Posts : 152 Join date : 2020-03-14 Location : Leeds
Subject: Amati Riva Aquarama build Mon Jun 29, 2020 11:26 am
Kit has been posted this morning from CMB and I must recommend paying £10 for the CMB membership. The 5% discount on just the kit alone more than paid for membership.
FYI all fittings come with the kit despite the fittings also being marketed as a separate pack too.
Build resource link for reference https://www.youtube.com/c/BacktoHardware/videos
The etched brass set is extra and will be on a future order. Pictures from Glenn @ CMB
I spent yesterday clearing a build zone for the next couple of years
T33CNO Gunner
Posts : 152 Join date : 2020-03-14 Location : Leeds
This is the old etched brass which was two sheets and part F-09 is no longer included for some reason. I think it was meant to be part of the steering wheel.
This is the current all in one sheet in the kit today
Unfortunately due to poor packing at the factory my screen frame has scratches both sides. CMB will get a replacement.
There are 5 sheets of plans and a very good assembly manual The start
The planking and all the ply is excellent quality. The planking in particular would shame Billings.
Progress using both slow and fast CA for the framework.
The rear half is still dry fitted here
T33CNO Gunner
Posts : 152 Join date : 2020-03-14 Location : Leeds
Firstly I've ordered the Raboesch sealed waterproof shafts with bearings that can handle 15,000 rpm max and require no lubrication. I ordered 290mm long 4mm as these can be shortened as required. Also ordered Raboesch 35mm type C 3 blade propellers L & R handed
So after a full morning of chores I got started this afternoon. All was going well until I came to fit the floor panels then I realised I had assembled frame four and its four additional pieces the wrong way around. NOTE that frame is the only one that is not symmetrical and it caught me out. I managed to get it out with about 30minutes of effort without breaking it. As the four sub pieces could not be removed without destruction I opted to remodel the frame which was a good fix. Then onwards with no further problems. I bought a supply of Aliphatic resin and other bits from Leeds model shop this morning. So like ukmike I use CA and aliphatic as I deem appropriate. See here the forward floor is the wrong way around.
More progress after the fix Now starting to remove material to reduce weight as I progress. I think by tomorrow eve it should be ready to start planking the lower hull.
T33CNO Gunner
Posts : 152 Join date : 2020-03-14 Location : Leeds
I must post now and have a break or there'll be too much in one post later. Firstly another part with the potential to get it wrong. These are made up of four parts, two are thin and too are thick (subtle difference) You must use one of each for both!
Initially it can be perplexing how to assemble this jigsaw. First I dry fitted all parts and marked their outlines on the transom to help when gluing.
I then glued these parts as shown being careful that the mating surfaces are all in contact and square
Then glued them in place
Aliphatic resin only takes about 10 mins to grab
I then checked the cross member and clamped while the other parts were secure
Removed and glue applied for final fit. The bottom pieces need the keel filing to get the required fit.
Done
T33CNO Gunner
Posts : 152 Join date : 2020-03-14 Location : Leeds
Yet more holes. I see the footwell as fair game as that too is covered over. All resin coated now.
Next step is contouring the frame edges.
T33CNO Gunner
Posts : 152 Join date : 2020-03-14 Location : Leeds
Subject: Re: Amati Riva Aquarama build Sun Jul 05, 2020 11:15 am
I don't always follow the instructions if I think there's a preferable alternative. So I'm planking the stern today and it will not impact on the mahogany top coat.
Some more holes added too
T33CNO Gunner
Posts : 152 Join date : 2020-03-14 Location : Leeds
Today I got a bit further than planned so I did the stern hatch and the corner sections. I didn't like this opening so I made allowance to cover is with scrap ply
Numerous nail biting trips to the sander, gradually finding the correct angle I trimmed the excess 15mm or so of length.
Until they fit with a little spare to trim off nearer the final fit time.
That's it today
T33CNO Gunner
Posts : 152 Join date : 2020-03-14 Location : Leeds
I hope the pictures help other builders as its very difficult to decide where to sand to initially but it takes shape over a few hours of careful effort. I'm about 95% happy to this stage and will fettle anything I spot over the coming days.
This is my interpretation.
I'll leave it there for now and start the bottom planking and the drive train.
barriew Captain (moderator)
Posts : 2631 Join date : 2011-11-26 Age : 83 Location : Thaxted, Essex
I will be interested to hear how you get on with the Pin Pusher. I have one of these and consider it the most expensive bit of rubbish I ever bought, closely followed by their Plank Bending pliers.
Barrie
T33CNO Gunner
Posts : 152 Join date : 2020-03-14 Location : Leeds
So I decided to fit the first 5 planks per side to approach the prop tube openings. For Barrie the pin pusher is fine once you learn the easiest way to pick up fine pins is to lick your finger tip and dab them up
I use small clamps to prevent any undulation in side by side planks
Lovely straight keel and perfectly flat lines
barriew Captain (moderator)
Posts : 2631 Join date : 2011-11-26 Age : 83 Location : Thaxted, Essex
It doesn’t need to be accurate for my use All the pins are temporary fixings until the glue is secure The ribs are 4 times as wide as the pin pusher so anywhere there about is okey dokerly
T33CNO Gunner
Posts : 152 Join date : 2020-03-14 Location : Leeds
I'm now at the stage of working out the drive train. I don't anticipate shortening the Raboesch prop shaft I bought but I've ordered new couplings in solid brass like I use in my Shannons. The wooden frame in the kit for the Amati drive set I've re purposed to aid aligning my shafts. This will be moved rearwards until I'm happy with the prop position. Tomorrow I'll build a bed for the motor mounts while correctly aligned.
T33CNO Gunner
Posts : 152 Join date : 2020-03-14 Location : Leeds
Top tip to cut down on sanding. The high spots that seem to take forever with sandpaper are sorted much easier by drawing a utility blade along it. Well know to cabinet makers
Bluenose Deck Hand
Posts : 7 Join date : 2020-06-12 Age : 77 Location : Wroughton
Subject: Riva Aquarama Mon Jul 13, 2020 5:02 pm
Hi I have also just bought the CMB membership and the Amarti kit as my next project. I am just finishing off a Huntsman 31 which I have had to modify from the Dave Milburn design to get closer to the original. At least the Amati kit is true to original plans! I look forward to following your blog for advice and tips.
T33CNO likes this post
T33CNO Gunner
Posts : 152 Join date : 2020-03-14 Location : Leeds
I made a decision here as something has changed since these photographs. According to them it only takes 6 side planks to reach the bow peak. On mine it took 7 so I say they were originally 8mm planks and now 7mm.
Anyway even then the builder ended up with these silly slivers of plank on the top edge.
I decided to use some square strips I had in stock to avoid those by fitting with 2 planks to go.
This way I finish on a full plank that I can trim back
T33CNO Gunner
Posts : 152 Join date : 2020-03-14 Location : Leeds
Having fitted side supports I went ahead and removed the bench seat rear support. This not only reduces weight but improves access especially with Allen keys
Also 2 x 40mm Helium points
T33CNO Gunner
Posts : 152 Join date : 2020-03-14 Location : Leeds
Hermes delivered my Rustins brown Mahogany solvent based wood dye this morning. I bought from Amazon £6.43 delivered. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01186E8WK/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I think it's the only part in the kit requiring this
I also bought 2 more of these huge long reach clamps. Price is ridiculously low at under £4
Not seen your progress recently so hope you are Ok. Soon to be approaching planking on my own build, but have a question. Why the obsession on drilling holes for lightness? Is there any particular reason for this on the Aquarama?
T33CNO Gunner
Posts : 152 Join date : 2020-03-14 Location : Leeds
Hi yes I'm fine thanks. The build continued on Mayhem forum. It became too much work posting across two forums and having to size photos differently on each. The Amati Riva is primarily a static display model. With that in mind they gave no thought or instruction of the requirements for sailing it. It is simply too heavy and without particular attention to the front end it will sail bow down at low speed making it look ridiculous. It should sit level when stationary afloat. I concluded that 3.8kg is the maximum all up weight. Failing to lighten will end in tears as has happened to so many builders of these before.
595 pictures here so far https://techno.smugmug.com/Amati-Riva-Aquarama/i-dnVVZgR
Bluenose Deck Hand
Posts : 7 Join date : 2020-06-12 Age : 77 Location : Wroughton
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