SailingAgincourt went to Black Park Lake today, her home port.
Hopefully the modifications to propellers, rudder and lighter batteries, would make all the difference.
The modified ship transporter did the short journey from car to water admirably, even with a fully laden payload on board.
On the waterThe two halves were assembled at the waters edge using the three stainless connecting tubes and toggle latch clamping the two ends. With assistance from a fellow club member she was lowered into the water.
First thoughts: Now almost exactly on the waterline, thanks to replacing the two huge SLA batteries with the single 960gm LiFePO
4 of 12V 7Ah.
The toggle latch bar hole is now an inch above the waterline, and with an embedded O ring for extra security. No visible water ingress. Gently ahead, props now moving her well. Once clear of the bank full throttle.
Now that’s more like it!.
A realistic turn of speed with the much larger props fitted. The Buehler motors with rubber couplings virtually silent even under load.
Turning was vastly improved with the greatly enlarged rudder, plus mixing on the two outer props 165mm apart. She can now steer properly in a congested seaway, and stop within a third of her length in an emergency.
After two hours of sailing the Tracer 7Ah battery was still going strong, which was another aim of this trial sailing session.
Two hours sailing time being a key prerequisite for the new lighter battery arrangement.
I was asked to take a movie. Here it is. (Sorry about the shaky quality) But judge for yourself. She runs and turns beautifully, and the new battery can run the four Buehler’s for at least two hours. I am a happy bunny.
The Movie !!!
https://youtu.be/ARyMl7_Qfi0 I feel well relieved that the key parts of this trial proved most successful, in fact better than I had hoped.
Making a 7 foot ship in two parts able to fit in my small car, developing an easy way of assembling the halves at waters edge, and launching it. The waterline is almost spot on to calculations, allowing for the rest of the superstructure and detailing. And most important it remained watertight.
I can now concentrate on the TARGET electronics and gun fire system at my leisure, whilst starting in earnest on the detailing - Which is my favourite part of any build.