She's looking wonderful, Tuggy. TiteBond III is really good glue. That's what I used on my cruiser, and it is super strong and the water doesn't affect it at all. So when do we see sea trials? Ok, I want a set when they're done.
I'm trying to get Shoko done enough that I can sheet her with blue tape or gorilla tape and float her to see how much weight it needs to hit waterline. Driving around will wait on the prop to get here. Which reminds me, Other Jeff L and AstroSaint (and anyone else who might come to the build session)... order your prop and stuffing tube from Vac-U-Boat now so that it'll get here in time to put in... having a motor, ESC, and servo for the rudder are good ideas, too. I have enough spare SS rod and brass tubing for the rudder construction. I'll price materials tomorrow at Lowes; I want to get them early so that I can have the lines traced onto them ahead of time, and be ready to go. I'd be shocked if it's more than 20 or 30 bucks. I will start a separate section of the forums and post guidance on what to bring (and for questions).
Package arrived from Vac-U-Boat!! The spec prop and the stuffing tube with driveshaft came with it... You can also see their brass and acetal universal joint. I like it better than the one I've seen in countless boats (the one with the white plastic dogbone) because you can see in the pic that it has 4 dogs on each end of the bone, giving double the points for transferring power! Totally cool. I will likely use these in future boats.
Durable enough. It would not survive a direct hit at close range, but under water, I think it would be okay. Plus the prop is well under the body of the ship and would be really hard to hit I'd think. And spares are only $4 each.
I was helping new captain David Winnette work on his SoDak today, and putting shelves in the shed, so I didn't make a huge amount of progress.... but I did get the stern end glued together some more. Had to glue those parts together so I can drill a spot for the stuffing tube tomorrow! I will also be putting on the rest of the ribs and hard area. Below, test-fitting the rudder servo. Yup! It fits! (I actually tested the fit prior to gluing the wood into the hull, just didn't take the pic then).
Greetings from Florida: I seemed managed to get the right parts either ordered or on hand. Manuel Mejia, Jr.
Excellent. I will be buying the wood and marking it next weekend. I will post a materials list tomorrow of stuff that would be useful, beyond wood and glue.
Barring any major mods to the current build, I guess I better get to work on the last two plans sets. I'm thinking of starting a BB build shortly. We can't let those Georgia Peaches and Florida Crackers have all the Punk! If there's any interest in the DC region for a build session, let me know. It's just as easy to cut parts for two (or more) as it is for one. ST
Tug, how are you getting access to the rudder post gear/arm after you skin the ship? Best to have a way because those dam gremlins are always in the bilge waiting for the ship to launch! If that needs attention, you will need to get to it.
Steve, the build is very nice, good job on planning it out. I so want the BB.... If it gets finished before this weekend, I will see if I can put one together at Clark's I will be making some wider ribs, the 1/2" x 1/4" are too narrow. Probably go with 1". I am going to pre-drill some holes along the top of the ribs before installing them. This will give me a wire/hose run from bow to stern.
I have some preliminary drawings ready to go for the BB. They should be enough to get started with and I'll send them your way shortly. On the rib width, I was envisioning these being milled from a hardwood like maple, oak, or poplar so the suggested size would be more than sufficient. If using BC construction grade ply like Tuggy, then wider may be advised. You can get "screen beed" in 1/4"x3/4" size in oak at homedepot.com.
Spudsy, see what you think when you hold my prototype in your hand. With all those ribs, it is really strong, regardless of 'only' 1/2" ribs The ribs are not the BC ply. The ribs the 3-ply 1/4" birch that Lowe's carries.
Remember that Tug is building to the spec minium dimensions. If you were going to add freeboard above the 1" pen area, there's no reason you couldn't extend the rudder post higher for easer access.
Well dang. Can't wait til the plans are available. Be nice to see how quick one of these builds could be. Also cost effectiveness for the first timer. Steve, where do I send the one trillion dollar check?
