Weee! First sail went really well, when we eventually found the right beach ( first one was too soft and I went no where) . The wind was perfect for a first trip out..I did nt fly but it was strong enough to get me up on two wheels on a few occasions and tip me out once! The steering was perfect..only teething problems were that a bit of the stitching came out at the bottom of the mast sleeve..I'll have to get the sewing machine out again. Also annoyingly lost my pulley from the back of the seat..must learn how to tie a decent knot!
Next time I'll let her go a bit more..I was a bit cautious..I think she might fly if a let her!
I have a video clip..let's see if I can upload it!
Glad it went well Finding suitable places to sail is part of landyachting
Hard surfaces good clean wind etc
Keeping all your extremities inside the yacht is important to avoid harm
I told a newbie that nothing could happen to him if he did that and he ran the yacht
full speed into a fence and we had to cart him off for medical attention!
I modify that advice a bit now
You will have a lot of fun with your yacht Great job you have done
Here's the video from my maiden voyage..hope it works.
Just thought I' d work out some material costs..thought it might be helpful for anyone working out whether to build or buy (esp Brits!). This is for my 'fun spec' LMM..
Wheels ebay £36http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141083799642?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
Steel ebay £35 plus petrol to collect from Grantham ( managed to scavenge about 30% or required steel for free)
Sail, mast and boom ebay £22 ( obviously this is key to doing the build for cheap...bargains are out there but you need to be patient)
Head tube £10 from old bike from car boot sale
Plywood and pine for the seat was free from the back of my garage
fibreglass tape and resin ebay £15
pulleys ebay £45
mainsheet £8 local marine supplier
paint for frame £10
extra bits of thin rope £5
So just a smidge under £200 for materials. Obviously spent a fair but on tools and consumables such as grinders disks and welding rods.
Bargain I'd say!..
Nice video Shipjack. Just be sure you wear your PPE as nice smack in the head from one of your aggressive gybes may knock you out.
Great effort man.
Ben.
Ditto. Helmet a definite neccessity. To stop your sail wipping round as you turn(which tends to tip you over)pull your sheet rope in going into the turn and let it out coming out of the turn. Another way is to grab the boom and force it around as your' going through the turn(stops that suuden wheel lifting thump)
If your front wheel starts to shudder as you turn, slide your body/ballast/weight forward into thw turn and back when turn completed.
A hair net can be useful to stop your hair getting caught in the ropes/pulleys on the back of the seat.
Have an eye on moving obstacles: My dog always gets a bit excited when it comes to getting around in vehicles like Landyachts (or boats)...
And the Kids too... Every first ride on the beach, i couldn't have too much seats...
Test Pilot: I'll put a cutoff PE-bottle around the pulley to ceep my hair out!! (seen this at Svens old mini
)
Cheers, Joe
