Just wanted to drop a note from Indiana, USA to thank all the contributors to this site. Middle of winter here, snow on the ground, more falling at this moment. Have had an absolute blast with landyacht constructed with ideas presented on this site. I would classify mine as a class 5 I suppose. (8'6" x 5'8" with 6m? sailboat sail, steel frame construction, stayed mast). Friend built a mini (dimensions?, windsurfer sail 4-5m?, entirely wood frame, 20" bicycle wheels and 3 forks). We cannot get over how close racing has been. About dead even most days if the wind is blowing (15-20mph). Still trying to figure out tuning my sail. Will post pictures and video, have to figure out how and shoot in a lower resolution I think. (pictures are blurry present res) There's nothing quite like a powerslide when a gust hits on a layer of snow and ice! Destroyed a pair of wheel barrow tires in two hours last Monday sliding around.
Difficult in this area to come up with windsurfer parts, but next build will be LLmini with 2 inch drill tube and wood composite rear axle. Feel that stored energy return from gusts will really help acceleration.
Curious to know how Clemcos rubber tire steering head worked out. Looked simple and promising.
Once again thanks and have a good day.
Hi Eric,
Welcome to the forum. With all that snow and ice you talk about I wonder you do not have an ice boat.
Your comment about stored energy in flexy rear cross members/axles and stayed masts is interesting.
Most of our yachts tend to be the other way around having fairly stiff rear ends combined with flexible masts. The thinking here tends to be that the flexy masts "smooth out the gusts".
Stiff frames can give a rough ride at times. Some of the other guys who have built many yachts have done the science and experiments and would be more qualified to comment than myself.
If your photos are blurry you would need to go to a HIGHER resolution camera I believe.
If you have photos, please post plenty. We love them. Cheers Cisco.
P.S. I think a few of the guys here are finding that a well designed and built mini will give a class5 a good run for the money.
The rubber steering is actually Gizmo's idea.
The "Atom" mini ( with rubber steering) is on hold at the moment.. work super busy for me at the moment. But dont worry its high on my "to do" list
Gidday Blew.....have to comment.....best welding i have seen featured here 
in this forum since i've been around. Love to see that square metal being used, it add's
form and line, mostly round used here ....cheers
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