Hey Bob, no worries mate, any info whenever will be great - just started a new job so won't be in any position to begin building either Vivacity or Beachcomber for a wee while. So I'll be confined to dreaming about them both and looking up where I can source all the materials/bits from (sometimes a stimulating exercise in itself😉) I look forward to seeing any possible video clip of Beachcomber - I've seen a couple of good videos on You Tube of a few different impressive vintage model boat designs. The videos definitely 'sell' the designs.
As an example of what I'm getting at, below are links for a couple of good clips of Vic Smeed's Moonglow, one with 12-cell Nicad pack and speed700 brushed motor, the other I'm not sure but could be similar power setup or brushless. Either way, both videos show performance that makes a total mockery of my efforts with Moonglow ( one of my earliest attempts at a 'proper' RC boat plan) about 34years ago using a 6volt lead gel battery and an RS540. I used a 45mm high pitch 2-blade prop, then struggled to understand why it seemed very underpowered, roasted the motor and barely gave 5 minutes of running time using anything over 1/2 throttle! It was also massively overweight as I didn't have access to the suggested 6mm ply for the base/deck/bulkhead pieces - I think I used 10 or 12mm construction ply, and 4mm ply for all the superstructure. I think I finished it well with oil based enamels, but it weighed a ton! These two videos illustrate how well even such a simple design can perform if done well...





...so can't wait to see the Beachcomber on video.👍😀

(Come to think of it, Moonglow might be a great basic/cheap design to build as light as poss and power direct with a smaller prop and RC buggy pack so my grand-daughter can 'have a dabble' on the sticks when she's a bit older🤔 - she'll be 3 this year - is that too young to start model boating...?)

Best regards,

Nick

Hi Nick,

I have not forgotten about getting the information regarding the motor and ESC etc used on my fellow club members Beachcomber.

When I contacted him (after offering to get this information for you the next time I met him) he let me know that he would not be at the club the following Wednesday, and neither of us will be at the club today (Sunday) as it is the Southport Air Show weekend and the roads will be very busy - sometimes completely choked.

I did ask him for the spec of his motor, ESC, shaft size and prop, but I have had no reply from him so far.

When I see him next, I have offered to drive his Beachcomber again and make a short video (like I did for his 46” Huntsman 31) and he seemed very pleased about this, so hopefully I can get you this information sooner, rather than later .

Thanks for the info about the Sprite, it would be nice to get enough info to put one together, and I take on board your thoughts about its possible recovery performance….but I would like to give it a try .

Bob

Hi Nick, thanks for posting more pictures of your Sprite, and sorry to divert your original post from the Vivacity.
It may be that SLEC has all of the Lesro plans, but feel that the Sprite wouldn't be a good seller.
Yours looks really smart, im sure a brushless motor will transform it, giving far more pleasing performance.

If at some point you had the chance to scan the plan, I think I can speak for Bob as well here, when I say we'd be extremely grateful.

Will

Hi Will and Bob,

I built my Sprite quite recently from an original plan I've had for years (I'm guessing over 15 years-ish) which I bought from (I think) 'Vintage Model Boats' online (?!?🤔) along with plans for the Patrol boat, Sea Queen, Sea Nymph and RAF Crash Tender. These printed plans were posted to me in New Zealand, but I never got around to doing anything with them until now.
What's interesting is that Slec UK now have nearly all the Lesro designs in their 'Vintage Model Boats' range, but not the Sprite, so I don't know if it is commercially available or not, ie who would own the copyright etc. I'm happy to see if I can scan/photocopy said plan if it's no longer a copyright issue and email/mail it...? Otherwise perhaps see if Slec do indeed have it stashed away somewhere in a cupboard...?
With regard to the Sprite being used as a rescue boat, presumeably with a foam bumper of sorts, I believe a Springer with a geared motor and larger than average prop is a better solution. The Sprite's bow is flat/straight but may have a tendency to rise up over another model, although it would be a great model to build anyway - I enjoyed building mine, and can't wait to try it again with a brushless set-up. I suppose the pipe insulation foam I used on my Springer would fit over the Sprite's bow quite well... .
If you are wanting a specific rescue boat, you may also want to have a look at Glynn Guests "Retriever" article from August 2023 Model Boats mag. It's basically a heavyweight version of his previous 'Skimmer' airboat designs using a cheap 540-type motor driving an 8" prop, so it moves more slowly that a skimmer (and probably a Sprite) , but with enough grunt and manoeuvrability to push a stranded model. The point of using an airboat for rescues was to avoid props being fowled by weeds etc. Although my Springer is now running well ( having just re-tested it with adjusted ballast so the bow doesn't sink so much under power🤞😉) the 4 blade 50mm brass prop does pick up even the lightest debris floating in the lake, so I may end up knocking up a 'Retriever' as a cheap alternative rescue boat in the future - a rescue boat for the rescue boat😁? Glynn's article suggests the design is not critical and although basic dimensions are suggested, you should be able to make one just using the photos as a guide - another one to add to my ever growing to-do list.
With regard to Vivacity, I'm waiting for my Beachcomber plan to arrive and for any further info on running gear (no hurry, Bob) so I can make comparisons before making a decision on which to proceed with, although I know I will be doing smaller projects as well in between (recently found my Telectra plan - all balsa build appeals so yet another on the 'to-do' list!🙄).
I've attached a few more pics of my Sprite if you are interested - I keep meaning to write up a build log, as I did take some photos during the build...

Nick

I agree Will, a set of plans for the LesRo Sprite would be a welcome find.

It shouldn’t be too difficult a model to make, so let’s hope some plans turn up.

If a used model should become available, it shouldn’t be too difficult to make a close copy of it (think Kopy Kommander) that would do the job and look good too!

Bob.

I haven't seen a Sprite listed for sale for years before, or since buying mine Bob, so I don't know how many are still about, or how well they sold in the first place.
As for plans for one, they're something I've never seen, but would be nice to have a copy of if a set ever came about.

Will

Interesting to see two mentions for the LesRo Sprite on this thread, and it has got me thinking.

I would like to add some sort of small recovery vessel to my fleet to help me rescue any boats that get stranded out on the lake when I am on my own.

The Springer tug was my first thought, but looking at the LesRo Sprite, I think I could make good use of its flat fronted bows and with a suitable bumper it may be able to do the job for me?

Another advantage would be gaining another of the LesRo models to add to my Classic Model Poweboat fleet 👍

P.s, i have pdf copies of both of the below mentioned Vivacity, and Beachcomber plans.

Will

Hi Nick, great to see another Sprite. I managed to win one on a well known auction site a couple of years ago, but as yet it hasn't seen the water under my ownership.
I'd be interested to hear how you get on with the replacement motor in it, how well it performs, and what motor esc combination you end up using, as like yours mine is quite heavy, and will also definitely be converted to brushless.

Will

Hi Nick,

I have located both of these two magazines and I am hoping to be able to secure them over the next week or two ……if things go well……..

Bob.

Thanks Nick,

I will see if I can find a copy of both magazines locally.

Bob.

Hey Bob (Zooma), Model Maker magazine August 1961 has the review/build article of Vivacity, model and construction notes by GB Dunseath. I managed to find only part of the article online somewhere and save it, but magazineexchange.co.uk has a copy for 4-99 pounds. Beachcomber was featured in the April 1967 edition of Model Boats , but currently no printed copy is available according to above website. Hope this is helpful,

best regards,
Nick

Hi Nick,

I am sure that you won’t regret building a Beachcomber, and like yourself, I too would like to have one of each if that were possible.

To date, I have never seen a Vivacity locally so I have not seen how one would perform with the same modern brushless power train, but I would be surprised if it was as agile as the Beachcomber.

When your plans arrive you will be able to see the length of prop shaft you will need to make or acquire, and if you can find the original magazine that featured the Beachcomber it would probably provide some valuable build information for you as well.

Although I would have had the original magazines at the time, sadly I no longer have them but hopefully someone on here will be able to let us know what issue contained the plans review.

I would like to know the dates/issues that covered both the Vivacity and the Beachcomber and buy a copy of them both for my own future reference.

Bob.

Hi Zooma - thanks for that feedback - I've just ordered a Beachcomber plan from Cornwall Boats as it increasingly sounds like it could be a better option - that said, perhaps I should consider eventually building both... eventually...🤔😊🤞. As it stands, I'll probably fail to build even half (a 1/10?) of the models I want before my time is up. Looking forward to your info.
Best regards,
Nick

Hi Nick, perhaps if you PM'd me your name and postal address I could sort that out sooner rather than later. I have a lot going on at the moment and would not want to overlook it. I think it may need a contents disclosure, what would suit you?
best
Roy

Hi Nick,

I will contact my friend (hopefully this week) and get the information you have requested regarding the power train of his Beachcomber.

After driving his Beachcomber, I have to say that I am very impressed.

The boat was agile and fast and steered very well.

I am a keen fan of Vic Smeed and his designs, but after seeing and driving a Beachcomber for myself, I would very much like to own one.

Some larger craft can become a little ungainly, but the Beachcomber is as agile and precise to drive as some smaller boats that I have owned and driven, and so for me, it is a winner !

Bob.

Hi guys - many thanks for the overnight replies - lots to consider...🤔.
Roycv, if you are sure you do not need/want your M5 3" 3 blade brass prop, then yes please I'll take that using your suggested plan of transport using your son. It may not end up in the Vivacity if I cannot source a suitable motor, as I am trying keep an open mind to a possible brushless set up which may end up having to use a smaller prop, but there are other 'larger' boat projects I have plans for where a 3" prop and geared brushed set-up of modest power would suit
With respect to the donation, I did try online for this site last night but for some reason it keeps saying donations not accepted from this region - will certainly try again, though and also for the Model Boat Mayhem site- swap emails closer to the time?
Hi Zooma - yes please, a good look at a Beachcomber brushless installation would be great - details of motor/esc/battery specs, shaft length/diameter/construction and prop size if at all possible. I am aware of the Beachcomber design, as it was the closest to the Vivacity in size when I pored over the Boat Plans Handbook as a teenager! In some ways, its simpler lines actually appeal even more than Vivacity's, although I don't have the plan. Do you know if it was as popular or more so than Vivacity? Perhaps I should look at it as an alternative large build...choices, choices😉.
GregHiltz - thanks for the offer of the custom build - I will keep it in mind if I get completely stuck with sourcing components, although I'm beginning to think I'd like to have a go at building up my own - I have an aeromodelling mate who I know has a lathe in his garage, and another who is a dab hand at silver soldering, so this could be a great opportunity for me to learn/extend my skillset.
Thanks for all comments - starting to get excited by the prospect of another 'large' model build. My last big build was a Dave Boddington 102" span Centurion RC plane (see attached photo), which took 3 years of on/off building in between other smaller projects. Whatever large boat I end up building (my choices initially were Vivacity, Sea Queen or 46" RAF crash tender as I have plans for all 3, but perhaps I should seriously look at Beachcomber as well; Vivacity is still no.1, but at this stage I could change my mind as no materials have been bought/assigned as of yet, still in research/costing mode), I'm looking into sourcing wood over the next few days, so that should keep me busy. Also going to look at possiblity of building up my own shaft using K&S standard metal tube/rod sizes, as well as other bits and pieces (miniature bushes/bearings) I know I can get here in Christchurch NZ.
If I make any decisions or make a start, I will endeavor to keep you good folks informed - keep the comments coming, it's nice to share hobbies!😊👍

I can custom- fabricate a shaft of 18"×3/16"D with a ShaftTube up to 12" long, with oiler fill.
I also have over 1200 Rivabo/Raboesch Props in stock, from 3/4" up to 4.5"(110mm)
Located in Atlantic Canada if interested

Hi Nick,

I have contemplated building the Vic Smeed Vivacity many times over the years - or the Beachcomber design (another interesting large size model boat design).

Both sets of plans being available from the MAP supply.

More recently a fellow club member turned up at the Southport club with a Beachcomber design and gave me the opportunity to drive it for him.

His was powered by a brushless in-runner motor, drove beautifully, and had plenty of power to spare.

The next time I see him and get the chance to drive it, I will make a short video and picture the motor and ESC….and also note the size of propeller used, but it is nothing like the 3” diameter that would be needed to harness the slow revving JAP34 two stroke engine as the brushless motor revs much faster and needs a smaller propeller to correctly harness the power available.

The type of motor used in his Beachcomber should also make a good power source for your proposed Vivacity build.

Bob.

both Colin and I have one ours are both over long mine is 60 inches

My prop looks like 146-27 in the Raboesch catalogue.
Roy

Hi Nick, I have a 3 blade brass prop I think M5, 3 inches diam. sitting on my workshop desk doing nothing. It is shiny and never used before. It is a blade soldered into the hub Raboesh type.

I know postage is difficult/expensive, but if you do not mind waiting a month, our son who lives in Australia is visiting next week and will return to Oz 3 weeks later. He could take it with him and post it on to you when he gets back home.

A donation to Mayhem would suit me fine as far as cost goes.

Let me know if that is a plan.
Roy

Thanks RN for the reply, and I stand corrected - Raboesch do indeed have what appear to be sizes of shafts/tubes/propellers I will require at some point😉.
Here in NZ we sometimes have to fish around a bit for components, although I know some modelers just make their own. I have, in fact, just returned from a flying session at our model aero club, where I was chatting to a new member who builds his own petrol powered racing boats. He suggested I have a go at making my own shaft (silversteel, poss.M5/M6 thread), brass tube with brass/bronze bushings (one each end, one drifted to centre). At this stage I'm open to all kinds of suggestion - making my own does appeal if I can source the necessary materials, but having an off-the shelf backup is always good.
Thanks for the catalogue.👍😊

Hi Nick, Welcome aboard👍😀
Vivacity is quite a beast; 54"LoA, 17" beam if I'm not mistaken😮
Gonna take some grunt to get her moving.
Re shaft and prop -
"prop is 3inches diameter or slightly larger) as these sizes are not available 'off the shelf', unless anyone knows otherwise."

Raboesch, a Dutch company, does an excellent range of shafts, props, motors as well as other boat accessories. 2025 catalogue attached. Props of various configurations, blades and pitch, up to 130mm (~5").
Cheers, Doug😎

https://raboeschmodels.com/