Pat's Schooner Valdivia

This was a first for me- an R/C sailboat. And not just any little sloop, but a full-on large scale schooner. The challenge was taken on expressly for a build-article in Ships in Scale magazine, a four part series running from July 2006 through January 2007 (and yes, back issues are available! Contact Seaways Publishing at the link above). And because the magazine is still available, I won't go into too much detail here- just enough to whet your appetite.

This is a kit from Robbe, and is remarkably well engineered and documented. It's semi-scale, but the builder is free to "accurize" as much as desired. I built her basically stock, with several modifications as listed below.

Description
The real Valdivia was built in 1868 as "Vanadis" in Sweden, and still sails the Baltic seas today under the German flag. The model is based on her condition in recent years, which includes details such as the striking white synthetic caulking in her teak deck.

The model is complex with a zillion parts, but even so it's made easier by use of a vacuum-formed ABS hull and deck. There are a number of steps which just take time and patience, such as fitting and laying the deck planking, tying all those reefing points, and building up the ratlines. I completed the job in about four months of long evenings and dedicated weekends, but you're free to take longer!

Modifications

Re-engineered the gear-motor system for the auxiliary drive (one place where Robbe didn't shine);
Reinforcing screws through the deck into the deck beams (covered by the planking; if these glued beams ever popped off under the plastic sub-deck, it would be a real problem);
Substituted fine grain wood for some of the supplied spruce. The spruce has a big obvious grain which makes the structures look toy-like.
Stained wooden masts, instead of brown-painted aluminum tubes.
Hand-scraped decks instead of sanded for a beautiful finish.
Spektrum DX6 radio and Mtroniks speed control- good stuff!
Custom transport cradle

How Does She Sail?
This is no racing boat, or at least I don't know enough to trim her right for speed. But she gets around the pond just fine, and makes for a fun day of sailing. She has no auxiliary keel, so there's a bit of crabbing, and the stiffest breezes will require taking down the topsails. If I built another one, I'd make allowance for an extra keel.

Transport is made easy as the topmasts come down without much fuss. The bowsprit is also removable, as are the lower masts, but this requires complex reassembly. With only topmasts down, she fits in the back of my little Ford Escape.

Where to find out more?
Read Taylor Sparks' detailed build diary;
Contact any of several Robbe dealers, including:
Loyalhanna
Ikarus
Ships n'Things

Is Pat's Valdivia for sale?
Nope, it's sold now. Thanks for asking!

e-mail Pat!

back to Pat's other model pages

More Pix

Deck is planked in real teak and mahogany, with white plastic caulking laid between.

She can put her rail much further under this and still stay dry inside.
Some of the rigging.

Mainmast

Foredeck detail

With topmasts down, she can fit in a moderate sized vehicle.