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