First swim in the 'indoor test tank'. Floats spot on and has truckloads of power. may have to fit the 80T motors yet as it may have a bit much thrust with the 45T 540s, have to wait for 'sea trials' to see what if anything needs changing. Excess power is a waste I think, and it's better to motor and prop the model so full power is scale like, and not race boat capable.
Not exactly quiet, but have not oil filled the shafts yet and they are spinning at 12000 RPM( the 80Ts should be a lot quieter). Speed controllers 'chirp' a bit but there's probably only me to care about that anyway. Looking ok so far.
JB

Did my 80km round trip to the 'local' hobby shop and bought a few bits for the model. Bought a block of balsa for the dinghy (which was carried on the roof) some Tamiya 6mm masking tape (thanks Doug, they even have 3mm), some 1/8" black Sig superstripe tape (going to try that for the boot topping as my hands are not as steady these days with brushes), and some brass rod to re-do the cleats. Dinghy hull is shaped, cleats are made and dinghy gunwale strips are boiled and bent.
The small cleats in the pic (on mould 'rack') will be cut in half and used for canopy hooks for the rear cockpit. (ripper 'donner and blitzen' storm just started - power's probably going off soon if it keeps up!) The black deck matting is textured art paper I found at the big local stationary store and is coated with very thin dope (to waterproof) and contact glued to the deck. Makes pretty accurate matting I think.
JB

Small size adjustment to cleats (yes Martin, they bugged the hell out of me!), - not perfect but little bit more 'manly' (or personly to be PC😁) now. Doug will be happier too! Rubbing strips on the dinghy this morning and a coat of air freshener (see can) applied. off to the spotlight store to find some canvas look alike material for the rear cover.
JB

Went down to the Spotlight store and found the closest thing to green canvas possible and managed to get the rear cockpit cover made. Bit of a mission to get it done, but it's about as good as it's going to get. The cover hooks are made from the card of small plastic fairleads, sprayed black, cut in half and trimmed to a hook (not brilliant but was all I could think of).
Cover is made over a balsa frame and just drops into the cockpit, overlapping the coamings slightly (was going to try and thread thin elastic round the cover to actually hook it down but that's for later). Dinghy is almost finished, - waiting for the decal to dry for the boat name to go on its transom, and the gunwale rubbing strip to be painted white. Dinghy colour ( International 'rescue orange') is same as original.
Bought some stiff grey felt to line the wheelhouse sides, (and maybe soundproofing somewhere). Might try and make the rear wheelhouse side windows slide up and down if poss, (not bothering with the flip up hatches,- I know they won't look tidy enough and they're unnecessary)- a maybe later job . Just have those to do, re-do the boot topping, and 'glaze' the portholes and that should be about it, then next job will be 'sea trials' (if the rain and thunder storms will stop for 5 mins!😠), - not looking likely most of this week☹️
JB

Made the boat Boat name decal for the dinghy, and I also made an eye for a painter, and put a bit of white around the gunwale rubbing strip. Pics of the cockpit cover plug removed also.
JB

Now for something silly. Who knew GM made brushed motors for boats? Thought I'd give a hint of Gm to the boat. Won't see them but just a bit of fun.
JB

Couldn't resist the urge, had to put the bungee cords on, just didn't look right without them!. Found some thin elastic at the local $2 Chinese store which is about as close as i'll get. Cover is now properly tied down, but unfortunately one of the eyes pulled out, (I poked the hole too near the edge, -duh).
Aft portholes glazed (need cyno bloom cleaning off), boot topping's done (used SIG 1/8" 'Super Stripe) then promptly stuffed up the 'antifouling' on port side by trying to spray Helmar Crystal Clear on lightly to seal the edge, (forgot 'A-F' is enamel- duh again, had one of those crap days when everything turned to excrement! (re-do 'antifouling' above lower chine rail!!**%#^$# )
Had to rest what was left of the brain so went out and mowed my soggy lawn (now the neighbors are doing theirs),-"lead by example" I say.
Will finish bungey cord on back and Stbd side and I think she's about ready for a nice day at the pond, (I can't trust what I think though, I've proved myself wrong on many occasions!) I'll probably Take the MTB as supervising VOD in case of mechanical misadventure).
JB

Sun was out today so took a few outside pics with cover on and off. Thought the foredeck was a bit bare so Knocked up a working Danforth anchor which will go on some chocks, with a bit of rope/chain to a spurling pipe., Can't go to sea without an anchor!
Launch day might be this week as the weather is getting better. Can't think of anything else it might need, so unless I find something I've missed, the next thing should be a video.😊😊😊
JB
PS. Knocked up a stand as well today, just needs staining.

Sorry, just had to! Anchor (working) on deck, spurling pipe in and working, and dinghy repainted the correct colour (don't know why I thought it was orange,- major senior moment!😁
This is getting a bit like the Mr Creosote sketch,-"just another little morsel" Still waiting for the stand varnish to set. Weather's looking better!
JB

Stand finished (no screws just dowels) Aerial wires made, (bit thick but will re-do them at a later date) Filled the oiler cans and the shaft bearings are a lot quieter now (not perfect but quieter) Now all I need is a nice day and some calm water, - everything's charged, tested and ready to go!)
Original boat pic added for comparison.
Thanks everyone for the comments and suggestions, - always handy to have encouragement, different ideas and methods offered, as we can't always think of everything!
JB