My aquacraft paradise
 

I decided to start a thread for all of the mods I've made to my paradise.

The first thing I did was to enlarge the rudder. When I first sailed it I had a hard time keeping it from turning into the wind when I had a crosswind. I think that was partly due to my sail trims.
Attachment 2237095
The next thing I did was to make a jib boom extension. The jib seemed to have a lot more "arc" I guess you can say, in the jib sail. I machined the extension so I had plenty of adjustment.
Attachment 2237096
Attachment 2237097
I've finally got around to making a new keel weight. I took a steel pipe and cut it to length. I plugged one end and melted up some lead and filled the pipe. Once it cooled the lead contracted more than the preheated steel so I let it cool and I put it in the press and compressed the lead within the pipe to lock it in place. Then I put it in the lathe and turned it to it's final shape. Then it was time to mill out a slot which would recieve the keel. Once the machining was done I cleaned it up and epoxyed it onto the keel. A few coats of paint and clear coat and it was finally done.
Attachment 2237098

The finished keel weighs 26 ounces. "the stock one was 12.8oz" It didn't affect the draft too much, it sits about a quarter of an inch lower in the water.
Each modification has made it a little better and all of them combined has made a huge difference!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL0md_f5Td4[/youtube]

RE: My aquacraft paradise
 

I just sailed my Paradise today for the first time. I too have the same exact issues. I would love one of those extentions for the boom, are you selling them by chance? What did you use for the rudder extension? That seemed to be my biggest problem, would not turn the boat. I had some of those flat stick on weights that they put on your tires to balance them, I added 2.5 oz to the keel, I think I will add more however I am not sure how it affects proformance.

I am addicted to sail now and already planning my next purchase!

RE: My aquacraft paradise
 

also, I had a few drops of water inside the boat, I was thinking about putting a small piece of sponge in there to soak it up.......any thought on doing this?

RE: My aquacraft paradise
 

doubled size of my rudder and going to add stick on weights to mine to see how it does.have not sailed since made mods.:D rd

RE: My aquacraft paradise
 

p51drb,

can you post the amount of weight you add? I added 2.5 oz and feel it was to little

RE: My aquacraft paradise
 

i was going to start with about 6oz. rd

RE: My aquacraft paradise
 

you can diffenatly use a sponge and put you rx in a ballon