Productive Friday night. Ended up incorporating the servo mount and rudder post together in one piece. Machined a pocket in the top to both lighten the plastic block and have the option if needed to add ballast to the stern. Measuring the slope of the internal stern hull and transferring that to the plastic block worked out better than expected. The servo mount is probably strong enough to just use the single side but in the spirit of over-building everything I'll put in a mounting block for the opposite side. The assembly fits under the stern deck perfectly.
Got prop shafts aligned and ready for mounting tonight. They are dead-on level to the hull with enough clearance for the drive cups to fit.
Stuffing tubes are in and the struts are now curing. Planning to get the gearbox and rudder assembly installed tonight. Possibly start on water channeling if time plays in my favor.
Fought with prop shaft fitting most of the night but it's all fitted and ready for the gearbox mount next. Laid down some basic shapes for skegs too, will sand into a more streamlined and matching shape tomorrow. Glad I have a 4-day weekend coming up before nats!
That's the Smooth-On Freeform Air epoxy. (Somebody learned last night that mixing up a large batch makes it cook off REALLY fast)
It's tough to get at the drive cup set screws as they ended up under the drop down decking so I'll need to be able to assemble the shafts drive cups first/props last. Current plan is to grind flats on the shafts and use red loctite on the set screws. Just have to use a soldering iron or pencil torch to melt the glue when I need to service something. May even put the threadlock on the shaft when installing the prop almost like using a bearing set. Will scratch my head on it some more and report back.
Got started on the water channeling. Servo/Rudder mount is all installed and functional. Props and drive cups are in. Almost finished with the gearbox mount as well. Servo/Rudder belt mount in action: https://flic.kr/p/W74vdr
More water channeling and the solenoid mounts are in. Lost a full day yesterday to food poisoning. Guess I needed more of a challenge....
You're doing a very good job. Would never know this was your first boat! Keep at it, I love seeing your work.
Much appreciated sir! I'm aware I'm makin it hard on myself not just slapping kit parts in it but my inner machinist can't be tamed sometimes.
Cannons are mounted and the magazines are fixed to the deck. Just need to wrap the mags with pvc tubing for armor.
Got a fair amount done. Unfortunately I think I'll be skinning and painting on Sunday @ Nats. In a moment of panic I decided to test the hulls "sinkability" worried maybe the smooth-on putty may be too buoyant. Luckily it's not enough to effect it. Electronics are waterproofed Battery and Tank mounts are installed Air lines are plumbed (I am now a certified PTC expert haha) Pump Mount is in, need to run the outlet through the step down deck Had this chain around from my 1/14 Semi Trucks that worked well for anchor chain Tonight's focus will be finishing superstructure and figuring out a recovery float. Installing electronics and internal armor. Also need to make a transport stand.
