Hi All!!
I tend to disagree with francisco (i’ve been known to disagree in almost everything… 
)… i think a good design and a good setup always help a good stick, percentages? 40% design/setup-60% stick… and lately i tend to think that the sail shape, setup and profile is much more important that the hull itself.
Cheers
German
Be prepared to see novel rigs for the RG65, especially from some of the Footy freakies, who may want to see if their McCormack rigs work on a boat twice the size.
A couple of quotes by Dick Lemke…
What you get is an instant hull of vacuum formed styrene (or maybe ABS) and the opportunity to add finishing as you see fit (within the rules of course).
If anything that size was competitive, a supplier might be available here in the US for vacuum formed plastic hulls for those who do not want to build - or import.
Dick, I’d read you posts earlier about adapting a plastic hull to compete with the RG65s. I have a Victoria hull here, and I just picked it up. It seems like a brick compared to a balsa RG65 hull one of the sailors at Parque Norte (BsAs) brought to the pond (just the hull - may be #71 pictured, no rigging).
So anyway, don’t know about the length issue which was discussed, or hardware vs handler percentages but I will say that using a styrene hull might seem convenient but I think you’d be ultimately disappointed.
yar
This was exactly my experience with the Kyosho Fortune 612
I understand your thoughts - although I’m thinking hull only - nothing else stock. Especially the deck, rig and servo mounting area. Consider “JUST” a hull with deck framed in balsa or carbon and fabric deck patches, carbon mast and booms, a carbon (or aluminum) keel with bulb. I was looking at the hull only idea, from the point of not spending time to build and fair - but buying a decent shaped hull and going forward. The hull manufacturer is known for styrene hulls of minimal weight, and I’m waiting to hear if he would be adverse to using thinner styrene sheet if I agree not to look to warranty for any deformation issues. I believe your two referenced boats may be part of an “overbuild” for production or warranty/breakage issues and thus may not be competitive because of those decisions.
It was just a thought, - I should weigh an unfinished Cup Class 1 Meter from Victor Products that I have as it too is styrene and is similar in shape to a US 1 Meter MISTRAL. It might provide a general idea of weight of balsa/epoxy glass hull vs. plastic.
Have to remember where is is stored.
I had a Victor America 24" hull. As I recall it was rather lightweight and not over built and heavy such as the Victoria etc.
So either the Blackhawk or the America might be worth a shot.
They are priced right.
The inherent problem with vac forming is that the thickness of the plastic used has to be chosen to conform to the tightest angle, usually the transom and bows. This tends to make the overall weight of the hull excessive and/or, as in the case of my Saphir, with weak points in those areas.
Hi!
Argentine fleet, has no more than 4 or 5 boats carbon fiber and epoxi or polyester resin made, a lot (most of them) glass fiber (carbon is expensive and not necessary in 65 cm) an few balsa made, this one are of beginners or compulsive auto builders that change a design every 3 month. Vacum forming was not happy. The excesive weigh or less resistance if it is light, toghether with the modified shapes are problems. Here a one meter design and rg65 was made by vac. No one races nowadays. Thank you
Hugo
I have a couple of questions about the RG6.5 model JIF-65 version. The Manual and drawings are downloaded and printed.
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I do not see measurments for locating the internal bulkheads. Maybe I have overlooked them. Can anyone tell me where they are located? I expected a side or top view with location dimensions for beams, bulkheads, keel, etc. … are there any?
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Is the keel and bulb available to be purchased? From whom and how much?
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This is the V-bottom design from 4 sheets of balsa - but I’m not sure if the balsa is covered with very lightweight fiberglass - or if it is just epoxy coated inside and out?
Thank you, Dick
Disregard Question #1 - I found a second set with the top view and dimensions.
Questions #2 and #3 remain.
In Europe, you can find readily made 500g ballast as 3macquerel leads" in the fishing shops…
At least on the similarly basic “Palo de Agua”, the keel is made from 2 mm aluminium sheet roughly filed to an aerofoil section and you’re expected to use the cooker to cast the lead bulb, with the major safety consideration that you wait till the wife goes out.
However, I think Chris Jackson mentioned ealier in this thread a commercial UK source for keels and bulbs and there is also one in Spain: http://www.spirit65.rg65.com/descargas/precios.pdf (a fibreglass keel and bulb are sold together at €32.00 ex works)
Again, referring to the “Palo de Agua”, the recommendation is just aircraft dope, but penetrating epoxy should give better results.
I’m currenly doing another design in doped balsa and the complete hull, keel box and deck comes out at about 150 g.
Thank you Martin -
I have also heard off line from a couple of owners of the RG65 which pretty much follows your comments.
As noted, I have elected the JIF65 since I have also taken on a build of four at one time. I am building for myself, my son, grandson and also a future son-in-law. The issue of strength for the boat for my 10 year old grandson is a consideration, so that one “may” get a covering of very lightweight glass. Also, because there are four being planned, I selected the v-bottom, slab sides panel design instead of a rounded bottom design. If the interest takes off that can always be an upgrade option.
It was because of this number being contemplated, I had thought it easier to purchase a few items instead of fabricating. Also am looking at sails frm the South American builder of the Pro line of RG65’s. I know I can use florist’s wrap, but I really prefer the opaque white mylar - and may resign myself to using a ripstop nylon instead.
This is still very much in planning stage, but having drawings, bulkhead templates, and the idea, I just need to make it happen. Still waiting for my son to confirm his interest, and since he has built his own sailboards, he has technical skills to do one (or two) of these.
If I were pressed to make a statement, I would suggest that I am probably 80% sure I will proceed. This said in the hopes of spurring others to consider this class. It sure seems to have it’s place as well as broad interest around the globe.
I am open to any suggestions or opinions from current owners - or those “just thinking”. I did consider, but rejected the idea of a mold and full glass hulls for our initial four boats. Perhaps down the line, I may reconsider.
A few questions will probably continue to arise as I proceed - but they should be few and far between.
To those having emailed me direct or posted with information - my thanks.
Dick
Your 10-year-old grandson may like the colourful sail offerings from that Pro-sails site. They’d definately make a boat stand out from the rest of the fleet.
Dick, Nice to read that your going to build some RG65’s. At least I don’t feel like I am the only one here in the US.
The Jif is a nice looking design, it was one I considered at first along with the Palo.
Haven’t been able to do much on mine this past week and a half, just toooo cold trying to work in the garage. Especially after work when the sun goes down. Plus the fact my wife came back to Ga to visit before she goes back to Canada for 3 months to work.
Did you ever manage to join our user group, haven’t checked to see if you have.
Keep us posted with your builds.
Hi, Dick
Here you have some nice pictures of the JIF65.
http://www.rg65.de/galerie.php
http://www.rg65.de/galerie.php?=&gal=33
the second is a workshop in a school in Germany.
The JIF65 it´s easy to build and sail.
cheers
maximo
Maximo -
those photo links will be put to good use for reference. Thank you.
RoadToad - yes - I joined and can get in - but must use Internet Explorer. Yahoo still doesn’t like FireFox browser … or at least mine.
I will probably be doing yet another, (Hull Number 5) as George Dornis has agreed to sell me only the hull from a Blackhawk 24. Since this won’t meet “international” rules by a mere 1.5 inches, I will be breaking out the Dremel tool and the hull will receive some “plastic” surgery. George indicates the hull design is based on Black Magic, but for copyright reasons he couldn’t call it that. Since the hull has a definite “CUP” look to it, adding the 1.5 inches to the stern (my original idea) has been scrapped. Would make it “look” ugly and mess up the physical characteristics of keel and rudder locations. Thus, I am thinking of a complete hull cut at the keel location, inserting the expansion piece there. This effectively moves the bow forward .75 inches and the stern aft .75 inches and should create as little of a problem as possible - hull balance wise. I want to build up the hull following the “normal” RG65 process - with light balsa gunwales, cross deck pieces, and some spruce pine for hard connection points. Then cover the deck (except for hatches) with either rip-stop or aircraft covering. Perhaps sticky Dacron adhesive sign cloth. All rigging will be carbon fiber tubes or arrow shafts from kite shops. It would be great to be able to purchase a pre-made keel and bulb from here in the US, but I think I’m going to have to break out the wood lathe and shape my wood bulb plug.
I need to get started on this pretty soon, as May is around the corner and I have my youngest daughter getting married - so that will reduce build time for at least two months. Unfortunately, we have been stuck in a deep freeze for last several weeks with daytime temps 4 to 17 below zero plus wind. I didn’t even make it 35 minutes south from home to watch the DN North American Ice Boat Championships.
Are you (ROADTOAD) heading up the registration/secretarial duties for US for now - or is Bill Young (AMYA Open Class) going to take on the registration effort and record keeping?
Victor were quite quick off the mark producing their Footy design once the class took hold. I wonder, if the RG65 class becomes equally successful, whether they may launch a dedicated model for “modellers” like myself who have problems with building.
Martin -
I have made that suggestion to George. They have killed off the WILDCAT catamaran so I suggested something in the RG65 size and selling complete or as parts might work. All depends on how well the class takes off here in the US.
Remember, the FOOTY is so radically different from anything else on the market/pond, it might have been an easier decision than the RG65 with less than 2 inches difference in length from an existing production boat. It would be a hard call to make. I’m just interested in how well they sail. I have never given much thought or attention to boats under 36 inches, with a preference for the larger boats. Once I built the PeaPod, and friends saw it, and how easy it was to build, they wanted one - unlike my strip-built 36/600 which took a lot of time to fit individual strips of balsa to form the hull.
If George finds a market for hull only - or full kits, he still will have to decide on design. His current boats all seem to be middle-of-the-road with exception to a couple of the one-design hulls. I don’t think he would take a flier on some design specific for winds or waves. Add in the potential of something becoming obsolete quickly should a new, hot design emerge - and I think he will stay with his own designs or the one-design classes - staying away from development classes where his tooling investment return might be questionable. Still - if there was a market for a “Hobby Level” RG-65 he might be persuaded otherwise.
Once I have a hull in hand, cut and extended, I will have a better feel for the benefits of that kind of modification. I would guess, cost wise, we are talking less than $25.00 for original hull and shipping and materials for the “surgery”. Depending on time involved to modify, a modified length hull under $45 plus shipping might be possible - leaving the remainder of the build up to the individual. (beams, keel, bulb, rig, sails, and deck)
Are you (ROADTOAD) heading up the registration/secretarial duties for US for now - or is Bill Young (AMYA Open Class) going to take on the registration effort and record keeping?[/QUOTE]
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I haven’t heard from anyone that they would be interested in handling the job.
So the position is open. But, I can begin the registration taking for US & Canada.
I have started a database for us on the group site.
Can you suggest all the info that might be needed from the registrant?
I can make up a quick form and post it. Check the RG-65 Rules in the files section, there is a reg. form on the bottom. I am not sure how much of it is useful for us, since we would not be registering each individual hull, just providing a sailor number?
Does the registrant need to be a current member of the AMYA?
If Bill Young is willing to take on this job, he’s more than welcome.
Sven