The mast, 4 pieces epoxy resin and micro fiber glued , Rough rounding with a plane and then used a spoke shave to finish.
This you tube shows how to make it round
Very cool, nice work, microfiber is a new one on me. Makes sense. Epoxy is the way to go.
Working with wood like that is so satisfying. I just love taking long shavings off with a plane.
All I can say about wood wheels - that work - is that you guys would be doing some impressive woodworking there.
The steering looks OK. Must have been little guys. think I will have to move the seat back a couple of inches
Started to make the gaff and boom, gaff is huge 14 foot long,boom is 10 foot
Gee I hope this is right. The sail I made looks exactly like the diagram you sent me below. With eyelets every 10".
The triangle out of the bottom was 2' high by 1 foot long.
I really don't understand the rig at all mate. 14' plus the 2' and 10' plus the 1 foot.
It is spot on , Chook. It is a strange (to me anyhow) setup. That is half the fun trying to figure it all out. The whole thing has been a challenge for this old guy who spent his working boring holes underground. Had to learn everything as I go.
The gaff starts 2 foot up the mast and the boom at 1 foot mark something like this but the gaff is longer and at a steeper angle
So you lash the sail to the gaff and boom and use the halyard to erect it.
Makes sense now.
Thanks Vic.
what you have is a variation on a lug sail . fishing boat sails evolved from lug sails(with a gaff and no boom up to gaff sails for bigger sails and more contrrol of the bigger sails. what you have is a variation of the 2 with a steep gaff to give upwind ability. this evolved into the gunter rig. think mirror dinghy. the beauty of these rigs is the large sail area possible with only small light spars and minimal pulleys,and uncomplicated sheeting as per fishing rigs. eventually with the introduction of marine glues and then aluminium it all evelves into the marconi rig , which you all sail today. if you can find a rare book 101 sailing rigs by phillip Bolger . bolger is the jesus of small sailing rigs
Fantastic work!!
Do the 2 plates in the rear of the yacht (the ones holding the steering) flex under load?
Well it looks great and like it wants to fly. It's something to crow about. It really struts it's stuff. Ummmm.....no fowl work there. Ahhh.....ok I'll stop now!
Excellent.
Looks like you guys never stop! Don't know if you remember me...
Wanted for you to check out my new build
Google .. Educational Tallship San Francisco... I'm volunteering to hep build...I've had some great times on my mini! Holley Mosley!
^
Jeez, I know Fallshaw's are the ducks guts, but even they will be struggling under your new project!
stephen
Sail went on great Chook, Thanks again. I think I may have to fit an extension to take the front stay, or make a heavier mast it is bending back to much on down haul.
The Bleriot was just great to sail, Trav Jodie and myself spent a few hours sailing it at Lake Lefroy, very hard to explain the feeling, I think it felt like a step back it time a bit nostalgic, Just love it
dang Vic ,looking great. how did the 17mm axles go. they tell me you had a great time with the film crew
I think the axle will be fine, I was surprised how gentle it was to sail. Not sure if I would take it out in strong winds, Having two up made no difference to rolling.
I think it could become my favorite yacht. Just drop the gaff at the end of the day, and run a bit of rope around the sail and leave, about one minute to hoist sail for next run.
Steering was perfect, steered the RIGHT way. Perfect yacht for just cruising around.
A few small things to finish off and change, can not wait to sail it again.
The sail was perfect Chook, rope lashed it to the boom and gaff after these pics were taken and got a great sail shape.
I mentioned a couple of posts that I thought the mast bent to much, When stationary and pulling down on the back of the boom that appears to be a problem, But there was no sign of that when sailing, so I think it was only that the fulcrum was to great with me pushing down on the end of the boom and applying to much force where the boom meets the mast
that would make sense vic , my schooner bbom almost floats on the mast. next time we see each other i'll help you set up some topping lifts . they will set the sail perfectly
Could not handle the look of the low bar work on the front axle, Rebuilt it today, and started to finish of some of the parts that I did not have time to finish before going to Lake Lefroy, Attachments for sheeting and varnishing the mast boom and gaff