The Wiesel is Back: Sea Trial at Lake Seminole Park (Florida, USA)
Had a nice run with the Schnellboot Wiesel at the June 21,2026 meet of the Suncoast Scale Model Boat Club. First time back in the water after 15+ years in my display case. I was hoping for a little more speed but the boat ran well and looked good cutting the water. But then, don't all of the Schnellboot look good? Only issue was me letting it drift into some weeds while setting up my camera on the tripod. Most of the video was recorded at about 30 meters away but the decent zoom on the camera brought the boat in close. I hope you enjoy the video.
Last Sunday KMBC held an open day focused on lifeboats
There was a great turnout and numerous other clubs joined the event.
Here are a few pictures that I took with my phone, I will post more as soon as I have downloaded and sorted those on my camera.
Stunning weather most model boaters would be jealous of. Warm, but not hot! Very gentle breeze. No rain! But not many showed up. Wait 'till the summer comes" No complaints about it being too hot for model boats!
Anyway, I wanted to get back to my trawler with another video. This time on board with my old GoPro. Had some issues with the battery packs slipping inside the hull. I'm going to remove the one for the lighting as I don't use them anyway. Then I will add some fixed ballast in the bottom. The video with the camera (and waterproof housing) on the top of the pilot house made the boat heel quite a bit. Going to try for some more on board videos in the near future on my other boats.
Got the 4 minute YouTube link here:
I hope you enjoy it!
Lew! This is great!!!
When you have a moment can you post a picture of the rudder and prop set-up you've used Elena? Or is it in your harbor or build blog? I have a trawler in my future.
Many thanks!
👍
Nothing fancy about the prop and rudder. The rudder pivot axis is about 35% back from the leading edge. This way the rudder forces more of the prop back wash to the side to help the boat turn sharper.
Recommissioning the RC British Powerboat Co 64ft RNZAF HSL 'W1'
After about 6yrs of the model being 'laid up', I thought it was about time to get it back in 'survey' again, and get some better videos with new camera. Checked it over, cleaned the smoke system (glycerin mixture had separated) oiled everything up and off to the pond. Ran as well as ever and everything still worked which was pleasing.
For those who missed the build blog way back, the model is 36", glass over strip planked balsa, has twin 28mm 2000kv inrunners with twin 60A car escs, twin GT Power sound units, a smoke and water exhaust system (developed by myself and Graham 96, -which he and Mike Turpin successfully fitted to their excellent fireboats) and lighting. Uses 2 -2s 2200mah LiPos for the motors, and an 1800mah 2s LiPo for the air and water pumps.
Boat was shipped to the RNZAF in 1940 and was eventually sold to a private owner in the late 50s. It is still around in Auckland after suffering 3 major modifications to the coamings, and is now fully airconditioned, and can be operated from an I Pad. Today powered with a Detroit 8V96 in place of twin Grey Marine (Detroit) 671s, which replaced the 3 original Napier sea lions. Did 38knts with the 3 Napiers, (1500hp) and does 22knots today with a single 500hp Detroit. It was the only one of the 22 built to be sold in the southern hemisphere. The only other one running is HSL 102 in the UK
I have been on board once in 1968 when it was still in original form, and then again 50yrs later in its' present form.
Nice calm day to "chuck" a sail on the front of my camera boat to maintain downwind speed when not using noisy power !!.
Due to weedy conditions , didn`t bother about no keel - Shall not do that again - AGH !!!
All equipment , RX, battery, motor ,esc and camera dried out, tested and OK.
Phew ! - that was lucky.
Just for fun !.
Ohh dear.. Pleased you managed to rescue all the gear though Phil.. My apologies for the nosiness of this question, but what was the other boat involved, the green and white one ? the motor sailer, or thats what it looked like to me.. Thanks for the post.. ATB Muddy..
Suncoast Scale Model Boat Club (Florida, USA) meet: Aug 18, 2024
We had a small meet but being I recently got a new camera I was able to test it out with a few photos and videos. The video is short at about 3 minutes.
(The sternwheeler is a work in progress and will be static model. It is a Chaperon kit modified to look like an operating sternwheeler here in Florida.)
Peterd, I have been using the default settings on the camera. Supposed to be a fairly "simple" aka "point and shoot" but there are a lot of settings and I need to see what is best.
It is a new camera but has been around for a while. I bought it because of the ratings, price, and features like splash proof, dust proof, and a good zoom, 4K HD, all is essential for me in photographing model boats and tanks.
Having done a bit more trimming the lee helm is reduced but a bit like squeezing a balloon it has given me other issues. Anyhow, Andy a proper sailor took her for a spin and after sort of getting to grips with the controls he then went racing with the df65's. Camera battery died before the end of the race but got loads of good advice for the next outing.😎
Just for fun thought I would revisit a " fan assisted " Wee Nip . Looking again at issues such as noise, focus, changes in light and the suitability for various camera platforms for close encounters!.
Tested here at our local lake with the Buxton Model Boat Club.
(Dont forget to select the"cog" icon to veiw in HD quality on youtube)
Using the camera boats, we have a montage of clips here which help to appreciate the many variables between cameras and conditions around the lake at different times of the year.
