A suggestion.

My thames barge is 48" long and carries near 1000 sq" sail. She probably weighs in at about 35lb. Her engine is a 6V decaperm with a 4 bladed 40mm brass propeller. I use a large SLA 6V for power and internal ballast as well as a small weighted keel. This motor is usually more than enough to "get out of danger". Plenty of power at low revs without any requirement for speed.

I believe the Vic Smeed "Starlet" is a 36 inch yacht, so would possibly be about 12lb in weight with (guessing) about 500 sq" sail all in use. She has already got an r/c system, so that will not be above 6V possibly only 4.8V. I suggest a 545 motor with 3:1 reduction and a 3 bladed 35mm prop, running from a 6V supply. The battery may have to be a heavier duty than already fitted. This should give enough power to bring her head round up to wind and make progress. Of course, a young lad will want speed to, but the combination should be enough.

[I know yachts are usually fitted with an egg whisk, 2 bladed, that collapses when not turning, but they are sailing yachts.]

I've never converted or adapted a yacht in this way, but in my attic I now have a name and design for my mystery yacht, which I think could be a Starlet, after looking them up on the web. I might even try my suggested conversion too on her and use her for sail training.

DM its not "rags and sticks," its "twigs and string with flappy bits" for a more technical description.

Just an idea, aye, Kim

An 8 year old is likely to have the motor going all the time anyway, I know Berengar would have,

Could set the motor to "fast idle" with the trim to make it go round all the time and not degrade sailing performance? Small prop good idea, an X pitch must be less draggy when stationary than a brass or plastic three blader?

Dave, you are in the same boat (figuratively speaking, mind) as when I made the sailing Herald…masts?? sails?? booms and wotnot!

Ashley

DM, I'm ignoring any and all comments re yachts, from all persons! (Bob will be along next.)

I've just weighed my attic dweller, and she's 5.15Kg. So adding all the "top hamper" [look it up] that's about 5.5Kg afloat, maybe 6 with bigger batteries.

And can anyone confirm that this is the type of vessel we are discussing, a poor photo I agree, but is this a "Starlet"? Now you have the size, do you think a small prop is going to inhibit her drift?

Ashley has the right of it, any young fella with a boat having a motor is going to use the motor… And, quite rightly, he raises the requirement for another channel for the motor too.

Cheers and happy hunting Dave, aye, Kim

Edited By Kimosubby Shipyards on 14/08/2014 16:09:11

I just found this on a site called Scale Hobbies. Since its for a folding prop to reduce drag, it looks as if I'm not the only one stupid enough to want to do this! I would really appreciate any comments or suggestions about ths approach.

Peter

Dave, I will ring Scale Hobbies tomorrow (not open I the week) to see if they have one but since they don't list a price I suspect you are correct about availability but worth a phone call.

Andy, another good idea, thanks.

Would it be possible to rig a servo to tilt the outboard out of the water when using sail? That would be fun!

Dave, I tried to scan and assemble the plans last night but without success (I do wish I had bought that A3 scanner!). I can certainly send you the plans by post if that would help? My current thinking is that I will use a reasonable power inboard motor (with appropriate speed control) set off centre and join the propshaft to the motor using a flexible coupling. I'm comfortable with the mechanics of this but can I please have suggestions for:

motor

speed control

shaft

radio control sysytem

Thanks

Peter

I purchased something similar for the Sunderland but it was very noisy, as the tube is just that, a bit of tube and not something with bearings in either end..I eventually fitted it on the Herald, as the compactness of it is ideal for this application and the noise is acceptable for occcaisional use.

Ashley