how to tune a yacht

[sammykParticipant @sammyk]

hi all i need a little help over the past month or i have built my first rc model yacht.its called the wee nip a simple model to learn how to sail.it sails ok but the problem is if left on its own it turns into the wind and stops and its a pest to get moving again.i have checked all the important positions on the plan and have noticed the fin is in the wrong position,its slopes forward dont know how it happened guess i messed up.i have made a new fin and waiting for sunday to try it out could this be whats wrong.regards sammyk

[sammykParticipant @sammyk]

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

I’m not a model yacht expert although I have owned full size ones. Certainly  the fin position will affect the dynamic balance of the boat so sorting out the fin may well solve the problem.

 

Colin

[sammykParticipant @sammyk]

hi colin and thanks for your reply will keep you posted regards sammyk

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

The problem could be simple aerodynamics in that the position of the model being bow into the wind means that the sails aren’t filling and so the boat is essentially becalmed.

You don’t say what type of sail rig is on your model or if you have a sail servo but if changing the fin doesn’t work then try adjusting the set of the mainsail. 

Paul

[DuckyParticipant @ducky]

 Try this web Sammyk

http://www.magicmicro.org/e107_plugins/autogallery/autogallery.php?show=Training%20Video%2Ftuning_0001.wmv

 

Its a video on tuning a Micro Magic but it will give you some idea’s what might be going wrong with your yacht.

 

I’m no expert but I found it helpful

 

Ducky

 

Edited By Ducky on 20/03/2009 08:15:15

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Good Morning Ducky

 

Nice link..

 

Have you seen the April issue of Model Boat mag and the piece on the large scale cruiser that sails at your club?

 

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Morning Paul

 

What`s this about a large scale cruiser on our pond?

 

Haven`t seen the mag yet

 

Bob

[DuckyParticipant @ducky]

 Hi Paul

Sorry you couldn’t make it to Ellesmere,Bob and I was looking foreward to meeting you,

 

Not seen the article yet ,will look out for it ,can’t think which one it will be there are so many new builds after a bad winter.I’ve just finished my “Aziz” and nearly finished a Micro Magic which is how I came to have the link on Tuning yacht’s.

 

Joined the Micro Magic Assoc …..http://www.magicmicro.org/news.php…  Which is full of info on this nice micro yacht.

 

As we always say you can’t beat joining your local club Sammyk your profile doesnt say where you are in this country OR somewhere else ???

 

Ducky

Edited By Ducky on 20/03/2009 08:43:29

[sammykParticipant @sammyk]

 thanks for all the info lads i am in a club and last sunday it was so cold outside  there was only me and my mate sailing and as his model is the same as mine i recon it has to be the fin thats wrong .the wee nip is a tyro model it only has one sail with rudder and sail winch but i plan to make a two sail rig soon .i like the micro magic but i realy enjoy making models from a plan. the getting of wisdom is never easy happy sailing .will update my profile

                                                                      sammyk

[DuckyParticipant @ducky]

 Hi Sammyk

 

If you like building yacht’s perhaps you should try a “J” class which is a nice BIG yacht and if you need any tips on it call on Bob (the builder) Abell as he has updated plans for the deck supports, there are about 6 in our club and they are really nice and go very well.

 

Ducky

[sammykParticipant @sammyk]

 hi ducky how big is a “J” class i like the sound of that ,need to wait till i have mastered basic sailing skills plus it needs to fit inside a citreon saxo .

sammyk

[DuckyParticipant @ducky]

 My mate has a small Hyundi and he gets it in that,try this site for the look of it and then search the web for the price and availability, as I don’t know where our club members got theirs. I know one was bought on e-bay but the others where built.

 

Contact Bob the builder to check where he bought his !!

 

 

http://www.model-ships.co.uk/index.php/fuseaction/shop.product/categoryid/6/productid/708

 

Ducky

[DuckyParticipant @ducky]

 

 Hi Sammyk

Back again found the pictures I had of the J class,

 

Good as well if your lake isn’t very deep .Our lake is getting more silted up very year !

 

Ducky

 

Edited By Ducky on 22/03/2009 08:23:11

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Sam

 

I bought my J Class yacht from………Alan Harwood of Cardiff……029 2025 4687

 

It cost………….£105.00………hull only

 

The sails and fittings came from……P J Sails……….01202 744 101…….price……£121.00

 

Total cost in 2007 was…………..£301.00

 

The hull length is 1220mm

 

Regards…………..Bob

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Morning Ducky

 

You used to have the build pictures of J Class yacht 303 on your “Peters Place”………Can you fish `em out?

 

You could make an album of them?

 

 

Bob

[DuckyParticipant @ducky]

 Hi Bob

 

Yes I’ll fish them out and post them if Sammyk is interested in this superb Yacht

 

Nice seeing you and your god Lady yesterday,looking foreward to seeing your JDAW on the water and having a sail whilst you take your pictures which I’m sure will be a hit on this site again.

 

Ducky

[sammykParticipant @sammyk]

hi all sailed my yacht on sunday with the new fin position  and it was great ,it was a bit to strong a wind to check it sailed straight but when the wind droped a little it sailed where i pointed it for a good distance before it needed rudder to straighten it.so all in all i am pleased with the result.thanks for your help lads .

                      regards sammyk

[sammykParticipant @sammyk]

 hi all just an update on how to tune a yacht .i have found an article in radio control boat modeller july/august 1988 by mike kemp it gives basic settings and what to try .regards sammyk

[sammykParticipant @sammyk]

ok first up is mast position thats what make the boat sail straight if its to far forward the boat will turn into wind ,to far back it will turn away .when its spot on it should sail fairly close to wind with slight rudder correction now and then.if i am wrong please jump in and correct me.  the above have been found by reading books web sites and sailing my own model and i do not claim to be the master of sail boat tuning.regards sammyk

Edited By sammyk on 06/05/2009 22:27:48

[David MeierParticipant @davidmeier28154]

Moving the mast forward did it for me too. I bought a Monsoon Yacht (900 mm long) and it tended to turn away in strong gusts and it was difficult to turn across the wind when tacking. An old hand at the pond suggested moving the mast forward about 1/2″, so I went home and modified the mast to deck fitting so it was adjustable and did what he said. It is now a different boat to sail.

Gordon also pointed out that the jib was to flat and suggested that I put an adjustable thread from the leach end of the jib boom to the top of the mast so I could put some camber in the leach of the sail. This has helped increase boat speed. There is a wealth of knowledge and help at the pond if you are open to a bit of advice. I have gone from knowing nothing about yachts, to knowing that I know nothing about model yachts and that is an important step.

Cheers.

David. 

[Author]

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