Building Your Own Model Boat

I've looked through numerous catalogs, consulted a friend that runs a hobby shop and so far have come up empty. I have not been able to find plastic or wood models of any ancient Egyptian vessels. At this point I can only recommend that you might consider scratch building one. There seems to be reference on several versions, with Chop's barge being the most covered subject.

The fist problem I can see is that power Boat Models tend to stop at the wrong moment just when they are out of reach so you will probably need the use of a dinghy and Evan a small outboard, along with all the appropriate safety gear. This is something not to be taken on lightly! I suggest you start by reading a few magazines and pick up some ideas of size and shape of hulls etc.

You will probably be better off building a boat with a weed eater petrol engine, one that has already been converted to model marine use. This will save a lot of work for you. You could try a visit to your local model store and check out the prices for some of the models that you are thinking of getting. There are other items to consider: - petrol tank 2-3 pints, fuel and water pipes, shaft and props couplings rudder, water scoop, and exhaust pipe and outlet. Last but not least the radios 2/3 channel on a suitable frequency to suite your state, check at your local model store.

Me cruiser used 5 different gear ratios in 1983 on the Alpha not including counter rotation models. I have no cross-references for that serial number to which gear case. If you have Sea Kayak on the thru hull connections then sure you can do it in the water. Most technicians routinely replace the seawater pump impellers with the boat in the water. And yes, the closed cooling models use seawater to cool the heat exchanger and elbows. Also, the heat exchangers have end caps, which can be removed, and can be cleaned out.

Opening the fuel jet on an already beleaguered engine might cause more harm than good results, or bring about costly repairs or its early demise. Changing the prop's pitch & diameter will give you an advantage when starting up, but don't be disappointed with the top end performance. You need to experiment with a few props to see which one actually works best for your purpose. Most marinas have used/rebuilt props to offer for testing, before making a purchase.

A 5' diameter tube is quite huge. A larger, wider water tube may be a partial solution, but keep in mind, an expanded diameter means more friction area, which in turn causes resistance - versus disbursing weight load over a wider surface. And, there's no need to switch boat models, yours is just fine for all purposes described. Test some props first. It might surprise you, and the cost will be warranted. Reduce the diameter but increase the pitch within the engine manufacturer's parameters.

Replacement skegs are available that can be welded on. Most prop shops do this kind of work. Another option is a "Skeggard". This is a bolt on skegs that slides over the old broken unit. They come in a variety of models to fit most outboards and I/O's. There is a simple bolt on. I do recommend using some 3M 5200 Fast Cure sealant when you install it. It won't look like new skegs as it is polished Stainless Steel should do the trick. Available through most marine supply stores.

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Wooden Boat Repair and Restoration

Wooden boats can be a thing of beauty. Most who own a boat take great pride in it. Whether you take it on the water once a year or once a week, keeping it in good shape is a necessity for safety. Repairing a model wooden boat, or restoring one, can be a very rewarding process. In either scenario, you should know the standard basics about wooden boat repair, as well as the newer technologies that could make the process easier and quicker.

If it is structural damage that needs to be repaired, you will need to know how the boat is actually built. There are resources available to research different vessels and their structures, along with the proper process of repairing them. The best place to find these is actually at your local library. If the problem is typical deterioration in wood that has aged, it should be a simpler process to bring the boat back to its original condition. Well done restoration will not only help a boat last longer, it can make it more stable and durable. 

There are several factors that can cause deterioration in the wood of a boat. Age, as mentioned, is one of them. The wood's material and composition are another, because some woods by nature are stronger and more durable than others. The construction of the individual boat is a major contributing factor. Well made vessels last longer; it is as simple as that. Another more obvious factor is how well the owner has cared for his or her Wooden Boat for sales. If the boat will be in an area where the climate is warmer, more humid, or has lots of rainfall, you need to know how to protect the wood from possible elemental damage, especially after the time has been taken to repair or restore it.

As far as modern products that make wooden boat repair simpler, epoxy sealants are most likely the best ones. They saturate the wood with resin and increase its durability. They also stabilize the wood, which will prevent any kind of splintering or chipping. On top of all that, the sealants are a perfect primer for any type of top coating, like paint, varnish, or stain. All of these benefits will also reduce the amount of maintenance required after the sealant is applied. 

Before applying the sealant, you must properly clean the wood. First step needed for this is the time consuming stripping process. This should remove any and all coatings that have been previously placed on the wood. Paint strippers and heat guns are helpful tools for this step. Make sure, though, that the products you use are safe for the wood and will leave no residue. Some strippers will need to be rinsed with water. After the stripping is complete, the wood surfaces will need to be sanded. Then you should vacuum the dust off with any standard vacuum. Finally you need to apply a solvent to all surfaces and then allow it to completely evaporate before applying the sealant.

Wooden boat repair or restoration is tedious and time consuming, but worth it in the long run. You can save money, get a good workout, and admire your beautiful work when you are done. Then when you take it out on the water, you can show off to others your beautiful pride and joy.

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