OK, I bit the hook
 

I usually do electric LMR sailplanes mixed liberally with other types of winged things. So I thought that since I enjoy thermalling so much that sailboats are just about the same type of thing, using nature for the free ride. I happened on a deal on a cute little RTS at a swap show (I only promised to not bring home another plane :D) and the seller didn't know what it was but it was in excellent shape. After some searching and the pix from mpotr6 I now know that it is a Sunrise 24. I downloaded the manual and found out the jib had been strung up all weird.

I started reading the posts online and thought that I had made a big mistake and that this is too small and too much a "toy." Well, I couldn't stand it any longer and went to a local park with a pond today, 37* and around 10 mph wind. It's pretty impressive to just set the little booger in the water at a 45* angle to the wind and watch it go before I even did anything to the controls. After about 15 minutes of pure torture ;) and frozen ears and fingers I reluctantly brought her back into shore.

This is going to be WAY addictive!! Competitive type glider guiders should never be allowed to try this. Just what I needed, something new to tweak and fiddle with.

Questions: What is the best size pond for this little 2' long job? I'm guessing the one I was on is about 75' x 150'.

Why do I have a strange looking wrinkle in the middle of the sail when I run?

Are there online videos showing the proper way to make turns (like during a tack) and such?

RE: OK, I bit the hook
 

Hi Ray,

I agree with you that sailing is very addictive, I had my boat ready for the water this winter and have since then spend many cold hours at the pond...

Try to find a club or fellow sailors to help you with the sail set-up, it sounds to me you have a bit too much tension in the mainsail, or that it's not rigged properly, a picture would help.
But hands on help locally works better....

Regards, Jan.

RE: OK, I bit the hook
 

I'll see about getting a picture around. I did notice that the line to let out the boom for the main needs to have the wind really push it, otherwise the boom just won't move over well. I sort of have to jog the stern back and forth with the rudder to get the wind to haul the main sail boom out to about a 60* angle. Is there a way to get the line to move more freely? I read something about waxing it and then running it over a light bulb?

RE: OK, I bit the hook
 

It's either that (the line is stiff, or catchy) or the line, holding your main boom down needs adjusting, when it does not pivot in the same distance from the mast as the main boom itself, you can get this issue aswell, as I experienced first hand when mine was bent out of shape by a gust, the main boom kept swinging back to the centerline of the boat as soon as the wind dropped.

Regards, Jan.

RE: OK, I bit the hook
 

I made panel sail’s for my Sunrise 24 it helps in light winds. I liked the 24” so much I bought its big sister the Sanibel 36” and I love it. I sail on a big pond I have gone over 400 feet and not lost control. I agree with you that sailing is very addictive.
I had my boat in the water today, very relaxing.

P.S. Is Silver Hawk a Studebaker? I have a 1958 Golden Hawk.

RE: OK, I bit the hook
 

Silverhawk, GLAD to have you join "the addicted." There aren't any "toy" boats. Toy boats are what we used to put in the bathtub and let bob around with us at bath time. :) An RC sailboat (regardless of size) is SERIOUS. I predict it won't be long before you will sell some of your flying things and buy a boat kit of your own. Nothing like building your own. Jan gives you some good advice. Find the nearest club or some fellow sailors near you. Do some research on the internet about any questions you have on the boat. There is a TON of info available about such boats as the Victoria and the Seawind with very detailed building info. The information here will pretty well apply to any boat. You may find some ideas that will straighten out some problems with you new acquisition.

Again, we all wish you fair winds! (Speaking of which...be a little cautious about it for awhile. Don't send the little boat out in hurricanes.)[X(]

RE: OK, I bit the hook
 

Today was a bit more civil. I was simply amazed that with a breeze that was almost unfelt could make the boat move like a ghost with no noticable rippling on the water. I spent about an hour on the water today and sometimes had to really laugh at things that didn't work like I thought they should. You know - the rudder doesn't do much when you don't have much forward speed.

Jan, I think I found the issue with the crease in the main, the side lines were loosening and the mast was trying to pull apart at the joint. I also snugged things up a little on the front of the jib and she seemed a little better mannered. I still have to get over the idea that it will go down because it leans over a bit.

Silverhawk was my CB handle in years past too. I still hold the title to my first car, a 1957 Silverhawk, that I paid $85 for. Too bad all I have left of it is the title.

Pecos45, so far the closest clubs I've found are close to an hour and a half away. Unfortunately, during the warm months I work many 7 day weeks so that type of drive would be a real pain. There are a couple of reservoirs with 15 minutes driving time so if I decide to go bigger after more practice I can try those. I may have to 'cause I noticed where the wind comes over the dirt built up around the edges of the pond it makes a dead spot for the wind on the water.

RE: OK, I bit the hook
 

Ray, sorry to hear no good clubs nearby...but I think one thing you will find is these sailboats fascinate people. Most have never seen one and the silent beauty is captivating. It only takes, I believe, three to form an AMYA recognized club. YOU may be the first to start something in your area. People will come up to you and talk and on good days when you are comfortable with the boat and with them, you can allow an interested person a little stick time with your boat...thereby deliberately spreading your wonderful infection.

Before you know it, my friend, you may be the leader in your area. It's an exciting journey. Sail it! jim

RE: OK, I bit the hook
 

I have a feeling that interest from spectators will come soon enough. I had a gentleman stop and ask questions yesterday but all I could do was let him be amazed along with me. I couldn't really tell him a price to get involved since I gave $65 for the set and I'm sure It would cost a bit more to get a new one. Is the Sunrise 24 even made anymore? Are sailboats like planes; the bigger they are, the easier they fly?

I noted that the stern seems to set a bit low in the water while at rest. She comes up fine on tack but during a run makes a rather large (to me) wake.

I also have to fight the tendency for it to turn into the wind during a tack with, sometimes, full rudder deflection.

Is the jib supposed to move the same angles as the main? Mine is tighter and when hauled in the jib is tight along the hull centerline but the main is at a slight angle.

It has 3 luff rings instead of the 5 stated in the manual, should I add the two extra?

Finally, for now, :eek: should I make a waterproof hatch and should I mount the switch for outside access? I thought about using a piece of balloon for a gasket to seal the switch.

Just what I needed, something new to get all "techie" about.;)

RE: OK, I bit the hook
 

Are sailboats like planes; the bigger they are, the easier they fly?

- Yep, set-up properly bigger boats are far less twitchy at the helm (and faster)

I noted that the stern seems to set a bit low in the water while at rest. She comes up fine on tack but during a run makes a rather large (to me) wake.
- When the bow does not get burried in the water when running downwind, you can shift the CoG a bit forward by moving the receiver batteries, the stern should be just about free from the water, not by much, cause waterline length determens the hull speed.

I also have to fight the tendency for it to turn into the wind during a tack with, sometimes, full rudder deflection.

Is the jib supposed to move the same angles as the main? Mine is tighter and when hauled in the jib is tight along the hull centerline but the main is at a slight angle.
- The jib should be slightly more open than the main to be as effective as possible.

It has 3 luff rings instead of the 5 stated in the manual, should I add the two extra?
- When the sail get's blown away from the mast, it's wise to test with more rings to inprove your sail shape.


Finally, for now, :eek: should I make a waterproof hatch and should I mount the switch for outside access? I thought about using a piece of balloon for a gasket to seal the switch.
- All my hatches are waterproof, having the powerswitch outside is more comfortable.
I left mine inside the hatch to make sure I turn off the receiver and check for water in the boat (don't ask...)

Just what I needed, something new to get all "techie" about.;)
[/quote]

- Youve picked the right thing to get "techie" about!

Regards, Jan.

RE: OK, I bit the hook
 

Ray, I'll second Jan's idea for leaving the switch inside the hull. Some guys do and some don't and an external switch looks cool. But to me it's just something else that can go wrong and fail when you least want to it quit you. Personally, I want to keep all my electronics as dry as possible, although granted putting them inside the hull is no absolute guarantee they will stay dry.

RE: OK, I bit the hook
 

I found some info as to WHY the jib needs to be open more, duh! :eek: With all the studying I've done on airfoils it should have been pretty obvious - yeah right!

Well, with the adjustment I hope to have results in the next couple of days. Of course the winds are predicted for 10 - 20 mph so it might not be a real good test.

As for moving the battery, it has a molded spot to fit in. I am going to try and use AAA size vs. the AA to give a tad bit of weight difference and make her think the aft end has been lightened.

I'm already trying to make up a different arm for the sail servo to change the amount of movement of the jib in relation to the main. Nope, can't just leave well enough alone. :D

RE: OK, I bit the hook
 

If you don't fancy moving the battery around, it's also possible to shift some lead around to find the right attitude for the hull, glue the lead in place when you're satisfied.

Regards, Jan.

RE: OK, I bit the hook
 

I tried to go the last couple of days but 20-25 mph yesterday and 15-20 mph today just didn't seem like good conditions.:eek: I think I'm going to try and stick to winds under 10 mph. She seems to do pretty well when the flag is only half up.

I went to the local reservoir to look the situation over and it just might not be too bad. Of course, it looks like the Atlantic compared to the local pond.

I also noticed that the sewing on the jib is coming undone. Good Grief, now I have to brush up on my sewing skills again too. I might just have to go find a kite shop and get some material and make a nicer looking jib while I'm at it.:D

RE: OK, I bit the hook
 

Ray, the winds been crazy here too and will surely be more of the same for April. It's either topping 30 mph or it's calm. I managed to sneak out yesterday on a "calm day" and got a little stick time with my Victoria. As you can see, it's not exactly leaving a foam flecked streak across the water but it was good fun and very educational as always. I don't think it's possible to sail without learning something. (Even if it's bad!)

The second boat in this picture is one of Ludwig Yachts beautiful J Boats. I didn't think such a huge boat would untrack in calm air. Boy was I wrong! Expand the picture and take a look at the wake that J Boat was throwing.

RE: OK, I bit the hook
 

Hi Sailors!

As I'm still a bit under the weather, this old man took a folding chair and a bottle of water with him to the pondside (along with the boat!) and spend a totally enjoying hour and a half tinkering with the sailsettings in a mild breeze.

It's very nice to observe how small changes in sailcurvature effects the performance, it turned out I had them on (way) too tight, a beginners error...

I'm slowly getting the hang of it and I'm utterly enjoing sailing my ACC Voyager.

Regards, Jan.

RE: OK, I bit the hook
 

I took my soon to be 5 yr old (a week from tomorrow) grandson to the pond today with the Sunrise. The winds went up and down from nothing to about 7 mph. The grandson was a little bored until, after a jib tweak, I asked if he thought he could do it. For the next 10 minutes, with no sail changes I coached him back and forth. He found out that a wind gust would turn it right around in a tight circle.

I have been told that he would like a boat of his own. Except he wants a motor so his will be faster when we race. :eek: 5 years old and he wants to race already. That's my boy! :D He don't know it but his WON'T have a motor. I just don't want to get one of those <20" boats so I may look for another, maybe 36", for me and let him have the Sunrise 24. ;) I think I better start listing some planes for sale.

RE: OK, I bit the hook
 

Now you're thinking, Ray. I think my wife is going to get a boat for her birthday in June. She just doesn't know it yet. [>:]

RE: OK, I bit the hook
 

It looks like we may have to start our own One Design or at least one length regatta .

The wife (Grandma) informed me that getting the 5 yr old a boat will be fine but what happens when the 9 yr old comes over? And you KNOW that one can't be bigger or faster or what ever than the other. :eek:

I thought my flying hobby was getting expensive. Sheesh!!

RE: OK, I bit the hook
 

SilverHawk,
You can have more than one sailboat. I’m 58, single and have 3 sailboats, 4 nitro boats, and one or two electric boats.
Don ( aka Golden Hawk.
My web site

http://home.earthlink.net/~mpo11/

RE: OK, I bit the hook
 

Don, I enjoyed your website. I thought the "observatory thing" was kind of a joke.......but I see you're serious! I bet you have some fun with that as well when it's too dark to see your boats.:)

--------------
Silverhawk - Pardon my devious mind but I see a possibile opportunity here. With all this interest in getting the kiddos their own boats, maybe you can remind people there are birthdays and xmas etc coming up and what wonderful gifts a boat would make. But sadly YOU can't afford to buy everyone in the family their own boat. But out of the goodness of your heart, you will volunteer to BUILD any boats anyone wants to buy.

Get them to put up the $ and you get the fun of building and tuning them up. It don't get much better than that.:D

RE: OK, I bit the hook
 

Pecos, I tried that for the B-day party this afternoon but other persons gift buying seemed to go more for the Monster Garage things. It's funny too 'cause his mother was telling how he was talking all about getting his own boat to sail with me.

That's OK, I'm an Ebayaholic any how so I'll just do some watching for a boat or two there. The LHS has a JR Beat Tx and Rx like in the Sunrise for $30 so I might get that to go in a bare boat. I saw a couple of car type controllers and wondered how the trigger would work to control the sails.

RE: OK, I bit the hook
 

SH,
Pistol Grip RC Controllers are not good for sailboats. You would have to hold trigger back or forword all the time.

RE: OK, I bit the hook
 

I agree, MPO...trying to hold a trigger control for the sails would make anyone crazy. Sorry, Hawk, but you're gonna need two sticks for control.[:o]

RE: OK, I bit the hook
 

No problem. It was just a thought and I was figuring on taking out the springs on the trigger anyway. The 2 stick Tx's are usually less expensive anyway. :D