Ok, so having sorted out the rudder bracket I moved on to the upper pivot. The hole for the rudder was drilled in the hull (using the usual precautions) and the rudder pivot tube checked for fit (fig1).

fig 1

At this point I discovered that a casting (part no’ 172 - rudder top tube) was missing from the kit (fig 2). Now if this was due to having the “twin screw” version of the hull I cannot be sure, never the less I was unhappy with the idea of the pivot just being glued in place with no additional support. 

fig 2

 

fig 3

Having studied the plans it soon became clear that the rudder lower bracket is too long or the gap in the hull moulding too short (or both).  So as you can see in the pictures below I have had to shorten the bracket by a substantial amount.

This casting is a pig. It is bent, not symmetrical, it is too long, too wide and even the countersunk hole is not in the middle. To be honest by the time I had finally made it fit to my satisfaction (lots of filing and sanding) I would have been better off making a complete replacement. Anyhow, I wanted to make this part removable in order to service the rudder should the need arise. So I drilled a 6mm hole in the bottom of the hull and inserted a rawlplug as shown below.

Using a 3mm brass countersunk bolt the bracket is held securely in place (however I will be using some epoxy resin as I shall describe later).

The final two photos show the rudder in place with the bracket screwed in to position. When I have completed the final assembly of the rudder and props the bracket will be “smoothed” in using filler as with the other parts ready for painting.

Brian has kindly supplied some more pics of his Imara and you can see the progress he has made. Most noticeable are the wheelhouse and mast which make the model feel much more complete. I also cannot help but notice just how well the Imara sits in the water, she just looks “right”. I am really jealous now and must get on with mine.

 I also had new comments from Fredric West who is yet another “Imara Nutter”. I have asked Fred if he would like to share some pics and details of his Imara experience.