Starting Centerboard Mold

So, two coats of epoxy, sand.
One coat of high build primer, sand (400), sand (600), sand(800). Buff out with compound, buff out with glazer-sealer. Four coats of wax, wait 24 hours four more coats of wax.
Wipe on a coat of PCA. One layer tooling gelcoat, then a layer of 3/4 oz mat, and one layers of 1.5 oz mat. Let it cure overnight three layers of 1.5 oz. mat then a layer of 10 oz tooling cloth.

Have I ever mentioned how much I hate Polyester resin? I should have worn my respirator.

Center Board Plug came in

Center board plug came in, I built a frame for it and put on to coats of epoxy.

Ordered a Centerboard Plug

I ordered a centerboard plug from Phil @ fastcomposites.ca.
It is a 63A010 section that is 1300mm X 150mm.
I hope I can make it stiff enough so it does not twist.
Next is the new light rudders.
Any one have a profile suggestion?

Out in high winds.

I was out on Sat. with the local club.
Conditions where 10-15 knots with sustained gusts of over 20. The problem I had was with steering. The rudders I am using where designed for my old 18sq for use in the summer on the lake here, where the winds are 0-4 knots. So they are very small. I am going to put some NACRA rudders on it until I build some new ones.

Out last weekend (10.3.2009)

The wind was very light. I am fooling around with mast placement and I had it set to far back. A the boat wanted to do was round up and stall. I am waiting on a new dolphin striker shaft ( I can't find 9/16" X 18 SS threaded rod anywhere) so I'm not going to fuss about the mast position to much, because the ball it sits on might move up a little bit.

More Video

Out in Better conditions.

Went out yesterday in better conditions then last weekend, wind was 5-8 knots with 30dig. shifts.
I was pleased with the speed in the conditions.
I need to work on the mast rotation system and a new rudders and rudderheads.

Orchids

Just up the road from the lake where I sail there is a green house that grows orchids so we decided to stop on the way last weekend. Picked up a few new specimens to add to the collection.








If you are in the area of Bucks County Pa. stop in http://www.parksideorchids.com/index.htm

Video

In the water at last.

Went up to the local lake to try it out for a few hours. Air was very light 3-4 knots and there was nothing to compare with as far as boat speed was concerned. How do the French say it "such is life".







This is one of my favorite planes ( stearman biplane) after a christen-eagle, we have a few of them in the area. And they fly over the lake often.

By the way, it's Lake Nockamixon.
And the local sail club is http://www.nockamixonsailclub.org/index.html