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[gribeauval]

Some of you may know me from the main Mayhem site. I am the nutter with the BIG model Mersey Class Lifeboat!!

As a change from all the detailing work needed on this boat I have decided to embark upon a "quickie" build (less than the two years already on the Mersey project!!)

PART 1

During my usual trip around the local car boot sales last Sunday I came across two of these Action Man plastic boats for 50p each! (Pic 1). After stripping down to the basic components (Pic 2) all the un-needed parts were discarded and the only bit left was the hull base (Pic 3).The long tubes are the material that will make the new sponsons on the boat.

I intend to make two versions of the inflatable inshore lifeboat ( D Class)

Version 1:  This will have a "conventional" motor/propshaft combination through the hull and will use the outboard as a rudder.

Version 2:  This will have a working outboard, when I have built the 1/6th scale outboard using an electric motor!

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[gribeauval]

PART 2

I have fitted what, in conventional boats, would be the deck or in  a RIB is the floor. To allow the deck to curve up at the front to match the plastic hull the underside of the ply is scored part way through. After bonding to the hull with epoxy resin glue the hatch was cut out to allow access to the inside of the hull. Strips were then glued around the edges of the opening to form a seating that will seal the hatch in use. The closed cell polyurethane foam pipe lagging in the pictures will be trimmed to fit along the edge of the floor and make the boat virtually unsinkable!

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[gribeauval]

PART 3

After much gluing of fingers together with epoxy and superglue I have fitted the foam for the sponsons around the bow area. The foam is very easy to cut and bend into place and is great fun to work with  !!

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[dennisw100]

You know the D class isnt actually a rib?

It's an inflatable rather than a 'rigid inflatable boat' as it's wholy inflateable, there's no rigid hull.

However, looking at the profile of the underside of this boat it's very near to a Y boat, which are RIB's

[Voyager]

I am a keen follower of your life boat build up, and i'm rather blown away with the level of detail being added...superb work!. And now you have gone and started another project.....you are a true nutter my friend.
Looking forward to seeing how this project developes, dont keep us waiting too long!

Kind Regards: Voyager.

[gribeauval]

You know the D class isnt actually a rib?

It's an inflatable rather than a 'rigid inflatable boat' as it's wholy inflateable, there's no rigid hull.

However, looking at the profile of the underside of this boat it's very near to a Y boat, which are RIB's

Yes I do know that the D class is fully inflatable and thus not a rib, and the Y class is not a rib but it has an inflatable keel. This toy that  I am converting scales out at none of the "real" boats so this is a new class the "Gribeauval Class ILB". It has features of the D Class, Y Class and Tornado rib (used by some independant lifeboats) depending upon my mood when I build the bits!!

[dennisw100]

only reason i say the Y boat is a rib, is i saw one on the TV yesterday being launched from the poole lifeboat i think.

When it was there dangling on the hiab, it had a rigid bottom much like the moulding on the bottom of your action man boat.

The D class has a water keel.

[gribeauval]

only reason i say the Y boat is a rib, is i saw one on the TV yesterday being launched from the poole lifeboat i think.
When it was there dangling on the hiab, [b]it had a rigid bottom [/b] much like the moulding on the bottom of your action man boat.

As I said earlier the Y has an inflatable keel which is usually only inflated prior to launch thus it looks to have a rigid bottom. this info is from my friends on http://www.lifeboats24-7.co.uk most of who are lifeboat crew and coastguards (great source of info when I get stuck!!)

[gribeauval]

PART 4

The  rest of the foam for the sponsons has been glued in place as well as a false stern plate to cover the holes in the transom and make the hull watertight. The ends of the foam tubes have had plastic end caps from gluesticks fitted to seal the ends. The next stage will be the purchase/fitting of the running gear to suit one of my spare motors and the instrument pack in the bows.

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[gribeauval]

PART 5

Whilst waiting for the running gear( local model shop awaiting delivery of order!!) I fitted the spray cover and instrument bow pod. This will hold the radio and sat nav systems. The hole in the front is the storage bin for the Delta anchor, still to make the hinged cover!

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[Voyager]

LOOKIN GOOD! What paint did you use on the foam?

[gribeauval]

LOOKIN GOOD! What paint did you use on the foam?

I use water based Dulux colour samplers(250 ml size) for most of my boats as I can have any colour mixed that I need. I also use a small amount of Revel/Humbrol enamels or artists acrylics for small jobs. I seal the colours with matt/satin/gloss varnish as needed to waterproof the surfaces. 

[gribeauval]

PART 5A

Here are a couple of pictures of the RIB with one of my 12" tall Mersey ALB crew for size comparison. I have not yet told my wife (SWMBO  :-*) that I need ILB suits for the Crew!!!!!

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[Martin (Admin)]

Hi Mike,
How / what is the spray cover made from?

Martin

[gribeauval]

Hi Mike,
How / what is the spray cover made from?
Martin

Morning Martin!!,

The spray cover is the remains of the cotton teatowel that I used to make the flags on the Mersey. The pod is glued in position on the bow deck and the WET (but not dripping) towel draped over with the hemmed edge facing aft, to give a neat finish! Superglue is then spread on the towel where it touches the pod to give a firm hold. Pin the towel to the foam with SHORT pins(they will stay in place) at the level that will be covered by the joint strip easing out any wrinkles. Apply superglue where the towel sits on the foam to secure. Trim the towel neatly and then paint with your prefered paint!
REMEMBER TO LET THE TOWEL DRY OUT FULLY IF YOU ARE NOT USING WATER BASED PAINTS!!!!

Simple realy 

Mike

[MCAT]

Martin  heres one for the hints and tips page.

[robal]

I greet plans want from you on in theme "Gribeuvel " gribeauval lifeboat mersey e-mila burza8@tlen.pl Lifeboat