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2009/05/05

Memories from 1911 about Model-yachting

Model-yachting - LoveToKnow 1911
Model-yacht regattas are very different from the toy-boat matches indulged in by children from one side of a pond to the other. They take place upon sufficiently large bodies of water to allow a course at least a quarter of a mile in length, which is generally sailed twice or three times over to windward and backward. Triangular courses are also sailed. Racing rules correspond generally to those controlling regattas of large boats, and there is full scope to exhibit all the proofs of good seamanship. The yachts are followed in light skiffs, and may not be touched more than a certain number of times during a race, on penalty of a handicap. Racing measurements differ in the various clubs, but all are based upon length and sail-area. In Great Britain the regular Yacht Racing Association rule has been generally adopted, and handicaps deducted from it. In America models are divided into a single schooner with a maximum load water-line of 63 in., and three classes of sloops, the first class including yachts with water-lines between 48 and 53 in., the second class those between 42 and 48 in. and the third and smallest class those between 35 and 42 in. A yacht with a shorter water-line than 35 in. must race in the third class. It has been found that yachts of smaller dimensions possess too little resistance to the wind.

See Model Sailing Yachts; in Marshall's Practical Manuals series, 1905; and How to Build a Model Yacht, by Herbert Fisher (New York, 1902).


2009/04/28

Sailing Model sail control winch options

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Winch? Which Winch?
From: "Douglas" Subject: [Star45] Winch? Which Winch?
To: Star45@yahoogroups.com

Is the Hitec HS-785HB Sail Winch Servo enough for the star or is the RMG the must have for the star? Is there any other options, better options with regards to a drum servo? Is the drum the best choice? What's your opinion, I'd very much appreciate it?

Doug
--
From: "jfisher"

I have not use an arm winch for years, but one difference I found was that they tend to use more power than the RMG. I usually use about 600 mah in 3 hours of sailing with an RMG. So I run 1340 lipo’s and swap at lunch on a big regatta or not at all on club days. Only 80g for the battery. I usually use more battery out of the TX than the boat.

I also don’t like that the power of an arm winch changes depending of your sheeting. On my M it used to sheet out while reaching on the puffs. With the RMG this doesn’t happen. I have considered the new digital ¼ scale servo’s since they are super fast. Now you can gybe without losing speed.

If you want a cheap drum and have not used an RMG before the Hitech drum winch is a good choice, about $50. But once you sail with an RMG with its quicker speed you wont want to go back. Also you will need a more advanced radio to change the sheeting length as it only turn 3.5 turns, while the RMG has programmable travel.

--
From: Larry Ludwig

The Futaba 5801 is an excellent choice for the Star 45, and has one particularly nice feature in the form of a set screw that allows you to dial the travel length right there with the winch installed. It is also considerbly cheaper. The winch retails for $149.00 from www.towerhobbies.com and they have a special right now for a $150 order take off $15.00 so $135.00 and it may even qualify for free shipping. Smoking deal.

Personally, I prefer a swing arm over the drum winches because of reliability. I know several guys that swear that they have never had a drum "spool off" but I am the opposite, I have never had one that did NOT spool off at one point. Just my .02 but I don't know of a swing arm winch that I like for the Star, they are either too big or too small. If I was to pick one, I would say the Ozman or Probar, I think those are still available.

posted by Dave_Mainwaring # Tuesday, April 28, 2009

2009/04/25

Materials for spars (from 1995 discussion)

Model Boat Building Resource: Materials for spars (from 1995 discussion)

Saturday, April 25, 2009
Materials for spars (from 1995 discussion)

[quote]
Date: Wed, 8 Feb 1995 09:32:51 -1000 From: tanaka_be@swam1.enet.dec.com (Bert Tanaka) Message-Id: <9502081930.AA09897@mts-gw.pa.dec.com> Organization: Harvard University Office of Information Technology Subject: New Product - Improved SkyShark 2P rod

    I got a set of the new 2P spars from SkyShark and tested them in my Legend IQ ultralight that normally uses the 3P spars. This is a nice 8 gram rod. The old 2P was the same diameter as the 3P, 5P and 7P, which made it convenient because it was interchangeable with the same fittings that are used on the other rods. Although it had a pretty good stiffness to weight ratio, it was also a bit fragile for the heavy use and harsh flying that I like to do. I've never used them because I could break them so easily.

    This new 2P is made with a smaller diameter. A concept Erez says that was suggested by David Lord. I believe he used the diameter spec Dave suggested when the new mandrel was selected. Otherwise, it appears to have all the same characteristics of the old rod, except that it is much, much tougher.

    I've been flying with it for a while now and have been doing a lot of ground rolls, tip stabs, coins, cartwheels, and hard snap stalls (basically, I've been trying to break them!). Ground work and hard snapping maneuvers will weaken a rod but so far, this new 2P has held up wonderfully. This one is probably tough enough to accept a set of Power-Tite connectors which help to stiffen up the frames made of light weight spars. At any rate, it has proving to be a very durable performer for me.

    Good Winds, Bert


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    Date: Thu, 9 Feb 1995 12:19:06 -1000 From: bwg001@carina.unm.edu (Brian W. Gordon) Message-Id: <3he4cq$o30@lynx.unm.edu> Organization: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque Subject: Re: New Product - Improved SkyShark 2P rod

    Bert Tanaka (tanaka_be@swam1.enet.dec.com) wrote: : I got a set of the new 2P spars from SkyShark and tested them in my : Legend IQ ultralight that normally uses the 3P spars. This is a nice : 8 gram rod. The old 2P was the same diameter as the 3P, 5P and 7P, which : made it convenient because it was interchangeable with the same fittings : that are used on the other rods. Although it had a pretty good stiffness : to weight ratio, it was also a bit fragile for the heavy use and harsh : flying that I like to do. I've never used them because I could break them : so easily.

    : This new 2P is made with a smaller diameter. A concept Erez says that was : suggested by David Lord. I believe he used the diameter spec Dave suggested : when the new mandrel was selected. Otherwise, it appears to have all the same : characteristics of the old rod, except that it is much, much tougher.

    : I've been flying with it for a while now and have been doing a lot : of ground rolls, tip stabs, coins, cartwheels, and hard snap stalls : (basically, I've been trying to break them!). Ground work and hard : snapping maneuvers will weaken a rod but so far, this new 2P has held : up wonderfully. This one is probably tough enough to accept a set of : Power-Tite connectors which help to stiffen up the frames made of : light weight spars. At any rate, it has proving to be a very durable : performer for me.

    : Good Winds, : Bert

    Thanks for the great info Bert! How do you think these spars will hold up (in terms of toughness) to other SUL spars like the G-Force?

    Keith Kidder


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    From: Date: Fri, 17 Feb 1995 01:44:26 -1000 From: mainwari@k12.oit.umass.edu(Dave Mainwaring (Northeast Resources))) Message-Id: <1995Feb17.114426.12799@k12.ucs.umass.edu> Organization: University of Massachusetts/Amherst K-12 Information System Reply-To: mainwari@k12.oit.umass.edu(Dave Mainwaring (Northeast Resources))) Subject: Re: New Product - Improved SkyShark 2P rod


    In a previous article, bwg001@carina.unm.edu (Brian W. Gordon) says:

    />Bert Tanaka (tanaka_be@swam1.enet.dec.com) wrote: />: I got a set of the new 2P spars from SkyShark and tested them in my />: Legend IQ ultralight that normally uses the 3P spars. This is a nice />: 8 gram rod. The old 2P was the same diameter as the 3P, 5P and 7P, which />: made it convenient because it was interchangeable with the same fittings />: that are used on the other rods. Although it had a pretty good stiffness />: to weight ratio, it was also a bit fragile for the heavy use and harsh />: flying that I like to do. I've never used them because I could break them />: so easily. />


    any suggestions on locating sources for spars, I,m in the Boston MA area. --Dave Mainwaring Northeast Resources (617) 455 9920 FAX 617 449 1826


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    Date: Fri, 17 Feb 1995 08:15:23 -1000 From: sasaki@netope.harvard.edu (Marty Sasaki) Message-Id: <3i2p3r$4u5@netope.harvard.edu> Organization: Harvard University Subject: Re: New Product - Improved SkyShark 2P rod


    In article <1995Feb17.114426.12799@k12.ucs.umass.edu>, mainwari@k12.ucs.umass.edu (Dave Mainwaring (Northeast Resources)) writes: |>any suggestions on locating sources for spars, I,m in the Boston MA area.

    Don McCasland at Kites of Boston has a pretty good stock of spars and can order anything that he doesn't have.

    I can provide small numbers of spars for repairs and such. I don't really do retail, however, but am happy to help out if you need something on the field and I have it with me.

    I highly recommend Tom Marvin at Hang-em High Fabrics in Richmond VA. Tom has all sorts of spars and fittings along with Icarex and regular ripstop nylon.

    Another good source of spars is the High Fly Kite Co in New Jersey. Fran Gramkowski has lots of experience with all sorts of kite spars.

    --Marty Sasaki Harvard University Sasaki Kite Fabrications sasaki@harvard.edu Network Services Division 90 Melrose Street 617-496-4320 10 Ware Street Arlington, MA 02174 Cambridge, MA 02138-4002 phone/fax: 617-646-1925
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