Yesterday at the lake. 22nd August 2013

Yesterday at the lake, there was a good turnout and the weather was kind to the sailors again.

Of note straight away to me was Alan Breeze's HMS Kite, the type of boat which I'd not seen before, there again I'm only a relatively new model boat builder so for all the other members in my category here are the details of Alan's build, which I was told by him is still an on going project  

The new model inspector!.

HMS Kite is an ANT Class Gunboat, with a Armstrong Whitworth gun

This is a Semi scratch build, says Alan.

Further research on the internet came up with these extra interesting facts on this unusual boat.

Click here

HMS Kite 1872 Royal Navy Flat Iron Gunboat
Our moulding for HMS Kite is for a 19th. Century Victorian Navy flat iron gunboat, commonly known as a "Rendel" Flat Iron. One of a class of 22 vessels of the "Ant" class, designed by Devonport Dockyard and built by 'Napiers' during 1890/1, she was commissioned in 1872 and sold out of service in 1920.

For more facts on these boats, click here

Whilst at the lake noticed that the damage done to the boathouse by vandals this month had been repaired and nicely done by Mike Hodgson to his usual high standard , I'm sure all the members will join me in a vote of thanks to Mike once again for his sterling service to the club!.

There will be a couple of visitors to the lake this weekend from the Colwyn Bay club both ex-members of Etherow so give them a good welcome, as we always get one at their club waters!.

Haydock Park show this weekend!!

Ps, Check out the "For sale" section.

Steering Sunday 18th August.

I'd forgotten this Sunday was the Steering Competition (though family commitments in the week) so the steering was well underway when I arrived.

There was the usual enthusiasm that this monthly event creates and here are a few of the contestants,

For the newer members and viewers, these boats are made for their maneuverability and size, rather than their looks, and there isn't much detail on most of them, but this month saw that a few had taken the time to make them more eye catching

This has a nice warship theme to it.

And another warship theme.

Under the table I noticed whilst editing these pix's  Alan Highams fast new boat waiting for his turn on the water.

 One of the contestants on the course, whilst this competition is in progress there are no other boats allowed on the water as you don't need great big waves washing over the course when you are navigating the tricky courses that Geoff comes up with every month.

Hope you oldies don't mind me going over this type of competition, but you have to remember there are always new members and those people that are thinking of becoming members.

One of the members waiting for the event to be over, so he could sail was Terry Burnett with his Fun boat, The Punt Gun boat, I've posted on this boat previously but as Bob Abell was there checking it out and opening all the little hatches I thought it deserved another mention.

Although its a fun boat Terry has not forgotten to add his usual attention and build expertise to this model as you can see, even has it's own carry case!.

You can see on a previous post the type of boat this was and it's use,

http://etherowmodelboats.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/day-2-at-etherow-lifeboat-weekend2012.html

 in short a punt with a great big gun for shooting down wildfowl in the rushes, I know what some of you are thinking!, why didn't he make a real gun for on the boat.

The next club meeting this month 28th August is another of Phil's Kriss Kross Quizzes, so get your thinking caps on, I believe there is a prize for the winning team.

Hope someone let's me know how it goes as I will be on my holidays, thats the second one I've missed, but when you have to go on holiday it's tough but someone has to do it!. 

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That's all for now folks

Ps check out the "for sale" section couple of nice kits avail-abell.

Typical Fiesta Sunday

Fiesta Report 4/8/13

Hi to all

Weather OK this month, hot and had some wind for a change?

Seven came to race but Terry had problems with his fiesta, the sail servo packed up.

My thanks to Terry for being OOD he did a good job, hope to see him back racing next month.

Trevor Redford came  1^st, David Lee 2^nd, Bob Dunkerley 3^rd, Andy Glen 4^th , Richard Hemingway 5^th, Tom Walton 6^th.

 Thanks for coming had ten races in all.

See you all next month.

David Lee.

Thanks for the update David, a picture from on the day.

 A rest, a quick bite and drink before the next race, tense stuff this racing!.

A few weeks ago Norman here asked me if I had any idea's for the deck his scratch built coaster, as he had seen the pictures of my multi deck coaster. 

I'd found a Model Boats magazine with a Gas tanker on the front and a write up inside and thought it might do the job for him, also seen the polystyrene balls that could be used for it at Hobbycraft the day before, then someone mentioned cistern ball cocks to use, that's what clubs are all about, throwing in ideas. 

That's one of Norman's restoration project's on the bench in front of him, and there was also an article on this boat in the same magazine and to top it all off there was an interesting article on the Dremel fretsaw he found, so that was a very good result for him.

Don't forget it's the Haydock show this month 24th & 25th August!.

That's all for now folk's.

Club 500 racing and Tug Anteo video

Over the weekend, I've had the internet connection go down and after a check-up I discovered that the wall socket was to blame, so it was a trip to B&Q to buy a new socket, only needed the front section really but never mind it got the house phone working again, but still not the internet!.
After further examination found the lights on the router box not working, so was it the box or the cable?, so on Sunday at Son John's for dinner we tried another cable and it worked!, so can only think it was the transformer plug on the end that had given up the ghost, so on returning home connected up again and my system was working again, its been hell without it and as people always say I talk with my hands you can imagine how I've felt!.
Still all's well now and  for a treat for you Andy Wagstaff sent me these two video's a couple of days ago of his boats with a remote camera fitted to them, the first to a Club 500 boat and at the end of the video it looks like John Goddard is driving it!.

Another of Andy's boat's taken on the big lake as the Club 500 racing was being held on our lake and no fishermen on the big lake

Thanks to Andy for sharing his video's with us!.

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Another point of interest to look into is a project that our Bob Abell and another chap Paul T, on Model Boat magazine forum are doing, Paul T has designed a boat "Ellie" that will be Abell to have different superstructures on the same hull and when built to the required standard the plans will be Abell to be sold and the money to go to a charity.
Click here to take you to the website.

Well that's all for now folks and as it's thundering and lightening don't fancy getting another bolt up my socket, at least I'm back up and working again.

Colwyn Bay regatta, News at Ten, Duckie!.

What a wonderful day it turned out to be for the Colwyn Bay Mayors regatta!.

After setting off from home early in cloudy weather, it soon brightened up as we got into Cheshire and beyond. 

On arrival (after stopping at McDonalds on the way) we were met by old friend of our's and our club, Ray Benson who guided us to a nice parking spot, there was a Pop festival on at the park and they were trying to get £5 out of people to park!.

I'm glad to report that there were quite a few of our club members there with their wives as well enjoying the weather and the good company, Alan, Colin and Pam, Bob and Joyce, Charlie, Kean to mention a few as well as some of our newer members!.

Our Vice.

Ray did introduce me to a chap who had visited our Etherow venue that had had a non too nice experience whilst visiting, he said no one out of (four sailors)  was interested in speaking to him when he wanted to know about starting up in the hobby and perhaps joining the club, that was soon rectified as I made sure everyone of our members there introduced themselves to him and his family, bet he wished he'd never mentioned it, still can't let that kind of thing be passed round, gives the club a bad name doesn't it.

 I think every club has a few grumpy's don't they, and unfortunately this chap met all ours on the same day!.

On to the boats.

Still setting up

Colwyn Bay stand

Someone with my own taste in boats Narra Boat and Coaster 

Some new types of signage coming onto the scene, showing boats of their club members.

Can be used like this or indoors at shows.

Hoylake For sale section

The unusual.

Thai boat and Mine layer

Rigor Mortis

elegant.

The highlight of the day for me was this sinking ship 

Finished up just the bows sticking up out of the water!, then popped up again, no doubt some type of submarine mechanism inside!.

But there again, I tell a lie that was the second highlight of the day, the main highlight was dinner at

"Le Campa Restaurant"

where Bob, Joyce, Charlie, Pepe and myself had a nice cooked meal and at a very reasonabell price, having to listen to each other nattering on and putting the world to rights!.

Nice one Joyce!.

Well thats all for now, hope you enjoyed yourself as much as we did if you went and if you didn't manage to get there this might give you an idea of what you missed.

Can't wait for next year.

Nearly forgot here is another DO you might like to attend and take your good ladies to, its by the seaside again!.

Could be a another good DO!.

That's all folks.

Yesterday

"Yesterday" there was a song named that wasn't there?.

Well this post is about yesterday at the lake, scorching hot again but a slight breeze off the water!.

There was the usual Thursday crowd plus an extra ie a new chap Nigel who had brought his scratch built boat, which was a Vic Smeed plan of a Fairy Huntsman type.

His first launch on the water with it and a bit apprehensive as we all are at the first launch of a new build, but he needn't have worried as everything was fine and it was a good first sail.

Nigel is waiting for a chance to catch up with our roving Sec (who is on a cruise somewhere) so he can join the club, but like all good thing's Andy's trip will end and he will be back again with us soon.

Nice one, Nigel

Nigel on the left chatting with our Garth.

There was a good discussion afterwards with some of the lads on how to rectify the boat's rudder  mechanism hitting the rear of the boat inside and hopefully it was helpful to Nigel, that's what it's all about isn't it getting helpful advice from people with a bit more knowledge than yourself.

Jimmy and I tied back the roses that had got too big and started spreading on to the path, not a good idea roses with thorns in a narrow garden!. 

Then after a bit of lunch at the cafe with some of the lad's it was too hot for Pepe so it was off home to the garden and a cold beer under the veranda.

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This coming Sunday 21st it's the Colwyn  Bay regatta 

and as we always get an invite hope to see some of you there, Good event, prizes and a great raffle, though like most club's the Auction has fell by the wayside this year, this event too good to miss, speaking from past experience.

See Events and shows Tab at the top.

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Quiz night 24th July 2013.

Hi Folks, just got news of another addition to the diary program, as follows

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Hi Peter, It was suggested to have a short quiz on the second club night meetings, we are having our first quiz on the 24th July.

The quiz is a Kriss Kross quiz with hidden boat names in the quiz, there will be a 5 question Blockbuster quiz, all very easy.

Could you please mention the quiz on your great web page.

 Many thanks .    Philip Laxton.

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Many thanks for that Philip, will add it on to the diary listing as well, as this post will be pushed down after the next post.

Son John mentioned on our Facebook page about the new Instagram section on the left hand side of the post's, I am now able to take pictures at the lake on the day's I'm there and upload them direct to the website whilst still there, I started with a few old pictures at home to make sure it was working and get everything right before I went to the lake. Everything works well but the short video's you can add on didn't work as I tried to take it with my IPhone camera as normal  instead of the Instagram App camera section so that didn't work but I've been practicing and got it right for next trip to the lake. 

It is just something else to look out for, so keep your eyes open to see if your boat appears there, there are all sorts of sections on Instagram, but our's is the first one listed on Model Boats and there are quite a few viewers already, more advertising for our club from round the world!.

Also there are a large number of video's on YouTube I've added, just search YouTube for "Etherow" and it will take you there!.

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That's it folks until next time.