hansvonpensch

In calculating the weight of a Vietnam Monitor boat of 1/16 scale, It needs to be about 45-50 pounds, and about 30 pounds for a 1/20 scale model.
This is based on a 3'-6" draft on the real boat, if??? that draft does not include any rudder, prop or keel. If the 3'-6" draft includes one or more of those things, the boat could be lighter, Does anyone know. Thanks, Randy.

hansvonpensch

I have seen some plans that show part of the prop guard thing, (what would you call it) it it accounts for about 1/3rd or the draft. I would think it would account for about 14" of the 42" draft. Now the 1/16 scale does not look so bad.

mfr02

The draft will probably vary a lot anyway, when coming back from a patrol light on fuel, ammunition, sun tan oil and Hershey bars, it will sit  a lot higher than when setting off fully loaded.  Theres no saying how much personal comfort extra armour the crew might have availed themselves of, either.  The military are usually sparing with accurate facts about any size of their shipping wherever possible, so the best bet is to built light but strong, then ballast down with useful stuff like batteries until it looks "right".

hansvonpensch

I think I will put the waterline a little lower than scale, don't need a 30 pound boat. When I build it I will probably start a new thread, will keep you posted. Thanks, Randy