Bergman
New member
About 30 years ago I used to fly RC aircraft and had a whim to try boats. Looked in at the local club and watched some of the lads with their model powerboats. Not really impressed, took ages to start the engines, smelly and noisey and always ended by either
a) Running into side of pond
b) Running into another boat
c) Having to be retrieved when engine broke down
Sound familiar?
So I looked around and bougth a model yacht, small one about 2 ft long. Built it, fitted RC, made a primitive sail winch really pleased with myself.
The kit had a sort of extension piece for the bottom of the keel which was optional. If fitted you filled it with lead shot and glued it on. It was supposed to make it sail better in strong winds. Not having any more leadshot I didn't bother.
Duly launched it in the Leeds/Liverpool canal at a place called Rodley. Nice sheltered spot.
It was wonderful - sailed across and back a few times, chased a couple of ducks - great fun. As I played the wind was increasing. Eventually became more ambitious and walked along with boat following nicely and came out of shelter of trees.
The boat was hit by a gust knocked flat and sank.
Some latent nautical instinct reared its head and I lined the disappearing masthed up with a tree and pushed a stick in the bank to give me a transit.
Went home collected fishing tackle and started to dredge for the remains. About an hour later I had collected a small pile of offensive objects but no boat, when this character tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I knew it was the close season for fishing. I didn't hit him but I think he was fairly offended when I had said my piece.
Eventually did recover the thing and salvaged the radio too, sailed it for quite a while (with the extra ballast). In fact until it was rammed by a power boat.
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a) Running into side of pond
b) Running into another boat
c) Having to be retrieved when engine broke down
Sound familiar?
So I looked around and bougth a model yacht, small one about 2 ft long. Built it, fitted RC, made a primitive sail winch really pleased with myself.
The kit had a sort of extension piece for the bottom of the keel which was optional. If fitted you filled it with lead shot and glued it on. It was supposed to make it sail better in strong winds. Not having any more leadshot I didn't bother.
Duly launched it in the Leeds/Liverpool canal at a place called Rodley. Nice sheltered spot.
It was wonderful - sailed across and back a few times, chased a couple of ducks - great fun. As I played the wind was increasing. Eventually became more ambitious and walked along with boat following nicely and came out of shelter of trees.
The boat was hit by a gust knocked flat and sank.
Some latent nautical instinct reared its head and I lined the disappearing masthed up with a tree and pushed a stick in the bank to give me a transit.
Went home collected fishing tackle and started to dredge for the remains. About an hour later I had collected a small pile of offensive objects but no boat, when this character tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I knew it was the close season for fishing. I didn't hit him but I think he was fairly offended when I had said my piece.
Eventually did recover the thing and salvaged the radio too, sailed it for quite a while (with the extra ballast). In fact until it was rammed by a power boat.
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