My 2nd Boat this Century...Sea Maid

[Graham Lawrie]

I take my hat off to you Sir:) that is an AWESOME dash and a brilliant build:)

[west0618]

Thanks all. As much as I enjoy projects like this it is always nice to hear any recognition for the effort involved. I tell people that projects like these are cheaper than therapy...and it is. And the way I am wired I have to believe I can excel at a project or it is not worth starting.
Now for new pictures…after correcting an issue on the bow and applying 10 plus coats of spar varnish, I was able to do my second buoyancy test in my make-shift tank to establish a waterline.

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With the waterline established it was time to mask it off and apply the final red paint.

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Once that was dry, I was able to put the boat back in the padded “build” cradle and install the propeller, the rudder, the shroud over the drive shaft, the bench seat and the wind screen for, hopefully, the last time, barring any painting interference.

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The Low Voltage Alarm is held to the bottom of the bench seat (passenger side) with Velcro.

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Since this is obviously NOT made out of mahogany as they actually were, it will not be an exact replica of its namesake but I am still quite proud of the end result. Derek and I are going to kick around a few ideas for finalizing any painting and further details of the main deck and then I will be done…aside from a white stripe just above the waterline. I am waiting on this to see if I need to add any dead-weight to the boat to bring the bow down. That will be decided on the maiden run. As this is a “period” craft, it should reflect those times…not mine. So close to being DONE…

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[Graham Lawrie]

Awesome:)

[KevG]

Wicked looking boat, I like it a lot

[Derek]

It went be much longer before this boat is in the water

[west0618]

I'm about to order another pair of batteries for my Snapper boat with nearly twice the milliampere with a 65c rating that I plan to use on this boat for the maiden run. Once I see how long these last I can decide if I need even higher milliampere or not. These boats run nearly identical electronics and propeller..there's just a lot more to push around with this boat. I think I have decided on the final paint job for the top so that will be underway this week. There WAS still the matter of transporting this boat safely to and from the water as well as storage so I knocked out this box for that purpose yesterday. I do like my transport/storage boxes. Just one more thing I get to build...and I have gotten positive comments on them. The handle is positioned off center to accommodate the center of gravity of the boat making it easier to carry. I joked with my wife that this box may need wheels.

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I still have to add a Velcro strap to hold it securely in the cradle but other than that...just a little sanding.

[west0618]

Final painting of the deck has begun. As I cannot match the original boat with its mahogany finish, I can match the patterns they used in the same red as I used on the seat…starting with the pattern under the wind screen. I may well have used a brush but I still masked it off as I know I am not steady enough to do this freehand.

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Once I felt confident with this small point of interest I moved on to the perimeter of the deck…masking off ½” onto the deck and about ¾” down the side. The ¾” was chosen to cover up the piecing together at the bow under the 1/8” ply just to clean it up.

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03_Masking the Deck.jpg (85.21 KiB) Viewed 6011 times

Now that this area is painted and the tape removed I have to wait at least until tomorrow touch up any areas that may need it, as well as reinstall the wind screen and dashboard (for hopefully the last time) and mask off and paint a continuation of the paint in front of the dash as a tapered polygon across the back including the lid of the electronics compartment. Then, aside from some possible details to the stern deck that I am pondering…I just may be DONE…almost.

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After the maiden voyage, if I do not need to adjust the waterline paint, I will add the white stripe above it.

[Derek]

That is just awesome, Dad! Looks great!!!

[pvolcko]

Very nice work. Even on the box!

[danhampson]

It looks amazing, when's the maiden?

[Derek]

hmmm, I'm surprised that Dad hasn't posted any video of this boat in the water. We did take it out for a maiden run and it did pretty well. I'll leave out the details because it's his boat but I'll remind him to revisit this thread.

[danhampson]

My bad derek. I found the maiden with some really nice stills.

[cml001]

Nice!

[west0618]

Sorry guys. I guess I could have/should have posted a note that the boat's outings will be posted in a member log thread. Next time out I hope to be using a 5000 mAh 45C ZIPPY lipo. GREAT fun.

[Graham Lawrie]

Cool:) be great to see:)

[ken jackson]

Absolutely awesome. The boat the case, WOW!

Gee Derek I wonder where you got your skills, Lol

Ken

[Derek]

Thanks for that, Ken! Dad has done a really great job with the boats and the cases. I'm not as meticulous as he is but we both love the "build".