In this page, we will try to give tips on how to assemble Victor boat's Mini Soling. The Mini Soling is one of the most popular boats owned by club members. Available from TLYC. It is fairly easy to assemble by persons with some knowledge/experience with handtools and model assembly. Though some people will find it challenging to assemble, the club members (specially those who have already assembled their mini solings) are always ready to give assistance. Hopefully, this page will assist a new owner of a mini soling in the assembly of the boat.
"The only thing better than learning from your mistakes, is to learn from mistakes made by others" (I came up with this quote myself, I hope it is original!)
During my searches in the www for more tips on minisoling, I came upon a website that gives great info on assembly of the One meter soling. Because this boat is very very similar to our Minisoling the information found there is very important can can be used by the minisoling owner. Please click HERE to visit the page!
TIP NO. 1
After receiving the kit, find the kit/parts list and check if all the
parts are there. (You don't want to start assembly only to find out you
won't be able to finish the boat because there is one part that is missing!)
There are no pictures or drawings on the parts list, we plan to make one
on this page, for easier checking of parts.
TIP NO. 2
Label all the parts by using a masking tape and a pen. This will help
you in identifying the parts when you start assembly.
TIP NO. 3
Purchase all the necessary materials that
are not included in the kit, before you start assembly. It is very frustrating
to start working, then find out that you needed to buy something and have
to stop working on your boat to go drive to Megamall to buy a tube of glue!
TIP NO. 4
If you know a friend who is also assembling a mini soling or another
boat or other model stuff, contact your friend and ask what he/she already
have. It would be cheaper if you can share glues, tools, tapes and other
materials so that the costs will be lower. Don't buy a drill bit and an
electric drill because you need one, ask around, someone might be able
to lend you one.
TIP NO. 5
Make a cradle for your minisoling before
you start actual assembly. A cradle can be made by making wooden Xs and
using 1 inch masking tape as a temporary cradle.
TIP NO. 6
The rudder assembly of the minisoling is not very rugged. We found
that the hull usually cracks because of the pressure excerted by the rudder
block. We HIGHLY recommend (in fact we insist) that you add extra support
by adding a layer or two of fiberglass and epoxy resin on the hull before
or after installing the rudder block. We found this to be very effective.
You can also do so with the area near the keel assembly (bulkhead) for
extra support. Another option is to make a smaller bulkhead on the rudder
block using pieces of wood, not unlike what the real keel boats have.
TIP NO. 7
After installing the rudder tube to the block, apply thick grease inside
the tube. This is called Packing grease (you can use gear grease for cars),
this prevents water from coming up the shaft, it also prevents rusting
of the rudder assembly. After application, you can then proceed to install
the rudder shaft.
Here is a list of Tools and supplies you need to assemble the minisoling. Please keep in mind that this list is not 100% complete, one may find the need of other stuff for assembly, if so please email us so that we can include them in the list:
CA glue (super glue)- Mighty bond will
work fine. If available get one tube of gel type and one bottle of liquid
type.
Masking Tape- Half inch size.
Ruler or measuring tape- Metric or Imperial
(Victor's instructions are in Inches though)
Epoxy resin- Used for fiber glassing,
check with Yacht clubs if they can spare some.
Fiberglass- Used to reinforce the hull,
you can get them from where you get your epoxy resin.
Modeler's Glue- This is actually a type
of solvent that bonds two plastics together by melting them, available
in model hobby shops like Lil's or Boyel.
Modeler's blade/knife- Needed to trim
plastics and cut stuff. Also called Exacto knives.
Thin wooden sheet- Thin plywood would
do, used for the RC tray.(Victor started including these with his new kits)
Extra wood blocks- To use as support for
the RC tray. 3/8 thick wood is okay.
Wood screws- Small wood screws will be
used to attach the tray to the wood block.
5 min. Epoxy - Or similar A + B type epoxy,
if you can't get epoxy resin. Marine epoxy that comes in 2 small
cans will do very nicely.
Clear lacquer - to coat your wood parts
for water proofing.
Clear coat spray - maybe more expensive
than liquid lacquer but more convinient.
Acrylic or Enamel paint - to paint your
boat, you might want to get a clearcoat paint for finishing.
Silicone Sealant - For sealing the deck
on the hull (most members prefer this), get the RTV type.
Small piece of GI wire - Or any other
material to link tiller to servo, should not be flexible.
Tools:
Long nose and Normal pliers
Philips and flat nose screw drivers in varying
sizes
Wire cutter
Exacto knife or cutter blade
Drill
Drill bits (1/16th, 1/8th)
Sand Paper- in varying grains.