Additional Parts for RC Katamaran Sailboat

thingiverse

I've been working on building PrinzTom's beautiful R/C Katamaran Sailboat, and along the way I've adapted/redesigned enough parts that I think it warrants sharing them here in case my parts can help someone else. This is a work in progress, so I'll continue to upload files, pictures, and build notes as I make progress. I'm using 7.6mm diameter arrow shafts as the mast and boom since that's what I had on hand, and I think it's a more common size arrow shaft here in the US, so the parts are designed around that. If there is any interest, I can adapt my parts back to the original 6mm size. I changed the boom pivot from bearings over to plastic bushings to simplify and cut build costs. With a little bit of light silicone grease the boom seems to move just fine on the printed bushings. They press fit right into the original kat-007 part. I simplified the boom mount/tensioner to use a more standard style turnbuckle. It reuses the mast mount part to connect the boom and a pass-through pivot mount for the turnbuckle. These parts should be stronger and easier to print than the originals. For the turnbuckle, it will work with either 3mm or 1/8" threaded rod. You may have to drill it out a little for the 1/8" rod. I cut threads into plain aluminum rod for a corrosion resistant part, but off the shelf allthread would probably be fine too. I'm also working on various eyelets for rigging, as well as a mainsheet winch that uses a continuous servo rather than a regular servo. And maybe further down the line I'll work on the jib rigging and maybe a standalone jibsheet control. Stay tuned! 23/3/23 Update: I've been working on the rigging. I made a masthead that fits the 7.6mm arrow shafts and has attachment points for the forestay, backstays, mainsheet, and jibsheet. I'll add pictures of how everything attaches soon. I made some glue-in eyelets for rigging the backstays directly into the pontoons. I looked around for a way around this, but it seems like the best way to do it. Just drill a 1/8" (3mm reamed out slightly) hole into the pontoon and attach the eyelet with superglue. I tested them on a failed print and they are exceedingly strong for the application. I also made an endcap for the 10mm rod with an eyelet for attaching the forestay. I'm using 1mm dyneema line for the rigging, which is extreme overkill, but its the best line I had laying around. Braided fishing line would probably be a good option also, and much cheaper than dyneema. The lines are tied off at the masthead and attached to the hull with fishing snap clips. Use the non swivel kind, because you will need to twist the lines to fine tune the length of the rigging, and that won't work with the swivels. Thats all for now, but my sail material should be arriving tomorrow, so check back for more updates soon.