Time for a Change?

[Ramon Wilson]

Hi Guys,
Sometimes with the best will in the world it's hard to stay focussed 

With the Atomatics safely tucked away I've been attending to an outstanding 'yachty' matter this last week but I haven't really been able to get into any kind of rhythm. Tonight I had a visit from friend Ken who brought me a couple of bits of ali and, kind soul, some reading material which may just prove the antidote.


Given my current state of jadedness I think the contents may take my mind off matters for a while 

Regards - Ramon

[steamer]

Pretty Yacht!    Is it a model of a full size ship?.....With Gardens, I'm afraid, I leave that to Ms Steamer....she's far better at it than I.....with me...if it's green it gets mowed....that's about it.....


Dave

[Maryak]

Hi Ramon,

Beautiful Yacht Model........................Would it be a J class such as Velsheda?



Pride of place in the 2nd bedroom 

Best Regards
Bob

[b.lindsey]

Wow...pretty hull Ramon!! Need more pics of that for sure. Dave, I hear you as to the green stuff...heck I can kill astroturf

Bill

[tel]

Beautiful work, as always, Ramon.

Pretty Yacht!    Is it a model of a full size ship?.....With Gardens, I'm afraid, I leave that to Ms Steamer....she's far better at it than I.....with me...if it's green it gets mowed....that's about it.....


Dave

Mowed? Ran outta sheep or something?

[Jo]

Sometimes with the best will in the world it's hard to stay focussed 

 

Sometime the garden looks sooooo nice and I don't want to be in the workshop but on cold wet winter days the garden doesn't seem so inviting. But a packet of seeds is in many ways like a casting set: A promise of good things to look forward to in the future 

Jo

[steamer]

Beautiful work, as always, Ramon.

Pretty Yacht!    Is it a model of a full size ship?.....With Gardens, I'm afraid, I leave that to Ms Steamer....she's far better at it than I.....with me...if it's green it gets mowed....that's about it.....


Dave

Mowed? Ran outta sheep or something?

Yup ...and don't have the horse anymore either!     

[tangler]

 But a packet of seeds is in many ways like a casting set ......

have you been watching Forrest Gump?   

I share the sentiment though.  I feel a bit of woodwork coming on.

Cheers,

Rod

[Ramon Wilson]

Hi Guys - Here I was hoping you were going to focus more on the 'folders' than the yacht    but yes the yacht is a J Class, Bob, and it is a beautiful moulding. I bought it two years ago and decided before getting to grips with the steam launch to try to progress it some. Having begun I can see it won't take that long to complete so have decided to see it through to 'ready to sail' before getting to grips with the launch.

No, the arrival of said folders which came out of the blue yesterday was a complete and, it has to be said, a very pleasant surprise 

You may not have noticed that so far however - well not from this end - no mention has actually been made of gardening - now where on earth (oops) did you get that idea 

No Sir - the garden is far from my thought as they contain no less than every(?) copy of 'Strictly I/C' No's 1 to 84    and will indeed no doubt have the potential to seriously affect current thinking



They belonged to a good friend who passed away sometime ago and his family are only now dealing with his ME effects. They were given to me so obviously will be a much treasured addition to the workshop - one day, but hopefully not too soon I will pass them on in the same manner.

Forgive my attempt at a little bit of humour - I thought I might catch a few who just might think I actually was bound for the garden 

Now - I have some serious reading to do 

Regards - Ramon

PS Sue and I love your image of Valsheda Bob. That's a very dramatic shot indeed. Love how that flag is in the foreground and the slack rigging on the port side with the starboard drum taught as well as the helmsman standing at such an acute angle to the deck. Wonderfully evocative.

Bill, I'll pop a couple of pics up of the finished yacht in due course.

[Jo]

I feel a bit of woodwork coming on.

That is drastic Rod  but then again with the darker evening the castings have made way for a little something else

Jo

[Jasonb]

That is drastic Rod  but then again with the darker evening the castings have made way for a little something else

Jo

What you getting too tight to turn on the workshop lights now Jo? 

[Stuart]

Nah Jo is not being tight

Solar panels don't work to well in the dark , don't think moon light counts 

Stuart

[Tennessee Whiskey]

Oh dear,  thanks Ramon,  I thought you were serious.  However,  I was thinking,  "bet he'll do a damn fine job at gardening,  but, what the Hell  is he going to do all winter  ".

Eric

PS: hoped you enjoyed the song

[Jo]

What you getting too tight to turn on the workshop lights now Jo? 

I find that if you come home from having had a hard stressful day at work  going out in the workshop only results in broken tools, making mistakes and ruined castings  .

At those time it is better to pick up one of your other hobbies, in the summer for me it is pottering round the garden  .

Jo

[Graham Meek]

Hi Ramon,

And there I was looking forward to you putting a version of Edgar T Wesbury's Seagull engine in the yacht. The yacht also brought memories of the little generating set described in the "Trustee from the Toolroom", is there going to be a nautical theme to the new engine? A Sealion perhaps?

Gardening is reserved for those sunny days when I need to soak up the rays to boost my Vitamin D level. Cold, damp, dank days are best reserved for the nice warm workshop, where it is quiet and peaceful, (I have also found I get fewer interruptions on days like that!)

My best regards
Gray,

[Maryak]

PS Sue and I love your image of Valsheda Bob. That's a very dramatic shot indeed. Love how that flag is in the foreground and the slack rigging on the port side with the starboard drum taught as well as the helmsman standing at such an acute angle to the deck. Wonderfully evocative.

Glad you like it, the frame is 900 x 700 mm so it must have been taken with a pretty good camera. To me it looks like it was taken on the Solent but that's just a sentimental wild assed guess.

Best Regards
Bob

[Ramon Wilson]

Oh dear,  thanks Ramon,  I thought you were serious.  However,  I was thinking,  "bet he'll do a damn fine job at gardening,  but, what the Hell  is he going to do all winter  ".

Eric

PS: hoped you enjoyed the song

Ah Eric my friend, at last someone who recognises my attempt at a little subterfuge. Apologies to everyone else who appear to have missed it but it was intended as a light hearted wind up.

My good fortune came out of the blue. A few weeks ago I was informed that my friend Bill's collection of 'Strictly I/C' magazines had unfortunately been skipped - I have a feeling I mentioned that elsewhere on here at the time. Friend Kenny was there yesterday when the 'gardening folders' were opened only to find the treasure inside  and Bills daughters very kindly sent them in my direction. Believe me - I count myself one extremely lucky and very fortunate guy.

So guys - not to make too much of a scene about it but I now have 84 issues of sheer I/C pleasure to wade through and no doubt torment my well addled thought processes with all kinds of temptation    Every issue, one through eighty four, is in pristine condition with, it would appear at first inspection, all the plans in place.

Like I said - the contents have the potential to have some influence over previous made plans and no, honestly, gardening is not likely to be one of them .

Hope you can see the lighter side of this - I really am well chuffed to have received these.

Regards to you all - Ramon

PS Eric - We liked it very much - will be in touch

[Maryak]

My Definition of making a good easy maintenance garden is.......................

Concrete and green paving paint. 

Yes Ramon, I was sucked in as well, then I thought, "Oh well shoveling and sailing both start with s as does summer."

Best Regards
Bob

[bp]

To me it looks like it was taken on the Solent but that's just a sentimental wild assed guess.
Best Regards
Bob

When I looked at the picture, my first thought was that the shoreline looks like just North from East Cowes.  So the yacht would be heading just South of East.  Did my apprenticeship at Saunders Roe, later British Hovercraft Corp just to the right of the picture.
Just another sentimental wild assed guess!
Lovely evocative picture.
cheers
Bill

[Maryak]

Hi Ramon

Attached is some material relating to J Class yachts.

Maybe of use to you

Best Regards
Bob

[Ramon Wilson]

Thank You Bob - that is most appreciated 

The hull I have is a slight variation on the NZ 'Canterbury' class. It differs in that the weight is inside the hull rather than attached to the outside which certainly makes for a somewhat easier build.

I gave it a float test yesterday and have had to take some weight out of the rear of the ballast by drilling - lead is not the easiest of stuff especially doing it freehand and down between the fibre glass keel sides. The deck goes on today, sails have been ordered but it may be some time before it sits on the water again as our pond is to be drained on Monday - at 400 x 80 ft draining it is one thing refilling it another 

It's nice to know that as well as our common interest of engines on here many are also interested in other modelling matters too 

Thanks again,

Regards - Ramon

[Mosey]

Ramon,

Your humor is understood and appreciated...keep it coming, and enjoy building all of those engines in Strictly IC.

Mosey

The best lawn is trees and leaves.

[Ramon Wilson]

Glad you could see it Mosey -

I'll do my best on the first count but the second? - well that's a tall order  . Nice thought though

Ramon

[Tennessee Whiskey]

I think you'll be a lot happier working with composites as opposed to composted materials  Although a fresh cut arrangement on the ladies breakfast table scores many points 

E

[Ramon Wilson]

Hi guys - as the title of this thread is appropriate I guess it's best to continue.

The yacht has reached a major stage but now has to be put aside for a few days in order to have a big pull about in the workshop to get ready for the new mill.

For those who expressed an interest - Bill, Bob etc -the yacht now looks like this.

The deck has been planked with lime - 34mtrs of 6mm x 1.5mm strips. (I bought 7 packs of 5 strips  and had one left over ) with mahogany king and margin planks. It's not meant to be 'scale' - just a 'look a like' appearance


I know most J class yachts had deck planks matching the ships lines but A, this was easier (quicker) and B, doing them straight has the effect of making it look longer. The 'caulking' is strips of dark blue/grey paper inserted between each plank, the planks attached by thin cyano. Quite quick to do the longest part is sand/scraping it all smooth and flat after. It's 48 inch long  but a little deeper than those gorgeous lines you posted Bob in order to aid stability.

The mill is due in January some time. The only place I have to put it is on here - as you can see some new kit sits patiently waiting.


Though it's a strong bench the mill is quite heavy - 230+ kg so I feel that bench needs reinforcing to take the weight and spread the load on the wooden floor. Lot's of pulling about to do then . I'll be sorry to lose my 'slow speed attachment' on the drill -that's the inverted motor fixed to the wall top right which has been a boon for tapping. There's nowhere to attach it where the drill is going. It's not just a matter of parking the mill on there but one of trying to make/find room for 'stuff' that will get displaced. I confess that major pulling about is all a bit too much trouble these days but there's only one way to deal with it and that's just to get on with it 

So - yacht and steam launch are firmly on hold until this is all done - there won't be much to say for a while

Regards - Ramon

[Maryak]

Beautiful Deck Ramon 

I have to say that until you pointed it out, I failed to notice that you had straight planked it.

We'll make a Matloe or even a Моряк out of you yet, the down side of that is you could, like me, develop an intense dislike for Holystone, Brasso, Steel deck plates and wire brushes.

Best Regards
Bob

[Jasonb]

Looks very nice indeed Ramon. What would they have used as the lighter wood on th ereal thing as Lime is a bit soft and perishable in real use.

Your variable speed on the mill should make up for anything lost from the drill

[steamer]

Teak...

[steamer]

If you decide to do a "herringbone" layout on some later model Ramon, start with the toe rail and work towards the center.   You can interlace, or use a nibbed king plank


Dave

[Jasonb]

Teak...

Thats what I would have thought but the lime is a lot lighter or is that just artistic licence though Ramon says it's "look alike" so thought they may have used something lighter?

[steamer]

On the real thing...Teak...It just about unbeatable for durability, rot resistance and beauty.  You need a dense wood you can drive caulk into and it will take it.   

Not cheap, but will last a very long time.

Dave

[b.lindsey]

Beautiful Ramon...thanks so much for posting the pictures!!

Bill

[Jasonb]

A quick google seems to suggest that some of these J class yachts has yellow pine decks, maybe it saved a bit ofweight on the racing ones? and that would tie in with Ramons colours. Still quite a durable pine with its highish resin content.

[RonGinger]

Teak would have been a poor choice for a sailboat- to heavy. You want the weight down in the keel never on deck.

One of my pet peeves is to see a nice steam launch that has been decked in oak flooring. It is about the least suitable wood possible- heavy, open grain, doesn't hold varnish well. Just plain wrong.

My favorite deck wood is Spanish Cedar. Its light, takes a beautiful finish that looks like mahogany.

[Johnb]

Very nice Ramon.

[Maryak]

One of my friends is a professional boat builder who owned his own yard and slipways. As a retirement present he elected to build himself a Lexen 30 seeing as how he had the moulds. No expense was spared, the deck, cockpit seats and floor were strip planked over the GRP with Beech, rather than pitch in the seams a modern silastic compound was used. IIRC the interior bulkheads etc were Gaboon.

Best Regards
Bob

[Ramon Wilson]

Hi Guys - its been a long 'testy' day  but thanks for your comments and interest.

Re the deck material...

The decks were done with Lime for several reasons  - I have no idea what the originals were done with but in the images of the full size in the only book on J Class I have they all appear very pale. Lime is very easy to work with, bonds very quickly to the ply substrate with thin cyano which wicks readily underneath to grab the paper insert and, most importantly, has a very fine grain. I agree it is a bit on the blonde side but hopefully will colour up a little once varnished. Bass wood may have been a better choice being slightly more coloured but the main reason was that it was readily available locally and reasonably priced too.

When I bought the hull it was my intention to make it very scale. This was soon after Sue and I began sailing. The hull was/is produced by one man and though it was rather advanced for our skill at the time it was bought at that early stage to hedge off any possible cease in his production.
With the amount of sailing now under the belt it's become pretty obvious that to make this as originally intended would be a big mistake hence the decision to have it more 'look a like' and mainly functional. The hatches will be covered with the usual replaceable waterproof self adhesive material and have false superstructure clipped on over. It has two function R/C rudder and one sail winch.

Incidentally Bob I note 'Yankee' had straight planked decks so I'm not completely out of kilter 

The workshop is now in total disarray but I'm sure I have it under a degree of control    Over the years I've done a bit of a  'Jo' and was amazed to see how many model aircraft I thought I was going to build . Plans, plans and more plans - all free flight - stocks of rubber going back to 1995 - still in perfect condition I was surprised to find, not to mention balsa - just loads of balsa and endless sheets of tissue (There's some dark green and 'doped linen' coming  your way Rod ) A friend is coming up to morrow and hopefully will alleviate some of the problem by taking it away.

I've really felt my age today though  . Until today I have always been able to lift and move the Fobco drilling machine on my own. Sadly not anymore  It was just too much and even proved a handful with Sues help this evening. Thank goodness I shall be getting some strong help with the mill.

Regards for now

Ramon

[Robert Hornby]

I am very impressed with your work Ramon and as I will be commencing on a boat build in the new year I am particularly interested in the comments regarding the decking material. I will have to select the type of wood (I am I correct in calling material used for furniture and similar WOOD as opposed to construction materials being called TIMBER or have I got that the wrong way around?) I have attached a photo of the prototype and request members of this forum to suggest a suitable wood for the interior and deck. The hull will be fibreglass.
Robert

[Maryak]

Hi Robert,

I would call them timbers e.g. the hull timber is Huon Pine, as are the frames, whilst the deck timber is Beech. If  your boat is going to sea, please take this with a grain of salt. After all it's only my opinion. 

Best Regards
Bob

[Ramon Wilson]

Hi Robert - I guess it depends on location. I think I'm right by saying that here in the UK the phraseology would be - the 'timbers' of a ship/boat are made from various 'woods'. Again, I think, though may be way off course, 'timber' is generally used to describe wood as cut down and rough sawn before being processed. As such isn't it referred to as 'Lumber' in the US/Canada?

Wood selection is down to individual choice however the only parameter I would suggest you consider is one of scale in regards to the grain. In my opinion some models are beautifully finished but are somewhat spoilt by using the 'correct' wood only to have a 1 to 1 scale effect - far too coarse in the grain.

Even at this stage and despite choosing it carefully I think the grain on the mahogany used on this yacht is a bit open - I wish I had used walnut instead but could not get any in the right thickness for the king plank.

Good luck with yours whatever you decide - looks like a very nice subject 

Regards - Ramon

[Ramon Wilson]

Hi Guy's - well the 'pull-about' has finally come to an end and everything is back to 'all systems go'. (Well not quite, the mill has yet to arrive)

After moving everything the bench had two extra legs fitted (4 x 4 PAR) and reinforced with three extra top rails (6 x 1)


The original inch thick chipboard top was replaced and reinforced with a further layer of 25mm MDF board. The edges will be faced with strip wood at some stage.


A 'pad' of the same material was cut for the bench to stand on which will hopefully help spread the load - it's a 3/4" wooden floor on joists 10" apart laid on paving slabs on sand. It's been there for some 30 years so hopefully should be well settled by now. The mill weighs 230 kgs so once it's on it's there to stay.

A couple of coats of Danish oil to seal it and a new set of shelves knocked up from 'Contiboard', it just remains to be patient for the mill to arrive which will hopefully be the end of Jan.


So, it's back on making the fittings for the yacht before getting the steam launch back on the stocks to get that boiler fitted - all set for the year ahead then

Have a great break everyone - Merry Xmas and all the very best for the New Year.

Regards - Ramon

[Don1966]

Nice job on the bench Ramon and I bet your patiently waiting for the mill to arrive.  Have a great holiday as well. My friend to you and yours.

Don

[b.lindsey]

Nice work Ramon, but that empty space is just crying out...."fill me, fill me!"  Here's hoping that your new mill arrives soon. Merry Christmas!

Bill

[Steam Haulage]

On the wood topic, and just for the sake of the record trading Narrow Boats were constructed on 'oak on elm'. Oak tolerates the wet-dry-wet-dry cycle between loaded and empty conditions and elm resists constant immersion. In fresh water of course.
Eventually NBs turned to iron and steel, but in my boating days there were a few, a very few, original wooden boats in existence, such as the Heatherbell.
Jerry

[Niels Abildgaard]

I've really felt my age today though  . Until today I have always been able to lift and move the Fobco drilling machine on my own. Sadly not anymore  It was just too much and even proved a handful with Sues help this evening. Thank goodness I shall be getting some strong help with the mill.

Regards for now

Ramon

What milling machine is coming?
I bougth a 220 kg one and came very close to destroying neighbour and meself.
I then bougth a 150£ giraffe-crane and now is everything joy and comfort.

[Ramon Wilson]

Hi Niels - It's an Amadeal LV30 - R8 with the larger table. Without checking it exactly, it weighs some 230kgs.

Fortunately I have had an offer of help from one of our members - Andy B - an intrepid volunteer at our Forncett steam museum. Andy has a cunning plan he says and they are providing the kit for the lift. Another friend will help too - I think my major part will be to provide the bacon rolls  but first I have to get it from drive to inside the workshop 

For my size I've always had good muscular strength but these last few years of a sedentary lifestyle beavering away in the workshop has seen that decline considerably. All this latest pulling about took it's toll too the constant ups and downs, twists and turns leading to some pretty sore muscles protesting at the unaccustomed exercise.

Agh - Tempus Fugits

Regards - Ramon

[Niels Abildgaard]

Hello Ramon

Mine is ,as far as I can see, exactly (apart from M3 R8) the same.
Nice machine but the driving head up and down handwheel on top of pillar will be outinvented and it will be outgeared with a belt drive to spindle.
I love modifying the  cast iron from decent people.
To ease moving around it is very easy to remove the 40+ kg table.
The tilting head is also at least 40 kg.Tilt it 90 degree counterclockwise and put the electronic box carefully down on table and loosen two nuts.It is wise to remove head before table and how do I know.

Good luck

[sco]

Best of luck installing the new mill Ramon.

“Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world. ”   

Simon.

[Ramon Wilson]

Hi guys - further to this ....

For those who expressed an interest - Bill, Bob etc -the yacht now looks like this.

I thought some of you who expressed that interest in this might like to know this has actually been completed and has now had its first 'sea trials'


Once the sails arrived it did not take long to get it rigged - all save one of the fittings were home produced, machined from stainless and black acetal. The decks were clear coated with an aerosol clear lacquer used on a previous hull refurbishment which has proved extremely resilient.


Last Saturday saw the first real trial - a tentative attempt had been made a fortnight previous but it was rather windy and so was I - prudence playing the greater part etc 

Instead of our usual racing, last week was one of our 'open days' hence the Thames barges and Wherries on the water. Sue had first go while the initial pics were taken then it disappeared up the pond - it was a good hour before I could prise the transmitter out of her hands 
As mentioned on the other thread Bill this is our pond  - 440 feet long by 80 feet wide with an average depth of 28 inches. Purpose built in 1929 for the express use of sailing model yachts (not radio controlled of course) it has a lovely imposing building at the near end (not in shot) which houses our two setting up rooms below with a very cosy club room above.


It exceeded all expectations on the water and performed beautifully several members having a 'spot at the helm' later.






Now, if Bob (Maryak) is reading this how about this for a coincidence. We'd had a good afternoon sailing and retired up in the clubroom for tea around 4 o'clock. As I came down to pack things away Sue and one of the other members were talking to a member of the public looking at the yacht. "Tug - this gentleman is very interested in your boat - he used to sail on them" 
He asked if he could see it on the water which of course we did and I asked him what position he sailed at "Skipper" he replied "On the Valsheda!"
He told me this was in later years when it was used for corporate charter but was still very much in racing trim - I told him of your picture of course. He left very pleased to see the yacht sailing and promised to return having just moved to the area - who know's we might have a new member 

Well that really is it for this thread - this boat at least is finished, the Mill still hasn't had a cut put on and no I haven't been distracted by all those Strictly I/C mags  - well not yet that is 

I know it's not 'engine' but thanks for all your interest and comments hope it's been of interest all round.

Regards - Ramon

[Don1966]

That is a stunning piece of craftsmanship Ramon and you continue to set the scale high. Very impressive to say the least. Thank you for sharing this master piece with us. Is there any way you could get some of that to rub off on us. 
That's the tops my friend! 

Don

[zeeprogrammer]

It's a beaut. I love the finish. Very well done.

[b.lindsey]

Its truly beautiful Ramon and what a stunning finish. Thanks also for showing us the sailing venue...how nice it must be to have a dedicated "pond" for such models!!

Bill

[Maryak]

Now, if Bob (Maryak) is reading this how about this for a coincidence. We'd had a good afternoon sailing and retired up in the clubroom for tea around 4 o'clock. As I came down to pack things away Sue and one of the other members were talking to a member of the public looking at the yacht. "Tug - this gentleman is very interested in your boat - he used to sail on them" 
He asked if he could see it on the water which of course we did and I asked him what position he sailed at "Skipper" he replied "On the Valsheda!"
He told me this was in later years when it was used for corporate charter but was still very much in racing trim - I told him of your picture of course. He left very pleased to see the yacht sailing and promised to return having just moved to the area - who know's we might have a new member 

Well that really is it for this thread - this boat at least is finished, the Mill still hasn't had a cut put on and no I haven't been distracted by all those Strictly I/C mags  - well not yet that is 

I know it's not 'engine' but thanks for all your interest and comments hope it's been of interest all round.

Regards - Ramon

Great and magnificent; such a wonderful coincidence, meeting a Velsheda skipper!

Best Regards
Bob

[gbritnell]

Absolutely gorgeous! As Don mentioned you do us proud with all your work and this is no exception.
gbritnell

[Jasonb]

Another great job, not much else to say

[Kim]

Just fantastic Ramon!
Thanks for sharing it with us,
Kim

[Johnb]

One VERY BIG GRIN from me

[Art K]

Ramon,
I don't have any sailing background but have always loved the lines of a J Class yacht, magnificent work! I must admit I empathize with moving your mill. I rented the largest engine hoist a/z had the capacity was 300 pounds more than my mill. My machines are in place and useable but I still need to do some sorting out.
Art