Just a Regular Day at the Pond

[P. Tritle]

The temps were up, the wind was down, and it was a great day for model boating. There were 5 of us there, all with at least 2 boats, all of which ran flawlessly -- just the way we like it.

[P. Tritle]

Dick Baldwin, one of our more active members is always coming up with something just a little out of the ordinary. The Tanker was scratch built using only the old Revell kit as reference.
The Sport Fisherman was built from the Scientific kit, many years ago, and recently refitted with "modern" running gear.

[P. Tritle]

Bill Tally, one of the clubs more prolific builders, really likes the Dumas Jersey City, and you can just about count on seeing it on any given weekend.

[P. Tritle]

Hugh Burris, one of our founding members packed light today. All he brought was the Graupner Tug. He's the clubs #1 "Tug Man", and when we end up in trouble, he's right there to push us in.

[P. Tritle]

Fred Keulin brought the Coast Guard boat to try to keep the rest of us in line. But, we had a good time anyway ;)

[P. Tritle]

I brought 3 boats today, 2 brand new ones and one which has been in dry dock for over 2 years.
Yoda's Ark was refitted last night, and ran like here old self. She's always been one of my favorite boats, and I think this time, she's out of drydock for good!
The Orca is a brand new build on her shakedown cruise. She ran straight and true, and didn't take on a drop of water. A grand success for sure.
And last but not least, the 10.6" Gentleman's Runabout. The model was built from a cut down Revell 1/72 scale PT-109 hull, using a GWS 7.2 volt motor and 2 ch. R/C. This is the smallest boat I've done so far, and was really impressed with how well it ran.

[P. Tritle]

Anything that's really fun has to have at least a little danger involved, and our pond is no exception. There are 2 giant Swans that patrol these waters making sure we follow all the rules! And the rules are, "don't mess with the Swans"!
So far, no one has actually been attacked, but if we were to push it just a little too far, I'll bet they'd make short work of even the biggest of our boats. Up till now it's been a very peacefull coexistance.
PAT

[Aerominded]

Looks like you had a nice day Pat! Congratulations on your 2 maiden voyages! Orca looks great and the runabout sure makes an impressive wake for a 10.5" boat! looks pretty speedy!

That is a nice collection of boats that run on that pond!

:)

[P. Tritle]

Aero, We're lucky to have a good active group here in the desert! Meanwhile, progress on the new dedicated boat pond is coming along nicely. Looks like completion might be a little over a year late, but at least it's happening.
PAT

[Aerominded]

Active boat clubs in the desert, who would have thought!?! ;) :) Re the dedicated RC pond, glad to hear that is still on track- I remember you mentioned that in a previous thread... A year behind schedule, better late than never! Every town needs an RC pond! :)

[cop56]

Looks like a great time! Thanks for sharing your pictures. Glad to see Yodas back in action. I agree it's a great boat,I'm looking forward to warmer weather and I can get mine back in the water.
Fred

[bub9797]

Pat,
What kind of boat is that in pond22.jpg? That's a neat one.
Thanks,
Rob

[Ray Farina]

To P. Tritle:
So far my son (27 years old) has built 2 of you boats, The S.S. Minnow and the Yoda Arc. The S.S. Minnow has just about been completed and has done it in 2 Times your plan. The Yoda Arc has been completed but not yet run. I have half completed the S.S. Minnow in 1-1/2 and am very satisfied with the plans. Of course we have both added extras to the model. I am a scratch built classic model builder, and have yet to build a kit. I usually take all of my boat plans and offsets from Science and Mechanics
"Boat Builders Handbook" and scale them down with the chart that I have made to reduce them to a scale of 2 inches = I FOOT. I have about 12 of these books and 3 Fawcett book on the same subject. You can view these full size boats on the web of FREE BOAT PLANS and go down to the ones put out be SCIENCE AND MECHANICS and then again go into the science and mechanics again. If you are interested in this scale you can come back to me at R.R.Farina@att.net. No charge for the folder. It was done on another computer at work, which the hard drive went down andI am not able to send it to you from the computer. But I can make you a copy from my oroginal and send it to you. I will need your home address. But it is pleasure to hear from you on this website.

[P. Tritle]

Rob, That's "Yoda's Ark". I did the design several years ago and have been running it ever since. I have plans available, and the Construction Article was done on it in RC Boat Modeler if you would like to see details on how it was built.

PAT

[bub9797]

Pat,

Thanks, I'm definitely going to consider that after I finish the Commander! What a classic looking design.

Rob

[P. Tritle]

Rob, Sounds good. The design was actually spawned by a 13" static model of the boat that I did many years ago. The boat came from an artists renduring on a Great Gatsby reuion poster many years ago. I liked the looks of the static model so well that I double scaled it and set it up to run.

PAT