A delve in the garage

[tiggy_cat]

Interesting to note that the A class now has 2  Class Captains , championing the class. Quite appropriate really , as given the weight of some of the older designs that they want to get back on the water, you need 2 people to lift them!   Well that's the impression I get when moving around my Dambuster A Class that I acquired back in the early 1970's and used to sail at Emberton Park when it was barely a reclaimed gravel pit.  If I remember correctly, the bulb on the end of the keel is somewhere close to 60lbs.

 I spent some time this Summer,  tidying up the A which hasn't sailed for a good few years and it is nearly ready for a rebirth , along with my 6 metre "Tern".    The A class was one of 3 identical boats built by a sailor local to Emberton  ( David Houssen)  for himself and two friends and only "fun sailed"  i.e. they were never officially measured . Given all the fuss when Mr Stollery introduced his ovoid designs such as Dambuster and Clockwork Orange that  didn't really have a deck edge to measure to etc, this might provide Bill Green with some interest if dropped into his measuring tank!!.    I bought mine off of the Senior Engineer of Brittania Airways,  who was based at Luton. For medical reasons he had to downsize to a Marblehead and  I was sailing my little Starlet  on the periphery of the group and he gave me first refusal on the boat at the grand price of £40 if I recall correctly. That price included the boat, 3 sets of Nylet sails and a 4'x3' road trailer used to bring it to the lake!  As I had a Mini Clubman at the time, the trailer was sort of vital. The trailer had been built by "the lads in the workshop" from a welded angle iron frame, Indespension units and tongue and grooved  wood painted externally and varnished internally.  It was probably better built than the A class actually!  Unfortunately, the trailer is long gone !!

I do intend to get her sailing again, as IMHO , no class of model yacht looks so majestic when set up and sailing properly, although I may have to join a gym and get into training so that I can lift her into the water

Edited December 31, 2019 by tiggy_cat
extra detail

[Mike Ewart]

Do get her out on the water, we are looking at someway to encourage the older designs back onto the water, I am sorting out my Sonamara, she is only competitive in a blow as are a lot of the older designs.

please contact me directly reference the six metre as we are compiling a n owners listing for the COG. All six metre skippers will need to contact me to get on the list and give permission to be included on the listing

[tiggy_cat]

Just as an aside to this,  while I updated most of the electronics on the A during the Autumn (removing the Flight Link Duette 27mhz set up which still worked!)  I left the original winch in place. This consisted of a large Monoperm motor driving  a brass gear train with limit switches on a traveller arrangement. Something else probably knocked up in Brittania's Luton work shops. While a bit "old school" it is virtually impossible to move the winch drum by force except by energising the motor. This was originally via a pair of micro switches mounted on a servo but has been replaced with a solid state switch from a chap in the Channel Islands.  The set up isn't lightning fast nor is it proportional, but it is basically simple and virtually foolproof.

For the sort of sailing I am likely to do, the winch will probably be fine ( it was back in the 70's so should work just as well now). I did have a look around for something newer to replace it but with the seeming lack of RMG 300 series winches around , I was hard put to find anything that would reliably cope with the  not inconsiderable forces involved in shifting the sails as there is a fair old area involved.  Just wondering what others use in A's, given that the current breed are probably carrying less sail area.  Any suggestions/observations welcomed.

[Mike Ewart]

Hi

I am using a 380 rm g on my Sword  and 2 whirlwind on Sonamara, but I was using a 290 rm g on my Gothica  just get the small drum on the winch and use a decent amount of travel you should be Ok, PJ Sails also do a winch to suit an A class

[tiggy_cat]

Thanks Mike.

 

[tiggy_cat]

Dug the A out this morning to give the rigging  a tweek .  Took a couple of photos , with an Rg65 next to it for scale.  Surprising just how big the A is.

[tiggy_cat]

[Mike Ewart]

What design is it

[tiggy_cat]

It is a Dambuster design by Roger Stollery.

 

[Mike Ewart]

nice