Scratch built boat model hull profile ?????

[W.olly]

Hi all.

Been a time wanting to do this and as i am trying to chill and do less work nowadays while not refurbing the real thing i want to build a scale powered model of it.
I am stuck already though with building the hull.

How is the best way to get the correct profile for the hull build ? al i can think is measure and measure from keel to gunnel etc etc, but there must be a easier way.

I looked at a phone 3D app for my S20+ phone but i stopped there as i read is terrible.

this is the boat i want to do.

 

[Popcorn]

I'd be trying to find some plans first off, if not there maybe a model kit available. If so see if you can get a set of plastic model drawings/assembly instructions.
Do you know the make and which model it is ?

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

I'm assuming you want to make a scale replica of your own boat in the pic?

Theres definitely 3d laser scanners available which would allow you to scan the entire real boat and then get a scale design from that...no idea of the expense...I do have an IT fellow I can ask if nobody has one of those laser thingy me doos.

If you have a scan you can probably then print the hull in plastic....but that might defeat the objective I'm guessing.

 

[W.olly]

I'd be trying to find some plans first off, if not there maybe a model kit available. If so see if you can get a set of plastic model drawings/assembly instructions.
Do you know the make and which model it is ?

Its a Fairline Fury MK2 , there are no models plans or anything from that type of world for them. reason its a scratch built for me.

I'm assuming you want to make a scale replica of your own boat in the pic?

Theres definitely 3d laser scanners available which would allow you to scan the entire real boat and then get a scale design from that...no idea of the expense...I do have an IT fellow I can ask if nobody has one of those laser thingy me doos.

If you have a scan you can probably then print the hull in plastic....but that might defeat the objective I'm guessing.

Yes my own boat in the pic is what i want to do.

I looked at 3D scanners and one i came across cost a lot. hundreds. I plan to make it from a PIR foam mould and then GRP. after a 1/10th scale so around 750mm long.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

If you don't mind spending a little time....you could setup a datum rail alongside the boat and then take measurements off the rail at regular intervals using a cheap (linear) laser measure. Mine is accurate to 0.1mm which should be fine for this application. By varying the height of your datum you'd then build up an accurate picture of the hull shape...a set of coordinates basically which could then be used in a bit of 3d software.

Would take a little time to setup....but it's a lot cheaper than buying a fancy 3d laser thingy....but basically manually doing the same thing.

 

[bricol]

I would suggest an exact scale model of the hull wouldn't neccessarily make a nice powered model - the water is still 1:1.

There must be something out there in model boat world that is close enough to use, making it easier to slap a scratchbuilt superstructure on it.

No model shops near to go investigate existing hulls?

 

[W.olly]

If you don't mind spending a little time....you could setup a datum rail alongside the boat and then take measurements off the rail at regular intervals using a cheap (linear) laser measure. Mine is accurate to 0.1mm which should be fine for this application. By varying the height of your datum you'd then build up an accurate picture of the hull shape...a set of coordinates basically which could then be used in a bit of 3d software.

Would take a little time to setup....but it's a lot cheaper than buying a fancy 3d laser thingy....but basically manually doing the same thing.

Yep, that was my plan in first place but was hoping there was a easier way, but not as tech lol. . I was trying to download a measuring app on my pone but i cant even sort that so ill get a laser measure and do it old school way. doing it at way i can just reduce to the scale i want in sections i take the measurements from. So if i get it in 3D software i can get it 3D printed then use that as a mould ?

 

[Bullet2012]

Put your boat in extremely hot water until it shrinks

 

[W.olly]

I would suggest an exact scale model of the hull wouldn't neccessarily make a nice powered model - the water is still 1:1.

There must be something out there in model boat world that is close enough to use, making it easier to slap a scratchbuilt superstructure on it.

No model shops near to go investigate existing hulls?

ok i am confused wit that as so many folk do this and they work fine.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Put your boat in extremely hot water until it shrinks

....or stand really far away from it .

Back to the problem...if you have a flat board then you could use that as a datum surface....mark it up with a measuring grid etc.

Model aircraft are the same....the air doesn't change so just scaling down a real aircraft doesn't work....but I'm guessing with boats it'd be harder to notice.

 

[DanZac]

I've not tried it but would Adobe Substance do what you want. According to their spiel it can generate 3d images and models from photos.

30 day free trial on their site, so you could possibly have a play for free to see if it does what you want.

How to Make a 3D Model From a Picture | Adobe

Anyone can create 3D models from photos with the help of Adobe Substance 3D Sampler in just a few steps.

www.adobe.com

 

[hotponyshoes]

What's the model going to be made out of?
I guess the real thing is grp so the curves on that might be hard/impossible to copy in wood/aluminium etc.

You could just make up a scaling pantograph arm and run around it at set hight points. Make the hight points to scale of some available thickness wood/foam then you could scan the scaled tracing and have the wood/foam laser cut before stacking then together and sanding them off.
You might struggle to make an arm that can scale it down in one go but you could use the first drawings to scale down again. Once you get it onto a3 size paper you can just change scale on a photocopier.
You'll only have to trace out one half as once you have it down to size it's easy to mirror it.

Another option,
I have got a cmm arm. That will give you a set of coordinates in a 3d space on a computer. I don't know how you go from those to a full 3d model but I know it can be done!
I think the maximum reach of the arm is 2.4m so you'd have to take a few sets of readings and work out how to stitch them together somehow. I'd guess you could mark some reference points on the hull to do that though.

The easiest option might just be to contact one of the many site/building surveyors that offer 3d laser scanning and see how much they would charge to scan half of it and email you the file..

 

[bricol]

It model for fun I assume?

You just need something that looks like it, not something exact to the thou . . . tape measure, a sketch book and some free hand interpolation of top, middle third, middle, bottom third of the curves and away you go.

But I'd still peruse model boat shops, sites, forums for something that looks similar and go from there. And if you've not done model boating, model power, or I assume model control, before, that will give you all the bits you need to watch it get tangled up in weed just out of reach on the local canal/park pond

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

You just need something that looks like it, not something exact to the thou

Have you seen the restoration project thread (its superb)..ain't no corners being cut...I'm reckoning the replica model boat will even have the same repairs as the real boat

 

[Keith 66]

This company have a wide range of plans, https://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/ships_plans.html, plenty of cabin cruiser plans on there too.

 

[Misterg]

How is the best way to get the correct profile for the hull build

A bit of a long-shot, but might be wirth contacting Fairline to see if they have a section drawing of it? (I think they are the same company now as then.)

 

[addjunkie]

This company have a wide range of plans, https://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/ships_plans.html, plenty of cabin cruiser plans on there too.

That link takes about a day to open.

A bit of a long-shot, but might be wirth contacting Fairline to see if they have a section drawing of it? (I think they are the same company now as then.)

if you cant geta section drawing, youll need to draw your own sections to scale down. In effect imaging it sliced into 12 inch slices, theyll be your frames to create the shape once covered.

 

[Bullet2012]

That link takes about a day to open.

if you cant geta section drawing, youll need to draw your own sections to scale down. In effect imaging it sliced into 12 inch slices, theyll be your frames to create the shape once covered.

Link works fine for me

 

[Keith 66]

That link takes about a day to open.

if you cant geta section drawing, youll need to draw your own sections to scale down. In effect imaging it sliced into 12 inch slices, theyll be your frames to create the shape once covered.

Really? about 5 seconds on this steam powered firefox.

As for taking the lines of a boat, I have done this for a replica of my 1905 Saunders launch, Basically set up tight stringlines parallel to the centreline & baseline marked on the floor & out to the side then You can measure distance to keel & other points such as tip of bow & corners of stern.
Getting the shape of the hull sections can be done with a scrieve board basically a foot wide board that you can clamp up vertical at right angles to the centreline of the boat. A wooden stick with a pointed end touches the boat at each point you want to record. Where the side of the stick crosses the scrieve board you strike a pencil line & a tick to mark its in & out location. Number it on the board & on the stick.
You can then transpose each section onto a master sheet of ply or Mdf.
This method is the boatbuilders secret, with this you can mark out & cut complicated shapes, planks, bulkheads, frames, etc, Its relatively quick & easy & looks like a black art which it really isnt. From this you can generate a lines plan to replicate a boat hull or part of any shape. It will fit with pretty good accuracy straight off. A lines plan will usually be lofted full size to reduce errors but can be done at smaller sizes.
Beware of "Trying to fair lines plans" on programs like autocad or similar as they simply take the fairest line through all points. On a computer screen you cannot see the innacuracies due to the scale. Scale it up to full size & you get big lumps & dents.
A yacht or ship design program has fairing tools that allow you to smooth things out. I used to use Delftship Pro a lot but am very rusty now.
The previous incarnation of delftship was Freeship & its still available as a free download. Its an intuitive programe but will eat hours & hours of time!

 

[Agroshield]

This method is the boatbuilders secret

Boatbuilders must drink in the same pub as carpenters and others in the metalworking trades.

Scribing a board is a well-known process. Trend make a tool for doing it on smaller stuff: https://www.trend-uk.com/e-scribe-trend-easyscribe-multi-purpose-scribing-tool It is an updated version of the brass school compass that is more traditionally used.

A boat level tied to the stick-with-pointed-end will improve the accuracy of the process.