Post 2.PREPARATORY WORK.It was anticipated from the outset that access into the hull and space therein would be somewhat cramped as a result of which important decisions had to be made concerning (1) servo positions, sheet runs, fairlead exits and battery locations, (2) stability and ballasting (3) ) auxiliary propulsion) and (4) location of bolt-on fin.
Servos locations. A test rig (The Bird Cage) was fabricated in order to experiment with sail control options. Lever arm servos (Hitec HS815BB for yards, HS765HB for Driver, Staysail and Jib) were tried in various positions to determine their optimum positions and associated line (sheet) runs, angles and deck fairlead exits. When satisfied that I had a layout that would work well in practice, card deck templates – Poop, Main and Quarterdeck – were laid in their respective locations to ensure that the servos, batteries etc., would be easily accessible through the deck openings The relevant locations and measurements were recorded for eventual transfer to the building board.
Some readers may consider this rigmarole unnecessary but I enjoyed this phase of the project and, in any event, it was better than watching ‘Deadenders’ and all the other TV rubbish that spouses seem to thrive on. The biggest bonus however, which co-incidentally earned me Brownie points (to be used at some future time when relegated to the matrimonial Sin Bin
), was that I kept my promise to SWMBO to give modelling a rest – messing about with bits of wood and string ain’t exactly modelling, is it!
To be continued…………………………..