Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Yachts and Sail => Topic started by: Bugsy on February 26, 2010, 08:11:36 am

Title: As anyone fitted an operating Spinnaker/Cruising Chute.............
Post by: Bugsy on February 26, 2010, 08:11:36 am
.................to a model yacht?
I fancy having a go on my Comtesse which is sitting here doing nothing.

I thought of using a chute-tube (like some full-size dinghies) and servos system whereby you could raise and lower it at will. There would be a problem with sheeting on different tacks that would need to be overcome.

Just an idea any thoughts welcome.
Title: Re: As anyone fitted an operating Spinnaker/Cruising Chute.............
Post by: malcolmfrary on February 27, 2010, 04:20:18 pm
A good few years ago the AC12 lads then sailing in France tried it (one of them, at least), much as you describe.  I think, remembering back and reading between the lines in the mag article, that they ran into the same problems that the full size ones ran into - getting it up without tying a knot in it, and packing it away in a tidy manner.  These were considerably bigger boats than the Comptesse, so getting it all to work in a relatively small boat could be quite a challenge.
At least with the full size ones there is crew on hand to sort it out.
Title: Re: As anyone fitted an operating Spinnaker/Cruising Chute.............
Post by: Netleyned on February 27, 2010, 04:38:58 pm
How would you overcome the problem
of the spinnaker pole being handed to
the correct clew for each tack?
Two sheet winches?
System for lowering?

I Bet someones done it!

Ned
Title: Re: As anyone fitted an operating Spinnaker/Cruising Chute.............
Post by: Bradley on February 28, 2010, 04:58:03 pm
Have a look at this website, Bugsy.  It is an online sample copy of the magazine of the American Model Yachting Association and it contains an article about spinnakers on model yachts which you may find useful.

http://www.theamya.org/my/138-SampleWebEdition0801.pdf

Derek.
Title: Re: As anyone fitted an operating Spinnaker/Cruising Chute.............
Post by: pugwash on February 28, 2010, 05:40:36 pm
On my boat we used to sail shorthanded - i.e. me and SWMBO so we used an assymetric spinnaker ( like a cruising shoot)
the lazy sheet went outside the forestay and the sheet you were using was winched in as required you cannot tack but you can
jybe easing one sheet and winching in the other you have to be a bit careful otherwise the lazy sheet ends in the sea and
wrapped round the keel.  Assymetric spinnaker is better as you can head further into wind than you can with a normal spinnaker

Pugwash
Title: Re: As anyone fitted an operating Spinnaker/Cruising Chute.............
Post by: Bugsy on March 01, 2010, 10:23:38 am
Thanks Derek, food for thought.

and thanks for all the other replies.