Thought I'd add something to lend a bit of realism to the boat, (all boats need a crew)
'Bob' was disemboweled and had part of an aileron horn inserted in his nether region. A servo tray was made under the seat, and a cord from the servo arm runs back, round a 'pulley' and connects to the aforementioned insertion. His right arm was amputated and joints converted to macrame string for extra flexibility. His rear is screwed to the seat between the slats (seat slats) ☹️. Seats are located with tabs so they can be removed easily. 'Bob' and his seat comes out as a unit. Seems to work ok, but he's complaining about the lumps on his head😠
A vid of the first test. Also made a quick new cheap stand for the boat.

JB

All the new mods done, and ready for the next test. Seats are now held in with small tabs, so they can be removed to access the rudder servo drawer, which would foul the port seat when slid out, if glued in permanently. Have also fitted a battery monitor.

JB

Finally getting somewhere, new jib made (with boom) jib sheet sorted (main sheet changed to higher ratio,) First test sail completed and reasonably successful, but with some improvements required. Keel skeg had to have an extension added to its' front edge, as the center of effort on the sails, and center of resistance on the hull here a bit out of whack. Milled a slot in the front of the 6mm x 50 skeg, and epoxied in a 3mmx 50 insert, then glassed it all in. Now has double the skeg width, which should stop it wanting to run off to leeward and go sideways as it did in the test.

Made a larger rudder blade, slackened the jib sheet off a bit and sheeted the main in a bit (at full in) to give the main more windward effect. I should now have enough adjustments to get the boat balanced. The skeg has the various adjustment 'shims' (for fore and aft) so can be adjusted further than before for better lateral balance. Skeg is now a 'hockey stick' shape and is fitted from below, and held in place with 2 dowels on top of the centerboard case.

Battery pack made (6v 4x AA batteries with a voltage regulator set to 5v for the RX winch and rudder)- fits under foredeck to port i a plastic bag, RX fits in plastic enclosure under foredeck to stbd. Lead for rudder runs in the bottom of the cockpit and sealed in place with external building sealer.

Just waiting for the paint to dry on the new rudder blade, and then it will be time for second test, (if the weather clears up) Boat looks a bit like the original (last pics)

Video of first test.

JB

Getting closer to getting it wet. Front and rear servo space covers painted and fitted (side seals to be fitted and retaining tabs to make.) keel bulb and hull painted with the first coat. Having trouble with the marine paint (original international marine paint rolled on) doing odd things in the cold weather, so have sanded it back and put another brand of spray coat on after the one shown.

JB

The varnished transom trim piece was epoxied on on Thursday, so I was able to mount the rudder yesterday,- now have to connect it to the servo.

JB

Been busy getting everything ready to go on and in the boat. Trims for the coamings, transom, rear deck, c/board case top, varnished and ready to attach (just started with c/board case, transom, and rear deck trim gluing, as we have had a few fine days, painting is slow in 4-15deg C) Seats are assembled but not glued in, as I'm probably making them removable.

Keel weight is cast with a through slot milled for a laminated double 3mmx50mm aluminium keel, and bolted crossways with 2 x5mm bolts with recesses milled in the bottom of the lead to fit them, so the bulb doesn't fall off.
It was then shaped with body filler (now glassed as well).

A slide in 'drawer' for the rudder servo made as well. The cover panels for the foredeck and rudder servo have been made, and being painted, these fit into bottom rails and will be screwed in at the top so things can be accessed.

Sheet hauler has been finished, and seems to work well (a bit complicated but the only way it can be done to keep everything out of the way. The 2 blocks were milled from Formica, with nylon pulleys fitted. Tricky milling the pulley 'legs', as they are only 1mm thick,- took 4 goes to get 2 good ones 😐

A few more things to do yet, (attach rudder and set up, sort jib sheet and make new jib). The last thing will be painting the outside of the hull when I've finished knocking it about.

Short vid of the winch system working.

JB

Been doing a lot of painting lately, but it's taking a while due to the weather at the moment, (daily rain and cold) and odd things happening to the paints I'm using, (different companies using different thinners these days in their spray can paints, which are not compatible with like paints from other manufacturers.)

Used to be, you could buy spray enamel for eg from different manufacturers and they'd be fine (most used the same propellants and thinners), - now with all the green nonsense, they all seem to use different products, and some will eat previously painted items. Finally getting somewhere though, after having to re-do some parts from scratch.

Finished the rudder stock/blade/gudgeon and pintle setup, made the comings and trims for the rear deck, transom and c/board case, and am in the process of spraying many coats of varnish on the bits. Hull now has 3 coats of resin, 2 coats of Zinsser sealer, 3 coats of industrial lacquer undercoat, and 2 coats of International PreCote primer, - all sanded back to get as good a finish as possible.

Deck has also been sprayed with the final colour. had to re-do the rear deck trim, as I forgot to notch it for the coamings to flow into and it didn't look right. Won't glue any trims etc in till I'm happy with the varnish.

Also been playing with the winch set-up and positioning the pulleys to drop the mainsheet hauler (runs either side of the c/board case) close to the cockpit floor. Mainsheet will attach to one side, and jib to the other, (that's the plan anyhow🤓) Just trial fitting everything at the moment, -takes time to get things working/fitting well, having to design on the go, - lots of measuring 3 times and cutting 6 🤔💡

JB


Getting closer

Side seat slats cut and stained, - rudder stock stained- seat frames made, - rudder blade was made from 3 pieces of 1.5mm ply, cross grain epoxy laminated, and pressed between 2 sheets of glass to keep it flat while setting, (same with the stock). Second coat of varnish drying in the oven, as it's too cold at the moment . First coat of Zinsser primer applied to the hull.

Weather is rubbish at the moment, everything (glass/paint) is taking time to set/dry.

JB

Deck now glassed, gunwale strips on, inner cockpit sides and centerboard case insides, coated with epoxy timber preservative. Rudder stock started. Made from laminated and f/glassed 12x12mm spruce, and the slots done on the mill. Still have the blade and gudgeon and pintle to make. Hull is almost ready to throw some paint at.

JB

A bit more progress since last time,- deck has been re framed to add camber and a smidge of sheer, due to the deck looking too flat, unlike the full sized boat. Deck was covered with 1.5mm ply. Cockpit sides and under foredeck have been covered also. (pic 11, showing previously flat deck)

Mast has been completed and sails fitted (jib to be remade with a narrower foot and longer luff) the chainplates were made and temporarily screwed on. Trial fitted the mast yesterday using stainless wire rigging and bowsers (bowsies to boy scouts 😊) made from aluminium. Now starting to look like a yacht. Sails may need remaking at some stage, but they will do for testing, (everything is temporary till working well on the water) would like opaque mylar film, but can't find any here.

Also rolled on a final coat of resin to make sure everything was sealed after all the hours of sanding and fairing. A lot more to go yet, but there's a light at the end of the tunnel (probably the train coming 😀)

JB