Help needed - LIDL R/C Yacht

[MrRee]

Just bought the LIDL Model Radio Control Yacht.

Now assembled it and it all seems ok - EXCEPT .... there are 2 strings, one onto the main boom and one on the Self Tacking Jib.

These are what operate when the transmitter is used - but, the instructions don't say how short these strings should be (or how long!).

Not sure if anyone here can help me? Anyone got one? Anyone do R/C Yacht sailing and can throw some light on my predicament?

Any help welcome!

 

[oldharry]

Use the RC commander to sheet in, This will shorten the amount of string showing. Now attach them to the sails so that the sails are held tight - no need to pull them too hard. Now operate the commander to loosen the sails again tilting the model so that the weight of the sales ensures the string is pulled out, and make sure they let the sails out to at least 70 degrees from the hull.

Off to the pond and enjoy!

 

[MrRee]

Right, please bear with me - I don't sail at all, but I have model Boats, Cars, Planes and Helicopters - however, I cannot work out what I should do here.

By the kind reply above, I am assuming the follows:-

I operate the R/C Transmitter so that the string is pulled tight on one of the booms, then tie to the boon at that length? Do the same with the Jib/Boom on the front?

The strings do not seem to move enough to give a 70 degree angle????

Am I right or just plain daft?

 

[bdsweeting]

We'll think about the last option for a while.

You may be surprised how much the sail will move for very little string.

 

[Twister_Ken]

>Am I right or just plain daft? <

Probably the latter. It's from Lidl. It was made is a remote province of China, by child labourers who 3 weeks ago were herding yaks. It cost £1.78. And you expect it to work.

 

[Birdseye]

Which is not a wildly helpful reply to someone who doesnt know how to sail!

When your boat is going downwind, the boom needs to be stuck out at an angle of perhaps 70 deg to the line of the boat. When its going up wind, it needs to be at an angle of about 25 deg to the line of the boat. Adjust the bit of string to give those sort of angles. Dont worry about precision - if you have a bit much string, thenincrease the 70 up to 90. Too littel, then increase the 25 a bit.

Adjust the jib sheet to make that sail parallel to the boom when the boom is at its minimum.

Best of luck with it. It will undoubtedly sail better than a Twister anyway. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[oldharry]

Sorry - sheeting in = shortening. If it doesnt go out to 60 - 70 degrees it will still sail, but not so well in the same direction as the wind.

 

[Twister_Ken]

You've answered part one of his question, about how to sail.

I was merely answering part two of his query, about his mental health. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
I was merely answering part two of his query, about his mental health

[/ QUOTE ] Or you are just bitter and twisted because Lidl had sold out by the time you got there!

Twisted_Ken? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Jimbo772]

Bought three sets of sailing gear from Lidl for the kids. Cost 150 in total. Go and buy the same from Musto, Gill, XM whoever. And i tell you what, the seams are just as good as on the expensive stuff and on the budget i have it makes the difference between them being warm and dry and cold and wet. What people forget is that most stuff is made these days by child labourers in China !

 

[badman]

What do the child labourers do when they grow up. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Searush]

[ QUOTE ]
What do the child labourers do when they grow up. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Breed the next lot I suppose. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Can I nominate Twister Ken for the most unhelpful & grumpy post this year?

To Original poster, can I suggest that you pop along to your local library, you are sure to find a basic "learn to sail" book there that will explain the concepts of sailing with diagrams.

When first trying your yacht, pick a day with light breezes (models are easily overpowered by stronger winds) and make sure you can access ALL of the lake perimiter. If there is ANY corner you can't get to - that is where your yacht will end up! It is also useful to take a small grandchild who will have a great time running round & round the lake & be happy to bring the boat back to you if it gets stuck against a shore with the wind pinning it there (a lee shore). But train them NOT to grab it by the mast!!!

And finally, beware, you may enjoy it & want to try something a little bigger!!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[graham]

I would say you need to experiment .Sails pulled in to allow the boat to sail towards the wind need to be about 20° to the centerline.

Sails let out for going in the same direction that the wind is moving need to be let out more. Someone suggestede 70° which sounds about right.

Enjoy it.

 

[graham]

[ QUOTE ]
Can I nominate Twister Ken for the most unhelpful & grumpy post this year?

[/ QUOTE ]

Ill second that nomination. Ken are you sure theres nothing in your house made in China? If so your probably unique.

 

[MrRee]

Searush - I think you were with me on the side of our local boating lake this evening!! Ha Ha Ha - your words carry a wisdom that amazes me!!

The Yacht was blown into the only place I could NOT reach - into the slatted doors which hold the rowing boats!! ... luckily after half an hour the wind somehow managed to blow it back out into the lake!!

In the end I operated the Transmitter to 'pull' the strings in fully (holding the sails at 0 degrees) and tied a knot there - releasing the transmitter stick to centre allowed the sails out to about 30 degrees and then pushing the stick fully they were let out to about 70 degrees. Job done I reckon?

Still I couldn't sail it - the wind was probably too strong? The boat just went over in the wind .... opening up the sails made it come up a bit - but the rudder didn't do a thing .......

Thanks for all the useful posts - isn't Twister Ken a grumpy git, children? Ha Ha - every Forum needs one I guess? Ha Ha.

At £39:99 you can hardly go wrong really? I just need a gentler breeze I think?

Don't knock this Chinese stuff - it's very good gear ...... I think you will find that you 'expensive' stuff from your friendly ModelShops are now also made in China - so, don't knock it - just because it's from LIDL!!

 

[Searush]

Sorry I was a bit late posting for you. I am not a clairvoyant, they always do that. Nice to hear you had a fun time. Try to think of the wind in scale terms that will explain a lot. It sounds like you have sorted the sheet (ropes controlling sail angles to wind) settings out correctly.

Boats go best with the wind from the side (abeam) and the sails fairly slack. As you turn towards the wind the sails will start to shake a little, tighten them until they just stop. You cannot go much closer than say 40deg into the wind even with the sails almost fully in.

But once you have the hang of it, have a go on a dinghy, where you need to add a sense of balance - and a willingness to be very cold & wet. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[MrRee]

Thanks Searush .... is that you in your photograph?

 

[Superflid]

Before the days of digital cameras, I worked for one of the largest manufacturers of "bargain bucket" priced models.

We owned a factory in China, mainly staffed by young women who worked 12 hour days, 6 days a week and lived on site. The prices ex-factory still amazed me years later.....

They were also badged "Olympus" and "Pentax" and sold by them at top brand prices.

Some models were built for us by other factories who were suppliers to the big names, just branded "Goldline" or "Premier" and priced to match the name.....

I'd take it for granted that much of the Aldi and Lidl stuff is the same, produced in the same place as high priced gear, but with there own branding - and price!
/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[snowleopard]

I think there must have been a lot of these sold. Last time I went past the pond in Millbrook there were 4 or 5 of them out - plus a very classy gaff ketch.

If you sail in wind that is too strong for the boat it will be knocked flat and you won't be able to steer. Realistically, any more than 30° of heel and the wind is too much. As the boat heels over the shape of the hull will make it turn, overcoming the effect of the rudder. On a full size boat we reduce the sail area to a size that can cope but you don't have that option.

 

[Searush]

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks Searush .... is that you in your photograph?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yup, I like a dip in the sea now & again - it's me Dad's fault for taking me swimming in the Mersey in the 50's. Everywhere else seems so nice & clean in comparison!
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif