Got a number of smaller chores done on the Star 45 RC sailboat this weekend, most with the idea of getting the deck ready to install.
First I made a backstay bracket out of a jib stay/shroud rack.And the cool thing is that it extends exactly 3/8" out, which is the class rules. Should be perfect!
I clear coated the bottom side of the deck. I could have waited and simply done that when I install it, but I had a lot of extra epoxy mixed up and didn't want to waste it. Now I'll need to lightly sand the epoxy before I install it but that's no big deal.
I also drilled a hole for my RMG on/off switch that I'll be using.
Cut a slot in the deck for the aft through-deck block.
Got the rudder linkage shaft made by gluing two linkage rods into a piece of carbon fiber tubing.
Reinforced some places that will need lots of holding strength. For example I added blocks of wood to both the bow section where I'll mount the jib rack, and to the stern where I'll mount the backstay bracket.
Epoxied in a piece of scrap plywood to form a mounting deck for the battery. The idea is that I'll use Velcro tape to stick the battery to the tray.
On another topic, I did a bit of messing around with the rig for the first time. I'm using a gooseneck from Midwest Model Yachting which is designed to fit their mast, but I'm using a mast from Ludwig RC which has a smaller slot. To make the gooseneck fit I had to grind down the larger slot thing to fit the narrow slot. It fits now!
Made a masthead crane out of some .064 aluminum sheet I found at the local hardware store.
Overall it was a pretty successful weekend! Lots of little steps but now I'm ready to fiberglass the top of the deck next!
Made some progress on the construction manual too. Up to about 78 pages now with lots of pictures. Hopefully I can finish both the boat and the manual this spring and be sailing before summer!
Let me know how your build is going!
Peace!
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