The Model Yacht: Volume 1, Number 3 – Winter 1997-1998

LINCOLN MEMORIAL POOL, WASHINGTON, D.C. NEWSLETTER OF THE U.S. VINTAGE MODEL YACHT GROUP VOLUME ONE, NUMBER THREE WINTER 1998 NEWSLETTER OF THE U.S. VINTAGE MODEL YACHT GROUP VOLUME ONE, NUMBER THREE WINTER, 1997-1998 Editor’s Welcome Well, I’m two issues into this business and I already encounter the editor’s nightmare: getting the name of a contributor wrong. The author of “The Myth of the Bounteous Board” in the last issue is Charles Roden, not the (mythical?) “Charlie Roder.” My apologies to Charles, who took the error with the same good grace he showed at Mystic. This is the kind of thing that happens when you hold editorial conferences with yourself. We’re happy to see that we’ve got several new writers this issue, which helps take the load off of Ye Really Olde Editor. We’re especially happy to welcome Rod Carr, dean of American model yacht writers, to our pages. We also have an article by Chris Mackenzie of Scotland, about a terrific cruise a group of UK model yachtsmen took on a real, live J boat. So sit by the fire and enjoy! Ebbs and Flows The President’s Message Vintage Etcetera This is our third and final newsletter issue for 1997; next issue is Spring 1998. We have decided to publish a total of three newsletters yearly: a pre-season issue (Mar/Apr), another at mid-season (Jun/Jul) and a post- season issue (Nov/Dec). Member inputs to these newsletters are strongly encouraged and should be coordinated with Earl Boebert, our Editor. Our annual membership will be $15 for 1998, in order to cover the costs of an extra newsletters and the increased activities we now support. We still offer a $10 membership to those signing up by January 31. Our lifetime membership offer of $100 has been extended through 1998. To renew or join for 1998, send a check (payable to US VMYG) or cash of $15 (or $10 before Feb 1998) to: John Snow c/o US VMYG, 78 East Orchard St., Marblehead, MA 01945. Note that my phone number is now 781-631-4203. VMYG Roster Updates We have three additions to our slate of VMYG officers. Our new Southeast U.S. representative is Thom McLaughlin at 1208 E. Broad St., Tampa, FL 33604 and 813-238-4032. He has a monthly vintage column in the AMYA Region 6 newsletter – the “Bell Bottom News.” Thom has experience in different model construction techniques. Earlier this year he built two R/C vintage model yachts: Milton Thrasher’s 48-inch IOD fiberglass kit and a wooden, scratch-built hybrid “M” combining both the “Cheerio III” and “Sun Kiss” designs. After the 1997 national event, Thom can also claim he has gotten his “feet wet” racing vintage models. Another addition is Harry Mote, whose “deck” has cleared enough so he can now be our Traditional Sailing Craft/Scale Models coordinator. Harry developed the original set of design rules for these type of sailing models. He will also be involved in 1998 supporting our first national event for traditional sailing designs, such as Page 1 R/C schooners and skipjacks. Harry can be contacted at 18 Woodmansee Blvd., Barnegat, NJ 08005 and 609-660-0100. We have created an archivist position to help us become more organized in light of our continuing vintage document collection efforts. Jim Dolan is the new VMYG Archivist for any common documentation we may gather or are given. He is presently compiling a VMYG scrapbook that will provide insights on our activities to visitors at the events we participate in. Jim is actively searching for photos, periodicals, documents, etc. for this effort. If you are willing to donate any type of vintage material to our archives, contact Jim Dolan at 5 Curtis St., Marblehead, MA 01945 and 781-631-2111. Finally, Alan Suydam, our Midwest representative, has a new address and phone number of 33810 State St., Farmington, MI 48335 and 248-476-3017, respectively. Vintage “M” (VM) Class An updated set of the R/C “VM” Class rating (design) rules will be available by the time you receive this newsletter. These are based on “VM” skipper comments and are now structured to be equitable, performance-wise, for “M”s designed over a forty-year period 1930 to 1970. There are now two “VM” groupings for design and racing purposes. They are chronologically separated into 1945 and before designs and post-1945 “M” models. Early “M”s are defined as more traditionallooking models built to original design plans. Later “M” models are those constructed from design plans dating between 1946 to 1970 and any early “M” designs altered to incorporate newer design innovations, such as balanced (spade) rudders and taller sail rigs. These rules are available to anyone desiring to build or restore a vintage “M” boat. Do not wait to build or upgrade a vintage “M” – the rules are flexible and can accommodate “VM” models in one of the two design categories. As planned, the 1998 sailing season will be used to fully test these rules in vintage events, both nationally and at a club level. The formation of a R/C “VM” Class under the VMYG will occur when 20 “VM” models are registered with the “VM” Class Secretary Charles Roden. Charles can be contacted at 19 Oak Glen Ln., Colts Neck, NJ 07722 and 732-462-7483 for a set of the “VM” rules and the registration of an existing “VM”. Vintage Events Several vintage events occurred since the last newsletter and are reported in more detail elsewhere in this issue. These were New England area Vintage activities in Portsmouth, NH, Mystic, CT, Marblehead (national regatta), Newport, RI (2) and a freesail race on Martha’s Vineyard, MA. This mix of displays, sailing demonstrations and regattas continues to offer us diverse venues and audiences with which to “spread-theword” on our sport and vintage models. VMYG events planned for 1998 include MYC centennials in San Francisco and Port Washington, NY, the “WoodenBoat” Show at St. Michaels, MD and a national event at Spring Lake, NJ for traditional sailing craft/scale models. Schedule permitting, we may again participate in the event at the International Yacht Restoration School in RI. Another 1998 activity may also be support of a working model room exhibit at The Museum of Yachting. Finally, a major 1999 AMYA/VMYG regatta that would be international in stature may materialize. If it does, details on it will be provided in the next newsletter. BEST WISHES FOR THE HOLIDAYS – LET’S “HIT THE GROUND RUNNING” FOR 1998! John Snow Rudders and Flaps Well, we’ve been in existence three years and we have our first, er, discussion topic: is a Cheerio with a spade rudder a “real” vintage boat? The picture on our web page taken at the 1997 Regatta says it all — a line of M boats on a beat, in order of year of design, latest boat first. How to even this out, and reconcile the desires of the “hard chargers” who want a maneuverable boat with those of us who prefer an authentic look and are just happy to see our boats sailing with others (although I might change my mind if I ever get to the point where I can execute three successful tacks in a row) will occupy us over 1998 and maybe even beyond. I do note that the schooner people seem to sail just fine with unbalanced rudders, as, for that matter, does Al Suydam and his Cheerio. We solicit your opinions and observations on this matter; especially those of you who have converted vane boats to R/C. Please send them to the Editor at the addresses given elsewhere in Page 2 this newsletter, and we’ll consolidate and reprint them in the next issue. Earl Boebert American Model Yachting Publishing (1971 1997) As the first groundswell of interest in radio controlled model yachting began to gather in the late 1960’s, a periodical pointed specifically at model boating titled Model Boating World News and published by John Barboza was identified as the first place where a continuing presentation of R/C yachting information could be made. Initially, a column called “Tiller Talk” was written by Ray Hottinger of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Ray acted as a lightning rod and by his presence in this forum attracted the attention of a loose band of individuals who eventually would form the American Model Yachting Association. As AMYA formed and desired further announcement of its activities, it was arranged that I would become responsible for the column. At least one contribution, dated August 1971, was made, and others may have been prepared, but not collected upon publication. Model Boating World News ceased publication and was replaced by another publication titled Radio Control Model Boating. The R/C yachting column was transplanted and renamed “R/C Sail Activity.” The monthly publication carried the sailing column from March 1972 until April 1973 and reported on early AMYA sanctioned class championships in the East Coast 12 Meter class in Memphis, TN and Greenbelt, MD. By mid-1973 this magazine had ceased publication and the sailing column and I moved to Radio Control Modeler Magazine and adopted the “Strictly Sail” name at its masthead. By the end of 1973 an additional magazine, Model Builder, with William Northrop at the editorial helm, had shown interest in the rapidly developing R/C yachting segment of the hobby. The Radio Control Modeler column was assigned to Don Prough of Escondido, California, and I moved my writing efforts over to Model Builder, where the “Strictly Sail” columns were to continue unabated until 1979, when a cross country move and job change curtailed my ability to produce a monthly column. The self-imposed hiatus came to an end in 1987 when a new magazine associated with Model Builder named U.S. Boat and Ship Modeler commenced publication. The “Strictly Sail” column masthead was modernized and the reappearance of the effort occurred in the Summer 1987 Issue. Contributions to this magazine appeared regularly until 1996 when the magazine ceased publication. The establishment of a new publication titled Radio Control Boat Modeler in 1991 provided an additional outlet and articles on sailing, sail and boat construction were published in that magazine fairly regularly up to the present day. No other model yachting writer has appeared on the stage except for those who wrote and published single articles which were sprinkled throughout the wide range of modeling publication. A very limited number of boat plans and designs were obtained for publication, since the American tradition is one of commercial exploitation rather than a more traditional printing of designs and design studies. Hopefully this trend will be arrested by the vigorous activities of the AMYA U.S. Vintage Model Yacht Group. Rod Carr Vintage Activities Summary The VMYG had a very busy summer and fall season with six vintage events in New England. These were a mixture of exhibitions, sailing demonstrations and races in Portsmouth, NH, Mystic, CT, Marblehead, MA, Newport, RI (2 events) and Martha’s Vineyard, MA. Our goal is for all VMYG regions is to eventually have vintage events of this nature. In the near-term, we hope to have at least one vintage activity in our four geographical regions starting in 1999. For Page 3 1998, we will have vintage events in three regions. 1997 Vintage Events Seacoast Science Center Anniversary Event This event was held at the Seacoast Science Center by Portsmouth Harbor (NH) on June 21st. It included a AMYA invitational regatta in the Atlantic Ocean and an exhibit of vintage model yachts at the Seacoast Science Center itself. VMYG members involved were Jim Dolan, Ben Martin and myself. The overall objective of this event was to create enough interest to establish a local model boat group. Response from the Seacoast Science Center Executive Director, Wendy Lull, was positive; a similar regatta is anticipated for 1998 at a city pond where R/C vintage model yachts can both be sailed and displayed. Ms. Lull bought a R/C model yacht at the 1997 event and regularly races it with the Marblehead MYC. WoodenBoat Show The WoodenBoat Show, staged by Woodenboat magazine, was again held at the Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic, CT from June 28-30. The VMYG had its own exhibit tent at Lighthouse Point, which allowed us to sail vintage and other type R/C models on the adjacent Mystic River. Nine VMYG members participated: Earl and Judy Boebert, Frank Collyer, Jim Dolan, Jack Gregory, Ben Martin, Charles and Dot Roden, and myself. We signed up a dozen new members and made several contacts with large yachting organizations which will pay dividends in the future. A special tribute is in order for Frank Collyer and his extraordinary effort at the WoodenBoat Show. Frank was one of the most enthusiastic model yachtsman I have ever had the privilege of knowing. As always, he readily answered my call for support of our show sailing demonstrations. Frank brought his signature Robbe schooner and Santa Barbara sailboat models for three days of sailing. Frank recently passed away at age 82 at pondside doing what he loved – sailing a model yacht! Our sympathies go out to his family and many friends in the model yachting fraternity. Third National Vintage Regatta Our national event, the “US Vintage Model Yachting Days” Regatta, was held at Redd’s Pond, Marblehead for the second time on the weekend of August 15 & 16. It was hosted by the Marblehead MYC, with a total of 17 R/C “VM” models and four R/C schooner models racing. Many free-sailed vintage models were also displayed at pondside, including a 1900s era catamaran sailing model. The “top three” skippers in each event were awarded plaques, with the overall winners being Greg Worth, Marblehead, with his 1970 fiberglass “Warrior” in the “VM”s, and Alan Suydam, Farmington, MI, with a new scratch-built, wooden model of the Schooner “Brilliant”. Runner-ups were J.R. LeBlanc, 1936 “Cheerio I”, and Ben Martin, 1947 “Broom IV”, in the “VM”s, and Ned Lakeman and Jerry Peters with their own scratch-built, wooden schooner designs. There were six wooden “Cheerio” models raced, with one a hybrid “M” design. Particularly noteworthy happenings were the baptisms under fire for two of the VMYG officers – Earl Boebert and Thom McLaughlin got there “feet wet” racing a vintage model yacht for the first time! Finally, special thanks to the Marblehead MYC and its Commodore, J.R. LeBlanc, for again hosting this event and to the regatta directors involved – Harry Mote (VMYG schooner coordinator) and Chuck Winder (MMYC) for the schooner and “VM” racing. IYRS Family Day VMYG members participated in the second annual “Family Day” event on August 23rd sponsored by IYRS at their school/restoration facility on Newport Harbor. The focus of this event is on free entertainment and nautical activities for Newport area residents in appreciation of community support for IYRS. VMYG members Steve Denis, Jim Dolan, Cheryl Emmons, Ben Martin, Harry Mote, Charles Roden and myself provided active support at the VMYG model exhibit and sailing demonstrations in Newport Harbor next to IYRS and the venerable 1887 Schooner “Coronet”. Over three thousand people attended these activities. From my perspective, the highlights of the day were a tour of the 1930 “Shamrock V” JBoat, the Flagship of IYRS, and talking with the many visitors that stopped by our exhibit The Museum of Yachting Vintage Regatta Jim Dolan, Al Hubbard and myself participated in this Museum’s 18th annual Vintage Regatta for large yachts and motorboats on August 30th at their tent exhibit and small boat basin. We were enthusiastically received by the Museum staff and visitors at this unique venue, which includes racing for older 12 Meter America’s Cup yachts. This event has led to VMYG follow-up discussions with Museum staffers about a possible exhibit at Page 4 Big boats, little boats; the Vintage Group sailing demonstration at the International Yacht Restoration School’s Family Day. “Coronet” in the background. the Museum in 1998 relating to the construction/restoration of wooden model yachts. Martha s Vineyard Free-Sail Regatta At the invitation earlier this year from 92 year old Pat West of Vineyard Haven and his nephew Ridge White, Jim Dolan and myself took in a most unusual model event. A full report by Jim and myself appears later in this newsletter. John Snow Southeast Area Vintage Comments I would like to thank the organizers of the US Vintage Model Yacht Group for their efforts in creating a venue for those of us who share an interest in vintage pond yachts. My involvement comes by a somewhat oblique route. In 1980, while teaching in New York City, I was investigating the parks designed by Frederick Olmstead, one of which is Central Park. By the Conservatory Pond I peered into a building and saw what seemed to be at least 100 model boats in horizontal slips. Later I found out this was the home of the NYC Model Yacht club and had been for almost a century. It would be a dozen years before I would start making pond yachts like I first saw there. I teach art at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. For the last twenty-five years the art I have made has always been about an awe for forces in nature. Most of that time the images were abstract forms. Four years ago, to escape the hysterics of academe, I bought a plastic radio controlled sailboat, but that only opened up another avenue for my own obsessions. It was just a short amount of time before I had totally cut out the deck and replaced it with a mahogany planked deck. My journey began there and hastened when I stumbled onto the Vintage Model Yacht Group through the AMYA. I realized that my past research in 19th century landscape painting, and the communities that gathered in Olmstead’s parks as we became a more urban society, were all tied in one big knot around pond yachts. Probably more important though is just the simple fact that vintage wood pond boats are just plain beautiful! At the National Regatta at Redd’s Pond I raced with a Cheerio III that I built last summer. My schedule had been so hectic that I didn’t have a chance to even launch the boat, Rustle, in Florida. She first saw water at Redd’s Pond, where many of her ancestors also first sailed. Rustle is not a straight Cheerio III as I added a seal flipper keel from Gus Lassel’s SunKiss. I did this for purely visual reasons of form and later realized that perhaps the extended draft might actually improve sailing ability! Given my inconsistency as a sailor it seems that is not a threatening issue. For me the Marblehead class is enticing because it was always a developmental class and encouraged experimentation. Page 5 I think that as long as we stick to the basic construction methods of the vintage period and use wood to create boats of that period, then there will still be avenues left to provide variety from one yacht to another. This variety can assure that we don’t become a ‘one design’ class. To this end this winter I will be making a Ted Houk RipTide along with two other Marbleheads that gather their sources from full size boats that raced in the early 1900’s. The last two parallel what could have been very easy for a pond yacht builder of the vintage period to have done also. My version of RipTide will use the conventional pegged plank on frame method. The second boat will be built similar to Rustle and use 1/ 16 inch plywood planks over frames and ribands. The last will be coldmolded of 1/32 inch plywood planks running in three diagonal and horizontal layers. I also am beginning experiments with exotic wood veneer decking. Competing for me is not an end in itself and some of my most interesting experiences have come on ponds long after the day’s competition. One evening last fall as dusk was approaching, I was procrastinating taking my boat out of the water. The atmosphere was peppered by conversation in an oriental language. I noticed several three inch long forms beginning to surround my boat. As I turned my vision to the left I saw, literally, a fleet of at least one hundred Origami (folded paper) boats floating out to mine. A family on a park bench was busy making and launching their own ‘pond yachts’. While neither I nor the family could cross the verbal barrier of language, we at least shared the pond as the setting sun turned our sails and the water a jubilant orange-red. I have been writing a monthly column on vintage pond yachts for the Bell Bottom News, the southeast region newsletter of the AMYA. (Most of the above is excerpts from past columns.) Future columns will be about Marshall Croft, a 96 year old pond yachter, formerly from Massachusetts and now living in Florida. Also Adam Lawal, from the Detroit area but wintering in Sarasota. Adam sailed in the last national regatta. Another possibility is the current restoration by Rod Carr of Arrow, the 1952 DX Champion. If you have anything to be included in my column please send it to me at mclaugh@satie.arts.usf.edu or 1208 E. Broad, Tampa, Fl. 33604. A one year subscription to the Bell Bottom News can be obtained from the newsletter’s editor Milton Thrasher for $15. His address is 4258 Hearthstone Drive, Sarasota, Fl. 34238. Thom Mclaughlin Martha’s Vineyard Free-Sail Model Yacht Regatta Over the past Columbus Day weekend, October 11 & 12, 1997, VMYG members Jim Dolan and John Snow ventured out to the island of Martha’s Vineyard just off the coast of Cape Cod, MA and situated east of Long Island Sound. Purpose of this trip was to observe and participate in the activities of the ninth annual Whippoorwill Yacht and Rocket Club (WYRC) “One Meter Challenge Commodore’s Cup” Regatta for scratch-built, freesailed model sailing craft – one meter in length and under. This was at the invitation earlier this year of 92 year old Francis “Pat” West, one of the founders and organizers of this unique and fun event. Pat and his nephew Ridge White had visited with John Snow and Bill Bithell in April to become familiar with vane steering gear designs and their functions as used on vintage racing class models, such as “M” and “A” boats. Based on the insights gathered, both Ridge and Pat made simple vane gears for the models they entered in the WYRC regatta. We set forth from Marblehead about 6AM on Saturday morning with our 1932 vintage “M” Class vane model to catch the ferryboat to Vineyard Haven at Woods Hole, MA. We were traveling “in season”, which meant that we had to go standby with our car on one of the Massachusetts Steamship Authority’s car ferries. Even native islanders have to make their ferry reservations almost a year in advance whenever they want to travel “off island” with a vehicle. A round trip car fare was $85 for non-residents like ourselves! When going standby, you should plan to arrive early in order to guarantee a ferry spot for your car the same day. Even so, waits can be up to two hours or longer in the ferry car queue. We were blessed that morning. The trip from Marblehead took less than two hours and we pulled into the standby line at Page 6 Our President achieves a Zen-like unity of boat, skipper, and pond while sailing his vane M boat among contestants practicing for the Regatta. Woods Hole at 7:45AM. When we asked the attendant what our expected departure would be, we were told there would be no delay and to get our tickets because we would leave on the 8AM ferry. We promptly drove onboard and were steaming past the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute by 8:05! For our arrival into Vineyard Haven Harbor, we could have not asked for a milder or more picturesque Autumn morning. On our passage and way in, we passed by three lighthouses and two restored wooden schooners used for charters – the “Shenandoah” and “Alabama”. After landing at the pier in Vineyard Haven, we went to find the nearest, open coffee shop. Once finished with coffee, we dropped in our old friends John and Susan Andreson. John and Susan spend about five months of each year on the island, with the remainder of the year spent in Newport Beach, CA. John regularly sails “M” and “Soling 1M” Class models with the Orange County Model Boat Club and is a member of the VMYG. We spent the rest of Saturday with both of them, with John acting as our personal island tour guide in his vintage Jeep Waggoneer. Among the areas of interest showed us was the beach where the free-sail model racing would take place the next day. As part of our island foray, we also stopped by the Gannon & Benjamin Railway Co. to meet Nathaniel Benjamin and see some of the actual model sailboats being hurriedly constructed in their vintage workshop. (Vineyard Haven has two boatyards that specialize in restoring and building wooden boats: this one and the Five Corners Shipyard and Millworks next door.) Model yachtsmen everywhere can readily appreciate this type of frenetic scene with the last minute workshop activity prior to an important race! Martha’s Vineyard was as beautiful as we had been led to believe. We saw Tisbury, Beetle Bung Corners, the small fishing village of Menemsha (near the model racing site), Gay Head (now called Aquinna), Oak Bluffs (with its Victorian gingerbread cottages), Chappaquidick and last, but not least, the well known yachting haven of Edgartown with its harbor full of large sailboats and crossed by a quaint, three-car ferry. Our Saturday night out was spent with the Andresons on the Vineyard Haven waterfront eating at one of the best known and patronized island restaurants – the Black Dog Tavern. We had always wondered why the Black Dog’s logo was so popular on the “mainland”. We soon found out the reason for this eating establishment’s notoriety and, based upon our fine meal that evening, it is justly deserved. On Sunday, the day of the island’s model yachting event of the season, we started early to stop by an antique farm equipment meet on the way. This event featured many “make & break” steam engines, including a large one running a three-foot circular saw blade used to cut wooden house shingles. We arrived at Red Beach, Menemsha Pond, around 11AM for a noon time skippers meeting. The scene was already one of many types of small models being prepped or practice sailed by their owners along the shoreline. We logged in with the race committee and proceeded to unloaded and set up our vin- Page 7 tage “M” model with the rest of the children and adult entrants. The sailboat models ranged from crude and simple to ones that were obviously complex in their design and construction. There had both fixed and working mechanical steering devices, including vane gears. We specifically noticed that all skippers were sincere and innovative in their approach to solving the age-old problems sailors have had of sail configuration, hull construction and steering control. More that fifty model yachts eventually registered in the two sailing divisions for kids and grown-ups. These were further broken down by monohull and multihull designs, with design innovation much in evidence. Two particularly ingenious examples were the use of recycled plastic drinking bottles for a catamaran model and a heliumfilled balloon to keep a spinnaker open. Sail designs also ran the gamut from square- and gaff-rigged versions to full-battened, marconi rigs and spinnakers. The fastest boat to cross the finish line was timed in just under three minutes. This was considered quite an accomplishment, given free-sailing conditions that were best described as “nearly windless” in the local newspaper report on this event. The race course was a single leg running parallel to the beach of about 100 yards in length. Skippers waded out to the starting line about 10 yards off the shoreline. A miniature cannon signaled a heat start from the far end of the course. It was fired by the local police chief based on a flag wave from a race committee member positioned at the starting line. No boat readjustments by skippers were allowed once the race was underway – the models were left to free-sail on their own. Any boats that did touch the shore received a “DNF” (Did Not Finish) for that heat. Models frequently had to be retrieved by chase boats as they took off across the pond in shifting winds. Two heats were sailed per skipper, with the “top three” skippers in each of the four groups qualifying for the championships. The largest category of models raced was the adult monohull, with 20 sailboats. Many of the models had just been finished that day and the regatta offered their owners the opportunity to sail them for the first time. Several were vintage models that had been painstakingly restored and upgraded just for this event. In fact, the perpetual WYRC regatta trophy is a 30-inch, 1930s era model yacht beautifully mounted on a wooden display stand! The overall regatta winner was Roger Becker who also won last year with his boat “Osprey”. With a relatively balmy, 72 degree Indian Summer day, an estimated 300 people turned out with their picnic baskets and cameras on Red Beach to watch the regatta. The only mild disappointment noted was the lack of wind. As you might imagine, the racing took the better part of four hours to complete. Even so, it was one regatta that the three of us, John Andreson, Jim Dolan and John Snow, will not forget. This reminded all of us of the way the sport of model yachting must have originated and how free-sail races were conducted up until the advent of R/C in the early 1970s. All in all, we spent a very enjoyable day just being spectators and explaining our VMYG to the many model yacht enthusiasts and islanders that stopped by. It should be noted that this is also considered one of the largest family outings that occur on the island every year. It is recommended that model yacht enthusiasts of all kinds seriously consider taking in this unique event. Jim Dolan and John Snow The Writings of “Scotticus” Editor’s Note This is the first of what we hope will be a series of contributions by Chris Mackenzie, Past President of the Scottish Model Yachting Association and student of the history of Scottish model yachting, who has chosen the nom de plume of the Scottish correspondent of the old Model Yachtsman magazine. His first contribution is the log of an Invitational Charter arranged by M.Y.A on the J Boat “Velsheda.” Not about model yachting directly, but too interesting to pass up. We are indebted to Charley Williamson for getting this material to us. “Velsheda” She was built in 1933 by Camper and Nicholson to an order by W.F. Stephenson, who was the Chief Executive of F.W. Woolworth UK, and was designed to race against T.O.M. Sopwith’s “Endeavour.” “Velsheda” was the Page 8 combination of his daughters’ names: Velma, Sheila, and Daphne. 127’ LOA, 88’ LWL, mast 168’ high, 148 gross tons, steel hull, 10 1/2 thousand square feet of canvas (18 1/2 thousand square feet with spinnaker). Her lifebelts read “Velsheda” R.S.Y.C.1 She was restored in 1983 by her present owner Terry Brabant. The Cruise We departed Gosport by private launch at 9 AM on the 10th of August, 1986. The party includes the well-known model yachtsmen Russell Potts, Brett Hallett, Chris and Mark Dicks, Walter Jones, Ian, Adam, and Mrs. Taylor, Peter Maskell, Robert Owen, Dave Andrews and myself. We boarded at 10 AM and were shown around. The cabins are magnificent, panelled in mahogany with beautiful inlaid furniture, chairs upholstered in tapestry and velvet, many paintings and photos and much brass and crystal. On deck, although there are stanchion fittings round the deck, these are not set up. A steel life line runs full length of the port and starboard deck and we are issued harnesses to use when it starts to get rough. All blocks have old copper pennies set dated 1933. The hand cranked winches for sheets have two speeds turning in opposite directions. The anchor winch was made by Thos. Reid and Sons (Paisley) Ltd. Steel mast, rigged as a Bermuda Cutter, Park Avenue main boom, loose footed staysail and jib, three long spreaders on the mast. Short deckhouse, with steering by ships wheel on the open rear deck. 10:30 AM Coffee and biscuits in beautifully furnished saloon. 11 AM Up anchor. Cleared Cowes Roads by tug. We are briefed and told we may help the crew sail the yacht if we wish, but are under no obligation to do so. Naturally, everybody offers to help with great enthusiasm. The crew consists of the skipper, mate, four hands and three girls working in the galley and generally helping out. 1.If this stimulates an interest in the J boats, you should check out Enterprise to Endeavour by Ian Dear. A lovely color picture of “Velsheda” appears on the dust jacket. 11:10 AM Freed from the tug, we all help raise sail. This is like sailing on a Queen of the Sea among midgets, they all alter course to obtain a better view as we slip by. There is much hard work tacking about for the first half hour as we make our way gracefully through the fleet of yachts racing on the Solent. Nearing the front of the fleet our tacks become much longer and deck work is easier, not that we have a clear course ahead of us. Had a very interesting talk with the owner’s son, Steve Brabant, for half an hour, during the course of which he tells me his father saved the yacht from being broken up for scrap just two weeks before the breakers moved in. He also said that when she was laid up during the war all the lead ballast was removed for munitions and that subsequently a previous owner had her ballasted with concrete. Before restoration could begin the concrete had to be chipped out by hand, a task he shall never forget working on. 1 PM Safety harness on, doing 12 knots heeled well over, possibly 20 or 30 degrees. 1:30 PM Running away from the rest of the fleet. Now that she is heeled it is actually much easier to stand up and sit down. The great yacht appears to be planing, sailing on her side at this stage! 1:45 PM Lunch. Bowls of hot stew, bread and beer, delicious! We all lie back and enjoy the sun and listen to the bow cutting through the waves and the wind singing in the rigging. 3 PM We are now on an empty sea with neither land nor any other vessel in sight. The skipper is pleased with our handling of the yacht and invites us to sail “Velsheda” back to Cowes. The crew stands down and we take over. 4 PM Incredible: although the wind has fallen light, we still slip past everything afloat, including large schooners and oceangoing ketches. The Maxi yachts with their Star Cut spinnakers set cannot even catch us. We are running into a stretch of water where, although the wind remains light, the waves have a strange pointed chop on them and seem to come from all angles in total confusion. I believe we are in an area of cross-currents. This goes on for 15 minutes or so and was the only point during the entire voyage Page 9 where I felt slightly queasy due to a peculiar light pitch and roll the yacht has developed in turbulent waters. The trick to cure that was to keep my eyes on the horizon. 4:15 PM We are out of the chop; the wind is picking up and the yacht is gaining speed again. 4:30 PM Tea and biscuits. Skipper says we may all take a turn at the wheel. I actually take the helm for one mile and can feel the yacht alive in my hands. She is beautifully balanced and knows exactly how to respond to the slightest touch on the wheel. I risk a small experiment and give her two degrees of lee rudder. The response is instant: she accelerates without deviating off her course, which is 325 to 330 degrees. 5 PM Wind strengthening further. 5:45 PM Re-entering Cowes. It’s like owning a Rolls Royce; everyone changes course for a closer look as we approach our mooring. 5:50 PM Picked up by tug and towed up to the mooring, as we lower and stow sails. 5. The slight acceleration obtained when taking if a minute degree of lee helm is applied, thus creating a hydrodynamic curve on “Velsheda”’s full keel and proving Bernoulli’s and Venturi’s law of accelerating flow. This was worth one extra knot in speed. 6. The remark of that extrovert Australian Brett Hallett “We’ve plenty of beer on board. When reach the Atlantic we’ll turn left, call in for fish ‘n chips at Cape Town, and sail on to Oz” 7. Lying on your back on deck in the sun, looking up at the towering mast with its three large spreaders and enormous cloud of sail reaching into the blue sky. 8. Standing on deck, gripping the windward stay in one’s hand while beating against the elements with the fine bow swishing and hissing as it cut through the waves, gave one a magnificent feeling of exhilaration. She feels alive underfoot. Conclusion Altogether a singularly unforgettable day in one’s life! 6 PM Dropped anchor. Scotticus The course sailed was East from Cowes, Southhampton Water, through Spithead, past Portsmouth, then South past Bembridge and into the English Channel out of sight of land, wear ship and back to Cowes, a distance of 50 miles; winds were Beaufort Force 4 to 6. Recollections 1. Imperative to imprint in ones mind: keep clear of moving parts, obstacles, and obstructions. Remembering you are one of 30 crew required to act as a coordinated unit. “One hand for yourself and one for the ship,” as the old square-rigger motto has it. 2. The amazing curve, twist and belly of these enormous sails is a remarkable achievement by the sailmaker. 3. Watching to steer by the tell-tale flutter high on the mainsail leech. 4. The great similarity to sailing a model. There is nothing that is not familiar. Every maneuver comes perfectly naturally. You find yourself applying the same basic principles automatically. Planned 1998 Vintage Activities San Francisco MYC Centennial May 22-24 “Memorial Day” Weekend, Spreckles Lake, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA; SFMYC Contact – Jeff Stobbe 408-4756233 1998 WoodenBoat Show June 27-29 Weekend, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels, MD; VMYG Contact – John Snow 781-631-4203 Mill Pond MYC Centennial Regatta July 26 Sunday, Mill Pond, Port Washington, NY; MPMYC Contact – Charlie Blume 516883-0207 1998 International Yacht Restoration School “Family Day” August 23 Sunday, International Yacht Restoration School, Newport RI; VMYG Contact John Snow 781-631-4203 Page 10 Traditional Sailing Craft/Scale Models National Regatta September 19-20 Weekend, Spring Lake, NJ; VMYG Contact – Harry Mote 609-660-0100 The 1998 Regatta Activities related to a 1998 VMYG national Regatta will occur at different regional sites. A vintage model display and free-sailing and R/C vintage sailing demonstrations are planned at the SFMYC Centennial; a one-day R/C “VM” regatta and two-month library vintage model display will support the MPMYC Centennial; and a weekend regatta of R/C racing and pondside display judging of traditional sailing models, such as schooners and skipjacks, will be hosted by The Marbleheaders MYC of Spring Lake. We will keep you informed on the details of these 1998 events and others via our Spring newsletter, Web Page and column in the AMYA Model Yachting quarterly. Two other activities could involve the International Yacht Restoration School and The Museum of Yachting; possible lectures on vintage model yachts and support for a working exhibit on the restoration of older sailing models. John Snow Want to be a Published Author? Like any newsletter, we’re always on the lookout for material. If you have anything that you would like to contribute, please send it to the Editor at the addresses above. Technical articles, reminiscences, building and sailing experiences, or interviews with skippers that were active in the past are examples of what we are looking for. The easiest thing for us to handle is plain ASCII text; we can also take Microsoft Word and WordPerfect files. If you submit by email, just paste the text into the body of the message. If you’re not on the net, you can mail us a diskette. If you use a manual typewriter, that’s fine too, we can scan it in. If you send it handwritten, we’ll type it in for you. I think you get the picture: send stuff! Don’t bother about formatting or trying to get it into two columns; our nifty desktop publishing system takes care of that just fine. We’re going to try and get three issues a year out, and our deadlines are the first day of March, July, and November, for the Spring, Summer, and Winter issues respectively. Here’s how to submit material, or contact the Editor for any other reason: By U.S. Mail: Earl Boebert 9219 Flushing Meadows NE Albuquerque NM 87111 By phone: 505 823 1046 By email: boebert@swcp.com New Vintage One-Design in the Works Editor’s Note We received this early press release from J.R. LeBlanc of the Marblehead Club, and think it will be of interest to our members. With this, and Milt Thrasher’s IOD and A boat, (see our suppliers page) we are starting to develop sources for the more traditional forms of model yachts. Let’s hope more keep coming! Vintage One-Design In the U.S. and abroad we have many Classes, Open Class and One Design, many sailors for years have been sailing within their local fleets a wide variety of these classes, but in recent years the trend towards “One Design” has been gaining in popularity for the simplicity and lower costs as well as being a good entry level R/C boat. The One Design offers the skipper a more level playing field if the rules are well written. I have taken this One Design idea and now applying the same principal to offer a Classic 1936 Design M-50-800. The boat is the Cheerio I, designed by John Black. The Cheerio I won the World Championship in 1936 in Hamburg, Germany and thanks to John Black’s book Yachting with Models is one of the best documented designs we have. I have put a program together to take the Idea a little further, and we are currently in the process of building the Cheerio I as a true “One Design“ in fiberglass with a wood deck. It will be available in 1998. The Cheerio I will Page 11 Somthing to inspire you to get cracking on that Vintage M Boat. Redd’s Pond, 1938. Pictures provided by Marshall Croft (see Thom Mclaughlin’s article) and kindly forwarded to us by Milton Thrasher.. be offered as a complete kit, pre-assembled or all built for an incredibly low price as compared to other boats of its size. The idea is to offer a beautiful looking classic hull with great sailing characteristics in all wind conditions with only one rig needed. The Cheerio I LOA 50” LWL 44.5 “ Beam 9” Draft 8.5“ Rig ht 60” Displ. 14.5 lbs. Sail Area = 800 sq.” For more information and a full color brochure that will be available in 1998 please send a letter to New Visions PO Box 2074, Salem, MA 01970. We will also have a new web site in 1998 Full Size Plans The complete package will include a storage box that can serve as a shipping box if one chooses to travel. The idea for this class is to offer in the future the possibility of good inter-club Sailing, and also if one is interested in the Vintage Group sailing, it can be sailed with the Vintage M Class in special vintage regattas, or local vintage club races. The main objective is to offer a classic R/C boat that will last for many years to come and be competitive with out the need of building a new boat every few years to keep up with the high tech trends and high costs. Well, the building season is upon us, and we have collected and organized our full-sized plans. Here is what we have available; all prices are postpaid, orders to the Editor’s address. 36” LOA Thomas Darling’s “20-rater” featured in our last issue. Bread and butter construction, two sheets with instructions, $20.00 M Class Fin and skeg design by Richardson, one sheet, lines only, $20.00. “Helen J,” by Richardson, looks a lot like “Pocohantas,” fin and skeg with overhang, lines only, one sheet, $20.00. Page 12 “Zip,” featured in our first newsletter, one of the most popular Ms ever. Two sheets, instructions in back issue of newsletter. $10.00. Boucher M design, essentially a semi-scale “Shamrock” J boat hull scaled to 50.” 2 sheets, $25.00. Call them at 810 541 0352 for exact prices and shipping costs. Between Fisher and ourselves there are 12 possible Vintage M designs that meet the traditional criteria (Warrior is post1945). So let’s get building! Boucher M design by Paton Lewis, 40’s fin and skeg design, 2 sheets with some construction detail, $25.00. “Rip Tide,” by Ted Houk. Fin and bulb freesailer from the 1940s. Lines only. One sheet, $25.00. “Venture,” early fin and skeg boat by Howeler. Lines only. One sheet, $20.00. Back Issues Back issues of The Model Yacht are available for $5.00 each from John Snow, 78 East Orchard St., Marblehead, MA 01945. Checks payable to USVMYG. “Broom IV” by Selmer Larson. Lines only. One sheet, $20.00. “Warrior I,” by Goodwin. Lines only, very rough plan but you can get the shape off it. One sheet. $20.00. “Bits of Oakum” In addition, A.J. Fisher offers the following plans: Model Yachts by the Fleet We have the plans for the MYRAA 36” OneDesign (also known as “S Class”), a “sharpie” similar to this issue’s “Starlet.” This boat was designed by the celebrated “Admiral” Maney, whose model yachting experience went back before the turn of the century. For those of you associated with schools and manual arts programs of any kind, we have an excellent treatise by the late Ted Houk entitled “Model Yachts by the Fleet.” This tells how to set up a shop class as an assembly line to make kits for this boat, which are then assembled by the students and sailed. Extra kits could be used as fund raisers. The material is going to take a fair amount of restoration work to get into shape for reproduction, so we’re holding off until we get some feedback. If you’re interested, contact the Editor using the addresses given elsewhere in the newsletter. 24” Detroit School Project boat. 36/600 “Chico”, M Class “Cheerio” I through III M Class “Sun Kiss” M Class “Cats Paw” 18” sharpie “Dart” “Starlet,” from this issue “Kiltie,” 6-Meter, and “Bostonia VII,” an A boat. “Windling World” Newsletter editors are a clannish bunch, forever plugging each other’s publications. Thom Mclaughlin mentioned the “Bell Bottom News” and I’d like to remind you of one of my favorites, “Windling World” from the Far Antipodes (well, that’s what W.C. Fields called it) of New Zealand. “Windling” is short for “Messing About with Model Boats,” Other Designs Boucher “Osprey,” 36” full keel boat, can be rigged as sloop or schooner. Construction details. 4 sheets, $30.00. Boucher “Shamrock V,” 45” LOA semi-scale model of Sir Thomas Lipton’s J Boat challenger. Construction details. 2 sheets, $25.00. Boucher “Sea Gull,” 42” LOA full keel, can be rigged as marconi or gaff sloop. Construction details. 2 sheets, $25.00. Boucher “Albatross,” 50 1/4” LOA full keel design, can be rigged as marconi sloop, marconi or gaff schooner. Construction details. 2 sheets, $25.00. Page 13 and the journal covers just about everything that looks like fun in model sailing craft. Place, Madison WI 53703, 608 257 7776 or metzloff@students.wisc.edu. Annual subscription is $18.00 US for the three issues and this includes Air Mail postage. The magazine is published in April, August and December each year. Subscriptions can be paid for by U.S. Bank check or International Money order. The latest issue, December 1997, and the previous one, August 1997. are available as back issues for $5.00 U.S. each including Air Mail postage. Editorial and subscription address is: Milton Thrasher is making and selling parts, kits, and built-up models of the full-sized International One Design (IOD) class. These are 48” R/C boats with a “vintage” look to them as well as the A boat “Vanja.” Milton can be reached for more information at 941 966 9172. Windling World 42 Trinidad Road Forrest Hill, Aukland, New Zealand Curved Air Press We have arranged with Russell Potts of the U.K. Vintage Group to make his “Curved Air Press” publications available in the U.S. The titles are: “Tuning Up a Model Yacht, by D.A. MacDonald, reprint of a ca. 1955 article on tuning a free-sailing boat, 15pp. “100 Years of the 10 Rater Rule,” history of this famous U.K. class, lines drawings and photos, 18 pp. “‘M’ 1930-1990,” a history of the Marblehead Class, with many lines drawings, emphasis on British practice from 1950 on, 32pp. “Sporting Hobbies and Social Class: The Case of Model Yachting,” a scholarly treatise on the early days of the sport in Great Britain. Copies are available for $5.00 ($7.50 for the M Class pamphlet) postpaid from the Editor’s address given elsewhere. Suppliers of This and That Marilyn Swift painted a lovely watercolor of the Vintage Regatta at Redd’s Pond, and has copies available in the form of really nice note cards. You can see the watercolor on our web page, and order cards from Marilyn at 508 283 6319. Graham Bantock, the well-known British supplier of sails, fittings, and other supplies for R/C yachts, has started a line of vintage fittings. A description and price list can be had by writing Graham at Sails Etc. 141 High Street, Kelvedon, Essex, England CO5 9AA. Rod Carr, Sailmaker (and construction and restoration) at 3011 17th Ave. NE, Redmond, WA 98052. 206 881 2846, or CarrSails@compuserve.com. Rod has a home page at http:/ /ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/ CarrSails. Kiyo Designs, 1 Annapolis St., Annapolis MD 21401 (410 280 1942) supports us by searching for cotton suitable for sailcloth, thread, needles, and other sailmaking material. What’s available varies; call and inquire. A.J. Fisher, Inc. 1002 Etowah St., Royal Oak MI 48067. 810 541 0352. The oldest outfit in the business. Catalog $3.00, check or money order only (no credit cards). Worth Marine, 80 Washington St., Marblehead MA 01945. 781 639 1835. Has a web page at http://www.worthmarine.com. Murray Barber, RR1 Hubbards, Nova Scotia, B0J ITO Canada (902 228 2661), Ernest J. Smoker (203 481 6493), Charles Mayer, P.O. Box 259, Island Heights NJ 08732-0259 (908 929 8570) and Al Hubbard, 418 South St., Wrentham, MA 02093 (508 384-8016) all build boats professionally. Kyle Metzloff has a machine shop and foundry and can make custom fittings and cast lead keels from your patterns. For prices and availability, contact Kyle at 835 Prospect Page 14 Editor’s Note “Starlet” is a “sharpie” (hard chine) boat designed by John Black, who was famous not only for his “Cheerio” series of Marbleheads, but also for his persistent and unsuccessful attempts to return the Internation A Class championship to the United States, which made him the Sir Thomas Lipton of the model yachting world (He lost one championship by a single point, because a rubber band broke!). “Starlet” shows her “Cheerio” bloodlines, and can be made as described as a display replica or a free-sailing boat. With the addition of (say) a Futaba S3801 sail winch and a rudder servo she would make a fine R/C yacht. For radio control you should make the rudder and skeg as a solid unit that pivots on the rudder post. This will act as a balanced rudder in the water, giving you much more steering ability, without changing the appearance of the boat. Her “semi-planked” design makes her a perfect introduction into wooden boat building. We have incorporated footnotes to bring the text up to modern materials and adhesives. The frames can be made from 1/8” model aircraft ply and the planking from 1/16” ply. This would involve changing some of the dimensions,such as the amount of material removed to accomodate the planking. We don’t have full-sized plans, but we have enlarged the important patterns for you. The text and drawings in this article first appeared in Popular Mechanics in March of 1942; they are reproduced here for educational and research purposes. Page 15 Building “Starlet” ’’Starlet’’ is a 36-in. model racing yacht that you’ll find easy and inexpensive to make. The completed model is shown in Fig. 1. You begin by making the two-piece building; board as detailed in Fig. 2. One edge of this should be planed straight and true and used in squaring the station lines across the top. Fig. 3 gives the correct spacing of the seven lines Next, 1/2-in. square cleats to which the moldsare to be fastened, are glued and nailed Ys in. forward of the station lines so that the molds will center on the lines. All seven molds can be cut from a 1/4 by 5 by 48-in. piece. Fig. 41 gives full-size, halfbreadth patterns of each mold which you can trans£er through onto thin paper and then to your wood. Trace only the side and bottom outlines and mark on each respective pattern the point where the side line stops at the sheer. From the sheer point on, each pattern is drawn to extend to the base line (See Fig. 7.) Before you can lay these out on your wood, each pattern must be reduced 1/8 in. along the side and bottom because the outlines given are to the outside of the planking. In tracing around the patterns, be careful to keep the base line even with the edge of the wood. need a cardboard template like the one shown to the right of Fig. 8. This one template is used to mark all molds. Place it on the work so that the curve will be even with the sheer points when the centerlines of both mold and template coincide, and then mark the curve. As this line likewise represents the outside of the deck planking, a second line must be drawn 1/8 in. in from the first. Now, referring to Fig. 7, you will see that a saw cut is made slightly above this second line and stopped about 1 in. from each side. This cut is made to simplify cutting the hull free of the building board. You will notice also that the center portion of the molds are cut out, Nos. 2 and 3 being cut according to Fig. 7. Before setting up the molds, cut the notches for the gunwale, chine and keelson. Make these slightly undersize so that they can be trimmed later to exact size. With a centerline marked the length of the building board, glue2 and brad each mold to its respective station cleat. When you get the molds cut out, mark the deck crown on each one. For this you will While these are drying, you can cut out the stem and transom. Fig. 6 gives a full size pattern of the stem for tracing on a 5/8-in. block. The planking rabbet can be cut now, or later. In the latter case, be sure to mark the rabbet line on both sides of the block. To mark off the shape of the transom, refer to Fig. 4 and copy 1.Reproduced full size at the end of this article. 2.Ordinary carpenter’s glue is adequate for this. “Titebond” is fine for the rest of the boat. Page 16 the fullsize patterns given for the stern and top view. Follow the dotted line in sawing the stern outline, the solid line represents the shape of the inner face. When cut, the transom should look like the one shown in the circular detail of Fig. 2. Run the notches 1/4 in. in from inner face and then center and glue it to the building board. planking. With the hull faired, draw a line down the center of the keelson and begin fitting the two middle planks. One edge of each plank is tapered from the center to 7/16 in. wide at the ends. Make this a gradual taper so that each succ eeding plank will lay nicely. Commence fitting the 1/8 by 3/4-in. keelson flush to mold No. 4 and fasten it with a No. 03/8-in. brass screw. Hold the forward end down in the 1/4-in. stem notch and mark with a knife along each side of the keelson across each mold. Then notch and fasten. Fit the aft end the same way. The 1/8 by 5/16 in. chines and gunwales are fitted similarly, trinming the notches parallel with the edge of the mold. In some cases you may find it necessary to set the chine farther on some molds to obtain a nice sweeping curve. The forward ends of the chine) and gunwales butt against the sides of the stem it the base of the rabbet, the chines coming flush with the keelson as shown in Fig. 5. Place the planks over the keelson, butting the straight edges together direcly over the centerline, and fasten the ends to the stem with No. 0-3/8-in. brass screws. Then drive two screws into the keelson, between each mold, 1/8 in. in from the center joint. The planking on the original model was held with tiny brass screws, but if you should find these difficult to obtain, you can use/small brass escutcheon nails instead1. When you are satisfied with the fit, remove the planks and re-lay them in waterproof glue. Continue working from both Before the planking can be applied, you’ll have to fair the edges of the molds forward and aft of No. 4, the chines and transom. A small block plane and a coarse wood file will be found best for this work. The important point here is to see that the framework is symmetrical to give a nice sweeping curve to the Page 17 sides of the centerline in laying the remaining bottom planks which all measure approximately 3/4 in. wide. Fasten each plank to each mold with two screws, or nails, and coat the butting edges generously with glue. To make the side planks fit properly, you will have to fair the edges of the outer planks flush with the chines. Fit the side planks to the stem rabbet first and fasten each plank with three brass screws. At the transom, use two screws, placing them below the deck line. Along the chine and gunwale, two screws are used between each mold. When dry, remove the surplus glue and dress down the bottom planks to a smooth surface. 1.Metal fasterners add weight and are not required with modern adhesives such as resorcinal or epoxy. Ordinary round wooden toothpicks work fine here. The shape of the two-part keel can be enlarged full size from the squares given in Fig. 3. To cast the lead part, a mold is required which you build up from three pieces of stock, the Page 18 center piece being cut to the shape given in Fig. 13.1 When cast, the top edge is planed straight and square after which the positions of the keel bolts are marked in the center of the top and bottom edges. (See Fig. 3.) Now centerpunch and drill 3/16-in. holes, drilling from each edge to keep the hole running straight At the bottom these are counterbored for the bolt heads. The wood half is similarly drilled and then the two are assembled as a unit for final shaping. Round the forward and bottom edges and then with the keel clamped flat, taper the aft edge to 1/8 in. thick from a point 2 in. in on each side. Fit, glue and plumb the wood part of the keel exactly over the hull centerline. 1.Be careful when casting lead. Wear goggles and heat-resistant hand protection such as barbecue mittens. Make sure the mold is dry. Work outdoors and avoid breathing the fumes that come off the molten material. Alternatives include forming the keel from lead flashing, available at a roofing supply, or making a box and filling it with lead shot. From here on thework will require the hull to be in an upright position. Start cutting it loose from the building board by sawing in from the edge to meet the saw cut previously made in each mold. Cut the transom off 1/8 in. above the deck line and remove the screw in the stem. Fig. 12 details the stand which is shaped and grooved to correspond with the lower edge of the keel. Over each keel-bolt hole through the hull, you next fit a floor timber like the one shown in Fig. 10. Notice that the aft timber butts against the forward face of mold No. 5 to which it is glued. (See Fig. 3.) These timbers give a solid surface for drawing the keel firmly to the hull. When a good fit is had, apply waterproof glue and tighten the bolts. Resuming work on the hull, you next fair off the gunwales and file down the molds to the deck lines. After this, cut a notch in the top of each mold and the stem and transom, to receive flush a 1/8 by 3/4-in. backbone down the center of the hull. (See Fig. 10.) Figs. 8 and 9 show how the rudder is pivoted to the skeg, while Fig. 11 gives the shape of the two pieces on squares for enlarging full size. Drill an undersize hole through the bottom of the hull at the centerline, groove the edge of the skeg Page 19 to fit the tube and then glue and screw the latter to the hull. Next, split the tube for a distance equal to the aft edge of the skeg, drill for small screws and fasten it in place in white lead1. White lead is also applied under the plate which is soldered to; the post on the inside of the hull. (See Fig. 9.) The rudder is fitted to its post with two screws, the heads being countersunk, soldered and filed flush with the outside. To lay the one-piece deck, drill your 1/s-in. wood to fit over the projecting rudder tube and fasten it temporarily for marking. Cut the piece 1/16 in. oversize so that you can later trim it flush with the sides. Prior to laying the deck in white lead2, the underside of it3, as well as the inside of the hull, should be given three coats of paint or varnish. Also, don’t forget to add the pieces to the gunwales between molds 3 and 4. Set all screw heads just below the surface and fill with plastic wood. Figs. 14 and 15 detail the fittings and the deck plan shows you where they go. The mast step and chain plates are bent from thin sheet brass to stand about 1/4 in. high, and the tiller arm, Fig. 14, is pinned and soldered 1 1/2 in. from the forward end. The nut-faced 1.This stuff is deservedly extinct. “Shoe Goo,” available at most hardware stores, makes a good sealant for a deck. 2.See note above. 3.Many builders leave the underside unfinished so it can “breathe.” This appears to reduce the chances of a cracked deck. spinners travel on a No. 6-32 threaded rod. Use straight-grain pine or spruce for the mast, boom and jib club shown in Fig. 19. First cut the pieces square, tapering the ends as indicated, and then form them round by planing off the corners and finishing with sandpaper. About 1 1/2 yds. of cambric or oiled silk are needed for the sails.4 Spread the material out flat and mark it as shown in Fig. 18. Keep the mainsaiI leach A-C, about 2 in. in from the selvage edge. At B-C allow 3/4 in. for attaching the headboard. Draw a straight line from A-C and measure out 1 1/2 in. for the curved edge. Do the same at the foot. Along the luff 4.These materials are extinct. Use 3/4 oz. rip stop nylon, available from kitemaking suppliers. This material does need to be hemmed or cut with a “hot knife.” Page 20 MATERIAL LIST 2 pcs. 3/4 x 3 x 38-in. pine, building board 1 pc. 1\4 x 5 x 48-in. waterproof plywood, molds 1 pc. 5/8 x 2 x 4-in. pine, stem 1 pc. 3/4 x 2 1/4 x 3 1/2-in. pine, transom 7 pcs. 1/2 x 1/2 x 6-in. pine, cleats for molds 1 pc. l/8 x 5/8 x 38-in. pine, keel 2 pcs. l/8 x 5/16 x 38-in. pine chines 2 pcs. l/8 x 5/16 x 38-in. pine gunwales 2 pcs. 1/2 x 5/8 x 4-in. pine, floor timbers 12 pcs. l/8 x 3/4 x 38-in. pine, bottom planking 2 pcs. 1/8 x 3 x 38-in. pine, side planking 1 pc. 1/8 X 8 1/2 x 38-in. pine, deck planking 3 pcs. 9/16 x 6 x 1 8-in. pine, lead mold 1 pc. 9/16 x 9/16 x 54-in. pine, mast 1 pc. 7/16 x 7/16 x 20-in. pine, boom 1 pc. 3/8 x 3/8 x 13-in. pine, jib club 1 pc. 2 x 3 x 15-in. pine or spruce stand 1 pc. 1/4 O. D. x 5-in. brass, rudder tube 1 pc. 3/16 O. D, x 5-in. brass, rudder post 1 pc. 1/4 x 2 1/2 x 3-in. pine, rudder blade 1 pc. 3/16 x 10 1/2.in. brass rod keel bolts 4 No. 10-24 brass nuts for keel bolts 2 brass washers for keel bolts 8 lbs. lead for two-part keel 3 gross 1/2-in. brass escutcheon nails 1 lb. waterproof resin glue 12 brass screw eyes 7 ft. 1/32-in. brass wire for shrouds 1 pc. No. 28.ga. x 1 x 8-in. sheet brass for mast step, jib rack ond chain plates 1 pc. No. 22-ga. x 12-in. brass wire for hooks 1 pc. 1/16 x 3/16 x 6-in. brass for tiller 1 No. 6-32 x 23/2-in. bross bolt, 2 nuts, 2 washers 1 pc. 1/16 x 34 X 5-in. sheet brass for traveler angles ond spinners 1 pc. 7/16 O. D. x 1/2-in. brass tube, mast ferrule 20 ft. light fish line (braided preferred) 18 No. 2 x 1/2-in. brassscrews to fasten chines 10 ft. 1/4-in. linen tape 1 1/2 yds. oiled silk for sail B-D, make marks 16 and 32 in. from D. At the 16-in. mark, you measure out 1/8 in., while at the 32-in. point, you measure in l/8 in. Through these points a reversed curve is drawn to give the right set to the sail. A 3/4in. margin is allowed along B-D for hemming, while 3/8 in. is sufficient along A-C and A-D. The jib sail is laid out similarly. The luff is curved through a point marked 3/4 in. in, 12 in. from G, while on the leach the curve is brought out l/2 in., 14 in. from the same point. Before cutting the sails on the margin lines, sew l/4-in. tape inside lines B-D and E-G and straight across from A-D and E-F to keep the bias edge from stretching. Fold and sew a wide hem over the tape on the luff of each sail and a narrow one on the leach and foot. Along the luff of the mainsail, shoe eyelets, or grommets1, are spaced 3 in. apart through which a light cord is threaded and wound spirally around the mast as in Fig. 16. The clew and tack of the jib are tied loosely to the club in a manner similar to the mainsail, Fig. 22, while the cord in the luff, Fig. 17, runs to a hook in the deck jib rack. Figs. 20 and 21 show clearly how the main and jib sheets are rigged. The two wire shrouds which hook to the chain plates are looped around the mast at the top of the jib screw eye and adjusted to give the mast a 11/2-in. rake aft. 1.Grommets and a setting tool are available from Great Basin Model Yachting, http://gbmy.com The hull, keel, rudder and deck border of “Starlet” were enameled green, while the deck, mast, boom and club were finished natural with white shellac. Before applying the first coat which should be thinned slightly with turpentine, give the wood a thorough sanding with Nos. O and 00 sandpaper. Between each coat rub down the enamel with No. 6-0 sandpaper or fine steel wool. The third and final coats may be left glossy, or rubbed down and waxed. John Black (1942) Full Scale Patterns Hear are the full size patterns for the rudder, skeg, molds, and lead keel of “Starlet.” The stem pattern is in the text. The keel pattern is in two parts; overlap the “13” squares and you’ll have it right. The Model Yacht is published three times a year by the U.S. Vintage Model Yacht Group. Copyright 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 U.S.V.M.Y.G. Reproduction for noncommercial purposes permitted; all other rights reserved. Editorial Address: 9219 Flushing Meadows NE Albuquerque NM 87111 Email: boebert@swcp.com Phone: 505 823 1046 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24