Finally finished the project. This boat was built from scratch. I took pictures and measurements from a real fireboat that I operate. I built it on a 1/12 scale using wood that I had left over from scrap. This was my first project boat. I was able to get a lot of technical information from this forum. So thanks guys. I have really fallen in love with boat model building. I have wired the boat and am waiting on two model electric outboards to mount on the transom. it took almost 6 months to complete.
This boat was built from scratch. I took pictures and measurements from a real fireboat that I operate. I built it on a 1/12 scale using wood that I had left over from scrap. This was my first project boat. I was able to get a lot of technical information from this forum. So thanks guys. I have really fallen in love with boat model building. I have wired the boat and am waiting on two model electric outboards to mount on the transom.
I love this video, thought you might like to share it, taken at St Helens model boat club lake, which is Taylor Park, Prescot, St Helens, very early before anybody arrived, on a cold sunday morning!
Shortly after this video I changed the motor and prop, I never stop meddling! 😀 Reposted - now with footage! Stephen
HI There, I like what you've done with the boat it looks great.
The boat my father had was lost in time but when we sold the house I came across the plans, little bit moth eaten but decipherable.
I want to start and rebuild the boat within this this year from totally zero but don't seem to find many "parts" for it.
I Like originality in looks but love new technology built in as well.
Is it possible to ask for some pictures that I can use for reference when building please.
HI Ianed57, what are you running it on it looks very good under power. I have one that was bought from Ebay that looked as sad as yours did, I think that we must be mad to take on these projects but it would be sad to just abandon these fine old models from the fifties. I have some photos of mine under Pleasure Crafts posted in July this year. Graham ( jelley_baby ) 😀
HI Graham,
Yes I remember your Wavemaster- I think we had a conversation about the photos at Portishead.
I have to say I was delighted with the look and performance of this boat and without suggestions from folk on this site it wouldn't have been so successful. I'm using a Graupner 700 on two 3s lipos in parallel with a 37.5mm X type prop. I'm using two lipos because I wanted them in the middle of the boat-one either side, so I made up a parallel connector.
The suggestions which have helped me have been to use lipos, buy a wattmeter and to try ModelBoatBits rubber couplings- all brilliant!
I'm just in the process of stripping paint off an old Maycraft Mercury and I must say, I prefer to build from new materials and not having to work round someone elses bodges!
Ian
Two Wavemasters, both refurbished ebay rescues, sailing at Crealy, near Exeter (one of the last times as the club can no longer use the water).
The first, rebuilt by Kalamunda, is brushless with NiMh cells and the second, having it's first sail since being rebuilt by Ian Gardner, has a Graupner 700 with 3s Lipo's (in parallel) on a 37.5mm X type prop- Electronize 30amp esc.
I think these are lovely looking old boats designed by Les Rowell of Aerokits fame, and obviously based on traditional cruisers from the Norfolk Broads- see Martham Boats, where you can still hire a wooden craft like these, although you'd definitely have the river inspector after you if you sailed up the Thurne at these speeds!
HI Graham,
Glad you liked the video. They are smashing boats aren't they? I really fancy a new IP Engineering one but have too many other projects on the go to make it a sane decision!
I have to say my WM is the best running of my faster boats, which include a Lesro Sportsman and a Rapier. She seems to hug the water in turns rather than bounce around, so a great design I think. I'd be interested to hear how you arranged you gearing on your WM. Did you make it up or but a ready made unit?
Ian
HI I bought them on Ebay, from Hongkong, they were about £9 plus some small amount of postage they have a brass motor gear, and an aluminium gear for the propshaft I use the system on three boats the Wavemaster a Sea Commander and a Fire Boat. On the water with 7.2 volts but will also run on 9.6 volts and 11.1 volts 3 cell lipo's. I will try and get a photo of the motor and gearbox. Regards Graham
This is a 40" long model of a gas powered Berkley Company kit of a US Air Force crash boat from 1955. The plank on frame kit was in production for about 10 years and was meant to be powered by a model airplane gas motor with a single shaft. it depicts an experimental 50 knot rescue boat (painted in a peace time color scheme) during service with the USAF. if successfull it would have been put into production designed to be a replacement rescue craft for all Air Force 65' crash boats. Unfortunately for the crash boat program the Air Force lost interest as helicopters were become a reliable way of rescueing downed pilots along the coast. The prototype and a sister boat were scrapped, as was the entire program.
The model was given to me to be restored(top picture) for the son of a retired USAF veteran that was a crash boat crewman. The model was built in 1957 and had been run a few times on a tether line, R/C was pretty expensive back in the day. I stripped the hull, filled in all the cracks and rebuilt the mast. I added a small boat, davit, liferaft, coxswain station, spray shield and deck hardware among other things. Actually all the owner wanted was a paint job, he was very happy with it's new appearencep! Although I fiberglassed the wooden hull and made it watertight, the owner doesn't plan to run it, just a memorial to his dad's service. I really enjoyed working on this "rare bird".
new eletric motor and r/c now fitted ready for trials at week-end .its been good crack sorting this old boat out so much so I just rescued another aerokit model off e-bay .
Not Strictly Aerokits!!! Bought this and a Sea Breeze at the Warwick Show. Sea Breeze is in the cupboard for Xmas. Sea Nymph is Ivory and Brunswick Green. it has a JP 400 motor with an Mtroniks 15 amp esc powered by a 7.2v nicad. Currently it has a 35mm S prop. Haven't had a chance to try it out on the water yet. Maybe this weekend. its the first wooden boat I've ever built so am quite pleased with the outcome. Looking forward to the Sea Breeze as that's going to be my first brushless model.
Owing it's origin to the RNLI lifeboats of the 19th century, the US Coast Guard 36'MLB saw service from 1900 to 1987. The USCG built over 300 boats of this class in various "mods" spanning it's life history. Constructed of wood and fitted with a bronze keel it was powered by a 4 cylinder engine later modified with a diesel motor. Early powered 36' boats carried oars and sails as auxillary power. My 36500 model was based on the famous Chatham Lifeboat Station in Massachusetts, USA. On Febuary 18, 1952 the CG 36500 rescued the 32 survivors of the tanker PENDLETON during a night time nor'easter storm. Without radio or radar the Coast Guardsmen found the stricken T-2 tanker in the blizzard, taking the crew off one at a time. With each pass of the lifeboat a tanker crewman climbed down a rope ladder and "fell" into the lifeboat. With all on board, the 36500 found it's way back to Chatham harbor much to the delight of the towns people and the Coast Guard! The most amazing fact regarding this rescue was that the 36 footers were only designed to carry 19 people, including the 3 man CG crew, without capsizing.
The model was scratchbuilt of balsa strips and aircraft plywood, using official USCG blueprints. Powered by a 6 volt motor and a 2 channel radio, the Chatham lifeboat is pleasure to run in my local pond.
Thanks Mike, I must try balsa. Just now I'm using 3mm pine planks which take some clamping while the glue dries. Like you, I resin wash the finished hulls inside and out.Regards, Ian.
Based on the US Coast Guard 36' motor lifeboat, the Canadian Coast Guard operated a number of these boats modified for cold weather operation. The model is a fiberglass hull, the reat is scratchbuilt using baltic birch wood, brass, and plastic. The model measures 28" based on the scale 3/4 inch equals a foot. it's powered by a 6 volt Dumas motor and operated with a 2 channel radio. A fun build!
I hate leaving models as standard, the Southampton Tug a RTR model, needed to be more manoeuvrable, so removed original 27Mhz receiver and fitted Two Electronic speed controllers one for each motor, and a 2.4Ghz receiver. The model will now turn in its own length and has become very good for controlling in small spaces. Will change the standard motors next for something with a little more pulling and pushing power. it runs all morning on a 1 x 6 cell AA Nimh 2700Mah battery pack.
built sometime in the sixties originally powered by 3.5 cc diesel, then glow motor as in pics OS 20 Max. now converting to Electric. Speed 600BB, Mtroniks Viper 10 ESP, 7.2V 3300ma NIMH. as yet only tank tested seems to have enough power, hope it gets up on the plane.
