Preparing to install the deck. Lot's of small chores.

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!

Comments

Moving to a new RC Sailboat blog! Check it out...

Since I've now sold the T37 , and have completed these two Star 45's (well... one Star 45 and one Salish 475), I thought it would be a good time to end these two blogs and focus on one generic RC Sailboat blog where I could post any new RC sailboat projects. Please check out my new blog at http://www.rcmodelyachts.com/ . Or you can use my older address of http://rcsailboats.blogspot.com/ . If interested in the Star 45 Construction Manual , you have TWO options: 1. An electronic PDF version for $20. FIRST: Email me for details and payment. You will send a PayPal payment to my account and then I will email you the PDF. 2. For a full-color, printed copy (they're coil bound so they will stay open to any page!), GO TO Lulu Press . They are $35 and only take a week or so to get to you. Do NOT email me for a printed copy... order through LULU PRESS. So with that, I'm officially signing off! Peace!

Introducing the Salish 475 RC Sailboat

Yes, it's the same boat, but with a new name all its own... the Salish 475 RC Sailboat . Perhaps it should be formally known as the Coast Salish 475 in homage to the First Nations Coast Salish peoples of the Pacific Northwest and to better define it as being from the PNW coast. Some might object to it being named after a people though, so in that case it will be simply the Salish 475 as in the Salish Sea. Although I have taken 9 credits at the University of Washington from Bill Holm on Northwest Coast Native American art, I do not have adequate talents yet to incorporate NW Coast art onto the boat. Perhaps in a future boat! A number of ideas were floated on the RC Groups discussion , but the final vote was my wife's. I like it! By the way... it's pronounced "Say lish". The Coast Salish 475 : LOA: 47.5" Beam: 11.375" Weight: 14.5 lbs, 9 of it in the bulb (Yes, it could easily be build lighter... this was the prototype) Kiln-dried cedar ...

PRINTED version of the Star 45 Construction Manual available!

I was able to put the Star 45 Construction Manual on Lulu.com to have them make on-demand printed copies! Unfortunately, because the manual is 95 page and in full color with a coil binding (that stays open at your work table), I have to charge $35. Yikes... If you're interested in a printed copy, click here and go to Lulu.com . If you'd prefer a PDF copy then send a Paypal payment to stevedeligan@gmail.com and then email. I will reply with the PDF copy. The links all work in the PDF copy! Thanks for your orders so far! Peace!

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