I had picked up a boat lying in the attic of a friend. It is in a bad shape but after restoration it should look a beauty. It is 83cm in length.

Need Help from masters on the forum. I have basically spent my life away from places near the sea, so finding it difficult to foresee how the finished boat should look like, specially I am at a total loss how the mid section would look. Boat masters, please help with a line drawing or description of how the mid section should look like. Any photo of something similar would also be of great help.

Power setup is another thing where I would need help. The prop and rudder are there but the rc setup is not there which I plan to add. For an appropriate power setup what are the factors to consider? The length (83cm), width in the centre (22cm) are known while the total weight ill be clear only after restoration and addition of rc equipment.

Planning to scrape the paint followed by repairs to the hull and superstructure. Next would be a coat of nc putty and paint. Are these steps ok?

What should the mid section look like?

After scraping off the rotten areas from the hull, sat down to decide on the final product. Debated on whether to convert it into a PT boat (inspired with VC's build) or to go in for a Mistral lookalike. Since PT boats have to be fast, and this boat already has a one prop setup, I finally zerod down to a Mistral lookalike.

Step one is to work out the dimensions of the different sections of the boat. Accordingly took the plans of Mistral and drew the outline relative to the 87cm long deck of my old boat.

You seem to be doing really well No need for advice to you sir!

Here's a similar size; can use 2 X 400 series brushed, or a single motor like in the build. Size about 94 cm.

http://www.rcindia.org/boats/110th-scale-baby-bootlegger/

For some inexplicable reason, that thread ended abruptly on 21st June.
Just the kind of thread to get Baijal's fires burning!

By end of workshop time today the boat has been reduced to a basic shell with large gaping holes everywhere. I will continue wrecking it further tomorrow before the build phase begins. The big question is, is it worthwile restoring the boat or should I have built it from scratch.

I have to show my friend that what he had kept for years in his attic is finally afloat in a new avtar. Only this is what is driving me to restore the boat. Keep me motivated. 

Very challenging restoration Sir. You need to get hold of some 1mm and 2mm PU Foam Board. I could send you some samples, however, the last time I tried to send samples to a member of this forum, 2 consignments mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

Yes VC sir...  That was me....  It is still absconding

Hi Doc! Was thinking of you as I wrote that. Let me settle up and get back to my modelling ways and I will try yet again.

This may shed some light.

http://eezebilt.co.vu/SeaPrincess.html

Hi VC sir good to see you back... Thanks a ton for the efforts
Regards

Thanks VC. I dont have or seen a foam board. Would certainly appreciate if you send me a piece. I will pm my address. However, sticking to old balsa and lite ply for the time being. Will biofoam (I have a large stock) with a layer of fibreglass be ok for the superstructure or foamboard will be more appropriate?

Sea Princess looks beautiful, but will try to build this to a Mistral lookalike. It is a challenging task. But no harm in making the effort. Will be posting my progress and look forward for advise from you all to help me complete the task.

Wish me good luck     

Why do you say that thread has ended?

Ashok, go to a signboard or car number plate maker, and ask for "Sunboard."

Seeing as to how the original appears to be balsa, it might make more sense to cut out damaged portions and replace with balsa. This could then be sanded smooth and waterproofed

On stripping the boat I observed that it is a very old model as glue has not been used but the pieces have been screwed together using small screws. This was the reason for the areas which had started rotting as water would have created rust aroung the screws.

I decided to strip off a large piece form the underside of the boat which had gaps near to each other so that it could be replaced by a single piece. The gaps were thereafter enlarged to geometrical shapes so that replacement pieces could easily be crafted. Stringers were added to support the replacement pieces and the gaps replanked

Have been busy cleaning up my workarea which had become a dumpyard. Work progressing slowly.

After plugging all the holes and weak points in the old hull, sat down to plan what the boat should look like. After exploring a couple of designs including Mistral, zeroed down on a yatch. Drew the profile.

Next step is the most difficult. Going to the market hunting for sunboard. Finding parking space is a nightmare. This will certainly take some time as I have to muster lot of courage.  

Drew the full size plans for the yatch today. Looks ok.

Cut off the old bulkheads so that a flat deck can be accomodated. After scrapping off the old paint as much as I could, gave a coat of nc putty. This is the first time I am using nc putty. I will come to know whether I succeded in creating a smooth surface after all the scrapping and repairs  only tomorrow when I give it a round of sanding. I think some pits and dents will need more coats.

I need help in selecting a motor and esc which I will have to order as I have none in stock. Can forum members (a special request to VC) to help me on this? I think a brushed motor would be ok for this. Size of motor? Source?

Looks great !

On Sunday went out in search of Sunboard. Looked for shops on Justdial.com and identified 3 shops. The first two shops refused to sell in retail and were only interested in selling the board after printing. Finally I located the stuff at "New India Hobby Centre, Channel Road, Ulsoor, Bangalore. They stock 2mm, 3mm, 4mm and 5mm sheets and sell cut pieces also. So bought 2mm and 3mm sheets.

The 2mm sheet is softer than the 3 mm sheet but quite heavy as compared to biofoam. Sunboard is quite suitable for models where weight is not a critical issue. It is a lovely material and plan to build quite a few things out of it in future. I miss my Ho train set and track car set which I forgot in my old house that I sold off.   

Using 3mm sheet cut off the deck and after placing it on the boat marked ares that need to be cut open. Next step was to attach the deck using Araldite Rapid.

I cut out the profile of the cabins and stuck them on the deck creating the super structure.

The progress made till today morning shown in the attached photos.

Guys. How to decide on an appropriate power setup for this boat?

                 

Build is coming along really well.

What are the dimensions (Beam, Length) and expected weight?

Coming up real nice sir. 

will be a real stunner in its colours on finishing 

Cabin roofs were installed and rear deck area created. Roofs have not been glued but taped, which will be done only after the power system is installed.

@ Sanjayrai
The length of the boat is 87 cm and the width at the widest point is 21 cm.

Looks far better right side up.
How did the upside down pics correct themselves in the last one hour?
Once you figure out the powertrain, I'll have to think of some way to make a fog horn for your boat!
Sending you a few white LEDS. Don't have red/green.

@Iyer
Thanks. Was planning to get some LEDs. Now that you are sending it will be great. Your offer for the fog horn is welcome.

The build will have to be stopped till the powertrain is decided and acquired. Some planning to do for the features on the top deck.

The design inspiration came from this image

shaping up very nice sir

Before going any further there was a need for building a "DRY DOCK" (stand) for the boat. So picked up a few pieces of 3mm foamboard and assembled the stand

This is coming up beautiful..Would be awesome with the horn.

Suspending the restoration for
1. Need to get the power train. Would not like to build the superstructure further without first installing the electrics. In my enthusiasm I may paint myself into a corner and then.......
2. Spent a major chunk of my pension on purchase from RCD this month. Will need to wait for next month's pension before ordering the electrics for the boat. So expected delay of at least two months before I get my hands on the motor.
3. Flying season is starting and I would like to spend time in restoring my glow models and go flying after a long long break. Restarting seems to be more tedious than starting fresh.

Will be back on this project after the current flying season.

Have replied to your PM via SMS.

Hello vc sir   
Tried to contact you many times,
I am new to rc models,
I love to make paper models,
My holidays are coming next week and I want to make something big,
I was looking for paper model of ins talwar,
And then I saw your thread of balsa kits,
I want that kit..
Please help

Returned home today after a long gap. Found that the motor and esc had arrived from hk. The motor has a 5 mm shaft. Expert guidance required on how to connect the motor shaft to the prop shaft. I just checked that hobbyking does not have a 5 mm universal joint. The largest size with them is 4mm. Should I order a 4mm universal joint and enlarge the hole from 4mm to 5mm. Or is there an alternative?

Ashok, I suggest you PM Rooster on this forum. He will make them for you.

Not only me, but quite a few boaties on the forum have got the couplings from him. These are not UJ's, but two machined Brass Collars joined with a flexible Steel Cable - they work very well

@ashok baijal
Ball pen ka spring. Purana jugad.

Iyer sir: these "jugaads" are OK for boats powered by little CD motors. This is a precision, high-powered motor, and pretty expensive.

Would have to be nuts to compromise on a coupler!

Wow nice build sir,
Waiting to see yatch in her home (water)

@sanjayrai55
Sir,
Ashok is an old friend from over 30 years back.
And he is quite competent to judge how to treat my responses.
perhaps i should stick to pm's.

Guys!!!!! Cool down. Need suggestions. Every suggestion is welcome. Let them flow. This is not my last boat or the last time I will approach the gurus for suggestions. No idea is small or irrelevant. I appreciate every idea.

Another issue. Is it necessary to install a pump to maintain a supply of cooling water to the motor and esc? If so, any idea for a suitable motor.

Ashok-ji, there is no need for a pump. A water pick-up tube with the inlet facing the front is adequate.

Iyer sir is a lovable old shawm (correct spelling) whose post 9 pm posts should not be taken saeriously  >

See reply # 113 & 114 on water pick-up http://www.rcindia.org/boats/110th-scale-baby-bootlegger/100/

Your Motor will need a very sturdy motor mount. Also as mentioned by Sanjayji the pickup at the bottom of the hull are sufficient. I think a different water circuit for ESC and motor always works well.

And I thought that I was the only one who started fights....................keep it up guys!

 

Baijal Sahib, curious to note that you are taking all the trouble procuring Brushless motors, ESC's, water cooling et al. She is a Cabin Cruiser, thus meant to sail at a sedate scale speed of 15 to 20 knots or so. A brushed motor with a geared drive would be more than sufficient for this beauty. She wouldn't require any external cooling at all.

Universal couplings are a must. Rooster makes good couplings (though they are not UJ's), I would recommend them. RCDhamaka often has Boat UJ's in their inventory and it would be prudent to grab them before they vanish!

Thanks for the advice Rooster. I have misplaced the prop, shaft and rudder. Still hunting for them.

VC welcome back. I am totally new to boats. So just ordered the motor by looking at the reviews on HK site. Once it came, i realised how very powerful it is. Well it can go into another boat. By the way, I tried to get brushed motors. Twice I sent messages to Lunar Motors, Valsad, but no reply. I think I had met Hemal Patel, the MD of Lunar Motors. He used to come for flying his rc heli at Mumbai Mahlakshmi grounds. Unfortunately he is not on this forum otherwise he would have been a great resouce for all of us.

Could you let me have the estimated AUW of the craft? I may have a spare brushed motor lying around for you somewhere. Also, what prop size are you looking at?

VC, remember that guy in Lamington Road, Mumbai? He has 300, 400 & 500 series Johnson brushed motors, and shaft/prop assemblies. Reasonable prices and fast shipping.

"servoelectronics@rediffmail.com
To   me 2 Jul 2013
Dear sir,
Yes have 775 motor also but 12v-10000rpm
Thanks
Harish ahuja
Sent on my BlackBerry® from Vodafone"

Old email from him

And another from VC:

Vikramaditya Chaudhury
To: "servoelectronics@rediffmail.com" <servoelectronics@rediffmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, 27 June 2013, 20:33
Subject: Re: Price Quotation

Dear Mr. Ahuja,

Please note the orders:

For despatch to Gurgaon:

1 Unit Size 555 12V / 18000 rpm motor @ Rs.350/-


For despatch to Guwahati:

2 Units Size 555 12V / 18000 rpm motor @ Rs.350/-

1 Unit Boat Propeller + Shaft kit (2 pcs prop, 2 pcs connector / coupling, 2 pcs brass tube, 2pcs propeller shaft) @ Rs.250/-

2 Units Size 385 motors @ Rs.150/-

Please let me know the amount that has to be deposited into your account. Please note that there will be two payments - one from Gurgaon and one from Guwahati - so please let me have the amounts separately inclusive of taxes and courier charges.


Regards,
 
Vikramaditya Chaudhury

Bingo!

You would of course have to buy a brushed ESC separately (although I think a Brushless ESC works on a Brushed Motor - not vice-versa though)

Who's fighting? Who can fight versus the terrible shawm?

Thanks Rai sahib for the email address. How good or bad were the motors you had bought from "servoelectronics"?

VC Sir, tomorrow I will weigh the boat and also make another round of search for the missing prop and let you know.

They were "Johnson" a very reputed brand. China made, of course

@ashok baijal, Is this something that you can use for your project? t's a 300 sized brushless motor. Let me know.

Thanks

I can surely give it a try. See pm.

  

What should be the rpm range for the motor? Should it have high rpm, say in the range of 18000 rpm, or medium range, say, 6000-10000, or a low rpm say below 1000 rpm?

  

Alas, no!

Brushed and brushless motors are quite different items, and so are the ESCs for them. For a start, a Brushed motor ESC has 2 wires coming out, which carry a DC current.  A Brushless motor ESC has 3 wires coming out, which carry a multi-phase AC current. They are certainly not interchangeable.

A brushed motor can be used with or without an ESC. It does not need complex electronics to function. But a brushless motor HAS to have a special ESC because the brushless ESC contains all the electronics which make the motor work.

@Dodgy
Yes the two ESC are different but will try out the better of the two once I am back home. Currently busy caring for my dear ones in hospital.