Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Yachts and Sail => Topic started by: tourerjim on July 09, 2013, 08:37:16 pm

Title: Victoria...!!!
Post by: tourerjim on July 09, 2013, 08:37:16 pm
I've just purchased the Thunder Tiger Victoria & have had to do a couple of mods but there's 2 other mods i need help with.? is replacing or moding the sail winch arm to a roller & then another roller to replace the eyelet that's used for the sails strings return to servo, has anyone done such themselves.???
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: mrpenguin on July 10, 2013, 12:19:22 am
@TourerJim:
Not quite following here - perhaps you are considering replacing the sailwinch servo with a drum type sailwinch??
If so, you may need to add a method of keeping tension on the winch line to avoid tangles at the drum...
I do not have access to a Victoria, so uncertain.... it sails well from video I have seen...
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: jaymac on July 10, 2013, 05:32:54 am
This site is dedicated to the Victoria and a store   full of mods for her http://www.okanaganmodelsailboat.org/Index1.html (http://www.okanaganmodelsailboat.org/Index1.html)
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: tigertiger on July 10, 2013, 06:25:43 am
If you are thinking of switching from a sail arm servo to a drum winch servo, personally I would not do this.


The arm servo can react much faster than the drum winch servo because just under 1/2 turn will get you from sheets full out to sheets full in. A drum may take over 2 turns. And they don't get tangles with slack line.


The advantage of a drum is due to an arm needing more torque, but this is not a problem with a model of the Victoria's size if fitted with a proper 'sail arm servo' (don't use a standard servo, it won't work well).


The cheap drum servos are cheaper than the cheap sail arm servos. However, there will be additional cost and effort with modifying the boat.


My 2c.
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: tourerjim on July 10, 2013, 11:09:24 am
That is my problem these's a lot of drag on the are because the string has to be dragged though the servo arm & the returning string eyelet. 
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: tigertiger on July 10, 2013, 12:32:21 pm
A sail arm servo will easily do the job if you have chamfered the holes in the perspex provided for the arm, as outlined in the instructions.
My Victoria is fitted as standard out of the box and assembled as per the instructions . I use a sail arm servo (as per the instructions). I have never had a problem with the sail servo not being able to do the job, even in strong winds that the boat was not designed to sail in.


If you try to use a standard servo, you will kill it due to the torque involved.
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: Martin (Admin) on July 10, 2013, 01:26:32 pm
 
What glue did you use TT?

 (To glue the wood frame to the hull )
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: tourerjim on July 10, 2013, 02:56:50 pm
A sail arm servo will easily do the job if you have chamfered the holes in the perspex provided for the arm, as outlined in the instructions.
My Victoria is fitted as standard out of the box and assembled as per the instructions . I use a sail arm servo (as per the instructions). I have never had a problem with the sail servo not being able to do the job, even in strong winds that the boat was not designed to sail in.


If you try to use a standard servo, you will kill it due to the torque involved.


Its not the servo, the servo arm that comes in the kit is plastic & when it pulls the sails in the arm flexes, i have since knotted direct to the arm & its fine now but concern that same thing can happen when i pull the sails in more so wind.???
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: tourerjim on July 10, 2013, 02:57:58 pm

What glue did you use TT?

 (To glue the wood frame to the hull )


You use the two mixing glues
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: tigertiger on July 11, 2013, 12:50:58 am

What glue did you use TT?

 (To glue the wood frame to the hull )
I used two part epoxy. I had to score the hull to give the glue something to bite into. First time around the radio tray broke loose from the hull due to lack of adhesion.
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: tigertiger on July 11, 2013, 12:59:09 am

Its not the servo, the servo arm that comes in the kit is plastic & when it pulls the sails in the arm flexes, i have since knotted direct to the arm & its fine now but concern that same thing can happen when i pull the sails in more so wind.???


If the arm is flexing it sounds like something is wrong, the arm should not be doing this. If it is, for whatever reason, a weak arm, then have a look at Martins build log for the Victoria, he has a simple modification based on a ruler. But check everything else first, if the problem is elsewhere, then beefing up the arm will merely transfer stress somewhere else.


By tying the sheet direct to the arm, as opposed to having it run through the arm, you reduce the length of line pulled by 50%. This will seriously affect sailing.


If you are near to a club where people sail, for the price of a coffee someone will have a look at it for you. I would offer, but I live a bit out of the way I am afraid.
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: mrpenguin on July 11, 2013, 03:41:53 am

Its not the servo, the servo arm that comes in the kit is plastic & when it pulls the sails in the arm flexes, i have since knotted direct to the arm & its fine now but concern that same thing can happen when i pull the sails in more so wind.???
"I have since knotted direct to the arm"
Not certain, but thinking that if you have tied the sheet direct to the arm you will have doubled the torque (pull) on the sails, but you have also halved the amount of sheet travel. This may mean you do not have enough travel to sheet right in (booms nearly parallel to boat centreline) as well as right out (booms nearly at right angle to boat centreline)
 
I would think standard double haul arrangement would be the setup you need - the line should run freely through the hole in the arm.... if not perhaps there are some sharp edges.... the twisting arm sound like bad news, this should not be happening if things are correctly adjusted.
 
Possible first adjustment for your winch setup may be:
1) disconnect the sheets from the booms
2) then move the winch to the close hauled position,
3) then tie off the sheets at that point with the booms parallel to boat centreline
That should establish the close haul position. Moving the servo to the other end of its travel should allow the booms to be about at right angles to the centreline.
Hope this helps....
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: tourerjim on July 11, 2013, 11:26:24 am
I taken in what your all saying but i now know its the long servo arm its so thin & with the summer temp its so flexible, ive been googleing for a stiffer arm as previously mention the wheel gives less travel.
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: Martin (Admin) on July 11, 2013, 12:34:06 pm
I taken in what your all saying but i now know its the long servo arm its so thin & with the summer temp its so flexible, ive been googleing for a stiffer arm as previously mention the wheel gives less travel.

Which sail servo are you using?

( NB. don't put a sail arm on a 'normal' servo, you do need quite a hefty one! )
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: tigertiger on July 11, 2013, 04:45:39 pm
I taken in what your all saying but i now know its the long servo arm its so thin & with the summer temp its so flexible, ive been googleing for a stiffer arm as previously mention the wheel gives less travel.


Still not sure about this as I sailed regularly in temps of nearly 40 degress, never had the problem of flexing.
However, you can make your own arm out of a stiff piece of Perspex, 3-4mm should do it.
Martin used a ruler on his, possibly a metal one. See reply #6 here

http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,4231.msg41030.html#msg41030 (http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,4231.msg41030.html#msg41030)


 
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: Boomer on July 11, 2013, 10:21:39 pm
I posted a picture of the servo set up on my old Victoria - worked with out issues. I agree with not installing a drum or winch type sail servo. There are literally thousands of these boats around the planet and I'd wager that if you could count them all there would be very few fitted with drum servos. There is really no need to change.  These boats don't carry a lot sail area and do nicely with the arm arrangement.  :-))

Boomer
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: tourerjim on July 12, 2013, 09:40:53 pm
I've now made a temp plate from the existing arm & glued them together & now its working fine, thanks for all the advice.
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: tourerjim on July 13, 2013, 10:25:58 pm
all sorted now, I completed moded the stock setup of the servo winch with some of my rc helicopter parts by using two main shafts to use as pulley guides for the string to be pulled by the now reinforced servo horn with a swivel string eye puller (heli part) & whilst doing all that i also modified the rudder linkage replacing it with heli parts. 
Im now getting the degree angles that the manual recommends whereas before couldn't get half.


When i get five ill upload a picture,
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: Boomer on July 14, 2013, 06:14:32 pm
Good show Mate :-)) Looking forward to seeing the pictures!
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: tourerjim on July 22, 2013, 07:43:20 pm
Good show Mate :-)) Looking forward to seeing the pictures!


Got some nice pic's but cant seem to upload them...???
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: Tug-Kenny RIP on July 22, 2013, 09:38:35 pm

We have loads of articles on picture publishing.  Have a look in Chit Chat section.


Ken

Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: tourerjim on July 23, 2013, 12:12:44 pm
Pic's of my mod on the Victoria,

Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: tourerjim on July 23, 2013, 12:30:37 pm
This pic was the the test run,



Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: tourerjim on July 23, 2013, 03:31:23 pm
Blimey she's sailing really nice now.


Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: Netleyned on July 23, 2013, 03:49:12 pm
Looking good.
You have now entered the most relaxing aspect of the hobby (unless you
take up racing)

Ned
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: tourerjim on July 23, 2013, 04:02:02 pm
Looking good.
You have now entered the most relaxing aspect of the hobby (unless you
take up racing)

Ned


I also do RC helicopter 3D flying
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: Netleyned on July 23, 2013, 06:27:17 pm

I also do RC helicopter 3D flying

Now what could be more relaxing than trying
to control numerous pieces of machinery that
are hell bent on vibrating into their original components.
And doing it all in 3 dimensions :D
Ned
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: tigertiger on July 24, 2013, 01:38:52 am

I also do RC helicopter 3D flying


New 3D Helicopter flying thread started on Other Hobbies and Interests board.
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: harryw on August 21, 2013, 09:30:53 pm
tourerjim.

i am building a victoria right now,it is going slow but steady.
also figuring out a different way to control the sheets.
like your setup.and she is sailing nice according to your pics.
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: tourerjim on August 21, 2013, 10:04:02 pm
Since moding mine she sails really well, even the boat club members that sail on same lake had to swallow there pride after saying the Victoria was a poor sail boat.
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: harryw on August 22, 2013, 08:01:29 am
realy? what boats do they sail at the club?
i agree there are faster boats,but look at this.
cant imagine one  saying this is poor sailing.
maybe the older ones with stock sails,those were a little stiff.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZbKmcY0rcs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZbKmcY0rcs)
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: tourerjim on August 22, 2013, 08:48:28 am
The club sails Footy's, RG65's, & sometimes Wee Nips & some weekends of the year they have mixed fleet sails, i did read on some google site that the Victoria wasn't without its problems & that made me more determend to buy it as i wanted a yacht that had a bit of style to it  as well & when i mentioned it to the club boys it was na mate not a good boat the keels to light, sails dont open enough or if you set it so that does then you got problem of not closing & on & on as they do.! 
Well.!!! keels not to light , if yous sails open enough that will solve the keel problem then if you can devise a way that the servo sail arm can (not the plastic ine in the kit as it just bends) be made of alloy to max the string travel this will solve the sail travel then if you fit a rod that swivals on bottom of the boom as apposed the the string then that will solve the problem with the sails.
When i get 5 ill put a vid up showing the speed this boat can now do, this i mention in a previous post the boat barely sailed from the stock parts.
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: harryw on August 22, 2013, 11:46:25 pm
o yes the rg65  is a nice boat to imo. but i dont like the dragon on the sails.
for the money the victoria i find her fine.there is a lot of info on the web.
and i agree with you pulleys make life much easier on the servo's.i dee you use hitec 475.
most of the sailors use 645 or futaba s3802.i went for a hk 1201mg cheap i take my change.
found a great video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjok9-P_Pzg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjok9-P_Pzg)
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: tourerjim on August 23, 2013, 10:17:34 pm
My servo was even cheaper I took it of a model plane i since sold, nice video but not sure im ready to make all them mods just yet.
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: harryw on August 23, 2013, 10:38:30 pm
yes good one always handy  if you have a buch of spares.
for my rudder had mg90 servo left over from a 450 heli.
i have done the rig today lots of bowline knots fun.
as for the mods we have plenty of time.and later see if they make a difference.
yake a look at this combined 100plus years of experience.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roytVZ5GOO8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roytVZ5GOO8)
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: Nemo on October 13, 2013, 07:16:33 pm
I agree with most contributors to this problem regarding sail winches. I recently purchased a lovely old Metcalf Moonbeam yacht fitted with a drum winch. All sheets were in a mess and would never stay on the drum for long. I ripped it all out and replaced with an arm (cannibalsed from my wrecked Comtesse) on the HiTech servo, did a lot of headscratching over the lines to the 3 sheets but found it quite easy. I have tied all my sheets directly to the arm and have never had any problems. She sails beautifully and is a great stress antidote!  :-))
 
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: marter1229 on October 14, 2013, 03:06:58 am
 :-)) :-)) That is a great looking yacht.
 
Terry
Title: Re: Victoria...!!!
Post by: Nemo on October 14, 2013, 11:56:51 am
:-)) :-)) That is a great looking yacht.Terry

Thank you Terry. I bought it newly completed a few months ago from a guy who admitted he was new to modelling and admitted he was 'not very good at it'! This was an understatement as he had made a mess of the entire project (apart from sails which were professionaly made) from bad glueing, to using emulsion paint on most fittings amongst other disasters to what is a very attractive boat. I therefore had to begin a complete rebuild which included a new deck and stripping and repainting everything above the hull. As you say, she turned out well and sails like a dream, almost with hands off controls - in reasonable winds!
Bob.