41ft Watson conversion

Client requested the conversion of a 41ft Watson kit built model of the Ann Letitia Russell (sorry Neil!!) to one of the others of the class.

Starting point for the refit.






All the deck fittings removed.







New stern deck.

looking forward to this matey...…..is this the 41' beach launch boat from the south coast...…..forget which station...……..but think it had a funnel too……………..always fancied a conversion kit for the ALR to be sold separately.


a nice looking deck matey.

just wondering why though, that the original builder of that model only has 2 ball stanchions on the model, and not the 3 ball that only the 41' Watson had./

nhp651 wrote:

looking forward to this matey...…..is this the 41' beach launch boat from the south coast...…..forget which station...……..but think it had a funnel too……………..always fancied a conversion kit for the ALR to be sold separately.


a nice looking deck matey.

No mate it's the Buckie lifeboat ON857.

nhp651 wrote:

just wondering why though, that the original builder of that model only has 2 ball stanchions on the model, and not the 3 ball that only the 41' Watson had./

No idea why, but I 'm not changing them !!! They stay as they are.

The old name and station have been removed along with the now redundant scuppers at the bow.



The new rear cockpit base under construction.




A foam block laminated for the new cockpit cover ready to carve.




The new former made after much carving and sanding.




GRP shell made over the former and sanded ready for next stage.

gribeauval wrote:

nhp651 wrote:

looking forward to this matey...…..is this the 41' beach launch boat from the south coast...…..forget which station...……..but think it had a funnel too……………..always fancied a conversion kit for the ALR to be sold separately.


a nice looking deck matey.

No mate it's the Buckie lifeboat ON857.

ahhh, right...…..will have a look......probably similar to the south coast boat with the superstructure shape plan as is. is it going to be a working model matey....very excited......might get hold of a kit sometime and finish what I had always thought hard about. doing what you are doing.

cheers mike, lead the way.....a nice surprise.

gribeauval wrote:

nhp651 wrote:

just wondering why though, that the original builder of that model only has 2 ball stanchions on the model, and not the 3 ball that only the 41' Watson had./

No idea why, but I 'm not changing them !!! They stay as they are.

indeed you are correct mike...…..There were so few of the other configuration of 41' Watsons' built that few would ever question the difference anyway. 

The new cockpit is made and the engine room bulkhead added.




The new engine room cover made.




New parts checked for fit, the cling film prevents it all sticking to the deck.






The instrument layout differs from the original kit version. Major change is the engine dials. Kit version on the left, modified version on the right.




New engine room door and starting to replace the controls.




All in place and primed.




Looks a whole lot better when painted!




1mm leds used for the engine dial lights.

brilliant matey...……….I can see a conversion coming on next time I see an ALR on ebay, lol.

nhp651 wrote:

brilliant matey...……….I can see a conversion coming on next time I see an ALR on ebay, lol.

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Next installment.

Decided to play with my new toy, a Christmas present from me to me, and start the learning curve of 3d design on a computer. I was, a long time ago, a design draughtsman using paper and pencil but drawing on a PC was not my greatest skill but needs must.

The basic funnel was designed online using Tinkercad and then 3d printed.






After printing details were added and then painted. The cowl vent bases were also printed to give the correct height.




The main cockpit casing was painted and detailing started.




Front section of the casing detailed.

i'm becoming lost for words...……..superb stuff.

how much harder is it to draw on a computer than with board and t square. I taught tech drawing along side woodwork for 20 years and know how to throw a square around a board, but never even seen the concept of drawing by computer...….think I would like to learn.

nhp651 wrote:

i'm becoming lost for words...……..superb stuff.

how much harder is it to draw on a computer than with board and t square. I taught tech drawing along side woodwork for 20 years and know how to throw a square around a board, but never even seen the concept of drawing by computer...….think I would like to learn.

Yes I am much happier with a pencil and paper but I am slowly beginning to get into the swing of it.

The new steering standard made on a quick jig to give the correct angle needed.




The compass and its housing made and  build shared in this thread.



Wheel, compass and helmsman's stand painted and fitted into the cockpit.




Cockpit lockers for either side made.




Mast and tabernacle made and fitted.




Interior of the cockpit fitted out and illuminated.

Good to see you back on the build Mike,and another fine job it is too.
Will be following this one now as well.
Belated Happy to you David and Ruth
Mick and Margaret

battleshipbuff wrote:

Good to see you back on the build Mike,and another fine job it is too.
Will be following this one now as well.
Belated Happy to you David and Ruth
Mick and Margaret

This one is almost done Mick!

Just catching up with the postings and then The Will moves to the front build slip!!

regards to you and Margaret also.

Ooh I like the sound of that bit of news as well Mike
Mick F

The forward rope bin made.




Fitted onto fore deck along with the deck fittings.




Stern deck fittings made and fitted as well.




Mast fitted into tabernacle ready for shrouds fitting.




Spray screen made and fitted onto surround.




Current state of the conversion.

that is a cracker mike.…….

exactly how I envisaged a conversion kit that I was hoping to do to the ALR,M before the kids came along and I sold it all to Dave Metcalf having no spare time to model again for nearly 3 years, lol...….the sacrifices you make for them...……

but seeing your conversion has made me think...….I WILL DO ONE sooner than later.....great inspiration mate. thank you. 

neil.

do you still have the plug for the cabin mate...…...if so at some stage when you are mucking around with grp could you make me one please...….i'll pay you for pulling me one out. if ok. thanks in anticipation. neil.

nhp651 wrote:

do you still have the plug for the cabin mate...…...if so at some stage when you are mucking around with grp could you make me one please...….i'll pay you for pulling me one out. if ok. thanks in anticipation. neil.

Still have the plug, will pull you a canopy next time I have the grp out mate.

gribeauval wrote:

nhp651 wrote:

do you still have the plug for the cabin mate...…...if so at some stage when you are mucking around with grp could you make me one please...….i'll pay you for pulling me one out. if ok. thanks in anticipation. neil.

Still have the plug, will pull you a canopy next time I have the grp out mate.

you are a star matey..... thank you...….a dream now renewed. but for my own personal fleet.

The anchor has been refitted and its cable added and fixed to the mooring post.




The rope bin has been filled with the spare ropes and fenders.




The rudder up and down hauls re rigged.




Grab lines now fitted around the hull.




Bow fender in place.




Boat rigged and ready to go. Bit different from the starting pictures!!






"Sea trials" in the test tank.

MIKE...……………..THAT IS GORGEOUS, FANTASTICHE!!……..just an amazing transformation...…...just love it...…...why did I not make the conversion kit years ago, 

until you started posting I had also forgotten that I had fancied doing one as well. thank you. 

cheers. neil.

I wonder if we might see it at Blackpool this October...………...I hope so.

nhp651 wrote:

I wonder if we might see it at Blackpool this October...………...I hope so.

Sorry mate but it will be on its way in the next week or so to its owner who wanted the conversion.


Glad you like the end result. Pity about the stanchions but that's one reason I don't like converting other peoples builds, if I scratch or kit build a boat then the mistakes are mine and no one else's !

I have a mould somewhere in my workshop and sheds for making the 3 ball ones as supplied to the ALR......And when I made some new ones for micks Cornwall based Ann Letitia and then put it away...............I tried looking for it a few  weeks ago and couldn't find it, or else I'd have offered to make a set.........but the hunt will go on lol.

gribeauval wrote:

nhp651 wrote:

I wonder if we might see it at Blackpool this October...………...I hope so.

Sorry mate but it will be on its way in the next week or so to its owner who wanted the conversion.


Glad you like the end result. Pity about the stanchions but that's one reason I don't like converting other peoples builds, if I scratch or kit build a boat then the mistakes are mine and no one else's !

do you takle the models up to their new owners yourself mate...……..that will be a nice run if the weather stays as it is.

Once again I can only say what a superb conversion 
Another very satisfied customer, I'm sure. 
Just Beautiful 
Mick F