Primer/sealer was done (white) then sprayed a good coat of auto primer filler. Sanded back now and starting the black acrylic topcoat, (ran out at 10pm, off to the shop today)
Painted the wheels (removed the rubber tyres) after rubbing them down with a Scotchbrite pad to help the plastic primer to stick.

2 coats of plastic primer, then 2 coats of silver spray enamel, then a dusting of 'chrome' paint to brighten it a bit, then another light coat of silver, then 2 coats of clear, (should be enough😁) Should go better against the black body.

JB

Managed to get some SCA black acrylic paint on it today, not too worried about the finish, as there might be some large artwork going on it if I can find the right thing. Wheels reassembled and looking ok as well. While I was at it. I painted the steering head. Still have to add securing magnets or tabs to the 3 hatches.

Eventual testing will be with the temporary 'wheatbix' cardboard sail (quite heavy) till I find the right shape, then a rip stop nylon sail will be made to the final pattern, (unfortunately the shop doesn't have black rip stop in stock, so it will have to be white.) I can always change it later.

JB

A bit of wind today and no rain for a change, so went down to the car park at the sports fields to give the Yacht a test. Wind was gusting all over the place 180degs, as it was coming over the big ridge behind, but got a few reasonable runs. Looks like it will go well in a steady wind. It will point slowly at about 5-10 degs, which is not too bad.

It hesitates to get going in a breeze at times, as the center of effort must be reasonably central, so is trying to push the yacht sideways, (maybe only an inch in it) but a little push and it's off. I'll leave it as it is, as I can see that it will run and tack ok in a good steady wind, (still have the proper sail to do once I'm happy with it.) Hopefully the wind will go round to the East (from 3 weeks of NE) and I can give it a better run, as well as on the beach, as it will be onshore then.

JB

Printed off some decals to break the black up. The silver fern (an unofficial national emblem) was the hardest, as I had to find a decent picture in white on a black background, then trim it when finished to remove most of the black, as it was not as black as the paint. Matches ok at a distance. The ferns are also left and right handed (flipped one) for each side. Printed on white decal paper.

A few more decals to make, then work on securing the body and hatches, proper sail, front mudguard and it will almost be ready for the big beach day official launching.

Sorry Doug, no flames,- thought about it but more for 70s hotrods I think. I've gone with the patriotic theme, (like British flags on Mini roofs, stars and stripes on everything etc).😁

JB

Final decals added. Re -the name Taiaha, (ornate Maori close quarters spear) yacht's a bit pointy, hence the name. Next job, clear coat to protect the decals, (weather permitting) securing the body, and sorting a proper sail.

JB

Bodywork is all done and clear coated now and screwed to the frame with 6 x 4mm nylon bolts. The 2 main hatches have magnetic catches and the rear deck section is held in place with 2x 4mm bolts threaded into cyano reinforced balsa, plus a rear magnetic catch.

The new 'experimental' test sail is made from black art card, with double sided battens from the same material, and painted with aircraft dope to waterproof and stiffen it a bit. I am trying the card as a bit of a separate experiment, to see what can be done with it. The MK1 Weetbix sail worked quite well, but had a bit too much of a roach. This one is taller but less full on top. If it works ok I might make a rip-stop nylon one, (not actually me,- more someone who can sew properly)😁

I'm still waiting for this weather to fine up, and the wind to turn to an Easterly, instead of this unusually persistant Westerly from the Tasman Sea (it's all Australias' fault)😁

JB

Tried the sail out briefly today in the sports ground car park, but gave up due to the number of cars turning up for kids soccer. Looks like the sail might work ok. Getting frustrated with the weather and overcrowding in our area. 12 yrs ago none of these massive subdivisions with thousands of houses, shops, town center, mall, playing fields existed. Now people have moved in from the overcrowded city side to get away from it, but have created the same problem here. Can hardly move for people and cars now!

Used to have the entire playing field area to ourselves for flying, now they are developed, it's almost impossible to fly there, except during the work hours in the week.

Managed to make a quicker set-up system for the yacht, by making the clew loose, inserting an eye and adding a Dyneema cord, The cord runs into a jamming cleat filed in the back of the boom, and is kept there by a tapered dowel, which has a hole down the center for the outhaul cord from the clew. The cord is held tight and the dowel inserted in the end of the boom to jam it.

The mast/sail can be assembled in 16 seconds (if you don't fumble😁) -Vid.
A few pics of the internal set-up and clew/outhaul method. Sky RC GPS/speed meter will be mounted in front compartment.

JB

Found a new place to try the yacht. The new bus station park and ride carpark is perfect, (or would be if we had some wind now)!☹️. Been storms and too much wind and rain, then not quite enough wind, now none at all!! -cant win. I'd forgotten all about this place, even though it's only about 3km from home, (and on the main road (duh) It's almost empty on the weekends, and the sports ground carpark is empty during the week, so I can alternate between those 2 and the beach (when the tide's out) .

Park is slightly uphill, but the yacht climbs it no problem in a breeze. Card test sail works reasonably well, but a proper sail should improve things a lot. Like any yacht, it needs a good wind to work well.

Thought if I made this yacht it would solve the 'sailing area dilemma', but weather conditions and people have stuffed up my clever plan. The right wind conditions must be coming soon, or I'll give up and go back to real boats 😁

JB

Another small addition added to prevent the eventual salty sand 'spray' getting on the underneath. Just a small flat ally strip. clamped onto the front axle with a brass strip, and secured from tilting with hotmelt glue. Also added a dowel to the front of the front hatch, as it kept popping up a bit for some reason (was a tight fit with a magnetic catch at the back) - frame may be flexing a bit under strain.

Still waiting for the right weather, -yesterday wrong direction and not enough, today almost cyclonic winds and heavy rain early morning, rain most of the day, - now rain and moderate wind😠. Perhaps I should take up chess,- at least it's not weather dependent here like model sailing.😐

JB

Fine and had some good wind today, but from the wrong direction again, although a bit more SW. Still coming from behind the hills/houses, so not much good. Took around 12 tries to get this much video. It would just start going well and the wind would stop or change direction 90dg. Tried on the beach but the same thing, as it was coming over a caravan park with big trees,- gusty, swirling and inconsistent. Has to come right soon??😐

JB