You mean this therad I think?
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Land-Yacht-Sailing/Sail-making/Cam-batten-windsurfer-sails?page=1

I like what you have done with your mast base but im not shore it will work with modern wind surfer sails my mast base and reinforcing extension slide inside the mast not outside but let us know how you go.

The only issue I see is sail and boom rotation with 6:1 downhaul back to the chassis (lots of mast bend and downhaul tension). Hiko suggests that it will not be a problem as sail rotation not that great. If too restrictive I shall consider a clamp on the mast to attach the lower block.

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seabrit2 said..
The only issue I see is sail and boom rotation with 6:1 downhaul back to the chassis (lots of mast bend and downhaul tension). Hiko suggests that it will not be a problem as sail rotation not that great. If too restrictive I shall consider a clamp on the mast to attach the lower block.

I totally agree with Hiko it will work fine, as my yacht was like this for a good while.
The advantage of this setup is in the event of an upset the mast is retained to the chassis of the yacht.

With my downhaul anchor attached to the bottom of the mast (on it's internal stalk) it has a lot less friction, as it all rotates as one fixed unit. (sail, mast, boom and downhaul). But....... I've had the mast rise up slightly on it's mounting in one of my high speed crashes where multiple rotations were involved.

Chassis complete, now working on a stitch and glue seat, hmmm more questions !!
i am 5'11" and mocking up the seat I notice that if I put my back full against the backrest I cannot gain good purchase on the pedals. It seems from sailing pics that most people sit with there bums far forward of the rear axle. I am tempted to move the backrest forward and maybe change the incline or make adjustable. Since I have never seen a yacht in the flesh never mind sail one !! Where is the idea C of g for the sailer ?? I am guessing waist approximately 8" forward of the rear axle. Thought ??

From memory, I am about the same height as you and usually aim to have by belly-button in line with the rear axle, though the front end does get a bit light sometimes Maybe to start with just make it comfortable to use the pedals and then later on test how far back you can slide before loosing control

The key is to slouch like crazy

I've also found, to be comfortable, I like my backrest to only support my shoulders and head. Imagine lying flat, and then just putting a pillow under your head so you can see forward. This low position will of course obstruct your vision. Go with what feels comfortable....but don't forget some support for your head (so your neck doesn't start hating you after a few hours sailing!).

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lachlan3556 said..
I've also found, to be comfortable, I like my backrest to only support my shoulders and head. Imagine lying flat, and then just putting a pillow under your head so you can see forward. This low position will of course obstruct your vision. Go with what feels comfortable....but don't forget some support for your head (so your neck doesn't start hating you after a few hours sailing!).

Yeh that's really important as the helmet does get heavy after 3 or 4 hours sailing. Roy made that comment last time at Lake Lefroy.

I'm still using these that I made when I first started sailing. They are REALLY comfortable for old bones.

This is the link below.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Land-Yacht-Sailing/Construction/Building-a-seat-cushion-from-carpet-underlay#931973

Thanks guys for your useful insight, It seems that for support and comfort I will need to bring the seat back forward to put my navel on rear axle center line (with some wiggle room of course). The idea to make custom fitted mats out of carpet underlay is excellent. I should be able to contour my flat ply seat for support and comfort.

4.6m cam batten rigged for the first time, 5 degree rake, hopefully when I get a boom rigged a little out haul and puff of wind will straighten the wrinkles. I need to make a longer boom by about 300mm. On the right track ??

That's looking fantastic!!!
Top effort there.
Look at the aerofoil shape to the sail without a sheet rope even attached, just brilliant.
This sail should set up really well. If you need more head clearance with the boom, don't worry too much if the bottom batten ends up sitting down past the boom, as the windsurfer sails adjust with downhaul more than sheeting pressure. (Your mast rake adjustment should solve it anyway)

Look forward to a sailing update. If it is a bit light on the steer, just lean forward to get more weight over the front end when turning.

+1

Looks pretty dam good to me.
Well done go forth and sail.

Jeez, I think I need to try one of these windsurf sails 'raw' for myself pretty soon!

Looking the goods seabrit.

Ok guys, I know I will get the hammock seat comment and feet falling off pedals !! However, sailing in a beach and plenty of metal spine in front of me for protection. Front cross member level with calves so feet don't drop. Seat folds flat forward and 45 and 30 back positions. Same adjustable rake mast foot as mk1. Front spine with steering head unplugs to make shorter to transport. Ratchet strap downhaul works much better than 6:1 down haul pulleys, sets uncut sail perfect. !! Oooooo roll on Saturday to try out !!

MkII

Wow looks good!! I have never had the luxury of a sail that matches the mast/s that I have got so must recut them to suit. Yours looks great.
Just a couple of small points that you were probably going to do any way The tack of the sail may need to be attached to the boom at the gooseneck and also a strap or loop passed around the mast there also.
A loop of webbing or a guide of some kind to stop the sheet rope from trying to strangle you in a gybe and of course a seat belt attached to those shackles you have provided for one.
You may find you have to remove the lower batten to enable the sail to swap sides more easily. The sail should still set Ok I would think
If that is your mast direct into the mast step you may want to slip some
leather or something around it to stop it getting scarred up.
Love your wheels and tyres. Nah not going to mention the foot position!!
Good job man let us know how it goes I am sure it will be a blast
Cheers
Hiko

Yes, seat belt all ready to attach, lower pins which will be replaced by bolts. Thankyou for the tip about loosely securing the main sheet, good idea, I value my neck. I shall put a loop around the mast to secure the sail and something to protect my mast. Luck rather than design that the mast fits the sail, it does look better with the ratchet strap rather than 6:1. My opinion is that if you are running uncut, not only is a ratchet strap much cheaper but much better than a 6:1 pulley system.

Some really great design features there.
Lots of thought has gone into your construction to suit your needs.
Love it to bits!!!!!

The mkII worked awesome, much more comfy than my initial lefroy, aluminum azusa wheels much better than my barrow wheels. Great recreational yacht. According to the web, winds were 10 gusting to 13 mph, beat my current speed record and hit 30.2mph. I know low by many standards but my personal best to date

Can any one give instructions how to upload video rather than pics ?

This is an awesome first yacht! It's Compact, light and breaks down for transport. Uses uncut sails and has a hammock seat!

I would put jamb nuts on your mast adjusting bolts.





A thin sheet of uhmw or dmw between the mast and tube would protect the mast from damage.

Thankyou for the complement. It's actually my second yacht, the first was mostly to std lefroy plans. Yes I use jam nuts on the mast adjusting bolts and steering. I found than the thin tubes that are in mast bags perfect to cut up and slip around the mast base. I will post pics of the yacht disassembled, maybe I can prompt the forum to come up with better ideas

For anyone interested this is how I made front end. The holes a sleeved with thick wall 1/2" pipe. The front tube has shims welded on so it's a sliding fit in the bigger one. One 1/2" pin goes through all, the mast post adjusting screws solidify everything once they are tightened up with chosen rake 0 to 10 degrees. Ran it for about 4 hours in 10 to 15 wind, all seems good

It's been just over a year since I started on this project. I had attempted to make a couple of LLM's for the grandkids for last Christmas. I ended up getting stuffed around and ripped off by the local Statewide bearing distributor on the Fallshaw wheels I ordered. I paid for Fallshaw but got a chinese copy. They eventually came up with the wheels at considerably more cost but Christmas was gone. We went prospecting instead.


I got this far last year. I also bought a couple of windsurf boards with sails and masts. We got rid of the boards and I've just unpacked the sails.


It seems I ended up with four sails and three masts. This sail, mast and boom were all marked with the same number in texta so I chosen it for the first effort. It's an Aerotech 3.2m trainer with no battens. However the mast barely reaches the bottom of the sail so I've machined a mast extension from a piece of Jarrah (wood). I hope it has sufficient strength, I have no idea.


I've dragged one of the frames in from out by the shed and started to revive it. With just a week till Christmas I guess I've missed the boat again but we're not going too far in the next few weeks so hopefully it'll be up and running in a very basic form real soon.
Phil

Phil, stick with it buddy, I just finished my second yacht, the major frame goes together quick but all the finishing bits and pieces seem to suck up the time. I had never sailed a land yacht till 6 weeks ago, it is AWESOME, the reward is very much worth it !!

Where are you Moneybox?
If your in Kalgoorlie or Kambalda we can catch up and give you some advice

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Sylk said..
Where are you Moneybox?
If your in Kalgoorlie or Kambalda we can catch up and give you some advice

Just down the road, in Capel, near Bunbury. Spent most of the day on the phone between PayPal and the Westpac. I had what appeared to be a bogus payment that we couldn't get to the bottom of. All sorted but it stuffed up my shopping for steel, pulleys and rope.


Got the seat almost made and the steering pedals in place so all going to plan, if I had one. Well really I am using the LLM plans off this site but adjusting them to suit available materials.

Hey Phil, - whereabouts are you going to sail your mini?

and - if you run short of time, have a trailer and will be in Perth, sling me a message here.

I have 2 x Lefroy minis that need to play.........


stephen

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sn said..
Hey Phil, - whereabouts are you going to sail your mini?

and - if you run short of time, have a trailer and will be in Perth, sling me a message here.

I have 2 x Lefroy minis that need to play.........


stephen

Ok, lets see how we go. I intend to build these for my grandkids who live in Ballajura. The nearest to there would be Lake Gnangara. I'll most likely try a test run on the Capel school grounds before I head to Perth. Firstly I have to get one of these things operational. I'm leaving the second one until I see how the first one goes. I have no sailing experience so flying blind.... :)