Search found 26 matches

by Dave Alston
14 Apr 2012, 18:43
Forum: General IOM
Topic: Brushless winch
Replies: 12
Views: 18533

Re: Brushless winch

I am very happy to see a viable alternative to the RMG winch on the market and I wish them all success. I am fortunate to work where I do and do have considderable electronic expertise in the other room and so I have adapted an old dead RMG to use a brushless motor and a PIC controller. Mine is no w...
by Dave Alston
15 Feb 2012, 10:59
Forum: Class Rules
Topic: Data transmission from the boat
Replies: 41
Views: 48598

Re: Data transmission from the boat

Gentlemen, I will confess that I had now come across the term ‘Luddites ‘ for a very long time. I assume you mean the group of Lancashire workers that went around breaking machines in the 18th century. Or do you refer to the modern usage - those who are Computer Averse. But back to the discussion at...
by Dave Alston
13 Feb 2012, 10:21
Forum: Class Rules
Topic: Data transmission from the boat
Replies: 41
Views: 48598

Re: Data transmission from the boat

Gentlemen, With respect, simply because this technology is available is no valid reason for utilising it or changing the class rules to accommodate it. Before purchasing such equipment the test firstly the user / skipper should apply is:- Q1/ How will it benefit / improve my sailing? The clear answe...
by Dave Alston
09 Feb 2012, 17:39
Forum: General IOM
Topic: New to IOM
Replies: 5
Views: 9540

Re: New to IOM

Hi Brian, I understand that the Stealth can be a particularly tricky boat to set up and one would urge caution when approaching this task. Some owners have reported terrible injuries being inflicted upon themselves as a result of savage attacks from the boat whilst adjusting kick straps, shrouds and...
by Dave Alston
21 Sep 2011, 09:14
Forum: General IOM
Topic: New Nylet Spirit is here! Progress at last!
Replies: 76
Views: 101356

Re: New Nylet Spirit is here! Progress at last!

Well spotted Barry, I never spoted the clue and I would not have believed that it would have been laid up in an estery. Now Mr Picket - Take heed - Yu eard it from the man what do this fur a crust fur many a long years an does a fin job, peraps a ltle too slowly fur some, but none the less a fine jo...
by Dave Alston
20 Sep 2011, 17:00
Forum: General IOM
Topic: New Nylet Spirit is here! Progress at last!
Replies: 76
Views: 101356

Re: New Nylet Spirit is here! Progress at last!

I don’t hold much with them fancy new fangled gismos. It were ard enough tipping away the pitch and animal glue. Gime a yard of string and a bob an ill be telling yu exactly which way down be an the numbers 3,4,5 ta tell which way be square. Fur horizontal you need only a length of tube and measure ...
by Dave Alston
20 Sep 2011, 00:27
Forum: General IOM
Topic: New Nylet Spirit is here! Progress at last!
Replies: 76
Views: 101356

Re: New Nylet Spirit is here! Progress at last!

Just looking over your pictures again – I think the fin box to hull joint is none too good. It will surely fail with the slightest bump. There is no sign of abrasion and no sign of roving in the fillet. !!!! Your last chance to think about what you have done !!! Now put that $£$” Laser and Micromagi...
by Dave Alston
20 Sep 2011, 00:11
Forum: General IOM
Topic: New Nylet Spirit is here! Progress at last!
Replies: 76
Views: 101356

Re: New Nylet Spirit is here! Progress at last!

No No stop - you are about to make an almighty mess. So it did not hold. Regrettably it never will and it was very luck you spotted it. You added micro-balloons, it makes the epoxy brittle and cracks when the boat flexes and flex it will. You probably also did not play too much attention to the epox...
by Dave Alston
19 Sep 2011, 10:19
Forum: General IOM
Topic: New Nylet Spirit is here! Progress at last!
Replies: 76
Views: 101356

Re: New Nylet Spirit is here! Progress at last!

A few tips • Use a lighter section- there is a 0.5mm wall mast available. Needs very careful hound and spreader positioning but will save 40g just to start with. • Backstay crane should only be long enough to clear, 2mm, the back stay from the roach of the sail- cut off any excess. This will reduce ...
by Dave Alston
17 Sep 2011, 19:51
Forum: General IOM
Topic: New Nylet Spirit is here! Progress at last!
Replies: 76
Views: 101356

Re: New Nylet Spirit is here! Progress at last!

I have been watching this build for what seems an eternity, October 2010, but I guess you are not in a hurry. But as an observation – your electrics will rot away particularly if you sail in brack or salt water – beleeeeve me. Sand on your head water will get into the hull particularly through those...
by Dave Alston
07 Sep 2011, 14:03
Forum: Class Rules
Topic: Moulded sails -- future rule change?
Replies: 9
Views: 16085

Re: Moulded sails -- future rule change?

There is certainly no evidence to suggest that Moulded Sails will make any substantial difference to the IOM Class. The process being trialled by a number of people is fundamentally the same as Vacuum Forming. Given the extremely stable nature of Polyester Film, Melinex or Mylar, the shape of a sail...
by Dave Alston
20 Jul 2011, 20:23
Forum: Class Rules
Topic: IOM Class Rules change proposal-battens, pockets, leech, etc
Replies: 3
Views: 10783

Re: IOM Class Rules change proposal-battens, pockets, leech,

Robert, I must confess to being most impressed with your proposal and the effort you have gone to certainly shines through. It does take a brave man to delete words rather that to add words and you are to be commended upon this. However I must also agree in part , and most reluctantly , with John Ba...
by Dave Alston
20 Jul 2011, 09:38
Forum: Class Rules
Topic: Single Panel Molded Sails
Replies: 90
Views: 110636

Re: Single Panel Molded Sails

• The second part of your question:-

A vote can only be made upon the adoption of a rule change. A rule change can only be proposed by a National Class Association. So if you want to Vote - first motivate a change of rule at your NCA who will bring it to the CA.
by Dave Alston
20 Jul 2011, 09:26
Forum: Class Rules
Topic: Single Panel Molded Sails
Replies: 90
Views: 110636

Re: Single Panel Molded Sails

Roy, Your question as to why a person or group of people are able to come to differing interpretations of a specification is regrettably not really within my area of expertise. This tendency is to be seen in daily life, and is really not to my mind explicable but I deal with in almost daily. In this...
by Dave Alston
14 Jul 2011, 01:17
Forum: Class Rules
Topic: Single Panel Molded Sails
Replies: 90
Views: 110636

Re: Single Panel Molded Sails

Ted, We lost the battle against costs years back. For better or worse we doggishly follow fashion and have given birth to a small industry by our very pursuit of the notion that the latest boat, sail, mast will make us king of the pond. I not only design and mould my own boats, I cut my own sails. I...
by Dave Alston
13 Jul 2011, 19:17
Forum: Class Rules
Topic: Single Panel Molded Sails
Replies: 90
Views: 110636

Re: Single Panel Molded Sails

Ted I simply do not understand your concern. If you do not wish to use moulded sails you can stay with traditional sails. Do you make you own sails? If you do, well done, you now have a choice you alway had. If you do not then it is between you and your tailor to determine the type and cost. John Wh...
by Dave Alston
12 Jul 2011, 12:13
Forum: Class Rules
Topic: Single Panel Molded Sails
Replies: 90
Views: 110636

Re: Single Panel Molded Sails

Gentlemen, How about the obvious of not adding anything at all? The Class Rules are clear in this regard and adding to them in this instance will serve no purpose at all. There are however far more important issues to deal with in the class rules pertaining to sails as Mr Gibson and others have indi...
by Dave Alston
06 Jul 2011, 09:59
Forum: Class Rules
Topic: Single Panel Molded Sails
Replies: 90
Views: 110636

Re: Single Panel Molded Sails

Alfonso, What is meant is precisely what is written:- “I would encourage Zvonko to quite simply withdraw his request for Interpretation” Given rule IOM G.3.1 explicitly stats that:- (2) The body of the sail shall consist of the same ply throughout and of NOT MORE than four parts joined by seams. Hen...
by Dave Alston
05 Jul 2011, 19:47
Forum: Measurement and Measurers
Topic: Sail number
Replies: 2
Views: 10120

Re: Sail number

Xabier, You really have answered your own question:- Rule E6(b) a sail number, which shall be the last two digits of …. or the competitor’s personal number ….. • So your sail number can only be 2 digits Rule E6(b) ……. There shall be space in front of a sail number for the prefix ‘1’, which… • It cou...
by Dave Alston
05 Jul 2011, 19:22
Forum: Class Rules
Topic: Single Panel Molded Sails
Replies: 90
Views: 110636

Re: Single Panel Molded Sails

Oh that nonsence! Batten Pocket Patch I never saw the point of the discussion and I was most surprised that anyone might even query this since quite clearly such reinforcement is NOT permitted within the current class rules since quite simply:- • Such reinforcement is defined as Batten Pocket Patch ...
by Dave Alston
05 Jul 2011, 10:37
Forum: Class Rules
Topic: Single Panel Molded Sails
Replies: 90
Views: 110636

Re: Single Panel Molded Sails

Nigel
Now you have captured my imagination . Please expand. 98% . Pray expand upon this observation.
by Dave Alston
05 Jul 2011, 09:30
Forum: Class Rules
Topic: Single Panel Molded Sails
Replies: 90
Views: 110636

Re: Single Panel Molded Sails

It is my firm belief that the biggest mistake made on this issue is to have applied for “Interpretation” I would encourage Zvonko to quite simply withdraw his request for interpretation if he has indeed requested one. The rational to this is very simple, the sails meet the class rules as published i...
by Dave Alston
02 Jul 2011, 13:47
Forum: General IOM
Topic: IOMICA Website--What Happened?
Replies: 19
Views: 39997

Re: IOMICA Website--What Happened?

Just to finish off- There is reference within this thread to “ Competitive Boats “ and the assertion that , for example a 10 year old boat, will not be as competitive as the boat that took the world title this year and that a homemade or kit boat is inferior to an assembled boat from A B C whoever. ...
by Dave Alston
02 Jul 2011, 11:10
Forum: General IOM
Topic: IOMICA Website--What Happened?
Replies: 19
Views: 39997

Re: IOMICA Website--What Happened?

Perhaps off the subject a bit but a most interesting discussion, is it dying ?? what is happening?? There can be little doubt that all classes of Radio Yachting are on the wane after the terrific resurgence of about 2000 or so in the UK, but is probally stable compared to say 20 years ago. This has ...
by Dave Alston
25 Jun 2011, 05:25
Forum: Class Rules
Topic: Single Panel Molded Sails
Replies: 90
Views: 110636

Re: Single Panel Molded Sails

I am amazed at some of the responses posted. There is but one question to answer – Is a moulded sail in compliance with the class rules as they stand. The “Policy” of the Class Association or opinion has no bearing upon the question. I am totally amazed that one professing to be a la yer would, afte...
by Dave Alston
24 Jun 2011, 13:55
Forum: Class Rules
Topic: Single Panel Molded Sails
Replies: 90
Views: 110636

Re: Single Panel Molded Sails

Oh my. So much about so little, it cannot be legal, it is not legal , it is legal – Reminds one of Chicken Licken and the sky being about to fall upon his head. The rules, as written, are not prescriptive of how shape may be induced into a sail; it merely limits the number of panels and how you stic...