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RADIO CRUISE CONTROL

  
     
  As described in the caption to the video footage of my cabin cruiser, the hull was built by my late father George Drewett with propulsion and control gear - along with other refinements - supplied by the skill and generousity of David Harris of Minsterworth, Gloucestershire.  
     
  As described in the caption to the video footage of my cabin cruiser, the hull was built by my late father George Drewett with propulsion and control gear - along with other refinements - supplied by the skill and generousity of David Harris of Minsterworth, Gloucestershire.

An idea of the size of the vessel can be seen in the picture above, when it had just been taken out of the Hereford and Gloucester Canal basin at Over - just west of the River Severn from Gloucester. It was awaiting a rub down with a dry cloth - like a long retrieval pole, an essential piece of operating equipment! - and standing on a cradle also supplied by David Harris. Particularly visible are the three bladed propeller and rudder.

  
     
  Unlike most display models, this working boat requires careful preparation for both storage and re-use. Here it is seen in the custom made box that David Harris also built for the cabin cruiser. Shaped, padded wooden inserts hold the hull in place and there is also padding in the lid to protect the roof, which is stored upside down with the radio mast protruding down into the engine room. Also visible is the Gloucester and District Model Boat Club car parking pass stored in the lid, the adjustable bar between the rudder and the rudder servo ( hidden by a "Bo'sun's seat" ) and the lead weights to compensate for the weight of the machinery nearer the bow. However, these weights could easily be replaced by other equipment if necessary. Due to its wooden fabricated construction, this vessel did initially tend to ship a little water into its sternmost section after a long operating session but this could be absorbed by a sponge and squeezed out afterwards. However, more recently, a coat of silicon based shower cubicle sealant applied around the hull below the waterline seems to be keeping the whole hold dry.  
     
  Unlike most display models, this working boat requires careful preparation for both storage and re-use. Here it is seen in the custom made box that David Harris also built for the cabin cruiser. Shaped, padded wooden inserts hold the hull in place and there is also padding in the lid to protect the roof, which is stored upside down with the radio mast protruding down into the engine room. Also visible is the Gloucester and District Model Boat Club car parking pass stored in the lid, the adjustable bar between the rudder and the rudder servo ( hidden by a "Bo'sun's seat" ) and the lead weights to compensate for the weight of the machinery nearer the bow. However, these weights could easily be replaced by other equipment if necessary.

Due to its wooden fabricated construction, this vessel did initially tend to ship a little water into its sternmost section after a long operating session but this could be absorbed by a sponge and squeezed out afterwards.   However, more recently, a coat of silicon based shower cubicle sealant applied around the hull below the waterline seems to be keeping the whole hold dry.

  
     
  Stored in the box underneath the hull are specifications for the Futuba radio control system ( the handset being stored and carried separately ) spare servo motor, 3-in-one oil for the lubrication system and mains battery charger. In fact the battery holds its charge well during storage and only needs minimal charging before long operating sessions.  
     
  Stored in the box underneath the hull are specifications for the Futuba radio control system ( the handset being stored and carried separately ) spare servo motor, 3-in-one oil for the lubrication system and mains battery charger. In fact the battery holds its charge well during storage and only needs minimal charging before long operating sessions.  
     
  The easiest way to check the boat over prior to use is to place it on the cradle on the box and first of all turn the roof over so that the radio mast is uppermost.  
     
  The easiest way to check the boat over prior to use is to place it on the cradle on the box and first of all turn the roof over so that the radio mast is uppermost.  
     
  The engine room inside the glazed windows is dominated by the 12v battery powering the grey can motor. Torque from the motor is transmitted to the propeller shaft when the white sleeved eccentric rod meets and pushes against its brass opposite number. The lack of gearbox in this arrangement makes it quick and easy to reverse thrust when needed to avoid a collision!  
     
  The engine room inside the glazed windows is dominated by the 12v battery powering the grey can motor. Torque from the motor is transmitted to the propeller shaft when the white sleeved eccentric rod meets and pushes against its brass opposite number. The lack of gearbox in this arrangement makes it quick and easy to reverse thrust when needed to avoid a collision!

Also visible running from the knurled knob at the top left hand corner of the picture via the rear bulkhead to the drive shaft is the clear tube of the lubricating system. Although needing to be checked and topped up if necessary at the start of each voyage, the drive shaft in fact uses very little light-grade oil for its bearings.

Not yet connected to the battery in this picture but wired into the motor circuit is a Viper digital motor servo which responds to the left hand joystick on the hand control. This can also be fine tuned on the handset trim wheel to keep the motor static in the default neutral position. Both motor and rudder servos are powered by an quartet of AA batteries fixed in a holder to the rear bulkhead. When the boat is stored, one of these is always removed to prevent any risk of all four being run down by a rogue circuit.

The sawdust from installing the control and propulsion equipment ( most notably the transverse wooden cradle for the battery ) has been left in the engine room to indicate if any oil or water leaks are present.

  
     
  Also just visible at the top of the last picture are the brass clips holding the roof in place forward of the engine room. The typical cabin cruiser clerestory roof hatch then locks on to the flexible cabin door mounting in the rear bulwark ( as seen below ) while the cruciform radio mast can pick up control signals from several hundred metres away.  
     
  Also just visible at the top of the last picture are the brass clips holding the roof in place forward of the engine room. The typical cabin cruiser clerestory roof hatch then locks on to the flexible cabin door mounting in the rear bulwark ( as seen below ) while the cruciform radio mast can pick up control signals from several hundred metres away.  
     
  Port of the cabin door is a false porthole and it is hoped at sometime in the future to source and install a steering wheel and a 1/12 scale figure to sit on the seat. Starboard of the door meanwhile are the switches for the propulsion and control systems which have to be turned on before dry land testing with the handset. Like the servo power source on the boat, the handset is always stored with at least one battery removed.  
     
  Port of the cabin door is a false porthole and it is hoped at sometime in the future to source and install a steering wheel and a 1/12 scale figure to sit on the seat. Starboard of the door meanwhile are the switches for the propulsion and control systems which have to be turned on before dry land testing with the handset. Like the servo power source on the boat, the handset is always stored with at least one battery removed.  
     
  Once all checks and procedures have been completed though, the Cabin Cruiser can be placed in the water and driven under perfect control with a tight turning circle and - as can be seen here - rapid acceleration to top speed from a standing start!  
     
  Once all checks and procedures have been completed though, the Cabin Cruiser can be placed in the water and driven under perfect control with a tight turning circle and - as can be seen here - rapid acceleration to top speed from a standing start!