S.S. Minnow
 

Hi ya'll. Let me start off by staying that i'm new to the RC world. I've been thinking about building a big gas boat for a while, and while surfing for information i found these plans for the S.S. Minnow. The plans look fairly simple, and it looks like it would be a fun project. I'm just curious if you all think that its easy enough for a newbie, or if you all have any advice. Thanks

[link=http://www.rcboatmodeler.com/plans/ssMinnow_1.asp]S.S. Minnow[/link]

RE: S.S. Minnow
 

From what I have seen of Pat's work, they are extremely simple, and well designed boats.
Go for it!!;)

If you are really interested in discussing this as a project you can probably get a hold of Pat here.[8D]

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...hreadid=191618

We have given him a hard time, because so far, most of the ships he has built are
ships that sunk during their service.:D

Aimee

RE: S.S. Minnow
 

HEY pc where you see those s. s. minnow plans at so i can get them. thanks.

RE: S.S. Minnow
 

Thanks Umi, that link was exactly what i was looking for.

Boneslasher, here is the link to the article and plans for the S.S. Minnow: [link]http://www.rcboatmodeler.com/plans/ssMinnow_1.asp[/link]
Also the link Umi posted has a lot of great information, especially if you want to get the LC Short Kit.

i'm gonna order it after i make sure i can get the wood for it locally.

also if your interested in the S.S. Minnow, Pat also has plans for the Orca form Jaws.

RE: S.S. Minnow
 

can you buy this boat in a kit? or does it just come in plans?

RE: S.S. Minnow
 

For a while it sounded like Mr Tritle had someone with a laser cutter on stand by, but the shop moved or something. So far I think it's just the plans for sale through RC boat modeler magazine.

You could use the link to contact Pat Tritle and find out if he ever kitted the boat.
There could have been copyright issues also with the "Minnow" and "Gilligan's Island".
Not that the kit couldn't have been sold as 1964 Wheeler.

Check with Pat, if nothing else, the plans and build ups of Pat Tritle's designs are very easy to follow. Several people have built their first boats using one his plan sets.;)

RE: S.S. Minnow
 

Actually, Pat combined the 3 boats that were used for the TV show into one. If you do a Google or other search for Gilligan's Island there is one site that shows all 3 boats plus Pat's plans are also linked in there.
Here, I saved you the searching: http://www.gilligansisle.com/minnow.html and there were 4 boats used.

RE: S.S. Minnow
 

Fishy,
Have you ordered the plans or planning on building the SS Minnow. I recently ordered plans and started cutting out parts this week. The plans are straight-forward and easy to follow. If I can follw them anyone can. If you start building one let me know.
Thanks

RE: S.S. Minnow
 

The SS Minnow is a great project boat. We think it is not a boat for newbies. We have made a few modifications to our Minnow. One of the modifications is a fiberglass hull.

Beware of your selection of motors (size & mounting). Be creative in mounting the motors.

Have plenty of tools, A dremmel will be your greatest asset.

See the photos of the construction process.

Good Luck.

RE: S.S. Minnow
 

BONESLASHER04

Humm that's my email address [email protected] or i mean it was :)

RE: S.S. Minnow
 

The plans are great but lacking, like the instructions. However the minnow is a great project boat. Send/post photos of your construction progress we would like to see them.

Click on my name and see my gallery of photos on our SS Minnow construction.

Have fun

Robert

RE: S.S. Minnow
 

What is that?


BONESLASHER04

Humm that's my email address [email protected] or i mean it was

RE: S.S. Minnow
 

Well I had seen that someone used Boneslasher04 as a member. Only did I didn't relize it was me. LOL You see boneslasher04 was my old email account. which is no good now. Boy i got to lay off that pot. Hehe

RE: S.S. Minnow
 

An update to our SS Minnow project --> We have added the floor that we had to remove but we will reinstall this work session. We are in process of constructing the cabin (see photos). Give credit where credit is due -- The member of our two member team (that forgot to route the servo cable) has done most of the work on the cabin and fore deck.

Check out the photos of our progress on the minnow, more to follow.

RE: S.S. Minnow
 

New Photos are available for the SS Minnow.

RE: S.S. Minnow
 

If you guys would like to reach pat trittle you can get him at [email protected]
His boats are usually built with what any one has around and don't require special woods and etc. He has done a lot of work for Dumas and Dare plus he has his own designs.
When it comes to pe-cut parts he can supply laser parts for moast of his stuff plus vacum formed parts to. He has extensive e-plane stuff and giant scale too. If you guys want differant Pat's got He and I fly and boat together so if he gives you any trouble let him know "The Dick" sent you

RE: S.S. Minnow
 

Thanks for the assistance in contacting Pat. We are nearing completion of the Minnow.

The boat is constructed - we are sanding, priming, sealing, and getting ready to paint. The basic electronics are laid out. We will probably be ready to put it in the bathtub in about 3 or 4 weeks. We only work on Saturdays (on the boat that is, we have jobs earning money during the week to pay for cars, houses, and kids in college).

We will update as we have more information.

Oh by the way, tell "The Pat" that boat is not for beginners. Those servos and motors in the plans aren't around anymore.

We must admit that we do love the Minnow that he created for us. It has given us many memories that we will remember for years.

Thanks,
Robert

RE: S.S. Minnow
 

Mr Dick_B

We sent the following message to Pat.

.................................................. .................................................. .........................................

Pat,

We are nearing completion of our Minnow.

Question: How did you manage to put 8 coats of Nitrate Dope on that Minnow without vomiting, or burninig your eyes out?

The Keel was the hardest part.
No, The balsa covering was the hardest part
No, The Prop Shafts were the hardest part
No, The Counter-rotating props were the hardest part

Now the Nitrate Dope is certainly the most difficult portion of this exercise.............

We love your SS Minnow. Great work on your part.

However, 8 coats of Nitrate Dope was one of the most amazing things you have done with the Minnow!

Dont Give me any trouble "The Dick" sent me.

Sincerely,
Robert & Jim

RE: S.S. Minnow
 

Dear "The Dick"

The email addresses you offered for Pat are not valid.

Thanks for the help............

RE: S.S. Minnow
 

it is [email protected]. I used it and it worked fine for me. He usually answered the emails within a day. For some reason RCU is cutting out the "p" at the begining of the email adress. If you just click the link, make sure you edit it so that is says "pat" not "at".

RE: S.S. Minnow
 

bobbert and other builders
In the use of the coats of dope 2 on the inside of the hull and 3 on the out should be enough. I have found that Minwax waterbased Poly clear sealer works on hulls just as good on this type of hull construction. It will even seal a completed hull if any pin hole leaks show up after completion and you are not sure where it is by pouring it into the hull and sloshing it around in a flowing way into areas that you can't reach. My "fast boat in completion had a leak around a rudder post and it seakled right up.
To shape the balsa sheeting I use Windex Orig. No more bath tub, and it can be put even during forming.if it starts to dry out. Spray on heavy and let it soak in.
On motor look for the E-plane motors that come with simple gear drives., Ican get the name of who I'm using if intrested, they are pretty easy to wire and mount and Dumas dog bone couplers can be taped to go on the speed 400 shafts. No speed boat but nice scale speeds and the come withgear ratios. For drive shafts on this type of boats try a cheap way. Use 4-40 push rods with the traded end. I've used them on pretty much all ofthis size boat. Put an alum. tube on the the push rod and then use a brass tube as your outer shaft for them to turn in. I've had no rouble with binding and they seal real good. Threaded end can be trimed for the prop mounting. One more thing- Extrior Spacking (Dap) works well in sealing gaps during construction and sands easily. Seal it well and sand out any but make ure it is sealed or water over time will get to it
The Dick