Wetwheels

[Geoff Holt 3Participant @geoffholt3]

Bespoke model requirement

[Geoff Holt 3Participant @geoffholt3]

Hello. I appreciate I'm not the first person to post looking for recommendations for someone to build a bespoke boat. My apologies for that. Wetwheels is a charity that takes disabled people to sea on custom-built, fully-accessible power catamarans. We have 5 boats in the UK. They are all 9 metre catamarans, built by Cheetah Marine on the IOW, powered by twin 300hp Suzuki outboard engines. I am looking to have built a 50cm model replica (we have line drawings (subject to NDA), photos, etc). We really need something we can take to exhibitions and shows. It does not need to be r/c. I'm looking for a static piece. Any suggestions? Thank you.  WETWHEELS IN ACTION

Edited By Geoff Holt 3 on 23/04/2019 11:39:40

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Geoff

I know nothing about this company except that it offers a model boat-building service and advertises on this website. See RH column under "Support Our Partners". **LINK**

Dave M

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Dave

This build needs to be done by a volunteer as a freebie rather than the charity having to spend hard earned cash with a company.

This model would be a walk in the park for a model builder of your standing, an opportunity for you to do 'your bit' for a good cause (and a step towards your OBE)

Geoff

Do you have the drawings on CAD?

Paul

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi Geoff

Have you tried the manufacturer Cheetah Marine ? They may have models or moulds made for marketing the boats.

Regards Ray

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Whilst it is an excellent cause, I wouldn't describe construction of a model as a 'walk in the park'. They are complex and sophisticated craft which would take a lot of effort and time to build from scratch to a decent standard. The originals probably have all the main hull and deck components moulded.

They are powered by outboards which would also nee to be modelled.

However the drawings would probably be well detailed.

Colin

[Geoff Holt 3Participant @geoffholt3]

Dear all. Thx for your responses.I contacted Premier Models as recommended and we are in discussions. Ray W. Thx for suggestion re. Cheetah. I did speak to them but they are looking to get models made too so we may both end up using Premier. Paul, v kind of you to make the suggestion you did. Yes we are a charity but I also understand things are often less straightforward. We know we have to pay our way, particularly when you want quality. Having looked at the models you create in this group, I am in awe and recognise a bespoke 50cm model is way beyond my abilities (currently standing at Lego under 5's). Luckily Cheetah do have some CAD and we have plenty of photos / measurements so hopefully Premier will come thru. Interesting to learn all their models are made in Mauritius..!

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Geoff

I would have loved to offer my services for free to build models for both you and Cheetah as I firmly support the excellent work that your charity undertakes.

Unfortunately I am already overstretched on existing commitments and whilst I could fit in the design / production of model drawings and templates I wouldn't be able to do the actual construction for at least six months.

Colin

I disagree about the complex nature of the build as items like the outboards lend themselves to 3D printers [if I had the time to undertake this job it would have been the perfect excuse to buy one]

Dave

Sorry about the windup but you know what I'm like when banging the charity drum.

Paul

Edited By Paul T on 23/04/2019 19:04:40

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Paul,

I quite agree that CAD/3D printing techniques could help in making a model of this type.

However, like, I suspect, a lot of people on here, I derive my modelmaking pleasure from actually making things rather than drawing them and getting a computer to print them so my particular skillset would not be very useful in this instance.

Colin

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Colin

I have probably misunderstood your meaning but I have spent the past few days pondering your comments about 3D printing and I'm sorry to say that I just can't reconcile your logic, surely using a 3D printer to produce items such as outboards, window frames or steering wheels is just the same as buying them 'ready made' from a hobby shop.

Paul

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi All

3d printing components is a means to an end, just another skill working the computer, rather than making them direct. Hardly worth the effort for a one off model ?

Regards Ray

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Perfectly logical Paul, I don't have either the skills or the equipment to engage in 3D printing and, as Ray says, if you only want one or two it's probably just as easy (and cheaper if you don't have the gear) to fabricate them directly. Obviously it is a different kettle of fish if you are a manufacturere and want to start a production run.

In my dotage I do occasionally buy things these days sometimes if they are exactly what I want, just to save time, but as I said above, my main pleasure is in making them out of bits of wood, glue, paint and occasionally ripe language.

I also get pleasure from assembling kits but not as much as from scratchbuilding.

Colin

[Tim RoweParticipant @timrowe83142]

I haven't seen anything 3D printed yet on hobby machines that would produce the definition required for this type of model. There would be a lot of filling and fairing to do and then the painting so some considerable skill to get a fully finished part.
Twin outboards, yes it might save some time if you are already proficient in a suitable CAD suite and have fully sorted out the printer but as Ray questions – hardly worth the effort.

Repeated items maybe, but I wonder how many items are actually repeated on this boat.

Tim R

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

I have some professionally-done [Shapeways] 3D-printed steering wheels and even those need some careful filling and sanding to remove the "jaggies". Outboards at that scale might as well be made of Lego bricks.

The boats are obviously GRP moulded and so not really suited for my favourite plywood construction. They would need to be moulded, perhaps using Ray Wood's method of carving blue-foam and coating it with glass cloth and resin. The outboards might just be made from resin-castings based on jelutong masters, but the prospect of doing all of that for a one-off model would need to be a true labour of love for amateur modellers like we – or £3K-5K for a pro!

I take my hat off to anyone who volunteers to raise funds etc for a charity and I hope that Geoff can find a sponsor for building this model.

Dave M

[Ray Wood 3Participant @raywood3]

Hi All,

These cat hulls are the blue Styrofoam bulls for my new cat, this was going to be on the "top secret" list but not now! Initially cut out from 50 mm sheet with a hot wire then carved and sanded with a permagrit block. Really fast, Ron Reese has done this before, really fast, if you go for it 😀

Regards Ray

Edited By Ray Wood 2 on 27/04/2019 17:46:57

[Author]

Posts