New Rigger...

[B.K. Foster]

I got the rigger that we ordered from Climate today. Peter it looks like a first class kit. Guys this is my first step toward ABS rehab. I have to find a light and effective way to seal my kit from the water, will simply using Krylon from a spraycan work? Will Krylon peel easily? I really don't want to break out my dive gear this early in the season. What is the most common and user friendly sealant used? Don said that riggers are fast, but I don't recall him saying that they should be submersible. Give me a bit and I'll have this wooden critter on the water.

[KevinW]

B.K.,

Among the best ideas that I have learned right here on RRR is to seal the outside of my wood hulls with .75 oz fiberglass cloth and an epoxy finishing resin. You will be astounded by how strong a superlight cloth like this is. Yet, the addition of weight is minimal.

You can find cloth and resins at websites like:
http://www.clarkcraft.com
http://www.westsystem.com/
http://www.fiberglast.com/
http://www.cstsales.com/index.htm
http://www.acp-composites.com/ACP-CAT.HTM

The big name resins like West System or Clark Craft work excellent. I was suprised to find a finishing resin at a not-so-local hobby shop (2 hours away). It was labelled as the Hobbytown house brand and Bob Smith Industries actually produced it for them. It mixes 1:1, is sold in a small 13 oz set, and the results that I have had are excellent.

Once sealed in this manner, pretty much any paint you prefer can then be applied.

The inside can be sealed with finishing resin or by using a couple of coats of polyurethane. I use both but I think the resin does a far superior job.

"Hulls from dead trees rule!"

Kevin W.

[Climate]

There are several good methods for finishing a wood kit.
Personally, and I think many would agree, a wood boat should have at least part of the wood showing. That wood grain just looks cool.
The cloth and resin method that Kevin mentioned works great.
I use an old credit card to spread the epoxy around on the cloth once it is placed on the hull. Use it like a squeegee to get a nice smooth finish. just paint the resin on the inside of the hull to seal the insides
You can just paint the wood as well. it is marine grade wood in the kits, (this means the glue used is waterproof) but the wood itself still needs to be sealed. Only problem with paint is if you scratch it. water can (and will) get in to the wood underneath.
It is a rigger! It will run wet! Make sure it is well sealed before you run it.

[Don Wollard]

>>>Don said that riggers are fast, but I don't recall him saying that they should be submersible. <<<

It depends if you are looking at your boat or racing it. Both are good! This may sound strange but I plan my boats(riggers) to have a certain life when I build them. Basically - I build my boats to last 1-2 seasons depending on the number of races. Why?

These are race boats and weight is critical to being fast. Even a little bit of weight can make a huge difference. The faster you go, you have to exchange weight for strength so the subject matter/building method changes.

I use a basic water proof polycrylic on the outside of my boats and seal the inside with very thin expoxy. I use glass tape on the inside joint of the tub floor/side wall. This method adds about 1oz weight to my typical 8 cell rigger.

There are lots of option. Peter from Climate knows his boat and I would follow his advise. Happy weekend!

[Larry Benson]

I'm also building a "Blizzard" and I really like it, so much so I ordered another one. as this is my first rigger my question is where should the balance point be?

[Climate]

I don't really worry too much about an exact balance point, as a lot depends on your particular set up.
There is just over 3/16" difference in balance between my 6 cell and my 8 cell.
A good starting point is 2 1/4" behind the aftermost part of the main sponsons. This should give you a nice neutral ride, with the sponsons just dancing on the water.

[Larry Benson]

got my Blizzard 99% finished, couldn't wait to show it off. the wood was so pretty I had to leave part of it natural only wish the pics were better. I only need to hook up the ESC and put the turn fin on and I'm off to chase ducks --- thanks Peter for the easiest kit I ever built, keep up the good work

[Climate]

Geesh, I hope Andy paid you well for that advertising space. ;)

Looks good Larry, You did a great job.
Now go out and have fun. Just remember, these little suckers can get away from you pretty fast.

[AndyKunz]

Originally posted by Climate
Geesh, I hope Andy paid you well for that advertising space. ;)


That's nothing! You should see the mahogany and sky blue N2 rigger that Evan Wade has!

Andy

[B.K. Foster]

I need more stickers, I've got two new riggers to put them on and I have one of your ESCs on the way. I am buying it from Rowan in Australia. Along with some other stuff for my riggers.
Regards, Bryan

[AndyKunz]

Send an e-mail to me. I need to order more from Dan - I only have a handful left right now and haven't put the tape on them yet. I still out Steve V some stickers I was supposed to send with his receiver last week.

Andy

[Reed Eagle]

Larry,

Great job on the rigger!!!! Really came out fantastic! I think

that you really hooked on building now, Right? Ha, Ha, told you so!!


Reed Eagle

[Wade]

Andy, when I get home (in school) I'll post a pic to show these guys that masterpiece you built. I'm going to be sending it's esc to you to be fixed. By the way, are you going to the race this saturday, I can't wait to kick you'r butt in offshore.

[AndyKunz]

We are planning to be there.

If anybody is in it, Naomi will be running P Offshore. She hasn't finished her Force 21 yet. She will be in P Sport as well but still running the LSH setup so we know more about it for Michigan. Since the district only scheduled two races that we can attend, we have to make the most of the opportunities we have for when we do our real racing, which this year will ALL be out-of-district. :(

I'm the crew chief this year. I'll let the others do the driving.

Send the ESC here. If I can I'll bring it along on Saturday. I'll be busy though so do it today if you can.

Andy

[Wade]

I know that several people are going. Does this mean that you'r not racing? I'f so thats a let down on me (or is this you'r way of getting out of being pulverized in the races by me). I also got my dad into N-1 and I'm going to enter as well later. See you there!

[AndyKunz]

It means I won't be driving. But everybody in Winston Cup knows that the driver is only 1/4 of the equation. (The other 3/4 being car, crew chief, and sponsor $$).

Andy