POND YACHTS - how to build and sail them by M. de Lesseps. An excellent book on free-sailing model boats. I used this book as a main source for this 20" model build. "OFFhand" is an older term used to describe these pond yachts and simply means hand-made.
H/T to Tippecanoe Boats. The owner took time to visit with me over the phone, answering questions and helping me order the "T-15 Racing Sloop". Kick-started this new hobby. The model was 100% quality. Thank you!!
- Material: 1"x 6" western red cedar boards. Easy wood to work with and other choices of wood are slim to none here.
- Keel. Drew up a cardboard design, cut it out and had a local welding shop cut out two from thin, mild steel. Expensive. But simplified the keel need and weight requirements. Table saw cut groove in bottom of hull before any shaping. All glueing of wood and this keel was done using (West System 2-part epoxy) (Gflex). I used this glue building my wooden fishing boat.
- Hull was coated with 50% spar varnish and 50% mineral spirits for float tests.
- Used picture hanging materials to help with rigging. Made pond yacht bowsies from old plastic credit cards and popsicle sticks. Worked great.
- Booms and mast made from strips of cedar ripped to 1/2" x 1/2". Hand-sanded the square shape into octagonal shape.
- Small parts and pieces found at various local hardware stores. What I could not find, I tried making from what was in the shop or by re-purposing other materials.
- Sails are from dacron/fabric glue purchased at Wmart. Patterns made from card stock and transferred to the fabric. My wife was helpful in showing me how to make and glue the hems. Grommets are 3/16", purchased online. Sail making and working with cloth, in any fashion, was a first for me. Several test sails were made for practice and learning.
- Mast placement was computed from reviewing dozens and dozens of photos of old pond yachts. The center of the main sail always appeared to be in close proximity to the center of the keel and the mast located close to the leading edge of the keel. I made that my rule in the final rigging of this model.
- The overall design and build is representative of much time reading and looking at how "oldtimers" built/rigged their models.
I hope to find a small lake and dock from which I can set this model free (but tethered) to see if it does sail. Regardless, the model is wonderful art sitting on my computer desk. And yes, model number two is in the planning stage.
YouTube video of pond yacht build
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JIBBER JABBER
Interesting times huh? I think I have taken to becoming a spectator and enjoying the myriad of events unfolding daily. To get lost any deeper serves no purpose. Constantly shaking my head is starting to hurt my neck.
Appreciate the visit this week. Family, friends and time together. Laughter is good.
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