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[peterpan]

 Because of my concerns I had been aware during the build that the easiest way to pick the boat up was by the keel box. (At this time without the keel attached). I also know that some of the larger RC racing yachts have a central rod from the keel with an eye protruding through the deck. So, I did some tests and found that the forward bolt hole to fix the keel was the exact centre of balance with the keel and all sails installed.

Fortunately, this was also just inside the deck hatch which made a lifting eye possible without going through the deck (Photo b c)

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 I decided to make it very simply with bent aluminium and bolts so it could be adjusted as it was built and no special tools or soldering skills required. (Photos d e f)

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ff

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 I then made access for lifting eye through the hatch cover (Photo g)
And then made a simple bent steel lifting handle (Photo h i)
I intend to make handles of different lengths to give more control in various launching and weather conditions

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 When lifted she is perfectly balanced and can be lifted with one hand and steadied with the other (Photo j k)

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In photo j its not that clear, but the keel is 8" clear of the carpet. Had to do it here because not enough head shed and to cold outside.

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 Headroom in the shed
I am not sure when I will next be able to test it on the water, but I have tested this outside with wind blowing and standing on steps to check different hights and it works well. The main advantage is being able to lift the boat with one hand and steady it with other. Also, once stood on its keel the handle can be laid flat on the deck without removing it from the eye, which can be done when the boat is safe in its cradle.

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Sorry, Must be getting tired. I said the "the keel bolt hole at the forward end of the keel box" it is at the aft end.

[AndyBiggs]

An excellent idea
Very useful tip

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 Fixed deck
So, my final “build” job, is to permanently fix the deck in the hull.
At the beginning I favoured having a removable deck and for the build put in blocks to screw the deck down so I could have it fixed or off as required. (Photo A B)

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 But, because of the difficulty waterproofing and making it look neat I decided to permanently fix it, but in such a way that it should be possible, in an emergency, to remove it without destroying the deck or the hull.
I fitted a beam between the screw fixing blocks and applied white epoxy filler to it. (Photo C D)

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 Then masked of the deck and screwed it down onto the epoxy.
After smoothing it down and removing tape this leaves a neat joint. (Photo E F)

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 So, with all the outstanding questions resolved, I will spend some of the winter days adding the model detailing. I am not sure how far I will go as I quite like the uncluttered look.
I will add the occasional update.
At some time, I must look at the hull paint finish which has not been very successful. But that might be a different thread.
Merry Christmas All

[peterpan]

 The last 6 months have flown, and the world has been going mad around us, but Schooner Annie IS FINISHED
Because the boat is not to a specific scale adding detail can make the boat look out of proportion. Whilst there is nothing wrong with this I do like the lines of the uncluttered deck and decided to do some minimal finishing details to the main cabin top Pic F1 F2 and added a skylight window to forward hatch. PicF3 F4

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Not sure why font size above so small [size=0pt]The last 6 months have flown, and the world has been going mad around us, but Schooner Annie IS FINISHED[/size]
[size=0pt]Because the boat is not to a specific scale adding detail can make the boat look out of proportion. Whilst there is nothing wrong with this I do like the lines of the uncluttered deck and decided to do some minimal finishing details to the main cabin top Pic F1 F2 and added a skylight window to forward hatch. PicF3 F4[/size]
 

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 [size=0pt]I am very pleased with overall finished look Pic F5 F6 F7[/size]

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 [size=0pt]And so, to the lake. You may have noticed in pics F5,6,7, the boat is in a trolly.[/size]
[size=0pt]At the lake the boat must be fully assembled and rigged where the car is parked, including inserting the heavy keel, and fitting the sails whilst pointing into the wind and then all 9 kg with sails flapping got to the water’s edge. Not a problem for the young and fit but as I was 82 last week (or at least my back was) this has required a lot of thinking about. The trolly allows all this to be done at waist hight Pic F8 F8a[/size]

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 [size=0pt]On the water[/size]
[size=0pt]Her maiden voyage was in very light winds but enough to show all the attention to detail and the excellent design has exceeded my expectations. K9 K10 K11 K12 The Thames barge belongs to a fellow club member.[/size]

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 [size=0pt]I have not done anything like this before. When I started the thread 18 months ago in lock down, I had no idea how it would go, but over 200 photos later I have not only enjoyed it but found the process helped me to rationalise the build as it progressed and spurred me to complete it.[/size]
[size=0pt]An amazing number of people have viewed it and I hope everyone got something out of it, as I did. My thanks to those who commented and to Garry Webb who designed Annie and produced the plans.[/size]

[dlancast]

Absolutely beautiful!   Be proud and "Build On".  Cheers... Dennis

[AndyBiggs]

Looks great, many thanks for sharing your progress

[Tug Fanatic]

She looks beautiful.

When I suggested the model back in July 2020 I didn't expect you would build one. I think that they are a lovely elegant model and I started to look forward to the build once we sorted out your picture posting problems.

Congratulations.

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