Model yachts and model yacht sailing : How to build, rig, and sail a self-…
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Model yachts and model yacht sailing by James E. Walton is a practical instructional guide written in the Victorian era. Aimed at hobbyists and tinkerers, it explains how to design, build, rig, and sail self-acting model yachts that steer themselves without a fixed rudder. The likely topic is the principles and practice of creating fast, controllable model cutters, with emphasis on hull lines, balanced sail plans, and race-ready handling. The book opens
by arguing that true model-yacht control comes from hull form and sail balance rather than a fixed rudder, then develops a design method inspired by the shapes of a mackerel (for clean run) and a duck (for skimming over the water). It recounts trials of successive models—broadening beam, lowering draft, adding lead keels—culminating in two near-identical cutters where a deeper hold proves superior, and shows why cutter rig, wide beam (about three to one), and minimal deck clutter work best. Step-by-step chapters follow: carving the hull from a solid block; fitting a false and lead keel with a brass shoe; laying deck, mast step, horses, and gudgeons; making bamboo spars, hooks, and slides; and cutting flat, durable calico sails (with taped luffs and unlaced feet), plus a smaller storm suit. The sailing section teaches self-steering by setting jib and foresail closer than the main, using a detachable lead rudder only for running, and trimming with small shot bags, with diagrams for every point of sail. Appendices list materials and suppliers, define nautical terms, present sea trials and regatta timings that validate the method, and suggest the best London waters for sailing. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Walton, James E. |
|---|---|
| Title | Model yachts and model yacht sailing : How to build, rig, and sail a self-acting model yacht. |
| Original Publication | London: Griffith and Farran, 1880. |
| Credits | deaurider and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | GV: Geography, Anthropology, Recreation: Recreation, Leisure |
| LoC Class | TT: Technology: Handicrafts, Arts and crafts |
| Subject | Ship models |
| Subject | Yachts -- Models |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 78905 |
| Release Date | Jun 21, 2026 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 1241 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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