I mainly race marbleheads, but last year built a couple of footys just for fun. Our club water gets quite low during the summer, so have now decided to build an RG 65 Sparrow so as I can sail all year. Although I do have a copy of the book, I have decided to do it a little different ( this could be my first mistake). The frames are cut from 4mm balsa, & the planks are 3mm balsa. I mounted the frames on an old Venetian blind slat, that I have spaced up in the middle 1/2 inch & the supported in-between to give a nice curve. I used the blind for 2 reasons, firstly it is varnished so the frames wont stick permanently to it & secondly, because it was what i had. The frames were glued on with a hot glue gun, checking them for squareness both on the centre line & vertically. when dry I taped all the frames, except 'B' & the transom, so as the planks wouldn't stick to them. I intend to remove all the frames once the hull is finished.I have started planking the hull, but will upload photos of that when its finished. I am fairly confident I can build this very light & strong, but time will tell. My only concern at the moment is how to make the fin & rudder. The profile of these is important to get the best hull speed & as of yet I haven't found a method I really like. Already looked at the commercially available ones, but they are around £100 for carbon ones & I don't want to pay that.
Please feel free to comment, criticise or add anything, I am not offended easily
Cheers Glenn
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