Model Maker: Volume 2, Issue 20 – July 1952

ritish me oR r TED. FS Left: f 8B Y Ds vent LAIDLAW-DICKSON Flags of some of the competing clubs flying from the clubhouse staff. competitors on the second day. O.O.D. is on extreme right marshalling Below: A group them into order, vil cad of Oven OS Se Edger eet LIKE a Whitsun bride with ‘“‘something old, something new”, the British National Marblehead Championship was won by March-launched Floreana entered by A. R. Andrew of Birkenhead, with that much-travelled gentleman Wally Jones of the same club acting as mate. Floreana is developed from the American champion yacht Sun Kiss designed by Lassell. Of particular interest was the presence of Fandango from Bristol, built from the original Sun Kiss drawings without deviation, and employing a completely movable rig with a 2 in. movement. Comparison of the two boats showed that Floreana by fairing in the transom and a slight alteration of bow design had overcome the excessive centre of buoyancy movement that justified — and indeed necessitated! — the fore and aft movement of the ‘“Floreana” (winner) and ”Suzanne” (last boat) meet in the first round. Below left: ‘’Mistral”, a local entry encounters most-travelled “Gypsy Girl” from Ulster. Below right : “Wendy”, another Birmingham entry, meets ‘’Otterspool” from Nottingham. 466 rig in the original. We hope to publish details of this interesting American in the near future. Sixteen boats from eleven clubs, covering leading English clubs from Birkenhead to Hastings, and one entry from Ulster, came under starter’s orders, in July 1952 or Marbleheads at Witten a light variable S.E. breeze, veering souther ly at times. The light tricky air provided a loose reach and a beat, scoring two and three respectively, which taxed skippers’ skill in adapting themselves to local conditions. The first day’s sailing showed Florean a, Senlac IV, Mistral each with 33 pts., and Gypsy Girl with 24 pts. Wind had freshened by Sunday morning, veering S.E., involving the problems of to change suits or not. Spinnakers were in evidence, though with mixed success. Close heats were the order of the day, one of the best being between leadin g boats Senlac IV and Floreana, when the former manag ed Top right: Winner ‘Floreana” meets Fandango” from Bristol, a boat built from the same American source. Below right: Close-up of Floreana”‘, which by dint of good sailing allied to good skippering, Proved a well-deserved winner. geared boat, meets ”Kanchi”. IY GYPSY GIRL WYLO only Braine Pts. A. R. Andrew Birkenhead M.Y.C. 89 K.583 M. Holt K.584 Hastings % W. Grint 8I Norfolk K.574 # B. Carson 66 Ulster K.486 ays J. Edwards 62 Birkenhead hn 58 BUTTONS K.578 J. Kicks WENDY Hastings K.531 a 514 MISTRAL D. Lippett K.570 Birmingham A. Thornhill __,, 48 Birmingham __,, 45 Other results were :— HONEY K.468 WOLVERINE A. Mullett K.566 Brighton G, Stobbs Hove 37 FANDANGO Bolton K.558 M.Y.C. KANCHI J. Weeks 363 K.256 Bristol S OTTERSPOOL G. Smith K.373 J. Lapsley Birmingham _,, 33 Nottingham _,, 28 & 35 WAIT-FOR-ME _ K.576 W. Turner BRIDAVE Hastings = K.502 27 G. Swinyard SUZANNE Felixstowe a K.386 26 G. Walker Danson ——— SENLAC TANGO K.564 left: “‘Bridave”, 5ar FLOREANA Below Left: ”Fandango” and ‘Wolverine’. The latter boat competed in a ! thrilling dead heat with ‘Buttons Up”. Above: A watery grave ; one of several “Buttons Up” bows down after losing her hatch meeting. the during sinkings that occurred to gain five vital points in their two boards to end first round with a one point lead. In the windward board Senlac sailed completely through the lee of Floreana to win. Last heat of the first day between Wolverine and Buttons, which had sunk in the morn- ! ing, provided the unusual result of a dead heat The eight leading boats entered a second round, carrying forward their first round points. Still heavier weather prevailed, and Floreana sported a light plastic spinnaker for the first time, which gave her immense power on the run. Her match with Senlac IV proved the turning point in the championship, for she reversed first round placings by taking both boards, though only by a matter of inches in the beat. Ed. Hague proved a hard working and efficient O.0.D., and it was fitting that Mrs. Hague should present prizes to the winners. The onlooker—who is said to see most of the game—could have found little fault to find with any of the entries. Good skippering on this tricky water undoubtedly had much to do with the final placings. In other weather, on other water, any of half a dozen boats might well have won. We have already commented on Floreana and Fandango. Some conLeft: Third boat ”Tango” meets ”Wylo” from Birkenhead. Right: Oldest boat placing high on local knowledge. sideration of other designs might be of interest. Firstly, fifteen of the boats carried Vane steering, sole exception being Bridave ftom Felixstowe. Vane feathers showed a wide variety of shapes, most interesting innovation being on third boat Tango where “spoiler” strips were stuck to the trailing edge, for which improved response in light winds is claimed. Both commercial and own design gears were in evidence, many of extreme simplicity defeating their own object by limited adjustment. Is it perhaps significant that first and fourth boats, amongst others, carried Arthur Mullett’s Mk. Il gear? Arthur had his Honey with him, and just failed to reach the last eight. Senlac IV, latest in the long Senlac line, was a beautiful boat, of vertical bread and butter construction, finished in varnish to show the beauty. of the wood, and built, we understand, by A. Levison of Farnham. We noted one local boat Wendy of hard chine construction, which sailed well enough to reach the final. The Danson boat Suzanne which came sixteenth, was by no means disgraced, but this was one of the boats that might have profited by a more adaptable Vane gear, though its home-made construction in brass and ‘“‘Perspex’’ was very simple for limited application on less tricky water. : es pen) “Senlac IV” with ”Mistral” which at one time looked like Centre ‘’Kanchi” sails against Arthur Mullett’s ‘tHoney” — top of the non-finalists. 468 MODEL MAKER ‘alceyou PT.IV RIGGING & FITTINGS THIS THE PART BRINGS DESCRIPTION “HALCEYON” CLOSE. HAS TO THE FILLED A BOAT THE EX- OF THE AND_ HE PECTATIONS DESIGNER OF HOPES TO SAIL HER IN THE NATIONAL CHAM- PIONSHIP AT FLEET- NEXT ISSUE WOOD. IN OUR JOHN LEWIS DESCRIBE HIS WILL EXPERI- MEN WITH ROTATING TS MASTS RATER HE mast being the most important item after the hull and sails it is fitting that considerable care should be taken to ensure that it remains erect. Although rigging a mast is very simple it is remarkable the number of yachts one sees with incorrect and useless wires festooning this unfortunate spar. A perfectly rigged mast is basically a strut in a compression, and providing it is kept straight it need only be of small cross sectional area in order to provide the required strength. However, although a small cross section is advantageous in reducing the interference that the mast offers to the flow of air over the sails, the extra rigging necessary offers considerable wind resistance which in itself impairs the performance of the yacht. On the whole I think that it is best to have a good strong spar and the minimum of rigging, and it is on this assumption that the rigging shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is based. An important fact which should not be overlooked is that one spends considerable time tuning a boat up to achieve maximum performance, and yet it is necessary to unship the mast when transporting the boat to some major event. If the mast rigging ‘s complicated it is unlikely that it will be set up in an identical manner on arrival at the lake side, and the boat will not be able to give of its best. Although I like the idea myself, of having the mast standing on the deck, for theoretical reasons, I do not now use this system in view of the last mentioned practical disadvantage. One should not forget that a boat which is a good sound practical job and easy to handle is the best bet for racing. It is not often that we see a yacht equipped with many fancy gadgets in order to obtain a theoretical 2 per cent here or } per cent there, up among the prize winners. The rigging of the metal mast shown in Fig. 1 is perfectly straightforward, and it may be possible to do away with the lower shrouds, but they have been ON HIS 10- “MOONSHINE”. found necessary on the prototype Halceyon. Notice that the forestay runs down the luff of the jib. This stay should not be combined with the jib halliard, but should be tightened with its own bowsie. The luff of the jib having its own adjustment will not then have to withstand any of the load imposed on the forestay, which can be considerable. The backstay is not set up taut, but is used only to prevent the mast going over the bows when on the run or when reaching, thus there is no need to have a stay from the mast head to the stem which is so often seen. The rigging of the wooden mast shown in Fig. 2 is almost the same except that jumiper struts are introduced to stiffen the upper portion of the mast. It is very common to see that jumper struts positioned halfway between the hounds (i.e. the point of attachment of the main shrouds) and the mast head. A little thought will make it clear that this will not stop the mast bending at and just below the hounds. If one is going to permit some bending then let the mast take up an easy curve throughout its length. The rest of the rigging is shown in the various sketches and does not call for much comment, as a lot can be left to personal preference. There are one or two points worth mentioning in this respect, however. Firstly, the kicking strap which is shown in Fig. 7; this hooks on to an eye on the mast near to the deck, and with the high aspect ratio sails of Halceyon requires to be set up quite hard in order to prevent the leach of the sail sagging off to leeward by an excessive amount. The point of attachment of the kicking strap to the mast should be directly under the swivel of the gooseneck in order that the boom may swing freely although the strap is dead hard. Incidentally, a spring-loaded kicking strap has been tried on the prototype, but proved unsatisfact- ory in controlling the sail on the run, in the very strong winds which the boat is capable of standing up to in top suit. 476 July 1952 Secondly, the type of rigging cord used is import- ant, and the only really satisfactory cord is braided flax fishing line ; it is very expensive, but well worth the outlay. It is obtainable from most high class fishing tackle shops particularly those which supply sea shackle. This cord lasts for months, and does not shrink to any appreciable extent when wet. The rigging wire for the main shrouds should be in stainless steel, and my usual suppliers are a firm of dental equipment stockists. What use dentists make of it I don’t know, but it is sold in 1 oz. coils in all different gauges, and is just the stuff ! The metal deck fittings are not complicated, but it is necessary for them to be strongly made, nothing being more irritating than having any failure of equipment during a race. It is not necessary to describe in detail the con- struction of each fitting as the diagrams show the general arrangement well enough. | It is strongly recommended that all joints be silver soldered as soft Above : Details of jib rack and jackline on the author’s “Halceyon”‘. This is a slightly more elaborate fitting than strictly necessary, a simpler form being described in the text. : Below: Details of ”Halceyon’s'”‘ gooseneck (on the left) and main mast band (oh the right). All these fittings repay care in construction and deserve plating either in bright chrome or the latest satin finish, which is gaining popularity. solder is hardly strong enough and deteriorates with age. A lot of people seem afraid of silver soldering, but it is just as easy as soft soldering. I do my fittings in the kitchen using a “Spitfire” blowpipe plugged into the gas oven, a small vice on the draining board—there is no need for a hearth for the small work involved in yacht fittings. I use ‘Easiflow” silver solder and flux and have no trouble at all in getting quite a good job done. When considerable folding of the metal is required, for say, the mast slide, it is advisable to use a ote RIGGING OF MAST WHEN MADE IN ALUM. ALLOY. MAIN SHROUD MAIN SHROUD (wine) LOWER SHROUD MODEL MAKER the fingers to enable the last sharp fold to be made in the vice. The final shape is then obtained by squeezing the metal back to the required shape ©020000000 00000800 FOLDING OF TRAVELLER. using a pair of pliers. The rollers can be cut from 1. in. dia. brass rod and drilled to take 6 B.A. brass bolts to form the spindles. The chainplates which have to take all the pull of the main shrouds, need to be strongly made, and the design shown in Fig. 9 has proved quite ade- quate. The straps down the side of the hull look attractive, particularly if the fittings are chromium plated. FIG. 4. Figs. 7 and 8 show the fittings necessary on the main and jib booms; these are quite simply made from strips of 26 gauge sheet brass folded round the boom and bolted on the underside with 8 B.A. nuts and bolts. This method has the ad- MAIN JIB HORSE. | vantage that the cross sectional shape of the booms is easily followed. Ee FIG. 6. ee eR OS MAIN MAST BAND. heavier gauge of metal than necessary, so that the hammer marks can be filed off to leave a smooth finish. The conventional sheet horse and traveller arrangements shown in Fig. 4, can be a source of trouble if not well made. The traveller must under no circumstances be liable to bind on the horse and neither must the sheets be able to take a turn around the end of the horse when backing. Making the travellers is perhaps a little tricky, and the successive steps in forming them are shown in Fig. 4a. The sharp corners are formed in a vice and the opening out of the partially formed traveller is done with DETAIL OF MAST SLID Most of the running rigging is also shown in Figs. 7 and 8, and does not need much explanation. The running or gybing lines pass through pulleys on the deck and are attached by means of hooks to eyes screwed to the gunwale on either side of the boat Aladjacent to the rudder post. though vane steering is used, a quadrant similar to the Braine gear is mounted on the rudder post so that by using the running lines hooked into the quadrant both Sis Braine and vane action can be employed at the same time. FIG. 7. RIGGING OF MAIN BOOM. (Continued on page 484) Ctr MAKER — CATAMARANS NOTES ON THESE CURIOUS CRAFT OR the model boat builder with an enquiring turn of mind there is ample scope for experiment in the field of two- and three-hulled craft. Not much is known about their design and performance, either in this country or elsewhere. Catamarans are more popular in the United States than anywhere else, but craft built there are still largely experi- mental. A catamaran is a fast sailer, and will usually out- BY P. W. BLANDFORD, A.I.N.A. strip any normal craft of the same length. It has ample stability, and will carry a large rig, which can be better stayed than on a normal boat. Against this is the fact that it is not so handy in going about and in the smaller sizes, at least, the accommodation for its crew cannot be so good. Nowadays the word “‘catamaran’’ is generally applied to twin-hulled craft, and the Americans speak of three-hulled craft as ‘‘trimarans”’ although this is not strictly correct, if the origin of the name is considered. The word is probably Indian, where the Tamil spelling is “‘Kattu Maran’’, meaning “tied logs”. The originals were merely three logs, with a paddler sitting on the centre longer one, while the other two provided stability when he fought his way out through the surf (A). The sailing Indian catamaran would form the subject for an unusual model. The main hull is a log about 18 ft. long and 18 in. diameter, roughly shaped and its top hollowed, then the sides continued up by planks about 15 in. wide stitched on with rope. The outrigger is a thinner log, nearly as long, kept at a distance of about 10 ft. by arched spars, made by laminating flexible battens and binding them together (B). The rig uses a single sprit sail on bamboo spars, with the mast mounted in the main hull and the sprit resting in a cup on the gunwale. For stability the outrigger must always be to leeward, and the method of going about at the end of a tack is unusual. The helmsman has a rudder consisting of a paddle loosely lashed over the side. He hangs his leg over the side and controls this with his big toe. His mate at the other end has a similar rudder out of use. To go about, the mate unhooks the forward corner of the sail and passes this to the helmsman in exchange for the sheet. The second rudder is lowered and the first raised, the corner of the sail is made fast at the other end, the sail blows itself inside-out, and the boat travels in the opposite direction, with the men’s duties reversed. The general-purpose catamaran in the U.S.A. has two similar hulls, with lengths between 16 ft. and 24 ft. Where there is room for experiment, both in full-size and model spheres is in the shape of the hulls and their distance apart. In the simplest form the two hulls are canoe-like and symmetrical, held at about 6 ft. centres by cross-bars and bracing (C). Some craft have been built with the hulls unsym- metrical in plan, with the outer edges curved and the inner edges almost straight (D), but more recent thought favours a reversal of this, giving most curve to the inner edges (E). This is believed to be faster, give less interference from the meeting washes, and be less liable to yaw in a following sea. 488 July 1952 Wicksteed M.Y. & P.B.C. : aoe Annual Model Power Boat Regatta of this club will be held at Wicksteed Park, Kettering, on Sunday, July 6th, commencing at 11 a.m. Events for Hydroplanes A, B, C and D Classes combined. Steering competition for Prototype Boats. Entries on day. Bookings for teas and/or lunches must reach Mr. D. Ward, 5 Noble Avenue, Irthlingborough by first post on Thursday, July 3rd. Y.M.6m. Owners’ Association Rick Pond, Hampton Court, was the scene of the first Metropolitan & Southern District Championship for A Class boats, on 11th May, under the auspices of the Y.M. 6m. Owners’ Association, with entries from nearly all the A Class clubs in the area. Mr. Steinberger was O.O.D. Fresh to strong southerly wind, giving beat and run conditions, veered to S.W. with heavy rain squalls, and moderated later from the west. Most boats were reduced to second suits, and those clinging to first suits were heavily over-canvased in the vicious squalls. By lunch time leaders were Fantasy and Jane with possibles, followed by Estella, Sharma and Arabesque. As wind moderated Jane several boards, while Fantasy made a spectacu lar “double” planing most of the way to beat Estella, lost run, who had failed to find her trim on changing down to second suit. Final placing of leading boats :— Fantasy 356 N. D. Hatfield Estella 611 R. Jurd Sharma 541 W. G. Arabesque 671 J. Anderton Jane 673 Hesperos R. S. 329 C. Whitmore (¥.M.6m.0.A.) 46 (Gosport M.Y.C.) V. Blogg 43 (M.Y.S.A.) 39 (M.Y.S.A.) Hawgood 36 (Danson (Eastbourne M.Y.C.) M.Y.C.) 32 31 Exeter M.Y.C. News from Mr. C. B. Arnold of the Exeter Club features first season boats in the shape of H. Issaacs’ 10-rater Semper Fidelis, which took the first of the club’s 10-rater series and finished second in neighbouring Paignton M.Y.C.’s Silver Rose Bowl event as reported last month. Another good newcomer is Mr. Yeo’s Belinda II which had her first outing just before Easter. This boat is umusua] in that’ she is constructed of cardboard and brown paper, though no one would think so to see her. This is one of the first racing boats we have heard of so constructed, and hope that her builder will oblige readers with an account of his methods. Trent Vale M.Y. & P.B.C. This club seem to have acquired new water in the shape of a fine little lake about 400 ft. by 200 ft., and are in the process of cutting a good path all the way round, In the meantime the water is in use, and members “dig as they go”! Weed are also something of a problem , but they are all working with a will to make it really first class. They have already entertained their neighbours from Sheffield for the Founder’s Shield, when the Yorkshire lads took all the prizes. Fleetwood M.Y. & P.B.C. In view of the differing attitude of local councils to model yachting activities, Press Rep. R. Howard, Jnr., of the Fleetwood Club thougkt clubmen in general might like to know the set-up of their club. In Mr. Howard’s words: “Our lake is. part of the Corporation’ s foreshore amenities and is built in the most suitable place. The lake is rect- angular, measuring 800 ft. by 200 ft., and the centre line is roughly parallel with the prevail ing wind, thus giving the maximum number of “beat and run” days. The Cor- poration maintain the condition of the lake and execute all repairs, also we have the use of our own boathouse free of rates. They also grant us the exclusive use of the lake for National and other such major events. In return the Corporation enjoy the publicity they derive from our sport, and Personally have seen a as major many attraction as a for thousand visitors. people I have watching MODEL YACHT CLUB a BY NOTES “COMMODORE” (E. L. Dawson ) and Scamp (L. K. Corooin) finished level at 32 pts. In the run-off boats were neck and neck, with Flame slightly behind but coming up fast on Scamp on her third leg as the Jatter was about to be turned on hers. Then Scamp’s mate snapped his pole in the act of turning, losing precious seconds to give Flame the verdict. Bradford M.Y.C. We welcome this club to our columns with a report of their big Easter meeting. Good Friday saw Birkenhead, Barrow and Manchester as visitors for the Bradford Cup (A Class). Mr. Priest (Birkenhead) won with his Yeoman followed by Susie (Mr. Eales, Barrow) and Maybee (Mr. Atkinson, Bradford). Easter Saturday was Marblehead day for the Clapham Cup. Here Bolton had a turn, Black Hawk (R. Bradley) winning from Wylo (Mr. Edwards, Birkenhead) and Pahie (Mr. Adams, Yarmout h). Sunday was set aside for 10-raters in the Claro Cup, with Henry Flatters as an unwelcome visitor. The old and lighter boats came into their own with Renee (E. Turner, Bradford) the winner; then came Shooting Star (S. Matthews, Leeds) and another Leeds boat Tamsin (Mr. Leeks). Last but not least, the 36 in. boats had their day on Easter Monday in the Victor Cup. Bradford took first two places with Beaudon (Mr. Playforth) and Curlow (H. Chadwick). Mr. Adams, of Yarmouth, chalked up another place with his Condor, equal third with Margaret (Mr. Redfern; Manchester). Birmingham M.Y.C. ; The MacDonald Trophy took place at Witton Lakes on May 10th with seven 10-raters under starters’ orders, Variable winds kept spinnakers somewhat in the background, with a loose beat to windward and a broad reach. On this occasion J. Drury’s Opal reversed recent placings by winning from John Lewis’s Halceyon by 44 to 43 points. Next came J. Meir’s Flook with 32, and F. Pitt’s Cunior with 30. Bournville M.Y. & P.B.C. The 6-m. boats had an outi ng at Valley Lake in May, when the Henry Hackett Ch ampionship Cup was raced. Winner was J, Ward with Dainty, followed by R. Harris’s Ethel, and Commodore W. H. Ray’s Una in third place. It was a good week for the Ray family, for young Anthony won the Florence Ratcliffe Trophy for under 18s sailing 36 in. boats, with his Brota, beating Thalia (Allan Cole) Bisto (B. Briggs) and Kestrel (Devid Harvey). Anthony Ray is only 11 years old, giving four years to the next boy, and two-and one year respecti vely to third and fourth. Incidentally, it is only a few years since sister Ray tied for first place, and then won in the decider—as the youngest and only girl competitor ! Midland District Committee The 36 in. Restricted Class Championship took place at Wicksteed Park early in May. That fine old boat Mickey in the hands of D. Smedley, Bournville, won by a point from Argo (L. Bagnall, Bournville) with home clubman E. Garrett in third place with his Bedfordia. the sport and know that this lake has won many converts In spite of overcast skies weather was kind and lunch to a fine hobby. I venture to say that the Club’s relations with the Corporation today are as cordial as they were when they built us our lake.” saw Argo well in the lead; but veteran Mickey (beloved of Mark (note spelling) Fairbrother) pinched a close verdict by one point. 489 —