Scale Boat

[AVGWarhawk]

Convoy Hunter got me started on making a boat after looking at his thread on his boat build. I have posted a few of pics on progress in his thread. It's time to unveil the pile of balsa wood that I simply cut to look like a boat.

The entire thread is here: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1519943 at the RC forums. It is not completed yet. I have rails to create, skylight and hatch. Need to make a anchor. A canvas cover for my life boat. She is scratch built. I have nothing but the bulkhead diagrams and some pictures. She is plank on frame construction and fiber glassed over like you would find on the real boats of today. She is in essence a Lake Union Dreamboat. She sports twin screws and rudders. She get her power from two Titan 500 23 turn motors driving brass three blade props. She does have forward and reverse courtesy of the Duratrak Sprint ESC. Her battery is 3800mAh Tenergy NiMH rechargable unit. I built in a fuse for each motor. If one blows I can still motor in on one motor. Although wired together each motor can run independently if the other dies for whatever reason. She will be controlled by a Futuba Attack radio. When I get her on the Chesapeake Bay for the maiden voyage I will take video and post. It will be awhile for that.



She will be named Sweet Melissa after my wife who did not bug me about dumping about a grand into the thing. :D It's only money. Can't take it with you. Might as well build a boat then. :DL

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q62/avgwarhawk/IMAG0674.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q62/avgwarhawk/IMAG0675.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q62/avgwarhawk/IMAG0676.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q62/avgwarhawk/IMAG0678.jpg

[TLAM Strike]

Needs moar haze gray. :O:

Looking very nice. :yeah:

Looks like there is sufficient space on her fore deck for a deck gun and maybe some ASW mortars. :hmmm:

[nikimcbee]

Now where are the torpedo tubes?

So when do we go sailing?

[Sailor Steve]

Sweet indeed. :rock:

[AVGWarhawk]

Now where are the torpedo tubes?

So when do we go sailing?


No torpedo tubes on this 1920's classic! She might be in the water in 2 to 3 weeks. I have the smaller items to add. Railing, etc. Go over the drive shafts again. Add 4 nylon thrust washers to the stuffing boxes. Additional shaft grease. We know how important shaft grease is. :hmmm: Then there is the domestic cleaning tank(bathtub) test float to achieve correct waterline using lead weight. Leak check(don't suspect any as the hull is completely fiber glassed). Radio check for range. Hmmmm....need a check list. :hmmm:

[Syxx_Killer]

Beautiful boat! I like it! A pair of .50 cals would look good on the bow. :arrgh!: :haha:

[AVGWarhawk]

I was thinking a chesty mermaid on the bow.

[Syxx_Killer]

That works, too. :D

[TarJak]

I was thinking a chesty mermaid on the bow.
Pics please.:D

Very nice work AVG. Quite a labour of love from the looks of it.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Pics please.:D

Here you go, and she's probably just the right size - :D

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Darth-Ewok/POTC/img_3923.jpg

[AVGWarhawk]

Pics please.:D

Very nice work AVG. Quite a labour of love from the looks of it.


Thank you. It is a relaxing hobby. As a kid I could only dream about building such a boat. Lacking money being the issue. Now that I can afford to build one it is time. Plus, the power of the internet in getting electronics, information and ideas. The internet is invaluable truth be told.

http://www.stockphotopro.com/photo-thumbs-2/APJRR5.jpg

[geetrue]

Very nice hobbie ... lots of love

Is this for the Chesapeke Bay or a smaller body of water?

[AVGWarhawk]

I live on peninsula. Marley and Furnace Creeks surround me. These feed the Chesapeake Bay. I will put her in on Marley Creek. Best stick to the coast creeks with this one.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q62/avgwarhawk/IMAG0689.jpg

[AVGWarhawk]

Time for the domestic cleansing basin aka the bathtub test float. She sits level with battery included. Much of what she is getting is already aboard. She sits a bit high in the water. I will add weight (lead) after her first test run on the water.

Never a finer ship graced the tub! Birth of a Lake Union:

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q62/avgwarhawk/IMAG0695.jpg

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q62/avgwarhawk/IMAG0696.jpg

[USS Drum]

Are you going too paint a name on the bow?

[AVGWarhawk]

Stern name Sweet Melissa. License number on the bow.

[AVGWarhawk]

Update on the boat.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=20725184&postcount=99

[nikimcbee]

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q62/avgwarhawk/th_042.jpg (http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q62/avgwarhawk/?action=view&current=042.mp4)

Watch out! your battery cables are going to rub against your drive shaft:down:. And if you know how to solder. I'd replace the tamiya plugs w/ deans plugs. I spent friday replacing mine. (I melted the tamiya ones:dead:)

So when are we going sailing?

[nikimcbee]

nevermind, I didn't see you had a box for your cables.:dead:

[AVGWarhawk]

I'm guessing the link to the picture did not work. Click here for video:
http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q62/avgwarhawk/?action=view&current=042.mp4

I have a box the wires run through to avoid getting tangled or some how cut if a driveshaft/u-joint decides to go south.

I hope to have the boat on the bay next weekend. The temps dropped this weekend and the wind picked up. Choppy waters.

[AVGWarhawk]

I'd replace the tamiya plugs w/ deans plugs. I spent friday replacing mine.

Those are bullet connectors. The motors come with preinstalled bullet connectors so I purchased the female ends to complete the circuit. Thus far no issues. See the video as I run them up. :D Running it hard I get very little heat anywhere. These are 23 turn motors. The 12 turn motor you more than likely have are hot runners. Perhaps this is the cause for frying wires. :oops:

[AVGWarhawk]

First Launch!!

My wife and daughters attended the maiden voyage of Sweet Melissa. You will hear the giggle of joy as the once pile of wood and tube of glue is now a functioning watercraft! My girls ran the thing more than me. :shifty:

CLICK THE LINK!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v7cefIWBkQ&feature=youtu.be


http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q62/avgwarhawk/010.jpg

[Sailor Steve]

The boat looks great! :rock:

The water, however, doesn't look quite right? What environment mod are you using? :O:

[AVGWarhawk]

It's Real Environment 2012:DL

[ReallyDedPoet]

Nice, love the laughing in the background. Is that giggles of joy or giggles of two daughters making fun of their dad's creation :D ?

[AVGWarhawk]

Giggles of joy. My daughters ran the boat longer then I did. My wife was laughing and enjoying as well. They can't wait for the next time to take it out again. They are looking forward to my next scratch built boat. A Chesapeake Bay Buy Boat. I picked up the keel and bulkhead material this evening. Its a lot of fun making a model mostly from what's in your head and having it actually run.

[ReallyDedPoet]

I have often thought of doing something
similar. We have a river our back, and a pool
as well. I could use it for a test run.

Good luck with the new project.