3D Printed Plastic Foil Hinge and Flap

Over 11 hours of fatigue testing and still no sign of cracking.

Price is not obscene.

Ability to do a decent fairing at the intersection.

Simpler construction of mainfoil.

Most of the stiffness implications are sorted.

This might be a goer.

E Glass Panels

Some people have asked me recently regarding doing fibreglass panels rather than carbon. Personally I wouldn't but if there is a real cost saving the following might have be a bit of a guide.

As designed:

200 GSM Double Bias Carbon Skins

5mm 80kg/m3 PVC Core

Weight:     1.067kg/m2

Stiffeness: 31 kN.mm2

Strength:    41.53 N.mm/mm

E Glass Option 1:

300 GSM Double Bias E Glass Skins

5mm 80kg/m3 PVC Core

Weight:     1.4 kg/m2

Stiffeness:  25 kN.mm2

Strength:    54.17 N.mm/mm

E Glass Option 2:

200 GSM Double Bias E Glass

7mm 80kg/m3 PVC Core

Weight:     1.23 kg/m2

Stiffeness   31 kN.mm2

Strength:    50.32 N.mm/mm

Final Notes

1. These laminates and comments are equally applicable to the scow and foiler. 

2. For option 2, some adjustments should be made to construction jig for the extra 2mm of core

3. Brian built his Scow with 60kg/m3 core rather than 80kg/m3. I think 60kg/m3 is a bit light and dents easily but it does save some weight (0.97kg/m2). 

3D Printed Dial

This is a 3D printed dial. It is a revision of Markla's which he's put a couple different sizes of onto his control mechanism of death. Seriously, I haven't sailed his boat since it was installed purely because it will cause significant bleeding if you hit it.

The dial though is great, can't believe how much better the control is over the boat with a working dial. The actual part was easy to model (rhino), cheap to print (shapeways) and fit perfectly over the existing turnbuckle that was previously only used on land or when stopped on the water.

Finished

Well it has survived its first test, a nice 10 knot race Sunday arvo up against some other moths and 16s.

 

Maybe over winter it will get a proper coat of paint, but there are other jobs that need to be done first.

Meanwhile, Markla is being a pussy and not sailing in thunderstorms, even though his boat is operational. So soft...

 

I've made a huge mistake.

With a busted vang bolt that is impossible to replace, it is time to do some mods that have been put-off for a long time. The perfect christmas project...sigh.

The original vang base was too far aft to achieve a decent amount of rake without having issues being able to ease the sail. It is being converted to a strop around the king post to alleviate the issue. To install the strop access beneath the foredeck is required which is where things get exciting and frustrating.

Lots of cutting and grinding of big bloody holes around probably the most complexly loaded part of the hull. Deciding how to seal up the holes is daunting and I'm still not sure how to do it. Hopefully it comes out looking like the picture in my head.

mSCOW Construction Drawings

In my previous post I mentioned I have been working on a set of drawings for a scow for a sailor at my club. Brian has now completed his boat - he has done a great job, it looks fantastic and the carbon foam sandwich mas made it stiff, strong and light. The chain plates and forestay are highly engineered (for a scow) allowing us to make the bow razor thin. 

This design is very much a development from the Bunyip IX. I started with the a table of offsets from this proven hull, refaired it slightly and adapted the shape and construction for carbon foam sandwich. 

From what I understand, the designer of the Bunyip IX, Ray Hilton, passed away in the mid 90s. His son was happy for the plans for this earlier boat to be available free online. The plans for this modern development are also available below. First the PDF construction plans, then the CAD files to issue to get the panels cut, and finally a 3d model for those with the software.  

I used the same construction methodology as my SLINO foiler, using CNC carbon panels and a female assembly jig for rapid construction. As the scows were traditionally a stressed ply construction, the carbon panels look much more 'natural' than my narrow skiff.  

PDF Plans

mSCOW-01A - Perspective and Bill of Materials

mSCOW-02A - Sail and Foil Plan

mSCOW-03B - Construction Plan

mSCOW-04B - Carbon Panel Cut Files

mSCOW-05B - Jig Assembly

mSCOW-06A - Assembly Jig Cut File

mSCOW-07__08A - Panel Markings

mSCOW-09A - Shroud Reinforcement

mSCOW-10A - Centreboard Case Construction

mSCOW-11__12A - Transverse Sections

CAD Cut Files

mSCOW-04B - Carbon Panel Cut File

mSCOW-06A - Assembly Jig Cut File

3d Model

mSCOW Rhino3d Model

mSCOW - Plans coming soon

Been a while between posts but a lot of development and not much sailing going on. 

The design of this one is complete for a sailor at my club and it is currently under construction.

I'll publish the plans here at the start of the season. 

The plan is for a rig unlike any I have seen on a scow - a lot more interesting that this one. 

Plans for that too will be available here soon too. 

2014 Yeppoon Nationals

One month till end of early entries.

http://www.moth.asn.au/events/australian-national-titles/2014-nationals-kepple-bay-qld

Daddy Moth Bloogers

Markla and I have both recently acquired the latest must-have moth blog accessories, turning us into daddy moth bloggers. Declan Moth Markla and Abigail Carbon Narkla are both happy and healthy 3 and 2 month olds. The mums are good too.

As such our lives have changed focus somewhat. Let me just say that a 7 foot moth is feasible so watch out optis. Swimming lessons have started and the hiking bench is well underway.

They will both be providing moral support and sleepless nights at the yeppoon nationals. If the waves are anything like Mornington then the moral support will be essential,  the sleepless nights not so much.

If any champions would like to contribute to your ultimate demise...I mean mentor the future of moth sailing, please make yourselves known.

Until then, we'll continue getting our boats ready for the season that started weeks ago.

PS, is it inappropriate to put a baby in a puppy life jacket?
PPS, how do you keep a baby entertained for a 10 hour drive?
Suggestions welcome...

DIY Moth cheap parts

I started this SLINO project on the cheap, cannibalizing an existing boat and using various second hand parts. I have been gradually upgrading and changing things but hanging on to a lot of the redundant gear. However, now I am in the mood to purge! 

I'd love the equipment below to go to a good home - otherwise it will go to the tip and some of the stuff i'm sure i'll feel rather sentimental about as I am standing at the precipice of the tip, contemplating the end of some perfectly good (cough...) mothorabilia. 

As i mentioned, this gear is redundant because i have upgraded to better and lighter, but if you are just keen to build a flying boat this stuff might be just what you are looking for. It is probably not worth freighting unless you know something I don't so better suited to those who live in or near southeast Queensland. 

So roll up all you tight arses who are looking for one less a excuse to have a go at building your dream moth. Leave a comment or email mr.markla (at) gmail (dotcom).

Lot 1. Aluminium Wings and Tramps 

Lot 2. Tired North V6 

Lot 3. Stress Less hull and deck shell 

(quite light but only an E glass laminate, and rather narrow. design files available)

Lot 4. A very dead assassin shell 

(no foredeck, wing sockets or transom. snapped in half. probably only good for making a plug or salvaging the carbon panels). 

Lot 5. A tired custom pocket luff sail. 

Winter Boat Work 4 - The Fourth Dimension

Fairing sucks. Still deciding on a paint job so the boat will probably get put back on the water in undercoat.

The board has gone in much better than expected. I do want to re-finish the foils but will wait till after some on-water testing.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/e3v4my8sogwvnbb/2013-08-14%2015.57.24.jpg

Control system put back together with only alignment mods. It is surprisingly smooth and doesn't bind up anywhere near as much as the previous system. Will fiddle around with this in time.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/m1l3vfoi8ry0ypf/2013-08-14%2017.26.24.jpg

Winter Boat Work 3 - The Third Eye

Hull sealed up again and fairing underway.

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/u73gsldiwejswlp/c8C-POTAah

Winter Boat Work 2 - The Second Coming

More progress photos of the boat work. The cb case and frames are in and only need to drop the deck back on to have the structural items done. Then it is onto fairing, painting and modifying the control system. Four weeks turkish...

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/artv0ulgprmxij2/4cdogCXOsZ

Explanations
Hard working little vacuum pump. Thanks Nick Flutter.
Cam wear strips of epoxy.
Re-core worked well.
Temporary mould of Depron and packing tape.
Hull laminate in way of cb case.
Fair then laminate with light carbon on outside.
Locating dowels protrude through for accurate placement of cb case. Worked well.
Ledges for deck attachment.
cb case frames of 100gsm double bias each side of 6mm foam. Notice no lightening holes as these will cut through all the diagonal fibres reducing stiffness and strength.
Hull bottom opened with dremel and file. Very happy with the fit.
Frames laminated in.

Winter Boat Work 1 - One of a Kind

Testing this new blogger app.

Below should be photos of my winter boat work so far.

• Repair side delamination both sides
• Move centreboard case forward
• Stiffen both boards
• Miscellaneous repairs

Pictures

(edit - looks like the blooger app is a bit simple)

SLINO Builds

Could the anonymous coward :) who commented here last month that they were doing a group build of 3 SLINO's please send us more details.

http://perverted-moth.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/queensland-state-titles-yeppoon.html?showComment=1367742927114#c8483886250895736746

I want to know details and see progress photos.

Yeppoon

RACQ Trip Adviser for Yeppoon

and more RACQ Yeppoon links

Queensland State Titles - Yeppoon

All systems go and the forecast looks good for the Queensland Moth State Titles to be held at Yeppoon. This is the location for the upcoming Australian Moth National Titles.

http://www.seabreeze.com.au/graphs/qld3.asp

Flutter Launch

In a vane attempt to increase hits to their blogs, some mothies are resorting to building new boats and posting pictures.

The despicable phenomenon of fabricating sensational content merely to increase blog hits has been reported here previously (no no no, not that again).

As a consequence, rather than allowing our meager moth blog to wither away and die as so many before it, we find it necessary to post pictures of other peoples new boats.

Below are the most detailed photos of Nick Flutter's new moth you will find on the web. We've had exclusive access to this beast...so nah nah nah...

Waiting...

...for the key...

...and the wind.

This is a rapid prototype stainless steel bell-crank. Despite concerns, it looked a lot sturdier than expected. Will see how it goes over time.

It floats!

The boat felt exceptionally light when lifting off the roof racks and took off well in the marginal wind conditions. A few minor teething issues but for a first sail it was a very good start.


Sorry for the naked photo link...I hate myself :(

Just a Link

Nerds win...


Things I Won't Work With Blog

like i don't have anything more important to do than drawing mandelbrot set in rhino

Sub Main()

Rhino.EnableRedraw False

For x0 = -2.5 To 1 Step 0.01

rhino.Print x0  

For y0 = -1 To 1 Step 0.01

x = 0

y = 0

iteration = 0

maxIt = 1000

Do While (x*x + y*y < 2*2) And iteration < maxIt

xtemp = x*x - y*y + x0

y = 2*x*y + y0

x = xtemp

iteration =iteration  + 1

Loop

c = int(iteration / 1000 *  16777216) 

If iteration < maxIt Then

pt = rhino.addpoint(array(x0,y0,0))

Rhino.ObjectColor pt, c

End If

Next

Next

Rhino.EnableRedraw True

End Sub