"Genie" was a classic Marblehead 50" long. Designed by Vic Smeed, she had a hard chine hull construction.
This was my first "home brew" model yacht and I ended up building 4 of these in total - so pleased I took some picies.
Hi Phil, brings back a few memories. The guy who started producing glass Marbleheads in Auckland in the 70s (Fred Martin) lived just round the corner from me at Bucklands Beach. He was probably partly responsible for the large interest in the class in the early days. They weren't cheap even back then, but it's gone really stupid with the newer IOM boats being as much a $5000 these days. I know what I'd rather spend that sort of money on - a full sized yacht, Just ridiculous!!
It's become a rich couch yachties game. I see them where I run my boats, all turning up in their Land Cruisers, Mercs and BMWs, and most live in exclusive areas. Definitely not a kids hobby any more!
JB
Purchased original Rojair Mickey Finn from Ashton Models 35 years ago - hull suffered damaged so made a F/G mould before repairing and sailing. Made spare hull from mould and there she sat for 35-40 years. Original Mickey was sold many years ago but as retirement approached the burning desire to fulfill old challenges re-emerged.
So , after putting out calls for help, diagrams, photos or information on the model boat forums, thanks to "John Dowd" and a couple of other guys, I finally got round to resurrecting this fantastic little yacht.
Finally, had a decent day (if you can call calm but fully overcast decent) and managed a try-out of the ST. Unfortunately had the pleasure of some yappy kid asking a thousand stupid questions, then his grandfather started, while I was trying to set it up. Got so distracted I ended up breaking the mast while trying to grab the boat and answer rapid fire questions. Trying to do a video and the kid's yelling behind me, and the grandfather just let him carry on.??😠 Don't mind kids being interested at all, but some are just a pain in the 'transom'
Anyhow, enough grumpy old man stuff, -boat went pretty much perfectly and is plenty fast enough, and also very economical on the batteries, (Vid was twice as long before editing) and when I stopped they were still at 3.9v/ cell (they are only 2200MAh 2s ) and were only 4.1 at the start. All in all, distractions and a bit of mast damage aside, I'm quite happy with it, (did hit the jetty at a 20deg angle at 2/3 throttle while taking photos, - going for that last shot -😀 bounced off without a mark, - lucky the jetty piles are slimy and I build tanks !)
I get easily confused in my old age Doug😐 I've got 2 cars, an auto and a manual, - I've noticed lately, when I shift to P for pass there are funny noises, (noticed the same when shifting to R for race) and in the manual, why does it make funny noises when I pull the stick back to drive off?😮
Confused😐
Changed the piping around and modified the outer tube so the smoke tube now comes straight in the back, and goes almost to the end of the outer tube. The water now comes into the outer tube and flows round the smoke tube and out, stopping any suck back to the smoke pump.
Re Get the Patent first JB,👍
But how will I stop certain 'reverse engineering experts' 😉 copying it Doug. Perhaps call it a vape machine to put them off the scent😀? 'Thinks' blast! I've already told them how I did it. Never mind, now we'll soon be able to buy one off Ali Express. Once had an idea for a pen with a triangular letter opener on the top end. Years later I went to a pop-up Chinese nic nac sale in a rented warehouse, and guess what was there??!!!☹️ They are obviously employing psychics to walk around jotting down peoples' ideas😮
I also still have 5th form (1968) sketches I did for a hybrid go-kart using a Briggs and Stratton motor driving 2 alternators charging twin 12v batteries driving electric motors on the back wheels with chain reduction drives, WHO KNEW???
JB (the too late inventor)
Finally managed to get water and smoke coming out an exhaust suitable for a model. Basic test but it works. Bit hard to see in the vid, but doing it over the sink is not ideal. Needs a few mods but I know how to do it now without the smoke pump sucking the water back. Next is a fan powered forced air system to do away with the noisy and pulsing pump. Using a Heng Long smoker pump on 8v. Might cut the water down to get more smoke, as the smoker does't like back pressure of any sort.
The search continues😀
More smoke and less water and you've cracked it!
How you will manage to get the water to just spit out in bits/pulses will be the biggest challenge I think.
As you said you can blow more smoke in.
Finally managed to get this to come out the right way up on You Tube (didn't like MP4,- came out upside down). Running the 2 boats from an HK 6ch 2.4 radio (slight crash and jostling by the Maiami at the start) . You'll get sick of it in a few minutes and fall asleep but I've put it up anyhow😁 If this doesn't make you seasick, nothing will!😊 Hit a Koi carp (Chinese sub) at 3.01!
"Koi carp (Chinese sub)"
Er ... that's the JDF, Japanese Defence Force sub JB.
Didn't get seasick, but it did 'make me eyes go funny' 🤓
This can never work for more than a minute or two cos you'd need to have absolutely identical performance of ESCs, motors and rudders (perhaps also hull forms) in both boats.
I tried it once with my destroyer and Sea Scout - no chance!
Had more luck 'escorting' a same scale (1/72) Flower Class corvette around the lake in the Olympia Park, Munich ca 3 decades ago 😉
😎
This vid is cut down from around 20 mins Doug. Each boat is totally independent of the other as one is on the left stick using one RX (elevator and rudder channels) and the other on the right stick using a second RX (throttle and aileron channels)
I think everyone has the idea that they are on the same stick? The eyes do go a bit wonky as the camera is only a small keychain camera (pre Go Pro days) which we used to mount on planes etc, and the boat movements are quick.
You can always change the playback speed (on the left of the You Tube logo)
JB PS I'm sure I saw a red star on that carp!
Running 2 models at once with 2 TXs for a bit of fun for a video. No one else to steer so it was just me, (not particularly coordinated though!) Sorry about the video, YT seems to stuff some of them up even though they are the correct format, (sound almost disappears as well)
Re - Well what do you expect livin' on yer 'eads
Probably something to do with the space time continuum Doug, did you know the water runs the other way down the plughole down South (or up South if you want to be contrary) Mind you, the blood running to the top of the head makes us think differently (same with the Aussies, although they think slightly more left than us😊
JB
Re - It was just a loose idea, maybe a bit of copper tube
I think I am just going to run out of room after checking dimensions Martin. It would have to go under the rear cockpit floor and I just have too much in there already, (2 battery packs and all the tubing)so I might flag it for now, and if I get a brainwave later I might re visit the idea.
I agree with what Doug said about trying to get things working in such a small scale. There will be a way, just haven't found it yet. Custom made may be the only answer. If the boat had a full cabin it would not be an issue, but the low cockpit floor layout limits you a bit.
JB
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It's become a rich couch yachties game. I see them where I run my boats, all turning up in their Land Cruisers, Mercs and BMWs, and most live in exclusive areas. Definitely not a kids hobby any more!
JB