Riva Aquarama by aydingocer - FINISHED - Amati - RADIO - A new challenge for a so-far static ship builder

[EJ_L]

That nail set should work just fine for setting those nails. It's what I would recommend using.

 

Dashboard looks incredible! All those switches, knobs and levers look like you could drop right down inside her, fire her up and go for a ride! Windshield came out great and nice touch with the black rubber wiper blades. A very successful build day!

[Robin Lous]

Great!

 

There is this round frame in front, at the back of the windshield ( I don't know what it is called or what the purpose is):

 

 

It's a tray for sunglasses and other small things. 

 

The dashboard looks fantastic...and the compass...wow!

 

Robin

[aydingocer]

Great!

 

 

It's a tray for sunglasses and other small things. 

 

The dashboard looks fantastic...and the compass...wow!

 

Robin

 

Oh, I learned something today

[aydingocer]

Build day 47. Almost there...

 

Nowadays due to busy work schedule the weekends are the only days I can only spare time for my Aquarama. 

 

Excitement builds up as the end comes closer.

 

First thing today, the steering wheel in place:

 

 

Then, the trays at the back of the front seats:

 

1. Detach the mahogany frames:

 

 

2. Sand away the laser cut burns (in the photo you see both cleaned and uncleaned):

 

 

3. Stain the frames:

 

 

 

4. Detach the photo etched grills and glue them to the frames:

 

 

5. Trays in place (so are the front seats):

 

Edited November 12, 2016 by aydingocer

[aydingocer]

Aquarama logo on the dashboard as well as Riva logo on the sides of the hull:

 

 

 

 

[aydingocer]

If you have checked my earlier posts, I had installed the exhaust pipe frames without nails due to a mistake I made in the order of installation, i.e. I had glued the exhaust pipe before installing the frame, making it hard to hammer the nails. Now I have the necessary tool  and it is time to hammer those nails:

 

Edited November 12, 2016 by aydingocer

[aydingocer]

Headlight frames. The lightbulb sockets in the photo will not be used as I have installed real LEDs.

 

 

Glued acetate:

 

 

Headlight frames glued and nailed in place:

 

Edited November 12, 2016 by aydingocer

[aydingocer]

Side frames (those which will go along the edge of the deck. Apparently in the earlier versions of the kit they were supplied in metal, while in the new version which I have they are in plastic. I assume it will make it easier to install and with a good paint job they will look like metal:

 

 

Sprayed with glossy chrome paint. Waiting to dry:

 

Edited November 12, 2016 by aydingocer

[aydingocer]

While the paint is drying, I wanted to build the base of my Aquarama. This is also by Amati, ordered from snmodels.com:

 

 

 

 

Pieces glued, waiting to dry (about 24 hours):

 

Edited November 12, 2016 by aydingocer

[aydingocer]

End of Build day 47.

3 hours today.

139 hours into build in total.

 

Well, this is the result of today. I will install the side lines tomorrow, once the paint has dried. Not much work left really. After this, it will be installing the radio control units.

 

Here are some photos for your enjoyment. Thanks for watching.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[usedtosail]

Beautiful job on this boat. That shot of the dashboard looks like the real thing.

[EJ_L]

Goregeous boat! Well done indeed. Looking forward to seeing her maiden voyage!

Edited November 13, 2016 by EJ_L

[Nirvana]

Aydin,
You have done a fantastic job!
Now time for maiden voyage and we need a video as well.

Edited November 13, 2016 by Nirvana

[aydingocer]

Build day 48. Finishing the looks.

1 hour today.

140 hours into build in total.

 

Thanks a lot for the good wishes and appraisals!

 

I can't wait for the maiden voyage either but it may unfortunately have to wait until better weather conditions. Right now it is well below freezing point, which is not the most convenient weather for it  . I hope, though, to be able to perform some floating and balance etc tests, in a bathtub or similar.

 

Today I installed the side metal bars and only the the radio control connections are remaining. I will probably have time to do them next weekend. Other than that, my Riva is ready, at least by the looks!

 

I will continue posting as long as there is anything worth sharing with other parts like radio setup and floating tests, but until then thanks for watching and have a good time! Here are some final photos for enjoyment! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 13, 2016 by aydingocer

[cog]

Those details make her even better. Nicely done, Aydin

[aydingocer]

When headlights are switched on:

 

Edited November 13, 2016 by aydingocer

[mtaylor]

Beautiful work, Aydin.   I'm looking forward to seeing her on the water like everyone else.  

[Robin Lous]

Almost a pitty to see this come to an end....I enjoyed watching this come together.

 

Beautiful!

 

One minor issue I noticed...the blue waterline tape. I see gaps and I'm afraid it won't stay on when she goes for a swim. 

Maybe seal the strip with varnish?

[aydingocer]

Almost a pitty to see this come to an end....I enjoyed watching this come together.

 

Beautiful!

 

One minor issue I noticed...the blue waterline tape. I see gaps and I'm afraid it won't stay on when she goes for a swim. 

Maybe seal the strip with varnish?

 

 

 

Yes, you saw right. The blue tape has a gap at a couple of spots. I plan to glue those gaps and coat the entire tape with a thin layer of z-poxy.

Edited November 14, 2016 by aydingocer

[AndrewNaylor]

A Great Job It has brought back many Happy Memories of the Summer of 88 in Mediterranean driving around from Saint Tropez to Antibes and many other places I hope you have as much fun driving yours as I did driving the real thing The one I drove was called "Banana's" The Owner was as mad as a troupe of Monkeys  

Andy

[Danilous1919]

Hi aydingocer, please Danilo, I'm starting to create a 1:10 Riva aquarama model, self-built.  I saved all your photos, it's really a lot of compliments, spectacular.  I have some construction plans for the Riva, I have saved almost all of your photos, but I wanted to ask you if you could send me by mail, drive, whatsapp or a scan of the assembly instructions or photos of the booklet.  If I succeeded also with the construction plan I would be really happy.  Thank you and many compliments again.  My contact details are: pisapiadanilo@gmail.com +393281516764

[DPTrainer]

Hi Aydin,

I'm currently building this model and your build blog is very helpful as this is my first model using planking! I am just about to start the planking but I have had great difficulty fitting the rudders and motor assemblies even with no sides and decking on the boat!

I noticed from the photos that you have fitted the propeller shafts at the start of planking but you don't appear to have fitted the rudder assemblies, rudder servo and linkages. I'm concerned that I will not be able to fit the rudder mechanisms if the boat is planked. I found my hands were accessing these components through the side of the boat. Also the control horns fit freely on the rudder shaft so I presume you will need an extra nut in order to secure the control horn onto the rudder. At what point did you fit the rudders and r/c linkages please. Also I had to remove the motors from the gear box to get them into the hull. Was this your experience as well? Any tips will be greatly received. Thanking you for your anticipated help. Cheers Duncan Platt (DPTrainer)

[aydingocer]

19 hours ago, DPTrainer said:

Hi Aydin,

I'm currently building this model and your build blog is very helpful as this is my first model using planking! I am just about to start the planking but I have had great difficulty fitting the rudders and motor assemblies even with no sides and decking on the boat!

I noticed from the photos that you have fitted the propeller shafts at the start of planking but you don't appear to have fitted the rudder assemblies, rudder servo and linkages. I'm concerned that I will not be able to fit the rudder mechanisms if the boat is planked. I found my hands were accessing these components through the side of the boat. Also the control horns fit freely on the rudder shaft so I presume you will need an extra nut in order to secure the control horn onto the rudder. At what point did you fit the rudders and r/c linkages please. Also I had to remove the motors from the gear box to get them into the hull. Was this your experience as well? Any tips will be greatly received. Thanking you for your anticipated help. Cheers Duncan Platt (DPTrainer)

 

Hi Duncan,

Well well, so many years have passed since then and I can't really remember.

I have glanced through my build log and all I can say is that I guess I followed the order instruction manual. If I remember correct the instructions are branching for radio control option to explain what to do.

If you think some things are easier to install before the planking, then just go ahead.  You may just want to cover your electronic stuff with a masking tape or something like that against dust, dirt and glue drops during planking.

Best,

Aydin

[DuncanP]

Hi,

I've started building the Amati Riva Aquarama model and found your build log very useful. I'm at the stage when I'm ready to start planking having temporarily fixed and now removed ( as shown in the instruction) the servo rudders and rudder linkages. I found fitting these extremely difficult and was accessing them through the model - which will eventually be planked and decked. The instructions imply that these components should be fitted on completion of the model. I'm not sure how I'm going to do this with the limited access that will be available once the model is completed. How did you manage to do this task? Also like yourself  I'm thinking of fitting the prop shafts and gear box before starting planking. Did you find any problems with doing it this way? This is my first planked hull model that I have built so any help and guidance will be gratefully received. Thanks again for creating such a good build log.

Cheers

Duncan

[Hashir]

Hi.

Allow me to say I've been eyeing the Riva Aquarama since 2 years and I intend to "scratch-build" the same in the future. As NEAR as possible.

But currently I'm wholly inexperienced.

Currently ripping woods to gain experience.