iMack

I am in love.  That beauty would be perfect for the Cedar River and Lake Michigan.with me and a rod. for something to catch.  Gorgeous.
David B

Fantastic! This has been a joy to see come together. You have a ship to be proud of. Best of luck to you on your next adventure.

Just beautiful.  The mounting shows her lines of very well.

That is one gorgeous model. Well done!

Today I can say I have finally finished this model. I'm very proud of the finish and it has been an absolute pleasure to build and work on. Would love to make another larger motor yacht next time using similar processes and machinery. There may be a couple more small details I'd like to add before I send it off. I will be transporting this model to London for my final end of year show, so it has to survive a 4 hour road trip in the back of a van. I've built a custom crate for it and will start getting some foam cut so that it slots into place. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Cheers, 

Thanks EJ. I'm very happy with how she is turning out. Lets hope I get a good grade for it.  
 
Fabric has arrived. I've printed on a faux silk and have ironed it onto some interfacing to give it a bit more strength and rigidity. It is slightly transparent with light from behind but the interfacing prevents most of that now. Having never sewed before I tried the machine out and inverted the sails. I'd already added seam space in the design to allow for this. I've masking taped them on just to have a look and I'm very happy with it. Now it's time to get them attached. 
 

 
 

Today I can say I have finally finished this model. I'm very proud of the finish and it has been an absolute pleasure to build and work on. Would love to make another larger motor yacht next time using similar processes and machinery. There may be a couple more small details I'd like to add before I send it off. I will be transporting this model to London for my final end of year show, so it has to survive a 4 hour road trip in the back of a van. I've built a custom crate for it and will start getting some foam cut so that it slots into place. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Cheers, 

Looking like a solid start. Rhino is a superb versatile program. I look forward to more. 

Today I can say I have finally finished this model. I'm very proud of the finish and it has been an absolute pleasure to build and work on. Would love to make another larger motor yacht next time using similar processes and machinery. There may be a couple more small details I'd like to add before I send it off. I will be transporting this model to London for my final end of year show, so it has to survive a 4 hour road trip in the back of a van. I've built a custom crate for it and will start getting some foam cut so that it slots into place. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Cheers, 

Thanks EJ. I'm very happy with how she is turning out. Lets hope I get a good grade for it.  
 
Fabric has arrived. I've printed on a faux silk and have ironed it onto some interfacing to give it a bit more strength and rigidity. It is slightly transparent with light from behind but the interfacing prevents most of that now. Having never sewed before I tried the machine out and inverted the sails. I'd already added seam space in the design to allow for this. I've masking taped them on just to have a look and I'm very happy with it. Now it's time to get them attached. 
 

 
 

Been able to get back to work on the boat his week - inbetween making crates so that I can transport the model. I've added some railings that need to be soldered on and my sail fabric is on order. I'll pop up a couple more updates when it arrives. 
 

 

 
Cheers
/Iain 

So i mentioned I'd get some better quality images up of the work so far. The molde photographs really well and once all the details, sails and rigging are on it'll come out a treat. 
 

 

 

 

 

Cheers EJ. It was quite a heart wrenching moment to shatter the keel like that. Thankfully although it hit my confidence it really pushed me to get it completed for deadline. 
 
I've done a dry assembly today to have a look what it looks like. The mast, spreaders and boom have been attached and painted. It's beginning to come together! Looks pretty similar to the renders which is good news. Stanchions have been added in and the deck is just double sided on at the moment for testing purposes. That final lacquer has really worked a treat 
 

Well it's been a rather difficult week with quite a few things not turning out as expected. Thankfully it's only set me back 2 days. I'm eager to complete the hull because then I can work full steam ahead on all the intricate details. I have spent the past week reworking the base. I've swapped for a reflective white piece of backsprayed acrylic to get a better contrast against the black of the under waterline hull. This has been completed with black cladding. It's looking very sleek however I may just tone that black down a bit to a grey. The model now works its way up from black, white, black, golden etc...  I'm unsure if I like having the same colour in the model and the base. 
 
The entire model screws into the base beautifully and is just a pleasure to do every time. It's rock solid and the keel just hovers about 2mm over the base. You barely see the steel rod and looks as if it sits nicely. I will try and make an effort to get some cleaning looking photo's up soon.
 

 

 

 
 
 
Now in terms of the difficult part of the week you wouldn't imagine I broke half the model from the images above. Well I did just that. Whilst inserting the steel rod I had epoxied the slot. However whilst trying to fit the part in it created a vacuum because the part was so snug it wouldn't allow the air to escape because of the thick epoxy glue. I used a bit more pressure to get the rod down and it found its way out the sides of the keel and pierced the paint job. Now I had chosen a fast setting epoxy so it was solid before I could make the decision to clean or yank the steel out. That ended up me using a pair of pliers to crank the piece out whilst shattering the keel. Being a hollow 3D print I was expecting it to give. However I've managed to get back and looking even better somehow as you can see above. A lucky recovery. I managed to have a replica keel printed for the next day, have it fitted (with the rod stuck in first), attached, sanded and painted in the day. The following morning I did a good heavy lacquer to get the high shine. That has to now cure for 24 hours. 
 

 

 

 
Another problem that arose is the masking tape. I ran out of masking tape during the week but had a cheap role tucked away somewhere. I used that and when I took it off it left a horrible mark and residue. I had to go in with a lint cloth with some lighter fluid and t-cut to get it off. Unfortunately it has left a very fine grain on the paint from cleaning it off - however its barely visible unless very close up. 

 
A good old heavy lacquer to get that shine up 

 
Here's a shot of some of the mast work. I've had the spreaders designed and printed. Attached and drilled now ready for rigging. This will get sprayed tomorrow. 

Some good progress has been made on parts across the model. There aren't many visible changes but it's cleaning up and getting things prepped. Base work has been a priority so I have measured and cut a 150mm solid block of MDF and clad with acrylic. The edges will be matt and the top surface will be back sprayed acrylic to get a nice reflective finish. Orginally I was going to have a black matt edging with very dark blue water. However I've now decided to do the opposite and go for an off white reflective base and black rim. The reason is the black of the boat under the waterline merges into the dark blue water. The white will have a much better contrast. 
 

 
The steel has been cut to size and tapped. Sits flush into the base now. The metal housing is covered by the acrylic. 

 

 

 

Today I can say I have finally finished this model. I'm very proud of the finish and it has been an absolute pleasure to build and work on. Would love to make another larger motor yacht next time using similar processes and machinery. There may be a couple more small details I'd like to add before I send it off. I will be transporting this model to London for my final end of year show, so it has to survive a 4 hour road trip in the back of a van. I've built a custom crate for it and will start getting some foam cut so that it slots into place. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Cheers, 

Looking like a solid start. Rhino is a superb versatile program. I look forward to more. 

Today I can say I have finally finished this model. I'm very proud of the finish and it has been an absolute pleasure to build and work on. Would love to make another larger motor yacht next time using similar processes and machinery. There may be a couple more small details I'd like to add before I send it off. I will be transporting this model to London for my final end of year show, so it has to survive a 4 hour road trip in the back of a van. I've built a custom crate for it and will start getting some foam cut so that it slots into place. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Cheers, 

Some good progress has been made on parts across the model. There aren't many visible changes but it's cleaning up and getting things prepped. Base work has been a priority so I have measured and cut a 150mm solid block of MDF and clad with acrylic. The edges will be matt and the top surface will be back sprayed acrylic to get a nice reflective finish. Orginally I was going to have a black matt edging with very dark blue water. However I've now decided to do the opposite and go for an off white reflective base and black rim. The reason is the black of the boat under the waterline merges into the dark blue water. The white will have a much better contrast. 
 

 
The steel has been cut to size and tapped. Sits flush into the base now. The metal housing is covered by the acrylic. 

 

 

 

I'm hoping to organise a visit soon. I was in contact with them originally to acquire some plans however they refused by request on copyright terms. There was a very good documentary on the BBC last month about the construction of these luxury yachts (sunseeker however). Models of some of the luxury yachts can cost up to £40,000 they mentioned. The documentary was called 'Britain's Biggest Superyachts: Chasing Perfection' if anyone wants a watch. 
 
 
Thanks Michael.
 
 
So an update on the painting situation. I have had to do some emergency repairs. I arrived this morning and some of the paint has reacted with the model. Unfortunately I didn't think of taking a picture at the time before I went away cutting the paint off. All the paint and lacquer I was using is cellulose based so that rules out a chemical reaction. I had wiped down the model before spraying for any grease and dust but perhaps there was some still present. The lacquer naturally pulls very slightly at the model as it sets however this part was very drastic. 
 
This was the effect that had been left. horrible! 

 
All the layers of paint separated from the chemiwood. Including the primer. I just scalpeled off the paint. 

 
Sanding back. I even masked off the area afterwards and some more just peeled off. 

 
Spraying and using a sheet of paper with a hole to create a feathered edge. Merged in quite nicely. It's almost gone. phew.. (some dodgy - yet very effective masking). Used paper along with less masking tape as not to peel off anything else. 

 
aahhhh.. feeling much better now. All I have left to do is another lacquer. I will let the paint fully set over the weekend and do the gloss lacquer on monday.

Last evening and this morning has been spraying work. I spent a good while mixing the colours to get them right on and have gone with several thin coats of cellulose. A lot of the afternoon was just taking the extra time masking off the pin strips across the hull. I've done countless attempts - and minor kink or bend is really amplified. I'm happy with them now and here is the result so far. 
 
The next painting step is to spray a clear lacquer to get a very high gloss finish. This is probably the most important and difficult part of the spraying. Any dust particles will be quite obvious. Excuse the messy desk. The deck and windows are just slotted in - nothing glued yet. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
/Iain 

Cheers EJ. I'm really putting in the extra time to get a really smooth finish. I have 3 weeks left before deadline for this so there will be a lot of work being done in the coming few days. Ready for spraying soon. Vinyl has worked very well - however I feel it has a bit of a cheap finish in person. I'm thinking of backspraying a piece of 0.5 acrylic and heat bending it to the correct shape. 
 
 
Thanks yvesvidal, I really appreciate it. I've develop a great interest in modern yachts and it would be an absolute pleasure to visit the real thing. Very envious that you got to visit them !   I study right next to Poole in the UK which is the construction base for all sunseeker yachts. They are in the process of building the new 155 ft yacht that you can see in the harbour. I'm quite into my quadcopters so I want to try and get some aerial images to share here. 
 
 
 
 
Todays work has been a second coat of primer. Cleaning up and tidying any rough edges and drilling the holes for the stanchions. The boom and support have been assembled and just sanding the joints. 
 
3d printed boom with hardened steel rod for strength

 
Slots right into the master. perfect! 

 
Having some trouble with the rails. Stanchions fit well but the wire I'm using has kinks in it since it comes rolled up. I've ordered some meter length brass rod which will resolve the problem. There are some difficult bends towards the back that will be... interesting to get. 

 
Check this image for those awkward curves at the rear where the seating is. 

 
 
Following things that are top priority this week are spraying the hull. Followed by preparing the cad file so that I can have some fabric printed for the sails. Check the pattern here. 

Cheers guys. 
 
@micahel: The chemiwood is much denser and slightly less accurate than the foam. The reason is the spindle when cutting tends to vibrate and leave a bad edge - whilst the foam is much softer. The machine is generally accurate to 0.1 of a mm. 
 
It's been easter break so I had some time off. This week I've been back at it working double time to catch up. I have designed and printed the keel along with the dual rudders. Deck has been re-laser cut and finally fits perfectly. I have had the boom 3d printed (first on a FDM plastic printer - the kind that splurges out plastic from a nozzle - and then the final with an SLA printer. It cures liquid resin with a laser) and soon ready to assemble. 
 
Preparing for a quick primer spray. 3D printed keel with a 8mm hole ready for a tapped hardened steel rode go through and into the hull for extra support. I will have the model sitting on it's keel on the base
 

 
 
3D printed boom tester piece just attached with a piece of elastic. Carbon fibre mast has been added and placed. The mast is hollow but I've filled it with a resin to help give it that extra strength. Also means when the boom is attached I can insert steel rods attaching it to the mast. Black vinyl has been laser cut and just placed on the windows. Won't glue them in until the paint job has been done. 
 

 
View from the under side. Twin rudders placed and holes drilled. Reinforced again with metal rods. Start of the rudder is in the works in this image as well. 

 
A side perspective of the yacht. Those hatches are looking spot on finally! I'm enjoying the elegant design of this yacht. I'll be going for the same colour scheme as I've done in the computer renders. You can just seem the in the image below. 

 
How she is looking at the moment. 

 
 
Cheers,
Iain 

I've been working on getting the decking correct using thin lime wood veneer. Having the CAD model means I can laser cut the decking out and it should fit perfectly. However it doesn't always. There are so many lock points with the hatches some of them are out by just under 1mm and it can be quite noticeable. The idea was to have the hatches flush with the deck - like they are in the real thing. I used paper prints to start off to try and scale it closer - and then tried the wood. I'll have to buy some more lime in and give it another go. 
 
In terms of using the Laser cutter we have 3 Trotec machines in the studio. These have just been added and no-one is sure of what settings to use so there was a fair bit of testing to get a perfect engrave and cut. Another problem I have run into early on was because some of the lines had not been joined in the CAD file it meant the laser would hover over a certain point for a millisecond longer leaving a brown dot. Check the images below. 
 
Half a dozen paper samples printed to scale. 

 
Paper samples on the model. Quite a bit of tweaking was needed here and there. 

 
First laser cut tester piece that came out with the dots. These lines on the CAD model have since been joined and solved the problem. 

 
Coming out of the machine

 
Here she is to date with the wooden decking just slotted in. This will be glued in at a later date once I've sprayed the model. 

 

 

 

 
 
 
You can see here the hatches not quite matching up. They are only very slightly out by maybe a mill. 

 
 
/Iain

So I've had a chance to fill and sand the most part of the model. I've done a first coat of primer to check for any missed area. Fair to say there is still plenty more sanding needed. Double sided together at the moment. Next job after sanding is to search for some metal rods which will help brace the keel.