At last got the front end on. Had to use BMX forks as the wheel could only take 6200 bearings with 10mm shaft. So far all up weight with mast 20kg. It's going to be pretty hard to keep it under target weight of 25kg. Still got to add seat and footrest, sail, boom, pulleys and seat belt. May end up 30kg.
Get use to this view guys!
Looking good clem, Will be interesting to see how your steering setup works. I got to where you are now but I was damed if I could get the steering to work, Had to revert to Pauls designe .If I had it attached to the mast it may have worked but with my feet half way between the steering point and the mast post it kept binding up. I tried rod and cable (I prefer cable)but could not get it to work.
Cheers
Vic
Well done Clem it does look good I also had a play with the steering like Vic
I think the class 5 cable system works Ok just because of the greater distance
which lessens the angles of the cables
Introducing a couple of pulleys at the front may cure the problem for the mini though
Steering has worked out fine. The secret with the rod system is to have the steering rod 100mm offset from the steering pin and to use my favorite material Nolathane for pivot joints at each end of the rod. I have a plywood footrest/bum tray attached. Now all I have to do is work out how to make the "nappy" seat. I must have a re-look at how Paul Day did his one.
I have had a problem with my camera's transfer cable which is why I have not out up any more postings. I hope to borrow a camera on Sunday and all will be revealed.
Thanks Cisco, I'm working on that problem now. Finally got some pictures off the camera. The plywood base will have wrap around sides about 100mm high to stop the feet sliding off. I changed the front tube to aluminium, 44.5 x 3mm same size as the rear axle tubes.
they were right , you definitely dont have an excess hieght dissadvantage
steering looks good
just how far from the front wheel centre is that mast step? or is that "kiwi confidential"
690mm as per plan. Those last set of photos the rear axles were not spread out to their full width which made the front look a bit long.
Finally got the canvas seat/backrest worked out. I am mid-sheeting this yacht so the backrest only has to carry the pilots weight.
Now only have to finish the skirt around the footrest, do a bit of painting and I'll be done.
Made new sling seat. The green one was just to work out the patten. For the wrap around nose I have used the stitch and glue method. I just have to do the fiberglass and paint. I think I will give it a test run on one of our parks before I start painting the frame. Hopefully that will happen this weekend. I wont be able to take it on to the beach till I have it fully rust proof. All up weight so far without mast sail and boom 22.5Kg
normally I now say , any colour but grey, but this time I'll say any colour but faded lime green and public bus seat red
Awww he was trying so hard too he knew you didnt like grey
Must be just about time time for a tryout
The wind gods are not smiling at the moment though and
I have a new bigger converted windsurfer sail to try out
orange-ish, baby blue, red, grey and white, but that didnt matter due to the speed,and then the next "rush" yacht was black and white cos all the paint and gel coat ran out
Hey Clemco,
It looks like there isn't heaps of mechanical advantage on the steering -- is it a bit on the heavy side? Does it work OK standing still?
Loving the build pictures, I'm dying to hear how it performs with a sail
In true LLM spirit all the materials for this yacht have been recycled, hence the weird color scheme so far. The most money I have spent was for the welding wire (2 rolls $80), and two M16 galv bolts ($6) for the stub axles. The rest of the materials I had lying around the property, leftovers from past projects. The sling seat tubing was from an old camp stretcher.
I will probably get the main frame hot dip galvanized "Landyacht Grey", and of coarse the aluminum tubes will also stay "Landyacht Grey". The rest of the bits I think I'll paint in Clemco colours, Red and Yellow.
i dont know how youve done it but that sheeting would becoming out of my navel
does look to be a nice fit tho
Had a very pleasant afternoon's sailing with Hiko yesterday in our minis. Yes it sails well. The sail still needs a bit of attention, but overall I was quite happy with the way the frame handled. A little too tippy from what I am use to with the class 5. The next one I think I will go for smaller tube sizes and perhaps fibreglass main axles to make it more springy.
Look at that beach! Ive never seen anything that nice to sail on Lucky so and so's
Congratulations Clem, great looking yacht. Has it got a name yet?
Realy nice pics clem, I found my mini very tippy to compared to the class5 but once i got use to it is now great fun to sail. These little yachs are starting to take of thanks to landyacht posting his plans and imformation. Its great to see other ideas starting to emerge in the construction of the mini to
cheers
Vic
ps how was the centre pull, I thing the position would have to be to far foward on mine
Ohope beach was very nice yesterday long wide and flat The wind was light about 8 to 10 knots a gentle sea breeze but the sailing was great
Clems yacht goes well and the steering linkage is very positive
Very pleased with my lefroy mini also with the bigger sail ..very well balanced
It was another of those great days that keeps us coming back
Great beach there guys and the yachts look great too.
Looks like it has a certain amount of rutile in it which would tend to make it quite firm.
I spent a couple of years at New Plymouth a long time ago. Some of the beaches over there are totally black and so dense you don't leave footprints.
Edit:- I think the advent of the mini yachts is what the sport has been crying out for. They certainly can't be beaten for convenience.