CCairns
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Cheddar Models Steam Launch 'Claire'When I entered this engine in the December 2007 poll, I promised to put up a posting about this Steam Launch. So here it is eventually.
Cheddar Models were a well respected manufacturer of marine engines, boilers, etc. They decided to build a ready built steam boat to compliment their range.
'Claire' is based on a typical American Fantail launch design of the early 20th Century.
It is fitted with a Pintail Vertical boiler and Pintail Engine. This is self contained and mounted on a quick release engine plate, just requiring the disconnection of the receiver and rudder control, and removal of the back seat.
These were supplied with either a black or white hull, a wooden boat stand kit, servos fitted or full radio control, and accessories including steam oil, syringe, spare sight glass tube, and various 'O' rings and seals. For the American market only they also supplied a Flag kit.
I have only bench run the engine so far. A lack of time in the last 2 years has made it difficult to join a local model boat club and get it steam tested, etc. prior to sailing.
I have clad the boiler, gas tank & Condenser/Oil Trap, and lagged the gas, steam and exhaust pipes. A recent ebay purchase is the set of boat fenders, which unfortunately cover up the name and port of registration.
I have named it S.L. Maggie partly in memory of my mother, and also because the Ealing classic comedy 'The Maggie' is my favourite steam boat film. It is of course registered in Glasgow.
I am still on the lookout for some Victorian Dolls to populate it, and a set of flags is needed, obviously a Saltire but not sure of the other one, maybe a Royal Ensign. And some coiled rope to fill up the bow.
Hope you enjoyed this posting. Thanks for looking.
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steamyjim
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Very nice!
Is it one of the first or second runs?
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CCairns
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It is one of the last as it was on special offer to clear.
Was there a difference between the two runs?
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steamyjim
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It was part of the second run then 
Theres not differance, its just they stopped makin it for a year or 2 (no interest). Then bought it back 
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bessytractor
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as an ardent model boater, thanks for posting
looks to be a cracking little thing. I have a pop pop boat (looks like the african queen) powered by a hobbies pop pop engine but its nothing like this.
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steamyjim
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Must get pics of my 2 steam boats up
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bessytractor
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| steamyjim wrote: | | Must get pics of my 2 steam boats up |
yes you must Jim!
I'll get some pics of the pop pop, but only when its finished!
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MooseMan
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That is just superb....love that engine! Thanks for posting!
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Sandman
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WOW what a beauty. 
Excellent pics too. A delight to see.
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Les
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| steamyjim wrote: | | Theres not differance, its just they stopped makin it for a year or 2 (no interest). Then bought it back |
I think it was the case that they were too expensive as well.
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IndianaRog
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Beautiful boat, love the look of that Cheddar engine.
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Mister Occlusion
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That Cheddar stuff looks like it's made from recycled battle tanks. Very nice indeed.
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John Chapman
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That's super, really gorgeous.
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steamyjim
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| Les Marsh wrote: | | steamyjim wrote: | | Theres not differance, its just they stopped makin it for a year or 2 (no interest). Then bought it back |
I think it was the case that they were too expensive as well. |
I wouldn't say to expensive... then engine alone costed nearly £500+RC
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CCairns
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As I recall, I think these launches sold for about £650 originally, plus about another £50 for the full Radio Control.
It was not that they were expensive, in fact Cheddar Models products were not priced high enough which was 1 factor in their demise, but the fact that it could not be modded. It has a sealed ABS hull which only came in 2 colours, so very difficult to customise it.
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duncandumpertruck
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Nice looking boat there Chris! Is this the one you talked about sorting with a condenser/seperator for the model boat club? See you at Richmond park some Sunday!!!
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CCairns
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No this launch came with the Condenser/Oil trap fitted.
I've got another Cheddar Pintail which was to go into a launch so I bought an Condenser/Oil Trap for that one. I'll try and get it posted here soon (a wee bit different from the engine in this posting).
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steamyjim
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| CCairns wrote: | As I recall, I think these launches sold for about £650 originally, plus about another £50 for the full Radio Control.
It was not that they were expensive, in fact Cheddar Models products were not priced high enough which was 1 factor in their demise, but the fact that it could not be modded. It has a sealed ABS hull which only came in 2 colours, so very difficult to customise it. |
£650 ain't to bad for a fully working steam boat
I've got a few bits of Claire hulls somewhere 
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Les
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| steamyjim wrote: | | CCairns wrote: | As I recall, I think these launches sold for about £650 originally, plus about another £50 for the full Radio Control.
It was not that they were expensive, in fact Cheddar Models products were not priced high enough which was 1 factor in their demise, but the fact that it could not be modded. It has a sealed ABS hull which only came in 2 colours, so very difficult to customise it. |
£650 ain't to bad for a fully working steam boat
I've got a few bits of Claire hulls somewhere |
Taken from the 2003 price list:-
Claire Hull Assembly - £240
Canopy Set - £57
Pintail Steam Plant Horizontal/Vertical - £496
Steam Launch - £850
Considering that the hull assembly was a two part fibreglass mould and they were selling off slightly imperfect hulls for £20, in my opinion the full price hull was expensive.
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tmuir
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Now thats a nice boat. Its so nice I would almost be afraid to sail it.
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CCairns
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Thnaks for posting the old prices, as I never got any catalogues from Cheddar but relied on their website.
'they were selling off slightly imperfect hulls for £20' I bet that this was not in 2003 but close to the end of their business (June 2005). I went to the Merstham Steam Rally in May 2005 and the Cheddar stall was having what became their closing down sale, with lots of cheap bargains. Sadly they did not have everything I needed, and their doors were closed before I could get in touch by mail.
Do not forget that the hull comes ready fitted with the brass fittings and a tube all around the inside for your receiver aerial - so you need to take that into account when comparing with Kingston Mouldings, Deans Marine, etc.
This launch uses the Pintail engine and not the Pelican engine which is bigger. A look at Stuart Models website shows that the re-issued Cheddar Models Puffin (similar to the Pelican) now costs £720 plus VAT.
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Les
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| CCairns wrote: | Thnaks for posting the old prices, as I never got any catalogues from Cheddar but relied on their website.
'they were selling off slightly imperfect hulls for £20' I bet that this was not in 2003 but close to the end of their business (June 2005). I went to the Merstham Steam Rally in May 2005 and the Cheddar stall was having what became their closing down sale, with lots of cheap bargains. Sadly they did not have everything I needed, and their doors were closed before I could get in touch by mail.
Do not forget that the hull comes ready fitted with the brass fittings and a tube all around the inside for your receiver aerial - so you need to take that into account when comparing with Kingston Mouldings, Deans Marine, etc.
This launch uses the Pintail engine and not the Pelican engine which is bigger. A look at Stuart Models website shows that the re-issued Cheddar Models Puffin (similar to the Pelican) now costs £720 plus VAT. |
Sorry about engine mix up, have edited previous post to read
'Pintail Steam Plant Horizontal/Vertical - £496'
They had the imperfect hulls for a while at their factory as I used to go to the open weekends every Easter and see them.
It is only the boat I think was expensive.
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Bogstandard
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rather than painting my abs victoria hull, i planked it inside and out. took a fair time, but defintely looks better.
the top shot is it fitted with a very early cheddar puffin steam plant, after the original wilesco boiler decided to turn into a sieve.
the boiler is the one i now use as a test boiler, or will do again when it has been cleaned out.
the bottom two shots show the hull as it was sold about two weeks ago. still in perfect condition after almost 20 years. not a drop of varnish on it, totally sealed in an epoxicote cocoon.
sorry about the non caps, but using just my left hand for the next few days.
john
btw, i know where there is one of these for sale, about 3/4 built with everything except the engine, it was one i built for him and i don't think he will part with it, but it does include a £200+ boiler that is certified and unused, plus figures that he had specially made that were about £40 each. nothing else to buy, except a bit of glue and paint, it even has brand new radio. if you wanted an engine, i am sure i could be talked around into parting with my puffin.
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CCairns
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Thanks for posting those photos.
Nice to see a variation on the Krick launch, and that must have taken a lot of time and patience.
I've been on the lookout for one of these or similar Krick launches for another Pintail I got, but sounds like the one you describe will be too expensive for me.
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Les
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Very nice photos and lovely looking boat. Has given me a few ideas for my Borkum which I have to build.
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kusuchi
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Gorgeous Boat, Chris
Love to see video of it on the water.
Rushing off to the Cheddar website 
Richard.
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kusuchi
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Another beautiful example, (and photograph), Bogstandard.
We really, really want a steam launch. 
And we have so much beautiful water to sail it on.
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CCairns
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Rushing off to the Cheddar website
Sadly Cheddar Models stopped trading in 2005, so you will only get these 2nd hand like ebay (I've seen 2 Claire's on ebay in recent years and they still fetch a good price).
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