Carbon Fiber Catamaran with an adjustable CG & adjustable turn fin

[Jim Allen]

This will be my last post until things are set in the new shop in Suffolk, VA. The last thing done for the 19 HE carburetors was to machine some custom needle valve clamping devices.

Jim Allen

 

[Jim Allen]

Hi Guys,

I'm in the process of getting the shop set up in Suffolk, Va. Many valuable items such as various materials, fixtures, jigs & boat hulls had to be thrown out because the shop had to be downsized & I was unable to sell or give the stuff away. I gave away a new retrieving boat, new motor & new trailer to the real estate agent. It cost $3,500.00 to move the shop equipment 214 miles. Another $5,500.00 for the mini-split & $3000.00 for lights & electric. Now that the move is completed, I wonder if model boating will be in my future.

Jim allen

 

[Tom Foley]

I feel for you Jim . Last January I had to move from my 9400 sq ft shop that I was in for 23 years (so you know how much stuff you accumulate both personal and business ) to a new shop of 4800 sq ft 20 miles closer to my home . The heaviest things we had were 6 welding machines , a 9 " Enco lathe a Bridgeport mill and a forklift. I was lucky enough to have a guy with a big towing flatbed to haul the machines for a few hundred bucks . Hope you get settled and do some boating .

 

[Rick Doane]

Jim:

Hang tough. Keep moving forward and the desire will come back. I for one, would hate to see you leave this hobby. Many people have benefited from you posts on the technical aspects of "how to" perform engine building. And anything else actually.

Rick

 

[Jake Ellwood]

Sorry to hear that Jim. I was going to ask about your cat turn fins but other priorities now of course.

Wish you all the best.

 

[Alan Elzer]

Hang in they're Jim.... I for one sure do enjoy all your machine projects & helpful posts on anything involving rc boating.

 

[Jim Allen]

Sorry to hear that Jim. I was going to ask about your cat turn fins but other priorities now of course.

Wish you all the best.

Jake,

I'm not sure what your question might be concerning the cat's turn fin. The turn fins shown actually were used on oval type riggers. There were several different sizes & depths machined in a fixture with carbide end mills from .0625" spring steel. When used on a rigger the fins were mounted on various angled type mounts. The side mounting on the cat's hull allows different size fins to be set at different depths, different angles, different distances from the hull's side & different positions fore & aft. Although the fins are machined to a full wedge shape, front edge to trailing edge, they are extremely rigid & they give the least amount of drag. Inside the cat's hull there is an epoxied phenolic piece with stainless steel screw inserts at the different screw positions. The mounting plate on the hulls side & the different screw mounting positions are 100% water tight.

Jim Allen

 

[Jim Allen]

Starting to get the shop back together. New LED lights & all machines powered up. Next comes the 12,000 BTU mini split.

 

[Terry Keeley]

Good stuff, lots of work for sure!!!

 

[Sport45]

I'm posting photos of the machined steel strut which is used on the cat. The strut's design will allow the propeller to be moved 1.250" forward of most standard units. The machined strut bushing is made from B-10 Bearium material. It is removable from the strut housing & it remains with the cable, prop shaft assembly when removed. Precision machined slots locate the upper 1/8" thick upper section & the 5/64" thick skeg. Both pieces are machined to a full wedge before silver soldering. The strut can be easily set at various angles with 1*, 2* or 3* wedges placed behind the one piece strut mount.

Jim Allen

Jim what prop are you running on the cat in the photo ? what cc is your motor ? I have a spinout problem in the corners , I am running a 3 blade prop with a skeg on my strut with plenty of angle .

 

[Samuel Hagan JR]

I think he passed away.

 

[Mike Hughes]

Yes, Jim is no longer with us.
Mike

 

[Steve White]

Yes, Jim is no longer with us.
Mike

Oh my goodness. RIP Mr. Allen.