Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Yachts and Sail => Topic started by: radiojoe on August 15, 2020, 05:01:53 pm

Title: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on August 15, 2020, 05:01:53 pm
The Aeronaut Bella is by now quite an old model and if built as per the instructions she builds into a very nice sailing boat however I think she could use some improvements, the keel fin at 3mm with a fair old lump of lead on the bottom didn't seem adequate to me so I'll beef it up with a piece of 1.5 mm ply bonded each side and profile the leading and trailing edges,   I'll fit stringers along the chine instead of the bottom and topside ply just butting together and relying on glue along the joint inside, I don't really like the way the edge of the deck is finished just over lapping the hull all round this will be flushed down to the topsides and a strake will be fitted to cover the joint and also stand above the deck about 3mm to form a toe rail with a couple of scuppers along each side, and just about all the rigging fittings will be scrapped and replaced with something more scale like, all the screw eyes supplied make her look rather basic IMO.


So made a start on the keel fin I haven't gone overboard with the profiling just enough to help the fin slip though the water I'm not looking for speed, I will fettle the keel weights a bit more as I'm moving them 15mm further aft on the fin, I've noticed Bella tends the put her bow down a bit when going about and this may help or may be not we shall see.
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: Taranis on August 15, 2020, 05:04:02 pm
That came quick  :-)
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on August 15, 2020, 05:30:17 pm
It did Andy, but not without the problems stated in my other thread,


Joe.
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: Martin [Admin] on August 15, 2020, 06:26:52 pm
 
 Just for reference....  :}

(https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2020/08/15/Bella.jpg) (https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/image/aZ8KR)
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: Capt Podge on August 15, 2020, 07:20:05 pm
I've got no knowledge of yachts but it's pretty obvious that you know what you're doing. I'll follow your progress and hope it all goes well for you.


Regards,
Ray.
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: roycv on August 16, 2020, 09:10:00 am
Hi, you mention fettling the lead, I sugggest you insert some lead flashing to make up the gap, it should just compensate for the extra bouyancy of the addition to the keel.
Regards
Roy
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on August 16, 2020, 12:25:45 pm
Yeah cheers Roy we're on the same wave length mate, the feting will be grinding out the forward end of the fin rebate to move the "torpedo" aft 15mm. there will be approx 3mm gap between the halves each end I'll glue lead sheet on one half of the weights just under the surface so when the keel is installed the joints will be smoothed with filler prior to painting.


Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on August 16, 2020, 03:08:59 pm
The hull frame is now assembled and glued and I'm waiting on some more strip wood, 1/4"X 1/4" Balsa for the chine stringers and 8mm X 3mm Mahogany for the toerails, in the mean time I'm making up the rudder and other small assemblies. The laser cutting is very well done and all the materials are good quality, The glossy instruction book is all in German but the construction is so traditional you don't really need it, plus with the mods I'm doing I'm not actually following the set sequence. Some of the details I like and some I don't, the mast tabernackle is ok it looks the part and suits the type of boat, the method of attaching the main boom to the mast I defo will not be using, can't really see why the long bolt, spread the load maybe? I dunno, I'll use a gooseneck I may buy one or have some fun trying to make one as I will with the shroud plates deck eyes etc.


Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: roycv on August 16, 2020, 03:17:49 pm
Hi Joe I have used this gooseneck several times.  You can get aileron hinges about 3mm wide and aprox 30mm each hinged piece. 

I drill into the boom for one end and the other goes into a close fitting tube attached to the mast vertically.  You can lock the mast end in with a piece of hard brass wire drilled into the end of the hinge.  Paint whatever colour and they work a treat.  The sail boom has total freedom of movement.
Regards
Roy
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: tsenecal on August 16, 2020, 05:01:33 pm
Hi Joe I have used this gooseneck several times.  You can get aileron hinges about 3mm wide and aprox 30mm each hinged piece. 

I drill into the boom for one end and the other goes into a close fitting tube attached to the mast vertically.  You can lock the mast end in with a piece of hard brass wire drilled into the end of the hinge.  Paint whatever colour and they work a treat.  The sail boom has total freedom of movement.
Regards
Roy

I am having a hard time picturing what you describe, based on what i know of aileron hinges...  any possibility of a photo?
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: roycv on August 16, 2020, 05:25:59 pm
Hi Joe these are round in section.  See below.
Mine are about 3mm diam.
Roy


https://uk.banggood.com/5Pcs-Stitch-Pivot-Round-Hinge-for-RC-Airplane-Aircraft-p-1011427.html?gmcCountry=GB&currency=GBP&createTmp=1&utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=cpc_bgcs&utm_content=lijing&utm_campaign=pla-gbg-rm-all-purchase-pc&ad_id=323612825005&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsuP5BRCoARIsAPtX_wENPQeq0QHBZ6bi_-KOsVVBrVwWocwiRZTHs172fsT2lAN9KXv82kcaAiB4EALw_wcB&ID=514452&cur_warehouse=CN
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: JimG on August 16, 2020, 08:18:30 pm
Sometimes known as knuckle hinges. No need to wait for an order from China as they will be available in any model shop stocking parts for model aircraft.Jim
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: Mark T on August 16, 2020, 08:27:27 pm
Ooh this is going to be a good build.......I'm watching this one.......good luck Joe not that you need it mate  :-))
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on August 16, 2020, 08:36:22 pm
Thanks for the suggestion I've got something similar in my come in handy box left over from building a Piper Cub about ten years ago, I've actually got something brass in mind for the gooseneck and all the fittings.


Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: roycv on August 16, 2020, 11:17:41 pm
I found that they take 'brass' paint quite well!
Roy
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: roycv on August 16, 2020, 11:21:10 pm
Hi Joe I was going to fit some oil type navigation lights as I have an Action flickering light circuit. However you can't really see them in daylight and apparently I am not allowed out late at night now!
Roy
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: roycv on August 16, 2020, 11:27:23 pm
Looking ahead when you reach the sails you have to be very careful sticking strengthening fabric onto the jib.  As it is a different fabric to the sails it can wrinkle.

 Going back earlier you will know I had my Bella part assembled and that is how I found the sails already done. 

These sails are now on another yacht and I am very conscious of them.
Roy
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: colin-d on August 17, 2020, 06:35:20 am
Joe, you certainly don't hang around ..  {-)  :-))
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: roycv on August 17, 2020, 07:32:59 am
Hi Colin-d the Bella reviewer in Model Boats magazine had the kit as a Christmas present and was sailing her on New Years Day just a week!  It is a quick build or the basis of an excellent build and I think we can look forward to the latter.
Roy
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: mrzippy on August 17, 2020, 09:43:33 am
Hi Joe, re the long bolt - yes it is a load spreader - I've used longer versions (servo push rod) extended down the mast, to form an attachment point for the kicking strap, which then follows the arc of the boom, but like yourself not so keen on screw eyes.
Similar to the above hinge ideas - model 'ball links' with snap-on caps make nice gooseneck pivots - the cap screwed on to a short length of pushrod epoxied into the end of the boom, ball end bolts to a tiny angle bracket, bolted through mast etc - many ways to skin a cat.
Bella's a nice model - another on my expanding bucket list !  regards Paul
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on August 17, 2020, 04:21:40 pm
In my research on this boat it was mentioned the cabin roof could be a problem bending over the sub frame as it tends to break along the laser cut plank effect, so I've checked this out and sure enough it dose, so I've braced the under side with some 0.8mm ply I'll also put masking tape across the top when I get to that point, most of the components are Plywood with a Mahogany face but for some reason the cabin roof is 2.5mm solid wood and with the surface laser cut it's almost bound to break, I feel this would have been far better in Ply. Some of the mods I'm doing I think of as logical like the stringers on the chine, not sure why Aeronaut left them out My guess is they were trying to make the kit as beginner proof as possible, other mods are purely my preference and to give me a challenge to make various fittings.


Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: roycv on August 17, 2020, 05:11:57 pm
Hi Joe, I agree with the wood problem but the pale blonde roof does set the rest of the woodwork off and ties in with the deck as well.  Also in full size practice you would normally have a light coloured roof.  Keeps the cabin cooler.
Roy
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: ballastanksian on August 17, 2020, 05:53:57 pm
Hooray, another super Joe project, and a Yacht as promised  :-)) :-))  She's already looking good.
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on August 17, 2020, 05:57:47 pm
Agreed Roy the lighter roof and cockpit sole contasts very well with the Mahogany, could still have been done it plywood though.

Thanks Ian. :-))
Joe.
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on August 20, 2020, 02:45:34 pm
Tuesday,  Pottering along with some assemblies while waiting for the stripwood, thought I'd make up the deck, I have to commend Aeronaut on their precision and laser cutting the deck fitted together extremely well.


Wednesday, the stripwood came today from Slecuk. they are so quick, so got on and fitted the chine stringers, then sanded them to profile, With the stringers fitted it was easier to fit the bottom skins first instead of the topsides as recommended, then fitted the topsides.




Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: SailorGreg on August 20, 2020, 03:43:07 pm
Coming along nicely Joe.   :-))
Greg
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: ballastanksian on August 21, 2020, 08:54:44 am
Amen to that. No questioning your hand working skills, but you must be pleased that this is not a challenging build by way of poorly fitting pieces and the like?


Lovely job so far Joe  :-)
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on August 21, 2020, 04:43:46 pm
Thanks guys,  Yes I'm finding it quite enjoyable to build something you don't have to think too much about, the challenging part is still to come as I attempt to make all the rigging fittings in brass.




Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: roycv on August 21, 2020, 07:34:13 pm
Hi Joe, just been out in the high winds sailing my yacht.  This yacht has a set of Bella sails.  Definitely needs a kicking strap otherwise the air spills from the top of the sails.  The jib needs some tight control as well.
How will you be attaching the sails to the mast?  Will you use a jack-line?
Regards
Roy
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on August 21, 2020, 10:39:11 pm
Hi Roy, yes I'll be fitting a boom tie of some description, and I'll probably make up some mast rings to fit the sail, not sure what you mean by a
Jack Line in relation to the sails,  the only Jack line I've seen on a yacht is for crew safety.


Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: roycv on August 22, 2020, 10:02:18 am
Hi Joe. a jack-line in this instance is an old model yachting method of securing the sails to the mast.  It is the best looking way to do it.  At the aft face of the mast a series of very small no more than 1cm long, split pins is inserted in a vertical line about 4 inches apart.

The small loops of the split pins no more than 1mm wide are each lined up and a wire inserted all the way down the back of the mast and tightened up with a small adjusting screw.  The wire sits about 2-3mm out from the mast.  The sail has metal fasteners sewn or even glued on to the luff edge which hook on to the jack-line.  You could use dress fasteners, which is what I use with the hook splayed open and flattened to about 1cm. wide.

On one yacht I used a length of carbon fibre rod about 1/16th inch diameter slid down the split pin loops, piano wire would work as well, so you do not need to tension the wire.  The sails stay in place flush up to the edge of the mast which is most efficient as they are being pulled in that direction.
You cannot see this method unless you look close.

The other part of the dress fastener is a small loop.  If you are careful you can twist the loop part that would normally be sewn into the material to form a saddle so that it can be attached to the fore part of the jib (superglue) again about every 3 - 4 inches.  The forestay can then be fed down the loops and the jib swings very freely.

My Bella sails just use superglue as above and stood up to very high winds.
regards
Roy


Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on August 22, 2020, 11:25:41 am
Thanks for that Roy, That all makes sense and the Jack line you describe has a very similar function  to Jack lines for crew safety on the full sized yachts I worked on at Camper and Nicholson's, this method will be much neater than mast rings so it sounds like a plan to me. :-))






Joe




Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: roycv on August 22, 2020, 12:42:10 pm
Hi Joe lad to have passed on the method.  Just a small point make sure the sail hooks do not clash with the jack line split pins.  Allow yourself a bit of up and downess for the sail as well.
regards
 Roy
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on August 22, 2020, 01:20:44 pm
Not everything in the kit easily slots together, the laser cut slots are naturally cut square and don't allow for curvature of stringers, cabin sides etc. so each slot has to be trimmed to correct angle and the slots formed as you assemble the deck are too narrow to slid over the cabin sides so had to be carefully widened, before I bond the deck down I've marked around the over hang on the under side and have trimmed most of the surplus off, the over hanging deck edges was one of the features I wasn't keen on, mine will be flushed with the hull and the joint covered with a Mahogany strake.


Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on August 24, 2020, 02:22:56 pm
Gave the deck a sealing coat both sides so while waiting for it to dry I started on the cockpit that is assembled in situ and when glue is set is removeable so I made sure to put some masking tape around in case any glue got where it wasn't supposed to, I added some fillets to strengthen joins where possible on the under side there is no room for fillets so I used the cotton tape left over from the deck assembly it made the butt joints very strong, I quite like the way the cockpit is done, makes for easy access to the tiller flat and goes back in place nice and snug and held in with one screw, also made up the cabin roof subframe and again added fillets to the joints and then managed to bend the roof over the frame and glue in place, as I mentioned before the roof is 2mm solid wood with planking laser cut into it this makes it very prone to cracking along the plank lines, I had previously glued cross pieces of 0.8mm ply on the under side this did help when it was finally fitted although I did get two small cracks they are hidden by the "sliding" hatch, so all is well so far, I'll be bonding down the deck later today.




Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on August 26, 2020, 04:26:53 pm
Got the deck glued down and sanded the edges flush, Glad I cut most of the overhang off before hand, and started to fit the strakes, this is another one of the mods for those that don't know the boat though I don't suppose there can be many that don't know of her given her age, and I much prefer this method of finishing the deck edges rather than just have the deck over hanging, then finished the transom and forepeak.


Joe.
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: roycv on August 26, 2020, 04:36:06 pm
Hi Joe I like what you have done, might re-visit my one!
I have been sailing my new yacht with the Bella sails, having just fitted a kicking strap, makes a big difference to sail performance.  The boom no longer rides up to spill the wind from the top of the sail.
All the best
Roy
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: Mark T on August 26, 2020, 05:11:20 pm
Thats really coming along nicely Joe its going to be a looker that's for sure
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on August 26, 2020, 06:13:09 pm
Thanks for your interest guys, The reason for the extra bit of Mahogany at the forepeak is I intend to fit a dedicated forestay so there will be an eye plate right on the point, the forestay as fitted connects to the deck via the fore end of the jib boom and the swivel, so if you remove the jib sail there is little forward support for the mast, I'll still fit the latter of course as it carries the jib and keeps it in tension.


Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on August 29, 2020, 04:09:45 pm
Fitted the keel weights and faired them in ready for painting,
(https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2020/08/29/lead.th.jpg)


I didn't like the dowel booms supplied in the kit so I made some more profiled ones,


(https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2020/08/29/dowel.th.jpg)





I've stained them and the mast a kind of Mahogany colour.


(https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2020/08/29/booms.th.jpg)


Joe

Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: SailorGreg on August 29, 2020, 10:52:36 pm
Your pictures seem to have shrunk Joe.  Have pity on our failing eyesight!  Nice work all the same.  :-))

Greg
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on August 30, 2020, 10:10:58 am
Yeah sorry about that Greg, I'm still trying to get to grips with Mayhem images, try these.


Joe

(https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2020/08/30/boom.jpg)

(https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2020/08/30/new-booms.jpg)



(https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2020/08/30/keel-2.jpg)



Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: SailorGreg on August 30, 2020, 03:00:06 pm
 :-)) :-)) :-))
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on August 30, 2020, 10:06:38 pm
I've put the build on hold for a few days while I dismantle my 00 gauge railway, I've been thinking it's not used enough to warrant the space it takes up (at least half the shop) , plus also being my workshop the dust I create when building anything is attracted by the rails like a magnet and thus on to the loco wheels so causing them to stop running, and I am constantly cleaning to keep every thing running smoothly, so I've decided take it down and put every thing in storage till I get the urge to do another one.
So Bella will be back after I've reorganised the workshop.  :-))




Joe.
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: roycv on August 31, 2020, 10:16:52 am
Hi Joe you have a PM.Roy
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on September 05, 2020, 04:38:40 pm
Well that's the railway dismantled and stored for another time no doubt, I now have a lot more room to work and move around,
(https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2020/09/05/shop1.jpg)
(https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2020/09/05/shop2.jpg)


so now on with Bella, I thought I would fit the control gear before doing too much varnishing/painting of the hull, so I've set up the rudder and tested, and removed the rudder for painting, I'm also setting up the winch and sail control sheet runs using tubing so hopefully it will work smoothly
(https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2020/09/05/t1.jpg)


(https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2020/09/05/t2.jpg)


(https://www.modelboatmayhemimages.co.uk/images/2020/09/05/control.jpg)


Next comes the varnishing I'll give it another 4 coats and see what it looks like.


Joe



Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: tarmstro on September 06, 2020, 07:25:09 pm
Please don't use that "captive winch" setup. It will fail, fail and fail again.


See here: http://www.onemetre.net/Build/Drums/Drums.htm (http://www.onemetre.net/Build/Drums/Drums.htm)


Please use one of the setups from the diagrams (tensioning elastic or closed loop).
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on September 06, 2020, 10:15:06 pm
I'm not looking for any fancy set up's, so I'll carry on as I'm going and if the winch dose fail I'll rethink then, though I can't imagine why these winches are still selling if they fail so readily.


Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: roycv on September 06, 2020, 10:54:06 pm
Hi Joe you will have problems but I think you can resolve them.  I have the same captive winch and a problem.

What is wrong is you are not leaving enough space between the slot in the winch and the pick up tube.  The problems starts when the string coming out of the winch has no where to go and it stays in the winch, this backs up and the coils of string wrap around each other.

You need at least a couple of inches to allow the string to come out easily, preferably a bit more.  I am sorting out this same problem in my case the mainsail sheet has a long way to go and does not bunch up but the jib sheet feeds almost straight into the guide tube, so I am moving this away.
I will let you know how I get on.

Roy
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on September 07, 2020, 04:51:15 pm
Hi Roy, I've been doing some testing on the winch today rigged it up with thread and just had the ends hanging over the side of the hull with a couple of small clamps clipped on the ends for weight to simulate wind in the sails it actually works fine till I take one of the clamps off simulating a sail going slack, then I see what you mean about the room between the winch and tubes, I've now moved the tubes outboard and have a good two inches, which helps, but I think the tread/cord supplied in the kit is very fine and can even work it's way out of the gap in the winch drum, so I've ordered some more a bit thicker, a .050mm and a .075mm to experiment with, it's all good fun ain't it.


Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: roycv on September 07, 2020, 06:19:58 pm
Hi Joe as you say all good fun.  As I found, pushing string is not going to work.  I was thinking of 2cm of solder wire formed into a small coil and wrapped around the string in the gap might help the string to come out of the winch.

 I am using a softish string but not a woven one, they pull taut and flatten out and can get caught in difficult places.
regards
Roy
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on September 08, 2020, 04:43:16 pm
Thought I'd do something different today so I made the gooseneck, at least it works and probably the most difficult of all the fittings so the rest should be easier, the Jewelers saw proved to be an excellent addition to the workshop.


Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on September 09, 2020, 03:51:10 pm
Made a couple more fittings today fore and aft eye plates I'm keeping them as small as possible but hopefully will still do the job they'll be screwed down and with a spot of epoxy for good measure, it's quite good fun doing something different, but also fiddly and the new to me venture into silver soldering make them very strong.
I'm not aiming for anything scale here but I think they look better than the screw eyes supplied in the kit IMO they don't suit what is essentially a nice looking yacht.


joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: SailorGreg on September 09, 2020, 06:33:23 pm
Lovely fittings Joe and as you say they look so much better than screw eyes (yuk!). The whole boat is looking splendid.




Greg
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: roycv on September 09, 2020, 08:23:12 pm
Hi sailorgreg, in defence of screw eyes if you fit a close fitting washer and then screw them in they improve no end.
Roy
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: SailorGreg on September 10, 2020, 05:38:42 pm
OK, but still not as nice as a custom fitting from skilled hands, IMHO.

Greg
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: roycv on September 10, 2020, 06:24:10 pm
Hi sailor.... my suggestion of the addition of a washer was only in response to the yuk!  I agree a nicely made scale fitting trumps all.
Roy
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on September 10, 2020, 07:13:02 pm
Yeah the screw eyes like them or not I think were there, along with a few other things to make the kit an "easy build" and as we know built as per instructions work just fine, I just decided to add the mods to hull and rigging to make it a more complicated build the more I do to the boat the better I like her.


Thanks for your interest guys.


Joe.
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on September 13, 2020, 03:11:54 pm
I made the mast head fitting yesterday, I was going to make a cap with lugs on it but decided it wasn't really necessary the easier option works just as well, then fitted the Jack Line tensioned by a bottle screw, today I took advantage of the fine weather to spray the bottom in the garden it makes such a mess in the garage, I'll leave it now for a few days to harden before putting her back in the cradle, now to continue with the rigging fittings.


Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: roycv on September 13, 2020, 06:31:40 pm
Hi Joe I have just moved my jib sheet pick up feed tube to 3 inches away from the winch and this has improved the flow of the sheet from the winch.  I also sprayed some SP90 silicone spray from a can looks just like WD 40 can.  Coated the sheets using fingers and that is a little more help.

In the gap between the winch and the pickup tube I wound a 1 inch length of solder wire into a spring type shape and threaded it on to the sheet to give a little weight to the sheet comming out of the winch.  It is an improvement and there do not seem to be any winch tangles with no load on the sheets.  Wiil go sailing when the wind gets up a bit.

Is that black a finished colour at the head of the mast?  Masts are normally painted white at the ends or at junctions.  When things go wrong full size it is usually dark!

Regards Roy
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on September 13, 2020, 09:38:05 pm
Yes Roy the black paint is there to kind of hide the slot that holds the head fitting, forgot to say the 1mm and .75mm cords came and I've fitted the 1mm cord to the winch, it's thick enough not to come out of the small joint round the drum and doesn't tangle like the very thin tread supplied, I've tested it with using clamps as weights and seem to work fine.


Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on September 15, 2020, 03:48:04 pm
A few more fittings done yesterday and today, Jib Boom ready for rigging, several more fitting to make yet,  I'm finding them quite enjoyable,  now I'm in the zone so to speak I'll get all the fittings done before returning to varnishing the hull.


Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on September 16, 2020, 04:47:54 pm
Couple more fittings done today, gradually getting though them, mostly eye plates of some description.




Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on September 17, 2020, 04:29:52 pm
Here's todays efforts,  the cleats at the mast base supplied in the kit were mahogany ply but were delaminating, I could have glued them I suppose but decided to scrap them and make some in brass, also made the jib eye plates, quite close together so I made it one piece all the brass fittings aren't exactly exhibition standard but I'm quite happy with them and I'm fairly sure they'll do the job.


Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on September 19, 2020, 04:26:20 pm
Eyeplate on cockpit sole for main sheet and the shroud plates made today, that's all the fittings done I think I'll soon know when I start the rigging, so now to continue varnishing the hull, also did a quite float test, she draws 10 inches so she was just afloat with the water up to the bath over flow, no leaks which is always nice and the chine just below the surface and a good amount of freeboard she should handle the usually choppy waters of Walpole Park quite well.


Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: Mark T on September 19, 2020, 04:38:46 pm
Stunning work Joe  :-))   I wish I could get my screws to sit so flush into fittings like you do.  Mine always seem to sit just off centre no matter how hard I try to get them right. Looking forward to the next update.
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on September 21, 2020, 06:08:55 pm
Thanks Mark,  with the hull back in the cradle I got the rudder finished complete with split pin if anything goes wrong at least the rudder won't drop out, it's had four coats of varnish and looks ok, I'm not looking for a mirror finish. the control sheets are installed and ready for rigging, I ran out of 0 gauge brass screws so have some more on order for the deck fittings, I've started to prepare the sails by fitting the stiffeners etc. I'm using the little hook fasteners stitched to the leading of the main sail,  I "found" five, there will be hell to pay if SWMBO wants to wear her old bras. %) %) .


Joe.
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: SailorGreg on September 21, 2020, 06:47:28 pm
Very nice indeed.  I think your fittings are great Joe, don't do yourself down, and the whole boat looks splendid.

Greg
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on September 24, 2020, 04:56:46 pm
Thanks for your generous comments Greg, By the way did you find another sailing venue I've been meaning to ask.


The tiny brass screws came this morning so I was able to carry on with the deck fittings and start the rigging.


Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: SailorGreg on September 24, 2020, 05:04:25 pm
By the way did you find another sailing venue I've been meaning to ask.


No, not yet.  We've been "camping out" at other venues but no sign of a new home water.  We are thinking of having a day out at Walpole lake - I'll let you know if we go ahead.

Bella still looking great!

Greg
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on September 24, 2020, 06:06:19 pm
Hi Greg,    yes please do let me know, do you use the boating pond near where you live or are models not allowed.


Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on September 24, 2020, 07:23:28 pm
Hi. Greg  Just thought, you could check when the lake is not being used at www.gosportmybc.club (http://www.gosportmybc.club) on their events calendar it shows all the free days.   :-))




Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: ballastanksian on September 24, 2020, 07:58:52 pm
Your fittings are fab Joe. I like the tabernacle (?) with the fairleads as well as the other gubbins you have modified or scratch built.



Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on September 25, 2020, 02:57:14 pm
Thanks Ian, I do like making gubbins  %% ,


Today started making the stays/shrouds etc. and stepped the mast then rigged the sails that I prepared between varnish coats and presto it's finished.
With the aid of a 15" fan for the "Wind" I tested the sail control, very pleased how it worked except this was my first venture into sail winches and soon realized I bought the wrong winch this one has 4 turns and is way too much for what is needed, I only need half the stick movement for full sail control, I could leave it but if I used too much stick letting the sails out the extra cord is prone to tangle, so I have a 2 turn winch on order that has the same shrouded drum so I can use the same drum on the new servo, Once this is done I'll wait for a day with light winds for her first sail.
On another note the Piercing saw I bought to cut the brass for the fittings has proved to be an excellent tool I was pleased when it came with 144 blades in 6 grades as I thought I'd probably use half of them, as it turned out I'm still on the first blade, it cut out all the fittings and the glazing for the little windows, a tenner well spent.


Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: roycv on September 25, 2020, 03:45:08 pm
Hi Joe, couple of things, not sure about your machining ability, but can you make a smaller drum so that 4 turns is OK?

 Another is, is your transmitter able to reduce the servo movement?  The ones I use have a collective throw adjustment.
Another thought is that you can get servo throw reducers that sit between the receiver and the servo.

Another thing is if the above is not good then why not use an arm winch?  I suggest you do not buy a purpose made arm winch.  I use the relatively cheap 8 or 10 Kgrm metal gear standard servos.

It is easy to make an arm and this would be enough to work the sails in a wind.  Remember to allow the sheets to the sails to go round nice easy corners.
Good luck
Roy
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on September 25, 2020, 04:03:38 pm
Hi Roy, I'm using a simple two channel radio on this boat so no adjustment available, the sail control works very nicely and as I prefer a winch to a arm the two turn winch will solve everything, I used an arm system on a True Blue yacht and even fitted in the recommended setup you still had to turn the boat off wind to get the sails in.


Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on September 30, 2020, 02:51:44 pm
The 2 turn winch arrived today from Howes Models, great service from them by the way, so a quite simple job of changing the winch servo and even though it was a different make the original drum assembly fitted, so tried out again using a 15" fan and now working well with just the right amount of movement for the sail limits, I'll wait for a nice day to do the trials.




Joe.
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: ChrisF on October 09, 2020, 09:57:42 am
Blimey Joe, I was going to ask on another thread if you'd started the Bella yet! Should have looked in this section earlier.

Unsurprisingly you have made a wonderful job of her and your builds are a great reference for other modellers. If I wasn't so committed to Faireys at the moment with one soon to be started build being a motor sailer then I'd definitely build one. Lovely little yacht and a good choice.

Gotta ask then - what's the next build!!

Chris
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on October 09, 2020, 02:26:44 pm
Thanks for your kind comments Chris :-))
I took her to the lakes this morning for the trials, The model yacht club were out in force using both lakes but they were only using half the large lake around their buoy course so I had plenty of room on the west end of the lake, I was going to say she sailed as predicted but actually she sailed a bit better than predicted for her first sail, she's very responsive on steerage and the sail winch worked a treat,  you can haul the sails all the way in even with the wind in them so much better than the arm puller I've used in the past, she ain't going to win any trophies but that's OK I was only looking to have a gentle relaxing sail around the lake and she fits the bill, You may remember I fitted the keel weights 15mm further aft as I'd seen video's other Bella's tending to dip the bow when going about there is still a slight tendency to do that, nothing too bad but I'll put a bit of ballast inside the transom and see if it's better, a pleasant hour spent sailing and a dry interior at the end.


What's next Chris ?  still pondering that one  ;)


Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: JayDee on October 09, 2020, 02:43:46 pm

Hello,
Your boat will be able to sail better in stronger Winds if you lower the Mainsail so that the Boom just clears the Cabin.It seems to be too high at the moment.You have done a very good job of the boat !!!.Have a look at my little boats !!!!.   :-)) :-)) :-))
John.
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: Stan on October 09, 2020, 02:49:39 pm
HI John what small boats. {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-) {-)
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: roycv on October 09, 2020, 03:45:30 pm
Hi Joe Jaydee is a man to listen to.  Is the mainboom still attached to the gooseneck, last shown as being on the tabernackle?
Now you are sailing I attach a photo of my version with a different sail plan which was calculated and carefully planned.
All the best

Roy
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: SailorGreg on October 09, 2020, 03:48:00 pm
Hello,
Your boat will be able to sail better in stronger Winds if you lower the Mainsail so that the Boom just clears the Cabin.

While that is probably true to some extent, a lower boom would probably mean the kicking strap wouldn't clear the forward end of the cabin and would need to be left off.  An effective kicking strap is, in my view, more important for all round good sailing than lowering the Centre of Effort by half an inch. 

She looks lovely on the water Joe, well done!

Greg
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on October 09, 2020, 03:58:57 pm
Hi John,  I fully understand what you mean about the boom height it is quite high it's how Aeronaut have designed both the Bella and the Bellisima I had thought about lowering it but as said she sails well enough for what I want.


Thanks Greg , By the way can you not use the lake near where you live I think it's called Lakeside


Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: SailorGreg on October 09, 2020, 04:03:13 pm


Thanks Greg , By the way can you not use the lake near where you live I think it's called Lakeside


We have asked at Lakeside, but it is used for fishing (fishermen, for some reason, seem not to like model boats!) and is also riddled with weed (which, we were told, is good for the fish!).  So a big fat no from them.   {:-{

Greg
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on October 09, 2020, 04:13:26 pm
That's a shame Greg would have been handy for you.


Joe.
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on October 09, 2020, 04:19:00 pm
Hi Joe Jaydee is a man to listen to.  Is the mainboom still attached to the gooseneck, last shown as being on the tabernackle?
Now you are sailing I attach a photo of my version with a different sail plan which was calculated and carefully planned.
All the best

Roy


Hi Roy Nice looking rig although have to say the height of the main boom mentioned by Jaydee on mine would seem to be the same height as yours.


Joe.
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: roycv on October 09, 2020, 05:13:40 pm
Hi Joe I went had another look at mine apart from photo and you are right. 
If you do try and work out what scale the yacht is built to the main at the helm would want to stand under the main boom and not duck each time he tacked.

regards
Roy
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: roycv on October 09, 2020, 05:25:04 pm
There is a beautifully kept fishing lake near me mainly for competitions I was refused sailing a yacht twice but when I heard the club fees I lost interest anyway. 

They did offer us part of another large lake but accessibility and the trees surrounding the lake would have been of limited use to yachts although some electric power boats might have been OK, however it was a very kind thought and offered for free as well.
Roy
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: ballastanksian on October 10, 2020, 09:20:38 pm
Considering the better performance of the blades than you expected; I reckon it is because you are a craftsman by trade being a carpenter? So you know how to get the best out of your tools. I am sure I am not the only one to push a tool too hard and break the blade. I use a piercing saw at work for parting some more troublesome castings from the sprue, but do sometimes push too hard, or flex the blade too much and break it. Given your patience, that tenner will be super value.


Re sail advice, I can vouch for John's as I have seen the boats he built and sails at Wicksteed, but I respect that the kit says to do it that way and I expect they tested their model before committing to paper, but as ever, that doesn't always mean much.


She looks fab on the water and I hope you get lots of enjoyment from learning/relearning how to sail :)
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on October 12, 2020, 06:28:49 pm
Thanks Ian, Your right I'm a Carpenter & Joiner by trade, It was drummed into me as an Apprentice to let the saw do the cutting, I am on the second blade now but the first one did a lot of brass cutting still got 142 blades so yeah tenner well spent.


Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on October 16, 2020, 02:08:33 pm
Just an update, I added 8 ounces of ballast just forward of the transom and raked the mast a little more aft, had another sail trial today, very happy with her now she no longer tends to bury her bow when going about, not a lot of wind today but what there was she used very well.



So what next with Bella finished I've been pondering what to build next, with winter coming and Corvid still making it's presents felt I need something to do other than watch repeats on the Telly there's only so much I can take of that, So I've spent the last few days at the drawing board , if you can tell what it is maybe I've got close to what it should look like, I'm no marine draughtsman or any other kind of draughtsman for that matter so I've no idea yet whether this project will work, there's about 70% guesswork, 20% intuition and 10% knowhow, I only had two measurements length and beam being 66 feet and 18 feet, I've drawn and scratch built Springers and hard chine boats but this is my first attempt  at a traditional displacement hull so the whole thing could end up in the bin, There are a lot of flat areas on this hull so I'll be cladding it with thin ply and some planking this is why there are fewer frames as I'll be fitting stringers between the wider spaces that will be clad with ply all the bow and stern frame shapes I guess you could say are educated guesses, the shape keel is straight forward enough so when it's all assembled maybe with a bit of trimming and bodging I'll end up with something resembling the photo I've been going by, Just ordered the wood from Slec so I'm committed now, although if the project dose go pear shaped the wood will no doubt be used on something else, she'll be 12 volt with a 6 to 1 reduction motor and of course you can't have one of these without smoke.


Joe.
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: ChrisF on October 16, 2020, 02:29:31 pm
Looks good to me and with your building skills Joe, I have every confidence.

I'm in a similar boat (pun intended!) with one of my future builds for a motor sailer. I've got top and side views, so more than you, and a cross-section at the mid-point to provide one hull line. I produced the hull drawings sometime ago and fingers crossed it works out. Intention is to start in the winter once I've progressed my current builds.

Chris
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on October 16, 2020, 03:02:43 pm
Thanks Chris and I'm looking forward to your motor sailer build  :-))


Joe.
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: SailorGreg on October 16, 2020, 06:12:30 pm
"Can you tell what it is yet?"  Well, I reckon it's a Clyde Puffer, so if it isn't, Joe your drawing is rubbish.   {-)

Always worth following your builds Joe, looking forward to this one!

Greg
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on October 16, 2020, 07:00:44 pm
 {-) {-)  quite right Greg glad you recognised it, so at least it looks right on paper  %% , I was wondering what to build next when I came across an episode of The Tales of Para Handy the mid nineties series on Youtube with Gregor Fisher and the charming little puffer Vital Spark, I thought that'll do or at least I'll have a go.




Joe
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: JimG on October 16, 2020, 07:47:41 pm
Plenty of plans available to allow you to get the correct cross sections. There was a number of drawings in a past Model Boats by Sandy Cousins for making one in card which had good details.
 I have found Puffer plans in June/July 1980 for the Clochlight.
Jim
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on October 16, 2020, 10:08:39 pm
Thanks Jim, but honestly it's not about me trying to save a few quid on plans it's about me challenging myself as I like to do sometimes  :-))


Joe.
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: JimG on October 17, 2020, 11:08:05 am
It was mainly to allow you to get the correct cross sections for the hull not necessarily to use the bought plans. The Model Boats articles would give the sections which you could scale to your plan design.
Jim
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on October 17, 2020, 02:02:31 pm
Hi Jim  Yeah I realized you were only trying to help and I thank you for it, I originally thought of getting plans from Sarik they have three I think, the Vic puffer was close to the size I had in mind but then I thought no lets make the project fun and challenging buy having a go at my first displacement hull drawing and see how I get on.


Joe.
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: SteamboatPhil on October 18, 2020, 04:54:42 pm
Keep going Joe, will be watching (who doesn't love a puffer)  :-))
Title: Re: Joe's Bella with Mods
Post by: radiojoe on October 18, 2020, 06:22:42 pm
Thanks Phil, I'll do my best to do it justice, the Puffers are known for their dented, rough, well worn hulls I think I can manage that  %% {-)


Joe.