Following the legendary Keil Kraft Eezebilt plans for a Mermaid Ocean going boat. Plans exploded to 200%. Trying to build it completely out of Foam Board.

Length 28 inches. Plans have been photocopied, enlarged and cut out today.


Edit: In hindsight, I have decided to lay the keel out of plywood for extra strength.

This should be the semi final result:

All pictures courtesy www.http://eezebilt.hobby-site.com

Free plans and all. Enjoy yourself!

Templates pasted on to 3mm and 4mm Foam Board and 3 mm Plywood. The process of cutting them out starts shortly.

VC, where does one get the build mat from (besides HK)

No idea Sir. Those photos were taken from the site mentioned in the post. I don't have one.

Sandy: the freight is murder!

I Agree  

That is the only place from where you get such a large size 24"x 36".

Green paper cutting mat is available at mango stores Thane, Mumbai.
24x36 size is at Rs. 650/- only
Sandeep

Excuse me, this happens to be a boat build log. Please take your cutting mats and play elsewhere.

  >

Jokes apart, Sandeep, can you please post a picture of this product and what is it normally used for and by whom?

Use your imagination VC! What could you do with a green rubber?

Thank you for the correct Nomenclature Sandeep "Green Paper cutting Mat"

A3 Size for Rs 899/-  

http://www.ebay.in/itm/NT-Cutting-Mat-A3-for-Art-and-Craft-MADE-IN-JAPAN-/230922084724?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_203&hash=item35c4076174&_uhb=1#ht_500wt_1156

A4 Size for Rs 375/-

http://www.ebay.in/itm/Morn-Sun-Cutting-Mat-A4-for-Art-and-Craft-/230922085826?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_203&hash=item35c40765c2&_uhb=1#ht_500wt_1156

And the one from Global eaby for Hobbico builders cutting mat 24"x 36" for Rs 2632/-

http://geb.ebay.in/g/ImportHubViewItem?itemid=290761984633&NEW-Hobbico-Builder-s-Cutting-Mat-24-x36-HCAR0456-NIB


VC I thought you will need it for your boat building.  

This one is a budget choice..  but smaller size
http://www.flipkart.com/sdi-cutting-mats/p/itmd7skmn6azj5mg

Couldn't care less even if it was Velvet Green!

Trying to steer this boat back on track. Hopefully the hijackers won't return.

All components cut out of 2mm, 3mm and 4mm foam. The Hull skinning is yet to be cut out of plywood. Will do that tomorrow.

The sheer number of parts involved is daunting.

Scratch building is so much easier, the complexity of the build does not present itself from day 1.

All parts have been cut out - 46 in all. Assembly will commence tomorrow.

Status as on date.

Really coming along well. Genius at work 

Genius? Hardly Sir. This is just a plan built model. More or less accurate, though I don't really like the angle of the propeller shaft. It is too steep and will result in loss of prop efficiency. I need a shallower angle with a higher pitch prop.

Work on the cabin started. Deck notches on the Centre Bulkhead were not accurate and I had to rip the deck apart to align the superstructure. 

Due to the less than lukewarm response to this thread (and my other build logs), I've decided to stop documenting the build process here - just not worth my time.

The next entry on this thread shall be that of the boat maiden video. Whenever that is.

I second Gusty's statement. VC, stop being such an Enfant Terrible! 

Sanjay Sir, VC

Mine "the infamous green cutting Mat"   24" x 36" Hobicco from Global Ebay ID i2cglobal came through today definitely worth the buy.

Nice build progress there VC  

These are made from conveyor belt material - I've got miles of the
stuff lying around (without the fancy graphics)

Great! One of my major clients deals in Conveyor Belt spares, and I should be able to strike gold soon.

The Mermaid is coming along well, as you can see. Plan to skin her over the weekend.

I love the second snap, taken by my daughter, it shows me working on the RAF Crash Tender in the background.


                                                *** Cigarettes are injurious to your heath***

May be an out board motor for one of your boats VC 

http://geb.ebay.in/g/ImportHubViewItem?itemid=221043930590&Toy-Outboard-Super-Zoom

This beauty is coming out really nice sir.. Great work VC sir

Basic Superstructure is complete. Stuffing tube has been installed. I hope to complete the skinning tomorrow.

Beauty & the Beast, (You know Which is beautiful and who is the beast ? )

The Beasts like the Yeti, Chupacabra, Big Foot (and some others) are found at higher altitudes. The Beauties are found at significantly lower levels.  

Hull skinning completed. Now for all the filling and sanding to start.

Interesting comparative study from your left to right - RAF FIRE Rescue / PT 109/ Mermaid/Schnellboot

Skinning completed with epoxy and initial gap filling done.

Hull and Superstructure ready for paint.

Not much achieved as I have been busy with the RAF Crash Tender. Just some pictures to show the comparative sizes.

How do you bend the ply so evenly? Is it the result of all the pumping iron?

The ply has to steamed and bent into shape. You have to work up some steam when you are pumping iron to get into shape. Roughly the same.

You need a palm sander (orbital) i.e. if you don't have one

Initial coat of paint. Not happy with it and may decide to repaint her completely. Windows out of card and framed with soldering flux. Window frames will be painted Chrome or White depending on the final cabin colour. If I retain the blue, I will frame them in white. What do you say?

Looks pretty nice as is

Have you started using your compressor/air brush? Should give a good finish.

I've completed about 80% of the Neptune (in 2 & 4 mm Sunboard) and now I appreciate your builds even more

great build sir!

Midnight ramblings.....

While building a boat, at the very beginning we have to decide whether we are building something that is purely 'functional' (for IIT type competitions) devoid of all details and aesthetics or are we going in for a scale build with additional details. If we don't do this, the transition from a 'functional' build to a 'detailed scale build' can be a daunting, frustrating task.

Stay tuned for details............

Fully tuned sir! Ears cocked, eyes open, nose up, fingers and toes splayed...........

How's that for an authentic wooden deck staining? I'm delighted with the effect that I have been able to achieve.............

My trusted assistant decided to help her ol' man with the second coat of porthole frame paintings.

Beautiful! Really authentic deck wood planks!

Your daughter sure brings that touch of perfection! Porthole frames  No wonder your boats have such intricate detailing! 

Finally ready for her maiden. Finishing touches remain.

She carries the name 'JAYSHIL". It is a portmanteau derived from my Mother - JAYanti and my Father - SHILaditya.

More to follow soon.

Some more.

Model features working lights as prescribed by the International Maritime Authorities:

http://www.bosunsmate.org/seamanship/lights.php

In keeping with Rules 22 and 23:

http://www.bosunsmate.org/seamanship/rulesoftheroad.php#rule23

With all navigation lights on.

Wow really awesome sir
How does she run?

Thank you. Test runs were FAST. Too fast for a Cabin Cruiser.

wowwww... nice build VC sir 

thumbs up for the nice build sir... did you get a chance to capture video of her maiden sir?

Regards
Punty

Thanks! She has not maidened as yet. She was only tested in my tank.

looks nice VC - very prim

There are not enough superlatives in my vocabulary to truly describe what I feel. 

Take a bow sir; take several bows! 

Beautiful and intricate work

Thank you Sirs. Still working on it. Have a little surprise planned for tomorrow.

Pratheesh @ coolpratheesh - heartfelt thanks!


_{suspense..........................} > Go figure..........

I think I know what the surprise may be Is the sound authentic... ?

Sounds GOOD, but I need to cut large apertures in the Superstructure / Cabin to let the sound out. How do I disguise those apertures? What do I make them look like? The speaker is below this section:

Paint the interior of the cabin matte black and replace some of the windows with black plastic mesh.

Make a wide, long horizontal slot at the rear of the front cabin (where the ladder is).

Have you tried leaving it as is? Maybe the muffling is not too much

VC sir,
very nice build. Love the blue color.

I see your sound module . Looks great and i am sure sounds greater. Drilling holes is an option for the sound, and covering it with felt fabric, although slots looks cooler

Very nice build, the detailing and finishing of this boat with navigation lights. ..awesome.
waiting for the video.

Thanks Boss! I am daunted at the thought of destroying the finish.

Sirjee............

Awesome build VC!!!
waiting to see this sail!!

Shreekant

wow! how did you get that wood like finish on the deck?

Sent from a potato using a lamp

Thanks. The deck was made up of 1mm strips of foam board. The foam was gently, very gently scored with a pin - plank by plank - to create a grain. First painted the deck with light coat of Red Oxide primer and let it dry completely. Then it was washed with very dilute black paint. This paint was rubbed off with a cloth while it was still wet. Yet again it was stained with a lighter shade of brown. Another wash of black paint. Finally coated with a diluted coat of 'Wudfin' clear varnish.

At the moment, I am trying to gather some Dutch Courage to cut the apertures for the speaker. Hope to complete it within the next hour.

VCgggggggggggggggggg
just cant stop praising you for your craftsmanship.roopesh sir u need to sharpen your building skills (just joking)...i just cant stop saying  and i need to say  to vc i want to build one like that .(A BIG DREAM)...i remember something   ITS ART   ,,,,,  AND ART IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE MASTERED WITH PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE AND ONLY PRACTICE.

Speaker venting done and now assembling the baffle and outlet frames to look like louvre exhausts.

Praveen - thanks, however, please desist from indulging in such comparisons. Each modeller has his own forte and is an accomplished builder in his own right. I have learnt a lot from Roopesh and his builds. As a modeller, I respect him.

Finally complete. I've decided to do the final aesthetic touch ups after her maiden voyage. Waiting for the rains to fill up my test tank so I can check and correct any list with ballast, if required, before I put her in deeper waters.

I want to thank a few people -
Sanjay Rai Sir - for always being there and pushing me when required.
Roopesh - for some of his ingenious creativity and tips.
Ravi@ Tango - for the great ESC - works like a dream!
Sandy@Sundaramvelar - for a solid battery holder and converting my dead 3S LiPo's into 2S packs.
Pravesh - for improving my soldering skills.
All forum members - for their encouragement and support.

Indrakshi - for her help in painting and moral support and utmost belief in her Dad.
My long suffering wife - for her patience.


All the unprofessional carpenters, painters, body mechanics, electrical technicians, et al - who did not keep to their commitments and thus made me do so much on my own. Thank you for helping me learn so much at this ripe old age. You've increased my self confidence.

In all seriousness, I must mention Pratheesh @ coolpratheesh http://www.rcindia.org/profile/?u=3775 for the great sound unit that he conjured out of thin air. It adds a totally new dimension to the craft. So grateful to you for constantly guiding me on the set up right till the very end. Boss, you should seriously start manufacturing and selling this on an Internationally.

End of speech -     - Alrighty then - where is my Oscar?!

Some pictures.

Some more.

the speaker vent will also keep the electronics cool.

Surprisingly, the motor and/or the ESC are not getting hot at all. Once they are under load (model is in water) things may change.

The RC Boat Oscar goes to..........


Thanks for putting me in the same category as so many distinguished folk; but, honestly my contribution was scarce.

Marvellous, marvellous build

There is an old adage:

"Small things make perfection, but perfection is not a small thing"

VC sir, you have demonstrated this in no uncertain terms 

 

Thank you for the kind words and constant encouragement. Perfect craftsmanship on a boat model is going to be on display here very soon. There is a friend of mine working on it at Gurgaon. Wait for it.