Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length.

[des321]

Hi,
I've read the long thread started in 2007 and found some useful information. But also a lot of conflicting opinions. Now that time has moved on could anyone give some facts about the quality of the kit; its ease of build; and how well she performs on the water. I am seriously thinking of making this my winter build project and would appreciate input from people who have actually built and sailed her.
Thanks

[tony23]

Hi,
   The quality of the kit and plans are excellent you will not go wrong buying one of these my friend has just completed one and another 2 friends have just purchased the kits to build for winter.

[Colin Bishop]

You can read Dave Abbott's review of the kit on the Model Boats website here: http://www.modelboats.co.uk/news/article.asp?a=4457

Colin

[des321]

Thanks guys for your input. My initial interest in Moonbeam came from the Jan'09 MB article. I am new to model boating this year. I find it interesting that with previous posts I have received numerous helpful replies almost instantly. With this thread I received a very helpful personal mail quite quickly. It has taken another week for two people to respond on the forum. I know this topic was covered in great detail over a year ago so perhaps there was a bit of boredom with it. Or is there another reason?
I have ordered my kit and will pick it up at the Warwickshire show on Friday.
From all the input I have received I am expecting a quality kit with good plans/instructions. I am also expecting to make modifications to:-
1. The location of the mast, positioning it on the keel rather than the deck.
2. Re-make shaft plates from brass and position further to the stern.
3. Re-make rudder post and coupling from more robust material.

If that is all I am quite happy to go ahead.

[tony23]

Spoke with Dave Metcalf yesterday and he will have Moonbeams at The Fosse this weekend amongst his other range. 

[des321]

Finally finished the Moonbeam kit yesterday. Maiden voyage on the lake at Black Park today. Not much wind but probably just as well. Even so I was amazed at how well she sailed and how easy to control. Weather permitting I am taking her to Beale Park on Saturday.

[des321]

Got a chance to put my newly built Moonbeam through its paces in a stiff breeze today. Wow! she really sailed well.

[ianb]

Lovely looking model Des, and I'm glad to see that you are enjoying her.

On mine the cast bowsprit fittings broke off the first time that my poor sailing ability ran the Moonbeam into the weeds. I made up a piece of plastic tubing to hold the bowsprit. Seems to work well, very strong, and doesn't look out of place.

The rudder, built exactly as per the plans, seems plenty rugged enough to cope with any sudden gusts. I make sure that the mast is vertical to the water line or even slightly forward leaning and this has resulted in a neutral helm if the sails are trimmed correctly. In fact, I lessened the rudder throw around neutral and found that this really improved my sailing and boat speed. The rudder really is very powerful and the transmitter D/R capability is a great bonus for a beginner like me.

Enjoy.

Ian

[Edward Pinniger]

Looks very good on the water! I spotted your Moonbeam on the stand at Beale Park but missed seeing it sail (hopefully I'll see it at Black Park in the future)

[dave301bounty]

Now  that is sailing ,,Nice build ,well done that man .