I have a new A set of sails and working on building a new set of B sails too. My original set A sails were really bad! Baggy, too full and just ugly.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
ALAMO CLASSIC IOM REGATTA
The Pirates of Woodlawn hosted the IOM Alamo Classic Regatta this past weekend and I made the 8 hour drive together with Hew to sail in this one day event. I am glad that I did, as it was a fantastic time! The atmosphere was very relaxed but yet the sailing was very competitive. Historically the club has made this regatta a fun regatta, with the fleet split into 2 fleets, a gold fleet for the more experienced skippers and a silver fleet for the less experienced. Both fleets shared the same start and course and the RD and his assistant had the fun in separating out the finishes to reflect each fleet.
I sailed ‘OK’ in this regatta, making every one of the 17 starts and finishing every race, which says a lot for the quality of the build of my VEKTOR. The boat remained dry, with no leaks until the wind picked up and then I think the tape on the bow sections may have leaked a small amount. I am glad that Hew and I were able to fix the leak in my mast tube before the regatta. I am also thankful that he was able to mend my mainsail as it looked much better than it did last week.
The final results showed me in 7th place in the Silver Fleet after 17 races, this was a fleet of 10 boats, so I did not do too well, but considering the number of times I sailed the IOM I am satisfied with this result. I have lots of room for improvement. Hew sailed well and ended up the winner of the Gold Fleet. I guess the VEKTOR hull design is not a bad one; but I honestly think that the hull design is not as critical as the skill of the driver in tuning the boat and sails, getting a good start and sailing well – at least at my level of competence.
Below you will see some posted pictures. Many of these photos I borrowed from Bill Smith, a member of Team Houston. Bill rode out with his club, not to sail but to take photos and learn more about the IOM fleet. Here is a link to Bill Smith’s website, where he posted a ton of great photos - :
http://flyinbill.com/AlamoClassicIOM2010/index.html
The Woodlawn Sail Club has posted some photos and a write-up on their website –:
http://www.woodlawnsailingclub.org/
I am looking forward to racing this boat and to improving my position in the fleet.
I sailed ‘OK’ in this regatta, making every one of the 17 starts and finishing every race, which says a lot for the quality of the build of my VEKTOR. The boat remained dry, with no leaks until the wind picked up and then I think the tape on the bow sections may have leaked a small amount. I am glad that Hew and I were able to fix the leak in my mast tube before the regatta. I am also thankful that he was able to mend my mainsail as it looked much better than it did last week.
The final results showed me in 7th place in the Silver Fleet after 17 races, this was a fleet of 10 boats, so I did not do too well, but considering the number of times I sailed the IOM I am satisfied with this result. I have lots of room for improvement. Hew sailed well and ended up the winner of the Gold Fleet. I guess the VEKTOR hull design is not a bad one; but I honestly think that the hull design is not as critical as the skill of the driver in tuning the boat and sails, getting a good start and sailing well – at least at my level of competence.
Below you will see some posted pictures. Many of these photos I borrowed from Bill Smith, a member of Team Houston. Bill rode out with his club, not to sail but to take photos and learn more about the IOM fleet. Here is a link to Bill Smith’s website, where he posted a ton of great photos - :
http://flyinbill.com/AlamoClassicIOM2010/index.html
The Woodlawn Sail Club has posted some photos and a write-up on their website –:
http://www.woodlawnsailingclub.org/
I am looking forward to racing this boat and to improving my position in the fleet.
Pictures from the Alamo Classic IOM Regatta
Approaching the finish line
Finishing a race
About to round the leeward mark
After rounding the leeward mark and beating towards the finish line
A typical crowded start, with 20 boats what else would you expect?
Not a bad start
Pre-start manuevering
Near the leeward mark
The fleet on the beach prior to racing
#91
Going to the weather mark
A nice shot of the fleet after a start
The 1st weather leg
Soon after a start sequence
Friday, February 19, 2010
Alamo Classic IOM Regatta
I am leaving today for San Antonio, TX to sail in my 1st IOM regatta! The Pirates of Woodlawn are hosting their famous ALAMO CLASSIC IOM REGATTA on Saturday, February 20th and it looks like there will be 20 boats on the starting line. Head Pirate, Capt Jack, advises that he will have to fleets, a gold fleet for more experienced skippers and a silver fleet for those with less experience. The silver fleet should have some tight racing, as a few of us hackers from the Victoria Fleet will be battling it out with our IOMs.
This past week I found the leak that has been haunting me since the 1st time she hit the water. It seems the mast tube was leaking like a sieve! I went to Hew's shop and we put some thickened epoxy in the mast tube and sealed up the leak. We (Hew) also looked at my 'A' mainsail and decided it would look better if it was trimmed a bit. We took the sail off the rig and then pulled off the luff tape and re-cut the luff and then reinstalled the sail. It definitely looks much better now.
I will post more during or after the weekend.
This past week I found the leak that has been haunting me since the 1st time she hit the water. It seems the mast tube was leaking like a sieve! I went to Hew's shop and we put some thickened epoxy in the mast tube and sealed up the leak. We (Hew) also looked at my 'A' mainsail and decided it would look better if it was trimmed a bit. We took the sail off the rig and then pulled off the luff tape and re-cut the luff and then reinstalled the sail. It definitely looks much better now.
I will post more during or after the weekend.
Friday, February 12, 2010
More pictures of Boat covers
Notice the detail - embroidered number and 'fuzzy' material of inside lining of bag.
A pocket is sewn into the cover to hold the rudder, the nylon webbing straps are in the right location to be balanced when carrying the keel bag.
Pictures of Boat Covers
The inside of the boat bag is some type of fuzzy cloth to protect the hull.
Notice the detail - my sail number embroidered in the cover and the handy carry straps.
Here are both the hull bag and the keel bag.Boat Cover and Keel Blade Cover
I finally received the boat cover and keel blade cover from WINDWARD R/C ( http://www.windwardrc.com/ ) and they are FANTASTIC! I will get some photos of these items soon, in case any of you want to see what they are all about before you buy these for your IOM.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Final Accounting
In the post below you will find the final accounting of this project. Please keep in mind that his is the cost to build my boat, with all three (3) rigs, A, B & C, back up servos, a sailbox and some other bits and peices that may be considered luxuries by others.
I will modify the list somewhat to show what can omitted, if you just want to get an idea on the bare minimum to take a hull and deck and build it with the A rig.
I will modify the list somewhat to show what can omitted, if you just want to get an idea on the bare minimum to take a hull and deck and build it with the A rig.
New Receiver & Radio
My DX6i radio came in yesterday together with the new Marine MR3000 receiver. I went to the boat yard and we programmed the radio and linked the receiver. This new receiver has 2 antennae and one is about 8 inches long and the other 13 inches. After putting the Rx in the pot, I pushed the long antenna out the whole where the servo wires are fed and we ran it forward up to the servo mount. The other antenna we ran out a small whole in the back of the pot and let it hang in the stern of the boat. We dipped the exposed ends of the antennae with silicon to protect them from water and subsequent possible corrosion.
We also installed the the plastic clips that hold the rigs securely in place and installed some tie downs to better secure the rigs in the boat box. I sanded on the outside of the box and dusted it off. I will put on a second coat of the polyurethane this afternoon. Then i have to install a carrying handle, or 2. As noted we put in slots to hold the rudder and the keel and the box will have a different balance point if the box is loaded with the keel and rudder than if it doesn't.
We are also looking for a source for a good hasp/latch to hold the box together when it is closed.
I will get some pictures today of the items noted above and will post them.
Hope to get the hull cover and keel cover soon that I ordered from Windward Sailing. When these come in I will certainly post some pictures.
We also installed the the plastic clips that hold the rigs securely in place and installed some tie downs to better secure the rigs in the boat box. I sanded on the outside of the box and dusted it off. I will put on a second coat of the polyurethane this afternoon. Then i have to install a carrying handle, or 2. As noted we put in slots to hold the rudder and the keel and the box will have a different balance point if the box is loaded with the keel and rudder than if it doesn't.
We are also looking for a source for a good hasp/latch to hold the box together when it is closed.
I will get some pictures today of the items noted above and will post them.
Hope to get the hull cover and keel cover soon that I ordered from Windward Sailing. When these come in I will certainly post some pictures.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Adrian's Sail Box
Here are some photos of Adrian's sail box that he sent to me to give some ideas for handling the interior of my sail box.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
ALMOST FINISHED
Well, did an inventory of what still need to be completed with this boat and it seems I am almost done with this boat and project.
1 - I need to order some blocks to better engineer the bungee that holds the tension on the sheeting system.
2 - Check final weight of keel and hull to ensure all is in order, I may have to add weights to the B and C rigs to make the whole boat, rig come to minimum weight if it comes in less.
3 - Complete sail box. I ordered some clips from West Marine that will hold the rigs in place, and then need to figure out a way to secure rigs on place using rubber bands, bungee cord, hooks and eyes etc.
4 - Get the rigs measured in and the hull.
5 - I did order a hull cover and a keel cover from Chuck LeMahieu of Richardson, TX (his website is listed as a link on this blog)
6 - I also ordered a new DX6i radio with the new marine receiver MR3000
This was a great project, although it took much longer than I expected, but at the end of the day, I built this boat with my own two hands! I do not know if the boat will be competitive or not, but I feel it is the sailor who is good, not necessarily the boat.
1 - I need to order some blocks to better engineer the bungee that holds the tension on the sheeting system.
2 - Check final weight of keel and hull to ensure all is in order, I may have to add weights to the B and C rigs to make the whole boat, rig come to minimum weight if it comes in less.
3 - Complete sail box. I ordered some clips from West Marine that will hold the rigs in place, and then need to figure out a way to secure rigs on place using rubber bands, bungee cord, hooks and eyes etc.
4 - Get the rigs measured in and the hull.
5 - I did order a hull cover and a keel cover from Chuck LeMahieu of Richardson, TX (his website is listed as a link on this blog)
6 - I also ordered a new DX6i radio with the new marine receiver MR3000
This was a great project, although it took much longer than I expected, but at the end of the day, I built this boat with my own two hands! I do not know if the boat will be competitive or not, but I feel it is the sailor who is good, not necessarily the boat.
Sail Box
SAIL BOX with slots fitted to hold Keel and rudderWorked on the sail box some more on Wednesday together with Al and Collin. We looked at some photos of Adrian's sail box and decided to put in a slot to hold the keel and rudder securely. I still need to find some clasps to hold the box closed securely and a carry handle.
Sail box view of the inside before 3rd panel installed
Panel for 'C' rig and the 'B' rig on the back panel. Also slots for keel and rudder
Here you can see the 'A' rig on the inside of the front panel and the 'C' rig located on the inside panel and the 'B' rig on the back panel as well as the keel and rudder.
Below - you can see this with the inside panel closed and only the 'A' rig accessible.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Sail Box and other Items
Last night I had a few hours to myself so I went to the boat loft and put a coat of sealant on the inside of the sail box. I am not sure when I will have the time to work on the box again as extremely busy with work.
I also bought some permatex silicon and used it to attach the bow bumper to the stem. I will see how this stuff holds up, this is the stuff that the guys in Vancouver use.
It was also discovered that the bungee I was using to keep tension on the sheeting system broke and figured this was due to how it was run, too much friction in one location. I will have to figure out a way to rig this bungee.
I also got some wire so I can hard wire the on/off switch and the new batteries arrived.
I also bought some permatex silicon and used it to attach the bow bumper to the stem. I will see how this stuff holds up, this is the stuff that the guys in Vancouver use.
It was also discovered that the bungee I was using to keep tension on the sheeting system broke and figured this was due to how it was run, too much friction in one location. I will have to figure out a way to rig this bungee.
I also got some wire so I can hard wire the on/off switch and the new batteries arrived.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Sailing Picture
Al took this photo with his new camera. Here the #91 is ahead of Adrians #55 - Both Vektor hulls.Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Sail Box (Continued)
Sail box before slicing in half
Sail box after cutting in half
Sail box after cutting in half
Sail box with piano hinge installed
Yesterday we cut the sail box on half lengthwise to make two halves. I then installed the piano hinge. Today I will put a coat of polyurethane on the inside of the box and then this afternoon we will do some work on the inside. This box will hold all three rigs so an extra panel will be installed on the inside with another piano hinge for holding the C rig. Stay tuned for more pictures on this project.
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