Category Archives: Boat Setup and Tuning

DF95 Rudder – Hints and Tips….

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DF95 Owners –  this circular is doing the rounds . . . .

Please be aware if you buy a replacement Standard Digital Rudder Servo from RC Yachts for your DF95

a) the plastic tiller arm from your old servo will not fit the new servo, the drive cog diameter has been increased. You will need to use the tiller arm provided, 

but

b) the old and new rudder clevis will not fit the new servo arm. You will need to open up either hole 3 or 4 in the tiller arm, going outwards from the cog connection, with a 2mm dia drill to get the clevis to fit 

and

c) The new servos are taller than the old ones so you will need to cut away a section of the tray under the deck of the boat with a craft knife or similar to stop the drive arm fouling the tray. If you don’t do this and allow the arm to drag you run the risk of straining and overheating the servo with the possibility of a viking burial. This I believe is also true of any new complete kit, the tray needs modifying.

Nigel’s Reminder on the Importance of Telltales….

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Our member, Nigel Barrow, writes an excellent blog about his exploits in radio sailing. I expect you all read it.

Nigel has published a great reminder that, like big boat sailing, telltales are extremely important in boat set up and tuning. This is Nigel’s excellent blog post :-

https://www.nigelbarrow.co.uk/post/thought-for-the-day-telltales-are-your-friend

Most of us already have a pair of telltales on our various jibs. What Nigel has me thinking about now is using four sets of tell tales (see photo and article).

You know how it is, the slightest bit of rain causes tell tales to stick to the sail and be useless. Nigel recommends a fly fishing spray I’d not heard of before called “fly float”. The idea is to stop your tell tales sticking down when damp. I wish I had known about fly float in my 25 year career in Flying Fifteens!

I’ve checked out fly float and it costs about £5. However, Royal Mail will not ship aerosols so you end up paying £6.50 postage extra to a courier. I need to find a local fishing tackle shop and see if I can get some there. I may be able to scrounge some off fishing friends and try out Nigel’s idea.

I can see now that the national sales figure for telltales is about to soar!….