Toy boats for old blokes!

[Kiwi Phil]

I got interested in Wee Nips (Strathclyde 70) RC Yachts. You got plans, ply, glue, resin, tools etc etc and build one. It was beyond me so I got someone to do it for me, and a lot of men are like me. Hence I came up with idea of rotomoulding them in plastic, so you bought a one-part hull, with everything vulcanised in so you would be up-and-running in an hour.

These are the plywood ones at our group

They are not the fastest RC Yacht, but they sail exceptionally well.

I understand:
In Scotland a teacher split his class in groups to design, construct and sail (race) a RC Yacht. They invited a Naval Architect, Graham Bantock, to judge. The story goes, many sunk or failed to finish, so he went off and designed this yacht, meeting several criteria - build by kids - cost - sail well etc etc. I understand there is a large competition in Scotland, where schools split classes into groups and this is their task - winners go forward to compete with other schools, and winners go forward to district competition etc. That's what I understand.
The difference between these and the other RC yachts mass marketed is, others are copies of sucessfull ocean racers - scaled down - and none sail well as you can't scale down conditions. The Wee Nip was specifically designed for its use, and sails beautifully.

I went for the rotomoulding process - put shot (fine plastic beads) into the tool, and rotate in an oven - just like making a water tank.
I had tooling made and produced these prototypes

The yellow and white ones we built-up, each with components made of different materials, and both sailed sucessfully.

Keep watching.
Next post coming, so please don't post a reply just yet.

Cheers
Phillip

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Toy boats for old blokes!

Here are the yellow and white ((painted top orange to test adherence).

The construction of both boats is very different in components used. Yellow got all alloy parts bolted and rivets, white/orange all plywood glued.

Here is the orange/white one.

I opted for the alloy plate components in the yellow boat.
Probably sounds stupid, but when I use to watch Tim the Toolman I was impressed by his rrrrrrr-------rrrrrrrrrr--------rrrrrrrr noise when he saw something he liked made out of wood, or shiny steel, or 'good' tools.
I also noted his wifes reaction to him.

My conclusion - blokes like blokey-looking things, and i reckon alloy parts are the go - a real selling point.
I drilled plenty of holes in them to increase the blokey-feel. Anyway....

Both boats sailed really well.

I dismantled the yellow one and transfered parts to one made out of a different material, shiny surface, very quick.

All alloy parts were hand made, and given to an engineer to run off 100 of each part.
They look good.
Have considered powder coating, annodising, black nickel etc, but feel the alloy look the best for the moment.

Had tooling re-designed so the keel plate is counter-sunk into the plastic, nuts vulcanised into plastic, so assembly is 60 secs at most.
Also vulcanised in a tube for mast, tube for lifting hook, which increased structual integrity of the hull and should alloy me to come down from 800grams to hopefully 550grams.

The boat must be a plug-and-play. You take it out of the box, and 60 mins later it is assembled. You break it down for transport (car boot) in 20 sec and re-assemble the same.
The boat must be good enough to live 'on the bar' or in a blokes 'den'.

Artwork is critical, critical critical.
That's why I am trying to find CNSpots.
I need someone I trust to guide me. Many models are picture perfect for pansy blokes.
These have to be like customised hot rods.
They have to mean something important to the owner.
That means the decals have to be good, and the artwork on the sail 'different'

I have some big issues to address, and i will put them up here later in the hope of some constructive criticism.

I will be back.

Cheers
Phillip

PS. Not to shabby for a dumb-..... herb grower eh?

 

[JB]

Re: Toy boats for old blokes!

Looks like great fun, Phil.

Reminds me of the boats that my Dad and I made and sailed on park ponds back in the 40s. For me, the greater part of the fun was in translating drawings in Yachting magazine to plans and then building the boat from scratch.

 

[angus63]

Re: Toy boats for old blokes!

Outstanding Phil! Years back I made alot of parts for my buddy's two masted hobby racer from 5000 series aluminum, wire brushed and burnished, that gave him the bling look he wanted and held up well in our saltwater pond. He was always tinkering with new ideas for me to try to mimic on a milling machine or lathe.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Toy boats for old blokes!

Very cool! I might have to give it a try!

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: Toy boats for old blokes!

Will you trade one for a t-shirt?

 

[aspeck]

Re: Toy boats for old blokes!

Way cool!

 

[Triton II]

Re: Toy boats for old blokes!

Wow Phil - you're full of hidden talents! Love the RACQ ad punchline!

TII

 

[12vMan]

Re: Toy boats for old blokes!

Great job! Reminded me of all the time spent on RC gliders I used to do

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Toy boats for old blokes!

JB.
You are right. There are a lot of people who enjoy that part of this hobby.

T2T
I still have the T-shirt.
Remember the Lures? of course - well brother has experienced a major problem with his factory re the earthquakes.
Do you want to see some pictures of it?
Boomyal got some lures too.

Triton II
The secret I believe is the 'punch line' (artwork I call it). I want the buyer to think, "that's going straight to the pool room" (The Castle film).

Anyone here in:
rotational moulding
resin casting
vacum forming
re-selling melanine or Mylar 50 micron
decals

Anyone in contact with CNSpots from Memphis?
I sent him a note to his e-mail (I have) and a PM, but no responce.
I think he has art-design skills I need, hence work for him - if I can contact him.

Cheers
Phillip

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: Toy boats for old blokes!

Phillip: At one time you stated to me that you were going to frame the T-shirt so your brother could hang it in his shop. Do I remember the lures? Good gosh yes I do. I hate to admit that they are too pretty for me to even use. I did use one of them in the Ohio River one time and caught some striped bass with it.

I keep the lures on display and relate the story of their origin to my guests that inquire about them.

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Toy boats for old blokes!

I have started another thread on what has happened down here with the Lure factory, called

"Brothers Fishing Lure Lure factory after the earthquakes"

Cheers
Phillip

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Toy boats for old blokes!

Mentioned last time I had issues, which developed in to a disaster.
The Rotomoulder ripped me, (customer), off.
He was always broke, so paid him in advance .
Everything (tooling and re-adjustments) took a long time, and he always made an error. He always blamed the 'engineer', but I now believe it was him just not doing anything.
Then he asked, no, begged and begged, all but in tears, to borrow $1,100 to pay the Courier Co. who were threatening receivership. Wife and I hesitated, but as he had our $4k tooling, we felt we were a little vulnerable, but sorry for him too.
Gave him the money, which was to be repaid 'on Friday when a cheque cleared'.
Guess what? He refuses to pay, so I go around, and I get all the lies about how he is going to pay soon.
I see my tooling sitting in the corner so picked it up.
He got really angry so I left.
My current predicament - do I peruse him for the debt ($3k total) thru to receivership? I am unsure.

You have to be very careful in business.
I go to another Rotomoulder who asks who made the tooling and prototypes, so I told him. He says he will think over my job and to drop back in 3 days.
Then asks me again about my tooling etc.
I go back a week later and he says he was about to contract my first Rotomoulder to do work, saving him hiring another 2 people, then I turn up with my story. He cancels out. Says the job was worth $20k month gross with probably $4-5k net month.

Now for me.
I need someone with a Carousel Oven and all have rock-and-roll open flame, (not suitable).
The Kayak maker has taken me under his wing with advise etc.

I have bought a near new (used) fully auto, high tech, Carousel Oven specifically designed for small tooling - which has made it very hard to sell actually, but fits my needs perfectly.
Seller paid $20k to have it built, completed the contract it was needed for, and I paid $9k.
Probably need $2k for incidentals re installation etc.

Now I have the problem - do I install it in this other Rotomoulders factory, and we share the use, I get supervised instruction and help, and no rent, or do I bring it home here?
I have the space, the 3 phase power etc, but no skills. I am really scratching my nuts over this one.
But, it is a case of 'once bitten, twice shy', so I am a bit stuck on what to do.

Some here are going to question the business model. Here are the basics. If the total outlay is $15k and I make a bare, bare, min of $200 net week, then I am running at around 70% yr return on investment, and in retirement that would be better than anything else I can think of, and it keeps the old Sheila happy (I am out of her hair either making toys yachts or on iboats).

Any advice, comments or recommendations would certainly be appreciated.

Cheers
Philip

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Toy boats for old blokes!

Wow those are beautiful and simple too. Very nice toys and I do like the simplicity!

 

[Triton II]

Re: Toy boats for old blokes!

Phil, you know the joke about how to get a Kiwi to run a small business? Give him a big one and wait!

Sorry... uncalled for.

Now to your question about pursuing your debtor... go to the office of fair trading and lodge your complaint.

http://www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au/make-a-complaint.htm

Good luck.

TII