Lurking below the OPUS rig which has been getting all of the attention lately is my new hull design, the Dragon. Construction is a hybrid form of my usual system, EPS foam core, balsa wood sides, stem and transom with a high density foam bottom. The bottom is 5mm thick and this allows the chine to be easily sanded to give a nicely radiused ‘soft’ chine. The deck will be 1/32″ laser cut birch ply and internal structure to our usual pattern, which means simple and as little as possible.
The Dragon shape is changing a little from the prototype seen above, the stem or bow will be 1/4″ deeper and the transom 1/8″ shallower. This gives a little more reserve bouyancy at the bow and increases the deck rake a little, the transom angle is being increased too. The trailing bulb is an important feature of Dragon which allows the weight to move aft without compromising the distance between the fin and rudder, and therefore rudder efficiency. As the kit version is being built I will be adding a dinghy style spray rail and a lift off wooden hatch as has proved so effective on the recent Pond Sprites.
Production version of the Dragon foam core.
The Dragon is a long hulled (fits diagonally in the measurement box) ‘new rules’ boat. She is designed to use a 3x AAA cell battery box for race performance but is definitely capable of carrying a 4x AA battery pack in a standard square battery holder. Being designed for and alongside the new OPUS una rig that is how the kit will be set up.
I am really excited about this project and will be moving ahead with it at full pace. As a result I am going to move forward with this boat ahead of the Pond Sprite project. I also intend to trial the Pond Sprite with the OPUS rig because I know that some people prefer a wider, 12″ long plywood boat and if the combination works then Pond Sprite will be a nice beamy alternative to Dragon. More news as it happens.
Graham
nice paint job Graham
My artistic bent is showing Xavier, I’m glad you like it!
I like the new boat, will you be offering a ready to sail like the Pond Sprite?
Also will you be changing the position of the mast when you mount the OPUS rig on the Pond Sprite. I would like to try it on mine.
Manny
I know you want one Manny 🙂 When I get the first set of test parts from the laser I will put a small number together, maybe two or three. Yes the OPUS mast position will be further forward, when I have worked that out and tested it I will let you have the details.
Graham
Hi Graham.
I was wondering if the Opus Dragon will be setup to use the Blue Bird micro sail servo? Or will a standard servo be fine?
Thanks, Skip.
Hi Skip, Dragon will be set up for the Blue Bird sail servo, either the BMS380MG or the BMS380MAX which are the same size more or less. I think it would be possible to squeeze a standard servo in but the Dragon is designed as a racing footy and intended for the lighter weight gear.
Graham
Graham, I like the looks of the “Dragon” especially the Laser type rig! Guess I’d better finish my K2 and learn to sail so I have a valid excuse to buy a racing footy. I look forward to seeing this kit when it becomes availible. No, David must walk before you can run ….. great incentive for me I guess.