Model Racing Yacht Construction by CR Griffen – 1973

This book is a practical guide to building model yachts intended for competitive sailing. Written chiefly for newcomers to the craft, C. R. Griffin explains how to choose among racing yacht classes and construction methods, and emphasizes the precision, appropriate materials, low weight, sound design, and reliable fittings that racing demands. The book compares carved, planked, hard-chine, coated, and glass-fibre hull construction, with detailed instructions for building hulls and installing decks, keels, and ballast.

The later chapters move from hull construction to the mast, booms, jib fittings, other rigging hardware, vane steering gears, sheeting systems, spinnakers, and sails. Notes on sail making are contributed by G. W. Clark. The book concludes with methods for assembling and balancing the completed yacht, flotation and suspension tests, tuning and final pre-launch checks, along with appendices on calculations and material weights. Throughout, illustrations and workshop procedures show how individual construction choices affect the finished racing yacht.

• Introduction
• Chapter 1: Yachts and Methods.
  • Main model yacht classes—construction methods—carved hulls—glass fibre coated hulls—moulded glass fibre hulls.
• Chapter 2: Planked Hulls.
  • Construction methods from marking out the shadows, planking, etc. up to fitting deck—fitted planks—parallel planks—painting and varnishing.
• Chapter 3: Hard Chine Hulls.
  • Conventional methods and materials—building inside moulds—deck beams, etc.
• Chapter 4: Glass Fibre Hulls. One piece and two piece glass hulls—fitting wood inwales and deck—finishing a two part glass shell.
• Chapter 5: Keels and Casting.
  • Stability—the bulb keel—plaster of paris and one piece patterns—half patterns and sand casting.
• Chapter 6: Mast Fittings.
  • Silver soldering—thickness of mast—mast heel and step—mast height—tubing masts—mast bands and spreader bars—gooseneck and kicking straps.
• Chapter 7: The Main Boom.
  • Functions of the boom—boom fittings—topmast extensions.
• Chapter 8: Jib Fittings.
  • Rack and swivel—radial—club radial—tubular jib stay.
• Chapter 9: Other Fittings.
  • Erection of mast—jib and main horses—rudder and associated fittings—gunwale eyes—spinnaker boom—hooks and bowsies.
• Chapter 10: Vane Gears.
  • Principles of vane gear—differences between types—moving carriage vane gear—constructional details for moving carriage vane.
• Chapter 11: Breakback Vane Gear.
  • General notes on the construction of an example of this type of vane gear.
• Chapter 12: Sheeting and Spinnakers.
  • Synchronous sheeting—spinnaker types and materials.
• Chapter 13: Sails.
  • Materials—cutting—stitching—attachment to mast and spars—basic sail shapes—sail numbers—sail care.
• Chapter 14: Balance and Assembly.
  • Fitting the lead keel—trim and balance definitions—assembly of major parts—suspension tests—flotation tests—correction of waterline—critical examination questionnaire.
• Chapter 15: Final Checks.
  • Pre-launch tasks—finding the best mast position—introduction to tuning—reconstruction and repairs—building process chart.
• Appendices.
  • Simpson’s rule—finding the centre of effort of a sailplan—finding the centre of buoyancy of a hull—weights of materials.
• Index