Skippers' projects

Radio Control Boat Modeler, Apr 2003

A CROW'S NEST VIEW OF WHAT OUR READERS ARE DOING

Lochmor Ferry

For his cleverness and ingenuity, Ted takes the top prize this year. Ted set out to build his feryboat with a plan from Taubman Plans Service. While the ferry was under construction, he wrote to several ferryboat companies asking for info mation so he'd be able to deck out his model. From one of the companies, he receiced a package containing photos, planls and brochures What more could a sacle modeler ask for? Ted went to toen and detailed the ferry to the maxTwo 6V motors that turn direct-drive counter-- rotating 4-blade props drive the model. The ferry was first shown in our October 2002 issue. Ted's attention to detail and ingenuity captures the $500 prize. Congratulations. Ted!

Honorable Mention

Kenneth Choi, Hong Kong, China

U-60 Miss Thriftway

Kenneth rightfuly deserves this award for his outstanding shovelnose hydroplane. This scratch-belt beauty is fiberglassed, gelded and painted to replicate the 1955 classic unlimited hydro. The 43-inch-long racer weighs 13.5 pounds and is powered by a KB .67 marine engine. Details include a scale driver, cowl and dummy engine. The classic shovelose appeared in our August 2002 issue, and we thick that this impressive race boat deserves a two-year subscription prize. Nicely done, Kenneth!

Honorable Mention

William Fisher, New Suffolk, NY

Fantine Launch

Mahogany launches have charm all of their own, and the Fantine Launch built by William certainly captivated us. This launch is 42 inches long, weighs 14 pounds and is powered by a twin-cylinder, double-acting steam power-- plant driving a 3-inch-diameter, 5-blade propeller. A mixture of propane and butane fires the boiler and gives about an hour's worth of run time. The boat is built of mahogany, poplar, basswood and teak. Navigation and engine-room lights, a live steam whistle and a master electrical panel make the launch come to life. This model appeared in our April 2002 issue, and we're delighted to reward Williams effort with a two-year subscription.

Aeromarine Challenger Pro

David Buffaloe, Zebulon, NC

David custom-painted this sharp-looking Challenger Pro racer. It's powered by a 25cc Quick Draw engine that has

a B.H. Hanson tuned pipe. To get all that power to the water, David installed a Cobra high-performance adjustable drive and then added trim tabs and a water pump to keep the engine cool. A Futaba radio and high-torque servos complete the package. Great-looking ride, David!

NEAL C.

Bruno Clozza,

Nanaimo, B.C.,

Canada

An avid boat modeler for many years, Bruno scratch-- built this neat-looking cruiser. The hull and deck are fiberglass made from a mold that Bruno carved from a wooden plug. The 48-inch-- long model weighs a hefty 35 pounds and is completely finished inside and out. Bruno went all out and used teak to plank the decks, walls and cabin tops. The interior floors are oak. The boat features 30 working lights, an operating boom crane, moving steering wheels and an anchor. A Robbe motor geared 5:1 that runs on 12 volts provides power. To operate everything, Bruno uses a Robbe Terra Top radio and an B-channel receiver. Anyone for a cruise?

Electric Hydro

Phil Harding, Chesapeake, VA

Phil took this BBY Racing hull and modified it to use a gear drive instead of the stock direct drive. To make clearance for the gear drive, he used a sheet of plastic and an airplane canopy to make a new cowl. For power, Phil uses an Aveox motor on a Hughey gear drive and a Schulze speed control. Phil uses the boat for sport running, and it has been clocked at 40mph. He plans to try a variety of gear and prop combinations for even more speed. We think he's on the right track!

U-44 Miss Timex

Randy Rapedius, Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada

Randy sent us this photo of his jib-scale shovelnose hydro taken by his friend Tom Avedisian. The hull is custom made of epoxy glass and weighs 131, pounds. Powered by a modified OPS .67 engine with a MAC tuned pipe and Speedmaster hardware, the hydro has been clocked at 63mph! In fact, Randy was the IMPBA District 1 High Point winner running this fabulous racer. Not too shabby, Randy!

Kyosho Atlantio 600

William Massey, Lafayette, LA

William and a friend tell us that the Kyosho Atlantio 600 was very easy to assemble; it took them only two evenings! They installed an Airtronics radio and servo and a DuraTrax ESC 100 speed control. The two buddies decided to customize the boat by omitting the decals on the side of the hull and by lowering the waterline stripe. They also added some photos of instruments and maps taken from sailing magazines. William says the boat looks great and runs good, too. Nice job, guys!

SEND IN YOUR PHOTOS!

We encourage reader participation in Radio Control Boat Modeler; after all, it's your magazine! In "Skippers' Projects," we feature photos of your best nautical creations. Both color prints and color slides are acceptable, and if we publish your photo, you're eligible for a $500 grand prize, We'll choose a winning photo from among all those published in 2003, and we'll announce the winner early in 2004. To increase your chances of winning, take water shots without any distracting clutter in the foreground; get the whole model in the frame; and shoot the picture from a low angle. Don't photograph the boat on a cluttered workbench in your workshop! Tell us in detail what you did to your model and which special features, if any, you included. Send your entry to: Skippers' Projects, Radio Control Boat Modeler, 100 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT 06877-4606 USA.