I am currently trying to improve the performance of my mini yacht basically the intention is to widen and lengthen. I would like to build in some flexibility to the back axle but it does need to be strong because I sail on bumpy sand. I tried laminating some ply axles similar to the seagull GRP axles, ok until the first big bump! I am now thinking of adapting and old pair of skis. Has anyone tried this with any success?
Hiko tried them a couple of years ago on his mini yacht
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Land-Yacht-Sailing/Construction/Ski-Axle-Lefroy-Mini/
They work fine on minis both mine have them now I use them doubled up
I did have one failure but that was because I didnt consider the location of the screw holes that used to hold the bindings on in their former life
I didnt consider it a problem --- not so
I like them they have just the right amount of spring and have had no issues when the screw holes are kept away from where the axle joins the chassis
I use them face to face
oldMXer has used a car leafspring which is very successful. He simply welded the axle stubs onto the ends of the leafspring. I built a similar leafspring axle arrangement many years ago for my aluminium boat trailer which is great. The axle stubs on mine were bolted on and a bit complicated to set up. If I did it again I'd weld the stubs on. The advantage of the spring is that it can flex a great deal and give you a very soft ride over the bumps...W
A couple of our yachts on lefroy have a small 120mm x190mm x20mm wooden axle.very effective and comfy
Select to expand quotelandyacht said..
A couple of our yachts on lefroy have a small 120mm x190mm x20mm wooden axle.very effective and comfy
might be a zero missing somewhere
Select to expand quotesn said..landyacht said..
A couple of our yachts on lefroy have a small 120mm x190mm x20mm wooden axle.very effective and comfy
might be a zero missing somewhere
Oh deer I did miss a zero.1200x190x20mm
something springy like ash if your in the UK.
simple test before you buy. sit it on 2 blocks and see if it bounces.
if it cracks its no good and you didnt buy it
I raced an adapted Potty Miniyacht with Ski axles in the 2012 worlds.. Loved that yacht , so comfy. Andy Parr raced the Potty ski yacht in the following event at the 2012 worlds and won .
Well worth building or adapting one to skis .
I'm using a solid piece of red oak @ 13/16'' x 7 for an axle. It's quite a soft ride.
Select to expand quoteBynorthsea said..
Thanks guys I will let you know how I get on
Here is the results of my first attempt at ski axles. doubled up from one pair of skis, when I first set them up they were too flexible and I had to cut them shorter. I had a couple of outings on the beach using them and they seem really good, on a good surface they would last for ever bu I am yet to hit the unexpected pothole at speed. I have manged to scrounge two more pairs of skis so now the intention is to make a longer set for my winter build.
Hey that is very neatly done, without any bolthole stress risers inboard. Clever!!!!
I like the way you can convert back to a standard setup if required.
I think you have just improved that yacht with those ski axles
Using clamps instead of boltholes like I did is an improvement also
I think you will be happy with the result
