#10 7 years ago

Emma C. Berry

I was thinking of external ballast, but if the bulb and fin has been used successfully then by all means use it. I would think that it would have to be as streamlined as possible in order to make the least impedance, but as I have said, I know more about full sized craft than I do models.

When the winds before the rain, soon you may make sail again, but when the rain's before the wind, tops'l sheets and halyards mind

#9 7 years ago

Emma C. Berry

The width of the keel bulb is not that relevant but you do need to make the front and back of both the bulb and the fin pointy.
The back is as important as the front because the water behind the bulb will form a vortex and produce drag. Everything you see on an aeroplane wing is equally true for you keel.

Steve

#8 7 years ago

Emma C. Berry

Nerys I original tried in-hull only but I could not get enough weight in a form that I could use with the RC related items I needed. Another build blog on this website showed theirs using the extension and the bulb so I changed tack.

#7 7 years ago

Emma C. Berry

These plans were most likely downloaded from this website. I'll email you what I have in the best resolution that I have.

I'll keep an eye out for photos of the original kit box, the kit, original plans but I don't recall ever taking any. The box itself made it through several moves but was apparently culled out when we downsized.

#6 7 years ago

Emma C. Berry

I see that you have uploaded copies of the Sterling 'America' plan.

I run a website which provides copies of old model boat plans for free download, aimed at letting a new generation of modellers create past models so that they are not entirely forgotten.

1 - Would you be happy for me to load these copies (or better ones if you have them!) to this site?
2 - Do you have any further information - part templates or box are, for instance - that you could contribute?

You may see what we already have under the Sterling name here: http://oldboats.tk/Sterling1.html

#5 7 years ago

Emma C. Berry

Do you really need the bulb and fin? They are normally fitted to a shallow draft hull. A displacement hull like yours normally has ballast incorporated into the keel. if you think there is insufficient ballast at the moment, I'm sure you could find a way of attaching some extra, moulded onto the keel.

When the winds before the rain, soon you may make sail again, but when the rain's before the wind, tops'l sheets and halyards mind

#4 7 years ago

Emma C. Berry

Thanx steve-d and nerys. You've confirmed my suspicion. Do you think that the width of the weight (bb container) is contributing? Would it be enough if I round off one end of the weight and bevel the lead edge of the vertical extension?

#3 7 years ago

Emma C. Berry

I know more about full size sailing vessels than I do models but Steve-D is quite correct in saying you need momentum in order to come about. The usual practice with a vessel with a long straight keel would be to let her pay off a little to get a bit more weigh on her, then sail her round slowly rather than putting the helm hard down. if she still got into irons, backing the foresails would help to bring her round. it wasn't unknown for a hard headed ship to let her pay right off, gybe her round, then come back on the wind on the other tack. I hope you won't have to resort to that.

When the winds before the rain, soon you may make sail again, but when the rain's before the wind, tops'l sheets and halyards mind

Liked by RNinMunich and TOWN3810 and

#2 7 years ago

Emma C. Berry

In order to go about you need the boat to retain some momentum whilst the sails are not filled.
I think the bluntness of both the keel bulb and its fin are producing sufficient drag to loose way during the turn.

Steve

Liked by Ray and TOWN3810 and

#1 7 years ago

Emma C. Berry

I need some help. I've successfully refurbished my static display Emma C. Berry model and added remote control. I have the sails on a winch loop, I have the rudder on a servo, I even managed to add a motor, and an extended keel with weight. The one issue that I have not been able to resolve is maneuvering under sail. Primarily, I cannot get it to move through the irons when coming about. She responds and the sails will luft, she might even catch some wind but she never makes enough of a turn to change direction. I've already changed out the rudder for the larger size on the plans. I've also tried extending the depth of the rudder. Bottom line, she is mainly being driven by the current. In this situation, by current I mean whichever way the wind is blowing the small lake. It is a local park lake and doesn't really have any inherent current. My one suspicion is the keel I added. It is doing its job to keep her upright and providing some resistance but in the end, the underwater current is overpowering her response to the rudder and/or trimming the sails. See Photo. I had originally wanted to incorporate a more rounded profile on the ends of the weight and the shafts but I remember reading somewhere that it isn't that critical Sails are per the plans and made from the material that came with the kit (25+ years ago). I even added a couple of sailor figures but we still can't establish control. 😭

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