Building instructions for a novice (JIF 65)

[Gustav Zellman]

Hi,

I'm planning to build my first RC sail boat. The RG65 seems to be a very nice class with a lot of models to choose from. With to kids at home, full time work and renovations of the house I'll not be able to spend to much time on this first build. I have some experience from building and flying RC planes in balsa wood so that will be a good starting point and I've found the JIF 65 which looks like a decent boat to begin with. 

I'm looking for building instruction for this or similar constructions and also any general recommendations. I've searched a few different forums with no luck so far. All recommendations and links that might help would be very welcome.

/Gustav

Gothenburg, Sweden

[Joanne Sharpe]

Hi Gustav,

Having recently joined the radio sailing community myself, may I suggest that you take a look at this boat, the NeKst?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8WBEEZ4wDM

The plans are here for free download and if you follow the thread, you'll also find a very nice photo build log:

http://rg-andy.blogspot.de/2012/06/nekst-ein-knickspanter.html

This is the outcome of a German initiative to design a modern replacement for the JIF 65 which is a very popular boat, but has been around for a long time.

If you decide to stick with the JIF, then I think you'll find that the photo build log is very helpful, just use the same method with parts from the JIF plan instead.

I have the hull and appendages complete ready to paint and it has been a very easy build and I have a light, rigid symmetrical hull. Yay!

My 'problem' is that I also have a Dragon Force, so there's no pressure on me to finish the NeKst, because I love sailing the Dragon and it's a LOT of fun

I hope you find this helpful, but please come back to me if I can help.

Take care

Joanne
RG65 GBR 261

[Gustav Zellman]

Hi Joanne,

That's really great news. Thank you! 

The Dragon Force looks great. I was thinking of buying on for myself but I figure this will be a nice project to to with my oldest son and I also need to use some of that balsa I have in my shed :)

I've tried to find some kind of step by step guide but no luck, maybe I'm not looking good enough :) I guess I can figure out how/what to do but since this is my first boat build at least a rough guide would be nice to follow. I guess building the wooden hull is the quick and easy part but how do I apply the glass or carbon fiber. How do I build the rig, cut the sails, make the rudder linkage water tight and I guess there are quite a few steps where there is a best practice to follow. Do you know anywhere I can find this info in a "complete" guide?

Thanks in advance!

Gustav

[Joanne Sharpe]

Hi Gustav,

I you and me are quite similar. I've been out sailing my Dragon Force today and I love to build too. The Dragon is excellent and such good value. Straight out of the box it's a very nice boat and performs remarkably well and it's the boat that I'm using to learn to sail. I'm racing on Sunday.

Back to building, I've attached a file that I have found quite useful ... but it's in German ... which may not be a problem for you, but my German is very weak. It's for the Ranger, which is a boat that's similar to the JIF and the NeKst (similar construction).  However, even without the words, the pictures do tell the story very well.

Also, on the RG-andy.blogspot.de site, there are some links that connect through to another forum, which has lots of build detail and photos - either the German or Swiss RG65 I think, but can't remember fully.

I hope this helps, but if there's anything else, just shout.

Take care and enjoy RG65

Joanne

PS If I find anything else, I'll post it here.

[Joanne Sharpe]

Hi Gustav,

I knew I had more details on the NeKst Build, I just had to remember which links to use.

This link takes you to a detailed build log on the German RG65 forum and this time, if your German is like mine, you can get Google to translate it for you :o).

http://forum.rg-65.de/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=205

Tale care

Joanne

[Gustav Zellman]

Hi Joanne,

Wonderful! Thanks again. Now I have plenty of reading to do. Hopefully I can make that building board and maybe cut the first balsa parts this weekend. 

I'll get back here with more questions as the build progress :)

Take care!

/Gustav

[Joanne Sharpe]

Don't forget the Dragon Force Gustav.

It's a great way to learn radio sailing and take those skills forward to whatever comes off your building board.

Enjoy

Joanne