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๐ฌ Re: H.A.Kits Thames Slipper launch chase boat
2 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง MartinH2 (
Petty Officer 1st Class)
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Another vid from my slipper. I have cut ventilation slots into the bonnets to try and keep the "workings" a bit cooler and she only tripped out once. A very light wind day but good practice for stronger stuff at some stage.๐
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๐ฌ Re: H.A.Kits Thames Slipper launch chase boat
2 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง MartinH2 (
Petty Officer 1st Class)
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Another bit of camera slipper boat footage. I have enlarged the rudder even more and she now turns swiftly๐ค However, the speed controller keeps cutting out and needs to be brought in, turned off and on again before it's ready to go again. I think it's getting too hot so have put proper vents in the bonnets to see if it helps. I also changed the servo out so it only turns 130 or so degrees.
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๐ฌ Re: H.A.Kits Thames Slipper launch chase boat
3 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง MartinH2 (
Petty Officer 1st Class)
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Rudder extension to overcome the directional stability the added keel has created.
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๐ฌ Re: H.A.Kits Thames Slipper launch chase boat
3 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง MartinH2 (
Petty Officer 1st Class)
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Hello Roy, not FPV just a very wide angle lens. I control it from a rotary knob on the transmitter, just pointing it in the right general direction seems to work...BUT.... you do have to be in very close, more than 5 feet away and everything gets very small
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๐ฌ Re: H.A.Kits Thames Slipper launch chase boat
3 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง MartinH2 (
Petty Officer 1st Class)
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I modified this kit by adding a full length keel after reading on this forum that it wasn't the best in strong winds. The rudder wasn't powerful enough initially so I made it quite a lot bigger. This video of DF65's racing in strong conditions was a good test. Everything worked really well. GoPro hero9 image stabilisation is awesome!
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๐ H.A.Kits Thames Slipper launch chase boat
3 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง MartinH2 (
Petty Officer 1st Class)
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Having got my slipper launch wet I mounted a GoPro hero9 on her and chased Rick's "Velsheda" around the lake for a while. Control system needs a bit of modification as I only have 2 hands but she was a great platform for "on water" video. Will sort the issues out and hoping to do better next time.๐
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๐ฌ Re: H.A. Kits Thames slipper launch
3 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง MartinH2 (
Petty Officer 1st Class)
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The Thames slipper launch got her bottom wet this morning๐ค Not enough rudder movement is the only issue. The 15amp speed controller quit after giving her some beans but to be honest its really isn't meant to be a planing hull. At scale speed she looks pretty good. I mounted a GoPro on a servo for a bit of fun but it was a bit too low down. Will sort these little issues but happy with the results so far.
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๐ฌ Re: H.A. Kits Thames slipper launch
3 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง MartinH2 (
Petty Officer 1st Class)
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Hello Herman, if you look on the web those slightly daft looking chairs seem to be in most slipper launches. I think the original boats from the 1930โs had them and that โstyleโ is still maintained. They are VERY slow boats in real life, just fast enough to overcome the current and leave minimal wake.
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๐ฌ Re: H.A. Kits Thames slipper launch
3 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง MartinH2 (
Petty Officer 1st Class)
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Here you go Lew, it is a slow Thames river cruiser, full size max speed is about 10mph.
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๐ฌ Re: H.A. Kits Thames slipper launch
3 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง MartinH2 (
Petty Officer 1st Class)
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Thank you, all being well she will get into the water tomorrow, I did float it in a paddling pool and she seems very high in the water so not too sure if ballast is needed or not but will see how it goes tomorrow.๐ค
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๐ H.A. Kits Thames slipper launch
3 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง MartinH2 (
Petty Officer 1st Class)
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๐ Andy sails Topaz with df65's
6 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง MartinH2 (
Petty Officer 1st Class)
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Having done a bit more trimming the lee helm is reduced but a bit like squeezing a balloon it has given me other issues. Anyhow, Andy a proper sailor took her for a spin and after sort of getting to grips with the controls he then went racing with the df65's. Camera battery died before the end of the race but got loads of good advice for the next outing.๐
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๐ Topaz 60" J class yacht
6 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง MartinH2 (
Petty Officer 1st Class)
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A bit more video of a friend sailing my boat for the first time in VERY light air while I took a bit of film. A few initial teething problems with the running rigging ended this session but she does look and go well. This is a 60" J class from Alan Horne at jclasshulls.co.uk
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๐ฌ Re: 60" J class yacht with Genoa in +/-10 mph winds
6 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง MartinH2 (
Petty Officer 1st Class)
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Hello Frankiesays, you are right, since that video I have moved the mast top backwards due to a pretty strong Lee helm which has worked a treat, she is pretty neutral now. Trying to sail and hold the camera meant sail trimming wasn't the best however broad reaching she looks and goes beautifully, straight downwind = no nose dives so far and very controllable. I have a jib which is about 20% smaller than the Genoa which I have yet to try but am still learning to work with the rig as it is at the moment.
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๐ฌ Re: 60" J class yacht with Genoa in +/-10 mph winds
6 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง MartinH2 (
Petty Officer 1st Class)
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I took about 400 photos and quite a few videos of the build. Unfortunately they are a bit random but when I look at them I remember why I took them๐ Not too sure if posting them wouldn't be a bit too dull. Anyone building one of Alan Horne's 60" J class might find some nuggets though๐ Here is a series of clips I did on the running rigging......my head was still minced.
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๐ฌ Re: 60" J class yacht with Genoa in +/-10 mph winds
6 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง MartinH2 (
Petty Officer 1st Class)
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Thank you๐ I was right into scale gliders in the 80's and 90's and loved building models.Then I discovered paragliding. All was good until a pretty traumatic head injury at the end of 22 and I came to determined to build a J class yacht. No idea where it came from. Have learned loads with "head injury" sheeting systems and sticking bits of wood together and now getting on with sailing. I am halfway through building a HAKits Thames slipper launch, a lovely simple little kit that goes together sweetly. I have tarted it up with a crowned mahogany and sapele deck blah blah and she will probably weigh a ton that'll be a great doorstop if she doesn't float.
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๐ 60" J class yacht with Genoa in +/-10 mph winds
6 months ago by
๐ฌ๐ง MartinH2 (
Petty Officer 1st Class)
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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.
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