Veleta is a design by the famous (at least in modelling circles) Vic Smeed. The design is described as a simple all balsa motor yacht and was presented in Model Maker, of which Vic Smeed was editor, sometime in the early sixties. The plan gives a length of 24'' by 6 1/4'' but I prefer to build larger models. Having successfully enlarged Mr Smeed's Silver Mist plan, I wondered if this design would be suitable for enlargement too. I spent a considerable time poring over the plan and finally decided to go ahead. I stayed with the construction method described on the plan which consisted of a sheet balsa bottom planks, solid bow and stern blocks and single sheet hull sides. I think it's a great testament to the abilities of Vic Smeed that the design still has a good deal of elegance about it. My only doubt is the rather simple stern but I think, once in her element, Veleta will look lovely.
The boat represents a motor yacht from the 50's or 60's and I have enlarged her to a hull length of 36''. I am guessing this to give a scale of around 1:24. The displacement will be around 12lb.
For the first time, as the boat was built mainly of balsa and lit-ply, I skinned the hull with nylon stocking and a product called Poly-C, which is designed to skin aircraft wings. It is a water based acrylic resin which is much easier and pleasant to use than epoxy. The coats can be applied quickly as it dries sufficiently within 20 minutes and, of course, clean up is quick and easy too.
The deck is planked with basswood strips and black card caulking. Waterways and kingplanks are mahogany. The deck finish is a yacht varnich called Le Tonkinoise- nice and glossy, as I am not building a superscale model here - and I like it!
Again the drive is via brass turned pulleys and an O ring to give a superbly quiet boat. I also dampen my motor mounts, this time with a product designed for sitting stereo equipment on. I hate noisy boats!
At present (March 2014) the boat is not finished, but I am hopeful that she will be on the water for the 2014 season. The photo sequence shows the order of building so far and more will be added shortly.
As an update to this page, Veleta had her maiden voyage on 13.5.14. I was pleased with her performance despite the rather windy and choppy conditions. She tends to roll and yaw in a seaway, but I think that's fairly prototypical for motor yachts. I might consider replacing the motor with something a little more tame. She has a fairly poky 700 purchased from Mobile Marine Models and could do with a low drain 700. Having said that, the motor barely got warm after a half hour trial. The motor is still a bit noisier than I like, but out on the water she seems fairly quiet- but not silent! She had three drops of water on the deck and was bone dry inside.
There were quite a few things I wouldn't do again after building this model such as;
1. I would revert to the use of epoxy for hull finish. The water based resin I used here was great- easy to apply, finish an clean up but still prone to dents when handling the model.
2. I have yet to find a really good chrome paint- I used Plasti Kote spray on the window frames and they look great but again, not very durable
3. Up until now I have used Humbrol Gloss Cote to laquer polished metal work but it is a swine to stir after sitting on the shelf for a few months- perhaps I need a battery stirrer! I am going to try a Rustin's product.
4. Seeing her on the water, I'm not totally convinced that the enlargement came off but I really enjoyed building Veleta and I love looking at her- can't ask more than that, can you.
The boat represents a motor yacht from the 50's or 60's and I have enlarged her to a hull length of 36''. I am guessing this to give a scale of around 1:24. The displacement will be around 12lb.
For the first time, as the boat was built mainly of balsa and lit-ply, I skinned the hull with nylon stocking and a product called Poly-C, which is designed to skin aircraft wings. It is a water based acrylic resin which is much easier and pleasant to use than epoxy. The coats can be applied quickly as it dries sufficiently within 20 minutes and, of course, clean up is quick and easy too.
The deck is planked with basswood strips and black card caulking. Waterways and kingplanks are mahogany. The deck finish is a yacht varnich called Le Tonkinoise- nice and glossy, as I am not building a superscale model here - and I like it!
Again the drive is via brass turned pulleys and an O ring to give a superbly quiet boat. I also dampen my motor mounts, this time with a product designed for sitting stereo equipment on. I hate noisy boats!
At present (March 2014) the boat is not finished, but I am hopeful that she will be on the water for the 2014 season. The photo sequence shows the order of building so far and more will be added shortly.
As an update to this page, Veleta had her maiden voyage on 13.5.14. I was pleased with her performance despite the rather windy and choppy conditions. She tends to roll and yaw in a seaway, but I think that's fairly prototypical for motor yachts. I might consider replacing the motor with something a little more tame. She has a fairly poky 700 purchased from Mobile Marine Models and could do with a low drain 700. Having said that, the motor barely got warm after a half hour trial. The motor is still a bit noisier than I like, but out on the water she seems fairly quiet- but not silent! She had three drops of water on the deck and was bone dry inside.
There were quite a few things I wouldn't do again after building this model such as;
1. I would revert to the use of epoxy for hull finish. The water based resin I used here was great- easy to apply, finish an clean up but still prone to dents when handling the model.
2. I have yet to find a really good chrome paint- I used Plasti Kote spray on the window frames and they look great but again, not very durable
3. Up until now I have used Humbrol Gloss Cote to laquer polished metal work but it is a swine to stir after sitting on the shelf for a few months- perhaps I need a battery stirrer! I am going to try a Rustin's product.
4. Seeing her on the water, I'm not totally convinced that the enlargement came off but I really enjoyed building Veleta and I love looking at her- can't ask more than that, can you.