Sail Battens

From Eisenhower Park MYC

Looking for easy, quick batten design for your sails? Something which will not cost you a lot of time and still do the job? Read More...

Increase Your Winch Power And Decrease Your Battery Drain

by Jim Hitchens

Have you ever wondered why on a windy day you couldn't sheet in? Read More...

How To Plank A Round Sided Model Yacht Hull

Planking a round sided hull is easy and fun. In fact it is easier than one might imagine. It just takes a little time and patience. The first thing to do is to find a set of lines for a boat that you really like. If its your first one you should start with a design that has no complicated inside curves. At the bottom of this document is a detailed diagram which can be printed and referred to. Read More...

Sail Design Basics II

by Dave Acree

Now we have a basic overview of sail design, how is it applied to actually making sails? Remember, a sail has a curve or camber in it but how does that curvature get put into a sail? Sails made for model yachts are constructed by using panels. The use of panels and how they are put together, will give the sail the curve it needs. That is what this issue is about. Read More...

Sail Design Basics I

by Dave Acree

This article is for those skippers who are starting to design and make their own sails. There are several good reasons to do this; the first is a cost savings and the increase enjoyment of building your own sail boat. This article is an answer to a question on how do you calculate your sail plan. The main point to start with is this article centers on the 36/600, 1 Meter, and Marblehead boat classes. Read More...

Combination Mast Step and Keel Fin Trunk

The beauty of this unit is its simplicity. Read More...

What Knot For Me?

By Dick Hein, AMYA Treasurer

Here is a little knot trick I have been using for years any time I need a slip knot connection. Read More...

Weak Arm Winch?

By Dick Rutledge, AMYA Vice president

If your arm winch is slightly weak, try running a short length of elastic cord attached to the arm. This way when the arm lets the sail out it pulls the cord and when the sails are brought in the tension of the cord helps pull the arm through the critical load area. I know some folks that do this in high winds only to give their winch some help.

Smooth Finish

From the Space Coast MSC Newsletter “The Dock Line”

When working with epoxy keep a small glass with isopropyl alcohol handy. When you are ready to smooth it out just dip your finger in the alcohol and rub the glue to the smooth finish we all like. the glue comes out nice and smooth and your finger stays clean too!
Read More...

Servo's and Their Problems

By Dick Wischer

Most of the servos we use are the ones that come with the radios we buy. There was a time when the, store would exchange the standard servo for one with more power (inch oz. of pull), and water resistant. Today that does not happen. Read More...

Water in the Boat

by Dick Wischer
Many of you that read this will notice that we keep on the subject of water leaks in the hull. The reason is that it is the one worry that must be cured before you have major problems. Read More...

Tools of the Trade

By Dick Wischer
THE BASICS if you have a bare hull, deck, keel, rudder, mast, & sails from a manufacturer, here are some things you will want to have to assemble the model. Read More...

Sails, Part 1: Sail Camber

By Dave Acree

I have recently talked to several individuals on the need for more "how-to" articles. The MMYC Newsletter has tried to help fill this void and will keep trying. So I chose sail making because this is the one area which is a mystery. Read More...

Painting Tips for Model Yachts Building

By Dave Acree

Is painting your boat one of the things you like least? Tired of the runs and those little dust specks miring up your work? Well, here are some ideas and tips I got from Jim Meister on spray painting. Read More...

Sails, Part 2: Sail Making

by Dave Acree (From the Model Yacht resource center)

I hope the first article was some help in understanding sail design. Knowing how Camber is formulated does have a impact on how a sail performs. With that there is another important factor in sail making, it is plotting a sail's Draft Location. Read More...

My Feet Are Curling Up!!

by Rod Carr

TriSpi mylar materials are manufactured in large rolls and then rewound onto smaller diameter tubing for shipment to manufacturers like model yacht sailmakers who turn the material into products. Read More...