RC Model Gaff Schooner Rig Set-up 

Thanks Noel, always good to hear from you.

Hi Fred. How did you get on with flyer? I received my flyer plans almost 3 mounths ago. Almost finished and ready to sail. I've built mine 50% bigger than the plans, making it around 170cm deck length. Can't wait to get her on the water.

Thanks Captain ! Plans for this schooner (Irene) can be found here www.bearospaceindustries.com/boats2.html

Thanks RC Flyer for the report. Fact is, there is another boat in the works. I hope to show it off soon, so stand by!

Thanks I cant wait!

@@gemfaceter, Check out the new schooner "Annie" design ! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-A6O-7tyc9lM.html

She is fitted with a removable aluminum Fin which has a 12 pound lead ballast bulb

Actually, I've found your description of the procedure with zip ties on the Flyer RCG thread, so I guess that's the answer. :)

I do dismantle and set up the rig on my gaff cutter 'Flyer' in a similar manner. I deal with the jib sheets by forming a small loop in the end of each sheet and at set up time, connect the sheets to the sails with a small nylon zip tie. I gave Flyer's gaff a "gaff saddle" rather than wooden gaff jaws so the the gaff can fold down when halyards are released. Folding the gaff down and folding the boom up allow me to roll up the sails around the spars and stow the whole rig in a two inch diameter tube. Set up involves pulling up halyards, connecting sheets and of course stays and shrouds. The stays and shrouds hook up quickly and easily with DIY pelican hooks. Cheers !

I use pine wood for the masts, and paint them with varnish. No worry, even without varnish I believe occasional dips in the water would have little effect on them.

Thanks Foster for asking. Yes, the stainless wire is actually 1/16" TIG welding rod, type 316L. Such a video is among many on my "To DO" list.

@@sailtails2775 Thanks Gary, I look forward to seeing all of your new videos.

Such a video is now available ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-oapKzQT9MQI.html

The sheets from all 3 sails are connected to a single sail winch servo (Hitec HS-785HB) below deck.

Carve them from a semi-hard wood, like a piece of pinewood about 1/4"x1/4"x1-1/2" (6mm x 6mm x 38mm). Look at google images of "dock cleat" for inspiration. Rough carve with a hobby (X-acto) knife, use sandpaper to shape and smooth. If you carve one you don't like, scrutinize it and try again. Very little material wasted. When you carve one you do like, make them all like that.

No need for a lathe. I suggest starting with a round pinewood dowel. Pretend that it has 4 sides. This provides a way to keep tabs on dimensions of the taper on all sides.Using a small hand (palm) plane or a sanding block (80 or 100 grit paper), work the 4 sides down to near finished dimension. This leaves a square (or nearly so) taper. Then work the corners making the taper 8 sided and finally sand away the 8 corners, making the taper very nearly round. Finally, sanding with 150 grit paper.

Yes John, at least for the Gaff Foresail. Those white rings, called mast hoops, are simply segments of plastic "PCV" water pipe, intended to resemble wooden hoops found on full size gaff rigs. Annie's masts are smaller diameter than Irene's, so choose a size to fit. Mast hoops could be used, but are not really politically correct (realistic) for the marconi mainsail. That's why I chose lacing of heavy thread to hold the sails to the 'Annie's masts. Proper traditional lacing arrangement can be seen at 2:10 in this "Annie" video ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-A6O-7tyc9lM.html

@@sailtails2775 Gary thank you for your reply ok you have convinced me to go original with Annie I can see you've done it with twine but not exactly sure how you threaded the twine through and round the mast. I will send pics of Annie when she is finished but then it will be straight on to Irene or flier not sure which because they're all beautiful boats.

Thanks for the encouragement!

Yes there are, thanks for asking. Click on "SHOW MORE" of the description, you will find a link to the Bearospace website

Yes indeed, a Yankee term I believe, Thanks for that Ethan.

@@sailtails2775 I just saw this response two years later! It is indeed a Yankee term. I want to say I absolutely love your videos and look forward to each and every one.