Here's a few pics of the Lumba. It is ready for fiberglass and the superstructure is here just test fit. I need suggestions on how to power it; I want it to move scale, about 20 knots and it is going to be twin screw. I have a pair of 800 motors that are great but might be too much, even though I would rather this be over-powered than under. She has very cool lines, like an airplane. Lots of curves and twists all over her. She's a big girl, ready to carry quite a few angry oil rig employees on a dark and stormy night.
In the 1940s and 50s, many traditional Thames Sailing barges were converted into motor barges. This is a model, based on photos and my memory of the 'Nellie'. The sailing barge 'Nellie' was built by Cremers at Hollowshore, Faversham in 1901,. She traded under sail carrying about 90 tons of cargo around the Thames, Medway and Swale until about 1952 and then had the gear taken out, a Chrysler Crown petrol/paraffin motor installed and carried on trading for some years owned by R.Lapthorne & Co of Hoo on the River Medway.. She was eventually sold out of trade and is now privately owned. She has been rerigged with a reduced sailing barge rig without a topsail. My model is based on a 30" barge hull from Dave Watts Mastman.
NOTE More information from Nerys - read on ........
Hi Phil,
I'll just add a little more information to that. I was Nellie's skipper in the mid 50's for a few years. We were based at Hoo on the Medway and carried cargoes around the Medway, Swale, Thames and Colne. Regular trips were such as ballast from Fingringhoe on the Colne to Hoo, sand from Upnor on the Medway to the Ford works at Dagenham, fertilizers from London to Faversham and Queenborough, wheat from London docks to Whitstable and more or less anything that could be carried between ships in the London docks to anywhere in the Estuary. We were paid by the freight. Half the value of the carriage charges going to the owners and the other half to the crew, shared 2/3 for the skipper, 1/3 for the mate, Then fuel and other expenses were divided up similarly.
Nellie, of all the barges I served on was the one I liked best. She was the smallest, but there was just something about her. However as a footnote, in the 1970's I built a forty three foot schooner rigged barge yacht in the same yard as Nellie was built.
Yes, Nellie visited Buxton. We had been on holiday in the Lake District and on the way home, made a diversion into Buxton. We were made most welcome by the members we met and particularly by Phil and Graham. Enjoyed a nice little sail with Nellie. Made a pleasant interlude in an otherwise long 300 mile drive.
Thought I'd try for another vid to try and improve on the previous efforts. Had another still day and good tide, so went down to the estuary again. Bit of a mission again,- competing with a few 100% boats and the steep slippery ramp. Truck didn't do a lot better than the jeep, and it weighs about twice as much and has a 4x4 rear, but at least it managed to get the boat out of the water. Forgot to take a 2s for the thermostatic fan for the truck motor, so it got a bit hot and faded towards the end. A lot of work for a 550 geared motor !
Still getting used to the new editor so the vid's a bit scrappy. Almost impossible on a weekend to find the right space with no people, but there is not a lot of choice without going for miles. Fun trying to drive 2 vehicles,- truck doesn't have a handbrake like the jeep, so a bit tricky backing down the ramp. Whole outfit is 1.5m long, and weighs around 12kg.
I’d be happy to come and be your assistant, provided you could afford my airfare 😂
It would be possible, I think, to operate both models from one Tx by adding some custom electronics to each model. This would need to operate like an RC switch controlled from a spare channel. One one model, the ‘switch’ would connect the servos and ESC to the Rx whilst at the same time on the other model, a switch would disconnect the servos and ESC. Operating the spare channel would reverse the state of the switches to allow the other model to be controlled.
Took the cruiser out today as well, to try the new coupling I made, and test the new downrated motor. Now using a 550 80T as opposed to the 550 45T previously. Runs very quietly now with almost 0 vibration and a more scale top speed.
Hi jbkiwi, you have done a wonderful job of restoring the model to running order. The plans from MAP originally, she is not a broads cruiser ,but i can see why it was thought to be, but a 40FT Starcraft built in the late 50's early 60's by W Bates and sons on the river Thames at Chertsey in surrey.
Fairacre is one of a range of boats built post war by company from 20 ft inc 25 ft, 29, 30, 33, two 35's 40ft narrow and wide transom models and 7or 8 45ft models some with flybridge some without, the last wooden boat they built only one of , the 47ft Sea star finished in 1976 i seem to remember. There is currently a Star Craft owners club with a good range of the boats in it and have regular meets on the Thames. I worked for the company first on hire fleet in 70's as Saturday lad whilst at school then after a year at Falmoth tech went to work for them full time until august 78 and worked on refurbishing in the paint shop and craning and sliping them to be worked on, sorry to ramble but very happy times for me
Hi DRM, thanks very much for the info, must have been an interesting job. Being at the other end of the world, I'm not sure how you classify your boats up there, - we mainly just have runabouts, launches or yachts/motor sailers, (and a few super yachts). Someone mentioned that's what it was, so I went with that. I previously found a photo of the original named boat (Fairacre II ) on the Bates owners site, and I didn't realise it was a genuine name, (thought it was just the model name) Took quite a bit of research to even find where the model originated, (I think the guy from vintage model boats UK pointed me in the right direction) but eventually found it was from the MM709 plan.(maybe originally MAP).
The original was supposedly built in 1957 and had 2 BMC Commodores fitted, and as you say, was a 40ft model. The boat was renamed 'Lady Nassau' but not sure if it still exists. Very nice looking boats, and a totally different look to our launches (we'd call them a 'bridge decker' here). Most of our earlier launches were Kauri planked, then to laminated ply/ply, some foam sandwich, glass and aluminium. They would be an interesting launch to own down here, and would attract a bit of attention from classic enthusiasts.
If you are interested, check out the Waitematawoodys.com site for everything on classic NZ launches.
Decided to drag the seaplane tender out, as I haven't run it for quite a while, and to test the new camera which is mounted on the TX back handle, rather than on my head. A lot quicker and easier to mount, and you can see what you are shooting. I have modified a backpack camera clamp, so it fits 3 different TXs in seconds.
Probably be making some better couplings for the ST, as the silicone tubes are starting to work up to the motor bearings and rub on the front housings.
Hi Phil, I missed the start-up with the sound/water/smoke bit as I was being distracted, but this was mainly to try the camera mounting. Still have to try my airboat which I've added a better camera mount to, for some 'on the water' videos. Have a way to go to catch up to your vids though😁
Many years ago I bought a scale(not sure what scale) outboard motor. Have been looking for a suitable hull for the motor. Rather recently this cabin cruiser showed up.
First two photos of the as found.Previously found outboard attached.
Bill that’s very cool. Wondering if it’s possible to access the motor and replace it with one of the same type but less powerful, that way you wouldn’t have to mess with the end points. Anyway, very nice!!
Cash
Just a simple model I built for my son about 14yrs ago. He wasn't interested (more into computers) so I use it for the salt water. Just a brass shaft and 12v high speed 380 motor, runs quite well. Ran it to try out the new 4K camera, (set on 1920x1080) but had to convert the vid from MOV to MP4 to edit it, so it reduced the clarity a bit. At least it doesn't have a blurry bit in the middle of the lens like my 10yr old one. have to figure out a better way, (or get a better editor)
After a little video of the H.Sw.Visby I tested out my no name R/C boat over the winter change motor coulping & receiver . So she need a little test run at the Hamilton Bay Leander dock seemed o/k to me so looking forward to a summer of model boat sailing . The kids must have been off due to Earth Day & here in Canada Covid restriction have been mostly over .Thank goodness .
At first I was surprised to see you with boats on open water in Canada.
This week we finally have open water in Central MN, but it was just on the news that there is still 18" of ice on the lakes in northern MN.
THEN, I looked at a map and realized that you are considerably south of me. Basically as far south as the MN Iowa border.
OK, I'm jealous! I want to be able to play on the lake with my toy boats too!
🤔
Just a quick update with the new camera boat before fitting and running with the Gopro attached.
Observations :-
1. Maneuverability - Great - but better control with high and low rate options!.
2. Speed - Too much ? - may be , but enough for me to throttle back quickly !.
3. Camera - Good balance and rotation for 360*.
4. Cost - Minimal - ie. Motor & ESC kit from Hobbybitz.
5. Noise - 5/10
6. Fun Factor - 10/10 - just for fun ! - enjoy RC Sailing !.
NOTE - I would be interested to know of any theories in respect of the "PULSING NOISE" of the motor ?????
Cheers
Phil
The Juliana II - a Hampden plank-on-frame Schooner
This was my very first RC project. In fact, it was only to be a static model, but then things changed.
Currently she's a shelf-queen as the rigging takes a while.
She can be converted to a fishing boat and fitted with a 5 blade 42mm prop and brushed 540 motor.
The sail rudder is larger and requires the prop to be removed.
Perhaps not a boat, but no pond is complete without one of these gems.
This lighthouse is fully remote controlled.
The lamp rotates at 12 rpm allowing a flash of light every 5 seconds.
A 5kg weight is mounted under the island and winched down to the bottom of the dam to anchor the island. The winch is powered by a 6V Ryobi Cordless Screw Driver's gearbox and motor.
The Fog Horn is operated by a 9V motor with a counterbalance causing a vibration inside the tower, amplifying the sound effect of a steam horn.
It's built at 1:35 scale and stands 80cm tall.
