I purchased this kit 30 years ago. I finally finished it 8 years ago as a static model. Recently, I decided to convert it to a remote control model. We displayed it for a few years but when we moved and downsized, it had to go to storage. Overall it survived but the hull had some damage. Also, since I didn't build it with the intent of ever putting it into the water, I had to patch, seal, rethink, etc.

built this one a few years ago. she is fitted with an aux motor only used when we were becalmed. bilge pump auto ops a couple of times in really high wind and foolishly left the topsail up. drop bulb keel installed. flyin jib loosely tethered to jib boom. she is about 30ins and the schooner rig fits quite nicely into the back of my outlander without demasting. she is lovely to sail

this was how she was first built. as a lobster smack with wet wells to bring the catch back alive. she is 40ins single mast single jib massive amount of sail area. short heavy pond keel.aux motor fitted and auto bilge pump fitted. hates a breeze above 5 knots. when the main is out about half, she suddenly becomes lee helmed. will rectify this in the near future.
had a complete electrical at the pond, rescued by our rescue barge. difficult to keep on course, no wonder they went to schooner rig

Rudder in place and functioning.

Lines and shrouds - check. Winch, rudder servo, ballast -- check, check, and check. Ready for her maiden voyage as soon as a last minute repair on the hatches dries.

Decided to sail her maiden voyage in a more controlled environment -- our condo pool. Rudder worked fine. Lines for sails got fouled up in the winch quickly. Wind was very light. A lot of sideways movement so I will have to increase the keel. I expected that but was hoping that it would be okay for pleasure cruising but there is clearly not enough underwater resistance to gain much control. With the lines fouled, a sudden 30 foot wave took her over and she turtled. BUT she didn't sink and she was a beauty while it lasted. Funny thing is my maiden cruise in my 14' Cyclone ended with capsizing for a similar reason. Only difference is it had been awhile since I had sailed and I forgot to let off the throttle when the wind picked up and a 100' wave took me over. Recovery with my Emma was much less challenging than with my Cyclone. 😀😉⛵️

I took my Emma out for a second "real" water voyage, tethered of course. Overall I am pleased with my progress. I need a more powerful servo to manage the sails and my rudder mechanism needs to be reworked so that it doesn't bind-up short when tacking starboard.

I've been trying different configurations for controlling the sails. Finally settled on the winch circular method and managed to get it installed and calibrated. My tether broke the other day. Fortunately, a kayaker came along and graciously retrieved her for me. So I decided it was time to go ahead and add a motor. The drag of the tether was affecting my ability to get control of her. After a few failed attempts, I was able to come up with a configuration that works. Probably way overpowered but I had a spare motor from a defunk helicopter sitting around. AND finally, the beauty of her markings are back. I found a source for new labels (much easier to apply than the original ones that were water based).