Fantail Launch II by shawn32671 - FINISHED - Midwest Products - SMALL

[pete48]

 Great job Shawn , Looks like it came together pretty fast . ( it usually does when you are having fun)

[shawn32671]

Thanks Pete, I love building boats, I'm glad I got into this hobby. These easier boats are a lot of fun but I'm hoping to dig out my "tall ships" again soon too and challenge myself more. Loving this hobby.

[captainbob]

Looking good, Shawn.  Can't wait to see it in the water.

 

Bob

[shawn32671]

Thanks Bob, Most of the river in my town has frozen over but there are a few open areas and I may try it out once it's finished...I don't have the patience to wait until spring ;-)

[captainbob]

I always did my first test in the bath tub.  I didn't have to go anywhere.

 

Bob

[shawn32671]

Well I got the the water line painted and it sure looks goofy to me from certain angles but it's placed where the plan and the finished model on the box indicates. The next steps are to glue the flags to the bow and stern, install the rudder and then the radio gear. Over all I am very pleased with the model.

 

[bhermann]

Shawn - the trick is to look at it from the side with your eye at the level of the waterline.  If it looks straight from that angle, you've got it made.  Nice progess on this guy - keep up the good work.

 

Bob

[shawn32671]

Thanks Bob, it looks straight and level enough and up to towards the stern where it curves a bit but I'm happy enough with it.

[shawn32671]

Here is the completed Midwest Products "The Fantail Launch II". All that remains is to install the radio control equipment. Thanks to those who followed my build and gave kind or encouraging words and helpful advice along the way.

 

[shawn32671]

I forgot to include pictures with the tiller and rudder control horn installed and ready to add the R/C. Now it looks completed. Adding a link after the pictures to part 5 (Final update) YouTube picture show video of the build.

 

 

 

Final build log picture show video of the Fantail Launch II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9ptZPkz0s4

Edited December 20, 2013 by shawn

[pete48]

Great Job Shawn , Building Boats can be habbit forming , I am addicted as well

[shawn32671]

Thanks Pete, I love this hobby.

[themadchemist]

Nice job Shawn. I never think waterlines look correct unless viewed from one angle. On some hulls they seem to look odd no matter how you look at them. To me it seems that it would come up more on the side in the mid-section... but then I've never done a waterline.

 

It also just occurred to me that it will appear as a ghost is steering as the tiller will move with the rudder, how cool

 

Since my disability, the pool out back has kind went back to nature, so to speak. I've mentioned turning it into a fish pond by stocking it with fish and sinking a few small tree in it. I could sit out back and fish. Anyway, your build has given me another use for it now also. I'd definitely be with you on the not being able to wait until spring side of things. Thanks for sharing this build and don't forget we all want to see her maiden voyage. Video preferable to just pictures so we can see her steam along.

 

Too another completed build

[shawn32671]

Thanks Kieth and I too think the water line should be up higher in the mid section but no matter how careful I tried with my masking tape, I couldn't get the tape to lay right without huge wrinkles. Thinking back, maybe I should have tried some electrical tape to mask with since it would be able to form around complex curves. This was my very first ever attempt at painting a water line and think it came out pretty good considering.

 

I plan to record my maiden voyage with the boat and also record the steam engine running as a stand alone to show it off a bit. Great idea with your pool, if you had lived near by, I'd be joining you by that pool fishing and steam boating. You really need to try building one of these, it has been loads of fun and learned a lot, many first for me with this boat, first time "glassing", first time painting a water line and first time steam anything.

 

Oh and I found a YouTube video of a boat like mine with a couple scale dolls riding along with one at the tiller. I've got to try this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96SZD2O8AsI

Edited December 20, 2013 by shawn

[themadchemist]

Very interesting video.

I like how they made the little guys arm move with the tiller. Plus the scratchy sound of that old ragtime vinyl was perfect background music.

 

Looking at the waterline on that build, it looks to be up on the side further. On masking tape, width is important. using thinner tape or electrical (which would stretch) would help.

[shawn32671]

I'm gong to try using electrical tape for masking when I paint the water line on my Chesapeake Bay Skipjack.

 

Love that song too...Edward Meeker-Steamboat Bill 1911 Edison.

 

Making the dolls arm move in conjunction with the tiller without binding I think would be fairly easy. I'm thinking that if the arm inside the sleeve was to be removed and leave the sleeve empty and free moving and just glue the hand to the end of the sleeve shirt or coat cuff, that'd do the trick. I will surely have to try this myself on mine.

Edited December 20, 2013 by shawn

[Phil Serviss]

Sean, I know this is a longshot because it’s been so long ago that you built the Fantale launch. I bought one off of eBay and it’s missing a few things but the most important thing is the full size plans so I can get the stuff for tube and the rotor tube in the right places and I have no idea right now how to do that. By chance do you happen to have the plans still after all these years? 
Phil Serviss