RE: Nightmare MKVII Trimaran Build Log
Where are you getting the sails made up? Roughly how much does a set cost? This is one thing I haven't figured out yet.
Posted on: 3/30/2009 10:31 PM by Author "tommyeflight89" in the forum "RC Sailboats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8633241

RE: trimaran plans
I would have started building a long time ago but I am at school currently. I was also offered a job in the same city, so I will need to outfit my appartment with supplies from my workshop at hometo build in the summer. Good news is that I have space available outside for epoxy/coating/sanding considerations, but basically no power tools. I can't exactly bring the scroll saw and drill press with me.... On the plus, I will now have alot of disposeable $$$ for supplies. Perhaps full carbon moulded hulls will be an option.
Posted on: 3/29/2009 11:58 AM by Author "tommyeflight89" in the forum "RC Sailboats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8628464

RE: trimaran plans
Us ebabel fish to translate from German to English. Simple. It works well enough that you can understand.
Posted on: 3/20/2009 6:18 PM by Author "tommyeflight89" in the forum "RC Sailboats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8598395

RE: trimaran plans
Idealist, What is your opinion on a foiler Tri, with smaller outriggers? I have looked at a number of threads over at the German website using a translator and I am very intrigued by the use of foils. Is there a current design type that dominates? I have seen both the angled foils on outriggers and the conventional T foil with height sensing pitch control via an elevator/flap. I am still looking into this, both on the German forum and some basic calculations.
Posted on: 3/19/2009 11:36 PM by Author "tommyeflight89" in the forum "RC Sailboats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8596254

RE: Aluminum Welding
Why can't you join the two aluminum tubes with a short tube with a diameter of the inside diameter of your tubes? Would that not be ALOT easier than trying to weld two thin wall aluminum tubes together?
Posted on: 3/16/2009 4:32 PM by Author "tommyeflight89" in the forum "RC Sailboats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8584382

RE: trimaran plans
Good to see this still going. I am following along with all the builds and doing alot of research. I hope to start construction of my Tri in the beginning of May. I have done alot of research on wing masts and even full wing sails for power. Anybody have expereince with either> As the Tri's can get going very fast, wing sails and wing masts can further increase the power and speed with higher L/D ratios. I am currently looking at low Re airfoils and flap geometry to see if any of this is possible. A high aspect ratio wing sail with a carbon spar and balsa/carbon ribs covered in iron on film would be quite light and would require less force to actuate than a conventional sail. 1 or 2 flaps at X% of the chord along with control over the rotation would serve to trim the sail. The biggest problem I can see is airfoil deisgn. A section is needed that will operate well at low Re's and capable of a high angle of attack all while maintaining a high L/D ratio. Hopefully if I don't have much school work this week I can begin a design for a drop in replacement wing sail for the Tri that Idealist has provided. Another idea I was thinking about was a T-foil in the rear. I have seen this on model Tri's to prevent the bow from going under. All examples I have seen, however, are fixed foils to provide a downforce.. you can't control the amount of downforce. My idea was to have a foil with variable angle of attack (fully flying) actuated by a small servo. So for example, if you are running with the wind, you would pull back on the pitch control (elevator for aircraft). This would actuate the foil and provide more downforce by reducing the angle of attack. An active foil, similiar to how some hydrofoils maintain pitch stability. [link=http://www.mathran.nl/acat/files/42371410.jpg]Wing sail picture[/link]
Posted on: 3/16/2009 11:00 AM by Author "tommyeflight89" in the forum "RC Sailboats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8583306

RE: Nightmare MKVII Trimaran Build Log
Thanks for answering my questions guys. My build won't be starting until May, but I will be following this thread. I have read about the "German Rubber Method" for moulding with male plugs, sailboat hulls specifically. You do your normal layup, and instead of leaving it to cure, you stretch latex sheet over the outer surface of your layup + plug. This gets pulle tight and stapled to the plug board. After curing the latex sheet comes right off and you are left with a nice smooth surface on the outside.. not much sanding! It also insures that the cloth is tight against the plug surface while it cures. As for the latex sheet, I tried a google search.. and came up with a bunch of latex fetish stuff.. lol. My best idea on where to get it is some Yoga store etc. They sell it in large strips to use as resistance in 'exercising'. It is usually brightly coloured. One strip would be enough for each hull half, considering it is very stretchy. http://ghmyc.org/German_Rubber_Method.html
Posted on: 2/3/2009 12:35 PM by Author "tommyeflight89" in the forum "RC Sailboats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8433901

RE: Nightmare MKVII Trimaran Build Log
Work looks great so far. I just got my copy of plans from Ernst and have been looking all over for trimaran info. I thought you were going to use your plug to make a female mould, but I see you have used a male mould. How will you be finishing the outer surface of the hulls? Was it difficult to get the cloth to drape on your plug? Although each half may be a little flimsy, I am sure once you add some bulkheads and epoxy them together, you will have a stiff hull. I am enjoying your progress so far! Edit: One more thing. I see you have used high quality automotive paint. Where is the available to you and how do you apply it? Does it need a catalyst etc? I live in London Ont and need a source of some good primer... Do autobody shops sell it by the quart?
Posted on: 2/2/2009 3:59 PM by Author "tommyeflight89" in the forum "RC Sailboats"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8430640