Great banter between Paul and you, lots of laughs on the way .

Looking forwards to your next build Well doneMichael

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Many thanks Mike

Not really finished the build yet

Got a few odds and ends to tidy up

The motor drives and secret ESC control have really saved the day

Who would have thought that we could get 30 mins running from a 7,2 v battery driving an MFA 850 motor?

Bob

Ps…..Not got another model in mind at the moment

[Ralph PinchParticipant @ralphpinch41762]

Well Bob didn't she look well, very sedate and regal, well done, liked the bow wave the hull produced, looks great in the pond.

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Well done Bob, great to see her afloat at last. Looks very good on the water too although I imagine those trailing wheels do nothing for the steering and impose quite a bit of drag! You will have to conduct with and without trials.

Colin

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank You, Ralph

Very pleased with the model

It's a bit of a handful, size wise, but is a treat to see on the water

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you Colin

I suppose the wheels are very draggy, but they do make the motors work hard and this seems to steady the sailing characteristics………Need to get some sailing in and play about

I don't want to see the usual nippy sailer dashing about

I will try a sail with the wheels removed, shortly

It's early days yet

Bob

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Absolutely marvellous Bob, you must be chuffed.

Looking at the first few photos I can just hear the following conversation – "What are you doing today sir?"

"Oh, I'm just taking my model boat for a walk, it likes to get out occasionally."

Peter.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Peter

Many thanks for your kind words……and your honest observation!

I realise,it looks a bit odd having a model boat on a lead, but having to carry such a chunky boat, any distance……I'll put up with it!

The rear wheels are a bit weird too……..But, so what?………The club rescue boat has the same arrangement

Thank you for posting

All the best……Bob

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Bob, I think your solution to the perennial problem of we more mature people moving heavy models is excellent. It shows what I believe is called "lateral thinking", and is a great idea. One advantage of such big models is their "presence" on the water, something that smaller ones can't achieve, but the big drawback is their weight. Your solution has overcome that problem very nicely.

Peter.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Thank you, Peter

You have summed up the situation, quite nicely!

Big models grab the attention!

At the moment, big models are quite rare, on our pond and when we see them occasionally, they grab one's attention!

We were strangely attracted to the unusual appearance on the water, by, as you say, the "Presence" of a rock steady craft……That's why we powered the boat with great respect around the flat calm lake…..Just listening to the satisfying sound of the motors?

Do I sound like the late…..Les Dawson?………Who?

Just reworked the rudder mech today, as Lady Joyce is worth it!

Sorry to report that our good friend Paul has a personal problem at home and will not be on the forum for a few days

All the best chaps, the project is just about coming to an end

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Just had an Email, commenting on the excellent quality of the photographs and asking about the camera used

The camera is now eight years old and is a Leica V-lux 1

I have to agree, the pictures are very clear and crisp………..The camera deserves the credit

Bob

[Tony HadleyParticipant @tonyhadley]

Posted by Bob Abell on 28/06/2015 23:36:03:

All the best chaps, the project is just about coming to an end

A really good ending too, a lovely model. enjoyed the thread.

Will you putting a photograph on your facebook pages?

Well done and thanks for keeping us entertained, much better than day-time TV.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Many thanks Tony

The project is coming to an end, but there are lot's of little bits to finish off…..As and when I feel like it

Just tinkering with the motors this morning and discovered two pulley's were loose on the shafts and several motors screws are missing!

Probably caused by motor vibration…….It also means, that on the next outing, we should get twice the motor power!

The thread will be around for months yet…….Don't forget the local shows and Haydock in August

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Chief Lurker No 1 is asking for a work in progress report

He follows the build religiously and needs his regular dose of news……..

Had a play with the motors today and I must say, the four motors are an absolute treat

They run so sweetly and I`m really looking forward to the Marple show next Sunday……Just to show the boys

Especially, the club electronic expert, who gave me advice on the ESC selection

Also finalised the stern floorboards and updated the rudder mech

The heat in the garage was so oppressive!…………It was 104 degrees in the greenhouse!

Bob

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Bob

Are you abell to do a video?

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Paul

Pleased that your Grandson is improving btw

Hoping that Duckie will make a video this weekend at the MarpleLocks Festival

We've only got the canal to sail on, and may need the launching straps, because the water is quite low

At least, Lady Joyce will be seen in a new light…..On the stand with other models

I'm looking forward to it

Capt Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

The club members were staggered when they clapped eyes on Lady Joyce, for the first time!

I was pleased when they placed her in the best spot on the stand too……Amid much merriment and leg pulling!

And when they looked inside Pandora`s box……….Gasps of amazement and some had to be revived with the smelling salts

And when the motors were fired up!……It was just too much for them, and several jumped in the canal!

Only joking, chaps…….But the club members were very amused

The model was a feast for sore eye`s……..They liked the Rogues gallery inside the cabin…….Photo`s of the build participants, as mentioned some time ago……And the miniaturised copies of ModelBoats Magazine……With Great Eastern contents……Not to mention the tiny tins of coke lying about and all the other dolls stuff

The kids were excited, peeping through the windows

Didn`t have a sail though, as the canal was far too busy with the full size craft

The day was roasting hot, so a leisurely pint was consumed in the local Navigation Pub…….Cheers!

Round about 3.30 pm, the sky suddenly went dark with a chill and an enormous belt of violent wind blasted through the showground and sorted the men from the boys!

All the flimsy Garden Gazebo`s and their contents were uprooted and hurled into eternity!

People were hanging on to their stands for dear life!

Head down, I battled my way back to the club stand, to find the back wall tables on the point of tipping over, models and all and a distinct shortage of club members. The Cavalry arrived in the nick of time and order was gradually restored

Luckily, Lady Joyce was on the front row and was spared any discomfort

Then followed, a mass exodus, in the howling wind and rain, but is was a miserable ending to a nice rural country show

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Work in progress for the jaded lurkers

Bollards made from old copper brake lining rivets………Had these in stock for 40 years!

Good job I had a crystal ball!

Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

People ask me how it fits the car……….Zafira

Actually, there`s plenty of room

Note the crafty method of retention!………..Lacky strap round the headrest!

Bob

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Amazing what will fit in a Zafira. My brother-in-law fits his 5" gauge steam loco in his, although it is a model of a Welsh slate quarry Hunslet loco, "Holy War", and not the "Duchess of Hamilton"

Peter.

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Peter

I've seen the loco Holy War

it runs on the Bala narrow gauge railway in North Wales

All the loco's there, have strange names……….Because they are named after famous Race Horses

Bob

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