TWILIGHT 2007-2009 by MAGIC's Craig - Scale 1:16 - RADIO - Pacific Northwest cruising powerboat

[MAGIC's Craig]

1 hour ago, Keith Black said:

 What a drop dead gorgeous model, makes me wish I owned the real thing! What a cleaver way to hide the batteries, Craig. The model looks so real, it looks like one could step aboard and cast off for distant shores. 

Ah ha! I must be doing something right, then! These are dream ships in their own ways. 

The late Bill Garden in his senior years, would carve 4 identical half hulls, complete with cockpits and cabin shapes. He would then send 3 of them off to some of his far-away close friends and  on some cold, wet winter night, the 4 of these geezers would hook up on a group-call to share their impressions of how those craft would sound...and sail or motor... and then come to an anchor in a sheltered cove while the winds overhead rattled the branches in nearby trees. They would hoist a tot to each other and their long friendships. If one's time at sea has passed, this is a fine way to still dream yourself aboard.

 

Thank you for your compliments and the tips, Keith.

[Keith Black]

34 minutes ago, MAGIC's Craig said:

If one's time at sea has passed, this is a fine way to still dream yourself aboard.

 I raise a glass. 

[Jimbo1963]

New member here. Craig, this is just an astonishing example of not just fine model making but gorgeous naval architecture as well. And in my opinion, the pivot of the century! A shame that the real craft could not come to fruition but this is certainly the next best thing! I stand in awe of your work, and thank you so much for sharing. I look forward to seeing Twilight’s next phase, and a running video soon! 
 

James

[MAGIC's Craig]

Welcome aboard, James!

 

Thank you for the compliments and I am (of course) delighted that TWILIGHT has appealed to your eyes as a worthwhile model to build.  As you may have noted by the dates of the postings, I tend to update the build log on a more or less monthly basis, but please feel free to drop by anytime.

 

Craig

[Jim Lad]

Catching up after being away for a few weeks, Craig. She continues to impress!

 

John

[MAGIC's Craig]

Thank you, John for the support.  I am beginning to see the lighthouse through the fog...

[FriedClams]

Catching up, Craig!  And what a treat - more beautiful and skillfully executed work to admire.  Wonderful build all around, every bit.

 

Gary

[MAGIC's Craig]

On 9/20/2025 at 7:24 AM, FriedClams said:

Catching up, Craig!  And what a treat - more beautiful and skillfully executed work to admire.  Wonderful build all around, every bit.

 

Gary

Thank you, Gary. Those are kind words from a craftsman, indeed.

[MAGIC's Craig]

October, 2025 update:

The process of tidying up the wiring of the R/C system proceeded with the modification of a pre-made plastic "project box" to serve as a junction box and as the above-deck location of 3 switches and the receiver. The box was mounted atop the pilothouse directly above the vertical wiring trunk in the cabin. A cover was later built to shroud the switches from the elements.

The rigging for the mast and booms required a number of blocks. These were fashioned from a length of 5/16" x 5/16" mahogany and bits of s/s seizing wire were used for bails and beckets.

A scale Northill-style non-folding anchor was built up from 1/16" birch ply, with mahogany flukes and a bamboo dowel cross arm. Primer grey imparted the look of a galvanized finish and it was hooked to the anchor chain off the bow.

The tender was up next. While we are not normally fans of "rubber-ducky" inflatables, past experience in Northern BC waters had shown that it made some sense for a powerboat.  So an online search turned up suitable scaled drawings of a hard-bottom version.  The "tubes" were cut from 7/8" diameter dowel stock, the bulkheads were cut from 1/8" th. ply and (after patterning the required pieces from card) the bottom was glued together from pieces if 1/16" ply. The thwarts were cut from AYC planking stock.  Once painted, a cradle was constructed to secure the tender atop the main cabin roof and it was lashed down.

Once the blocks were completed, rigging was made up for the mast and booms and a couple of small bits of hardware added to control the boat boom hoist pennants. Simulated electric winches were mounted on the mast and boom.

I am going to break this update into 2 sections at this point to keep the size reasonable.  More to follow.

 

Craig

Edited October 14 by MAGIC's Craig
corrected a dimension

[MAGIC's Craig]

At this point, the topsides was substantially complete, so TWILIGHT was once again toted over to the friends' pool in order to take accurate measurements of her actual loaded waterline location.  When I had first floated the model without the top hamper, she weighed 18.5 lbs.  For the second (more complete) floatation test, she was again weighed and the scale settled at 23.4 lbs.  The latest test demonstrated that the WL should be painted 1/2" above the initial DWL.

The laser level was again utilized to connect the measured points at the bow and stern and a fresh upper line was marked.  Masking tape and film were used to shield the topsides from overspray, the hull was sanded and wiped down prior to giving the bottom a fresh coat of bottom paint.

The re-painting of the bottom highlighted the fact that the topsides of the hull also needed some attention to remove scratches, fingerprints and varnish/epoxy drips. Lots of additional taping and sanding were required in preparation. Once this portion had been painted, Vicky's steadier hands were again brought into play to paint the trim color on the cabin top beadings.  And to complete the saga of taping, I masked around the portions of the topsides where a fresh set of TWILIGHT's name decals were to be applied over gold painted "badges".  The application of the decals followed and when they were dry, a couple of light coats of clear flat acrylic were sprayed on to help seal them from the water.

Finally, the layers of the cocoons were stripped away.

To finish up mounting R/C switches, I built a small double-sided cabinet to fit between between the pilothouse and the main cabin. The forward face into the pilot house contains a wet foulie locker while the aft face of the cabinet incorporated bookshelves and that final switch, which controls the running lights, occupies a corner of the top.

One evening, the interior lighting and the running lights were tested. (My camera had difficulties focussing with this level of light - my apologies!)

Just imagine that it is the view looking aft on a slightly foggy night  😉 .

Scale crew members arrived to be experimented with for placement locations.

And to finish this update, here is a photo, taken a couple of days ago, with TWILIGHT posed in front of the initial Profile drawing of some years back.

We are awaiting a calm break in the weather to put the model in the salt chuck for some sea trials. Assuming all goes well, she will then return to the boat shop to permit the fitting of the main cabin joinery.

 

Thanks again for your welcome support,

 

Cheers,  Craig

 

Edited Tuesday at 07:50 PM by MAGIC's Craig
spelling correction

[Keith Black]

 Twilight looks incredible, everything looks fantastic! Beautiful detail work, Craig. Twilight is a peach of a build. 👍

 

 

Edited Tuesday at 06:21 AM by Keith Black

[MAGIC's Craig]

6 minutes ago, Keith Black said:

 Fantastic detail work, Craig. Twilight keeps getting better and better. 👍

As always, thank you for your kind words, Keith.

 

I am beginning to let my mind wonder about "what craft will be next?"

[Paul Le Wol]

Most beautiful Craig! Even the project box looks great!

[Jim Lad]

I can only agree. Beautiful, Craig.

 

John

[MAGIC's Craig]

Thank you, Paul.  I' m grateful for your support.

 

[MAGIC's Craig]

2 hours ago, Jim Lad said:

I can only agree. Beautiful, Craig.

 

John

Thank you very much, John. I am somewhat surprised at how well she seems to be coming out and I am pleased that the reception TWILIGHT receives. 

 

Here is another image I forgot to include.