successful test

[dreadnought]

Thanks for all the great ideas. The test for Dreadnought went exceptionally well. Here are some details. No pics of test but I will document a cruise later.

The hull is very stable in the water. tested by pushing gunnel to waterline and she pops right up. I put in a ton of ballast and still did not get down to where I covered prop wash in reverse. The 14 v motor pushes well. Not exactly flank speed, but respectable. I tested with the 9 volt pack so a 12volt should be nice. nice scale wake. rudder is too small, but can easily be remedied. stuffing box nice and tight. I had a leak in the stern where I made a last minute adjustment to accomodate room for rudder.

All in all I am pleased. The 14v ryobi drill drive works.
I will add capacitors, larger battery, consider how to make direct drive. (found a 1/8" countersink bit holder that may do the trick.) not sure I need the bilge keels. maybe just skegs. move rudder servo aft. larger rudder. prettier prop. top sides.

I work in theatre and know they make a portable smoke machine. Later I may tinker with this for a great stack effect. (wishful thinking at this point.)

Here are the profile shots, the strongback shots, plans found off internet, and a repeat of the runnung gear shots.

here is link to plans. not dreadnought but the lines worked for me. I have since found nice drawings for superstructure. <http://www.bestscalemodels.com/avrora.html>

Thanks again.