This is my first attempt at building a boat and is based on TOPAZ (J8). The hull/basic kit is from jclasshull.co.uk and the sails from PJsails. My biggest mistake is to make her too heavy but I can't remove ballast, besides that she goes REALLY well. I am still fiddling with the tuning to remove the Lee helm and have already got her neutral. : ) The remote movable Genoa clew carriages are proving to offer brilliant control over the Genoa leech, powering up or down as required.

"Katie the Kayaker" was the inspiration and result many hours of work and head scratching by designer/creator and modelmaker Graham Royle who is a member of the Buxton Model Boat Club.

Grahams full blog of his "RC Kayak" project can be found here -
https://model-boats.com/blogs/111166?...
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Here is Gaham`s latest account of the - "Maiden Voyage"

Before the maiden (!) voyage, a quick head 'transplant' !! I'd like to introduce 'Katie the Kayaker' 😂🤣

It was with some trepidation that Katie was carefully launched onto the Buxton lake. An ideal day last weekend with very little wind. I knew she would float, but would she move, and be controllable? Well the answer is yes - sort of 🤔

Thanks to Philcaretaker for the video clip.

She managed to paddle out, turn and paddle back, which was a great start. At least she didn't need rescuing. Shame she wouldn't keep hold of the paddle!

The paddle blades are not feathered at the right angle. The starboard blade is at the wrong angle and is hitting the water causing the kayak to rock excessively from side to side.

Once back on dry land, the kayak was checked inside for water. There was just a drop but nothing to worry about, which was also a relief.

So, overall it was reasonably successful, but several teething problems to be resolved before the next outing.👍

December 1st 2022 . - Getting colder now with heavy mist early in the mornings. A good day to try another set of slightly bigger high aspect sails.
Still very light wind but just managing to get from A to B.

Cool, calm early late November morning. Very light wind expected to increase slightly but perfect for my "Slim Nip" which is a modified Wee Nip. Just pop in the extended mast with high aspect sail - and enjoy :-
... " RC Sailing " with the Buxton Model Boat Club in the High Peak of Derbyshire UK.
See also No.164 -

Just a fun project to use up some old radio gear , single for steering only, or two channel if you want to include a sail winch.
Great for when the pond is full of weed - Also if no wind , stick a motor on the front or back !.
Just have fun !

Built plank on frame from plans scaled down from 24 -12th scale - "Branksome" was built by proud owner Alan Brundrett many years ago, originally steam powered, Alan converted her to electric in recent years.

Just 3 "Robbe" Classic yachts here belonging to Buxton Model Boat member Barry Cook .
" Estelle " - " Windstar " & " Comtesse "

Exploring the possibilities of a new sleeker look to the Wee Nips that I have built previously , - I created the "Slim Nip" just as a development from the original classic Graham Bantock design.
Length - 720mm
Beam - 166mm
Keel depth - 290mm
Mast height - 1130mm above the deck.
Maintaining the simplicity and convenience of a Uni rig , easy to transport , easy to rig , & no guys .
Result was : - a new look, light wind, high aspect ratio - "Slim Nip".

Back at Towne Lake for more fun and friendship. Had a good time, we saw 2 subs in the water, a few tugs, launches, working boats and an old MRP deep vee and a Micro Magic. I had a great time as I finally got my Italeri Vosper handling decently even in the windy conditions we had. A little more tweaking and she’ll be spot on, but I’m pleased with her for now.
Cash

Sun was out, wind was down, so took the boat for swimming lessons. Went very well, no problems other than the silicone couplings trying to screw themselves off as usual, (too much bite and torque) and bunching up to the motor causing friction), (have a possible fix I'm working on for that today) Heaps of power from the 2 - 540 HV brushed motors only running on 3s. Never went much more than a tad past 1/2 throttle which was spot on scale wise.

Very quiet as well, - mind you, couldn't hear much anyhow with a road milling machine working at the end of the pond about 150m away, at around 80db where I was!!😠😠😠😭 Of course it would have to be there today,! something like this always stuffs my plans up, cars, trucks, screeching seagulls, people talking to you while you are trying to make a nice quiet video etc etc. Can't seem to get away from noise. Added to that, the video's crap,- as soon as it uploads to YT it turns to rubbish,- was quite acceptable till then.

Must be the wide format they use, as it's fine in a small screen (ie YT preview) and my computer. Worst thing is, it took an hour to load this rubbish on a fibre connection!! Not loading any more till I get a better camera, "Santa, did you hear that ?"😁

I might de-power it a bit, as it has too much power really,- might put 2 540 45T motors in which will run on 2s nicely with 30mm props (has 35s at the moment) and not be as touchy on the throttle. You can steer this just using the throttles it's so bitey. Spins on the spot like a jet boat as well. Stereo worked well, but the IR remote doesn't like working too far away in bright sunlight, (have a separate vid, but YT would give a copyright warning, so I won't put that up) The vid is garbage, but you'll get the idea😁

A change from Maid Rosalind Thames cruiser blog posts! This winter I added a removable keel and rudder extension to the Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter I built in 2017. I wanted to produce a hull that was truly accurate above and below the waterline, and with the correct lead in the keel and in scale winds she sailed ok, but to get a model to sail realistically, you generally have to add a lot of weight deep down. The last picture shows that for regular display, the ugly keel and rudder extensions come off and the stand's extended legs unscrew. She stands 6' 2" with her new keel, and 4' 6" long. The trials were successful. She sailed beautifully, even tacking those overlapping headsails flawlessly, which is generally quite hard to do with RC! I have up to now only posted blogs as they happen, but I have full documentation of this build and can start a blog for it after Rosalind is finished, if it's OK to publish something from the past. I added a teaser build picture!

https://www.facebook.com/modelBoatsTrainsPlanes/videos/800923610583750/

🔗
Thank you Doug and Stephen for your help in getting the video to work. The stills give little idea of any movement but the video shows she was really trucking! Ed

"NAIAD" is a Windermere Yacht designed by Herbert Crossley.
This model yacht is a first "scratch" built RC yacht belonging to "full size" sailor Chris Gay.
Naiad is seen here undergoing her maiden voyage at the Pavilion Gardens Buxton in the company of Grahams - "ELLEN" the Bristol Cutter.

More photos here :- https://model-boats.com/places/60518#99293
Phil.