MODEL AEROPLANE NOTES

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 224, 21 September 1935, Page 3 (Supplement)

MODEL AEROPLANE NOTES

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The Tauranga 7-Footer Yacht.

CHEAP TO BUILD AND SAFE TO SAIL,

I will confess that it is a long time ago since I promised you the plans and specifications of the little Tauranga yacht. Since I first mentioned the matter I have received quite a few letters wanting to know, "When, please?" In fact I know I would be most unpopular in several quarters if I delayed it any longer. Now, the first interest I took in this craft was when I was visiting Tauranga last year. It was a delightful day and a half holiday. 1 was admiring the view (who wouldn't?) when just around in front of me swept nearly a dozen small yachts, each manned with a hefty lad of from 12 years upwards, 1 should say. They were finishing a race

and I was thrilled at the eight they made and my thoughts immediately went to tlio fact that I knew there would be a lot of my readers who would give a lot to possess such a craft as these boys sailed and owned. So I asked the club for the plans and here they are and although I have drawn the various parts in my particular way and I think have made the drawing more interesting and, what is more, clearer and easier to follow, than the blue prints I received, you will be able to build just another such as those boats that I saw on the Tauranga Harbour. The price will naturally interest you. As I mentioned when talking about the cost of the kayak last year, the cost of the materials depends greatly on the skill and ingenuity of the builder. By that I mean that boys are often able to get concessions from cabinetmaking friends in the way of odd boards that all come in handy. Here are the materials you must go shopping for: —

Hardware, such as blocks, eyebolts, wire rope, inanila ropa, priming paint and finishing paint, varnish, putty and glue (marine), are all obtainable at any ship chandler's, and the sails may be run up at home. Just to give you some idea, I asked a local firm for tlio price of all tlio wood required, dressed and cut to the sizes and sections in the cutting list. The wood works out at £2 the lot. Then the hardware all told would cost about £1 10/ and the sails 25/, properly made and finished by a f,ail maker. However, most of you will prefer to get the material and make it up for yourselves, at about one-third this cost. The total price of materials should not be over

£4, and if you get a bit at a- time I think the cost will not be felt too much. This little yacht is definitely unsinkable, but is not intended for open sea work. It should be used only in sheltered bays and harbours, and until experience is gained keep in the light breezes for a while. Ido think, however, that if you make it this spring you will be amply repaid for your labour, in the many pleasant hours of sailing you will enjoy.

Next week I will start in seriously telling you how to make it. Keep this article, as you will be constantly referring back to it.

Nnme of part. Size. Material. required Sides 8ft x 12in x 3-Sin White pine. 2 Uottom and deck 7ft x 9in x lin V White pine. 0 Bulkheads, seat 12ft x 12in x 3-Sin .... Kauri 2 Fin and rudder frames . 4in x 3-8in x 30 lineal ft. Transom 3ft x 12in x 5-Sin Kauri 1 Mast 10ft x 1 li-Sin x 1 5-8in Oregon 1 Boom 7ft 6in x lAin x ljln ... Oregon 1 Gaff 7ft x lUin x Hin Oregon 1 Keel Sft x 4in x lin Kauri 1 Galvanised nails 21b of lin Galvanised nails lib of l^in Galvanised nails lit) of ljin