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Short note about Ice Runners It may be self explanatory to some ice boaters how to mount the runners, but to those who are new at it, here are a few hints.Simply install the runners instead of the standard wheels.The REAR runners have to be THREADED on like you would install a machine nut. This gives it the least amount of side play and wobble on the spindle. The runners have to freely pivot …… DO NOT tighten the nuts on the outside.As the iceboat hikes on one side the FORWARD part of the runner has to pivot down.Make it a habit that the Hex part of the hollow bolt going through the runner is at the OPEN SIDE OF THE AXLE (outside in rear)Sharpen Ice Runners with knife sharpener or fine sandpaper on a flat surface.Since the Ice Runners are used in mostly wet environment it is advisable to give it a PROTECTIVE clear coat. Of course you can also paint the ice runners to match your boatRemove the hub bolts before painting That’s all……..Have fun and stay warm.
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Model Land Yachts Design Hints By Robert Weber: Once you are into land sailing it becomes more and more a mystery why this clean and fast sport with practically no maintenance hasn’t caught on more than just a trickle here and there. Did you know the BLM ( bureau of land management) made a 10 minute video, promoting our sport to be environmentally sound. Hear -Hear !!!!!No messy expensive fuel or batteries, no noise, no pollution, just simple exciting fun. Weight distribution, center of effort, suspension and selection of wheels play a major role in the way a land yacht is handling. You want to make sure the front end allows you to control the yacht in adverse conditions. You don’t want to have “rudder” problems, even the Bismarck was sunk because of that. The nice part is we walk on the substance we sail on. Most model and full size land yachts break down into 3 major components: 1. Mast/sail 2.body/front end 3. Rear axle (plank)/wheels. On some of the models 60lbs line is used for stays, which have enough ”give” to act as vibration dampeners. Three aircraft type wheels with 2 ball bearings installed are used in various sizes. Foam wheels are very light and offer great traction on just about all kinds of surfaces. Sail materials used vary depending on sail area, size and type of rigging. Receiver batteries are mounted just before or behind the plank, which is normally the location where the pilot sits in a full size yacht.The most inexpensive 2CH ground frequency Radio will do for the boom and steering control, on larger models an arm type sail servo is required.Great attention is paid to keep all parts of the model non corrosive, since a lot of people have to run their models on beaches. Since the main sheet is hardly ever moved you can run you model all day on a full charge of batteries. In the heat of the battle at speeds up to 30 mph collisions are often unavoidable, therefore a rugged construction is a plus and untangling of models is all it usually takes. For the same reason you want to have the controls protected.As you run a land yacht with a stayed mast, the down force on to the mast is considerable. Having a soft of a flex in the plank will cause the yacht to bottom out and slow it down. To stiff of a plank will allow the surface vibrations to transfer on to the rig, causing loss of lift and traction due to bouncing. Boom control and sail shape are accomplished by one control function. Built-up body and wing mast are used in most models, yet the Stiletto features Body, Tail cone, inverted wing profile plank and double tapered wing mast all made out of molded fiberglass.Weight of the models ready to run vary from 1lbs to 3 1/2lbs. Depending on the size of the model.All kits are complete to the smallest detail less glue and paint. The Stiletto has a choice for either standard or low wind sail option. Model land yachts perform best at wind velocities of right around 8-10mph. For further info. Please contact Robert Weber at (909)585-2372 or email robertsmly@charter.net . |
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Water Sailing Verses Hard Surface Sailing
By Robert Weber:
Water sailing is a science by itself. In the sixties I was sailing the Austrian and German lakes and competing in the “Kieler Woche” on the Baltic Sea. The hot sport boat at this time was the newly established Olympic class the “Flying Dutchman”.Due to this experience my first model land yachts were built with water sailboat rigging in mind. Not until I tried a used front sail of a model 12 meter boat in connection with a wing mast, did I get an eyebrow raising performance out of it.Experimenting with all kinds of more or less sadly performing body and rear axle designs and wheels, I came to the conclusion that nothing but a fully purpose built Model Land Yacht “car” and rigging will do. Thus the STILETTO was created, followed in later years by the STEALTH line.I realized by then ,that a land yacht was not a sailboat on wheels and due to the much higher wind and surface speeds a science of compromises. The rigging does not only have the capability for high speed but also has to have the power to get you there as quickly as possible.Another compromise is weight…. Less weight better acceleration, less traction, better chance of lifting a wheel (hiking). The width and weight of the land yacht is directly comparable to the length and weight of a keel of a sail boat.The “Iron Duck” (see NALSA. Org) brought the land sailing speed record back to the USA in 1999 (116.7mph) uses a solid symmetrical wing without flaps for power.It takes about 10 minutes in a 30+ mph wind to reach this speed which wouldn’t do anything for winning regattas.A wing/sail combination has so far been the best design for racing and boat speeds of 3-4 times the actual wind speed are not unusual. The sail in this set up becomes a giant “flap” and it diminishes the importance of a “shape-cut” sail.Perpetual Motion!?!……. It’s very tempting to say so.A rotating wing mast allows you to change the thickness of the airfoil for more or less lift (Power) translating into excellent acceleration and top speed. High performance Land Yachts can tack 15 Degrees up-wind and race 165 Degrees off the wind with the boom close hauled. Remember a Land Yacht once in motion will move faster than the actual wind velocity and the apparent wind will therefore always be in an angle from the front.Therefore limited boom travel and no spinaker.The chain reaction, which the Land-Yacht Pilots call “hooking up” can accelerate a land yacht so quickly it actually causes a noticeable “G” force.The top speed of the Yacht is ultimately limited by the surface and wind drag of the whole Yacht and the angle of attack of the apparent wind.Since a land yacht is more comparable to a glider on wheels, it becomes obvious that there should not be an air gap between boom and body and I often wondered if it would be an advantage on water boats as well. I guess birds knew this all along.In a land yacht things happen very quickly , you are going a mile a minute or faster leaving you just enough time to stall (de-power) the rig on the down wind marker to be able to round it. Therefore the whole “boat” has to be aerodynamically clean and the controls have to be simple. Please read the page “Model Land Yacht design hints”.
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Find an open area , like a parking lot or school yard. Look for obstructions, like buildings, trees or cars, which could interfere with a steady flow of wind. Often it feels like obstructions on the ground have magnets in it which seem to pull on the models. Parking lot bumpers and cement pillars are not very forgiving. The bigger and flatter the area the better for beginners. 100ft x100ft is a good start. Try not to start out at wind velocities over 8MPH. A good way to practice is to put two markers about 60-80ft apart on a reach/reach course. Light weight soccer cones are a good example for markers. If you hit them they get pushed away instead of damaging your model. Position yourself close to one cone. Race the Model from cone to cone making sure that the upwind turn is the cone closest to you, this way you don’t have to walk to far when you stall the boat straight into the wind. Also practice to run the model in straight lines and try to use the mainsheet control as little as possible. I know first time pilots seem to make erratic maneuvers . Not good for winning races. Since a land yacht is not a sailboat on wheels, therefore in most cases you will not get the model going trying to point straight down wind (run). Once you feel comfortable with the controls you can set up triangular courses or whatever you feel the most comfortable with. A good practice course is a figure 8, as long as you are the only one running. Don’t forget to turn the receiver on before you let go of the model , you may not be able to catch it. It is easy to learn the basics about land sailing and after a short time you think you did this all your life. The nice part is , we walk on the surface we sail on. Happy Land SailingThey stay in place in strong wind and when hit by a model on any surface including ice. The models run over it without causing any damage to the model. They are large enough to easily be seen and come in different colors. These are round discs originally made for kids used to slide down snow covered slopes. You have to cut off the outer rim and handles , which then provides a smooth transition from ground to domed disc for the approaching model land yacht. Some plastic garbage can lids can also be modified to serve as markers. |
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