Eric Finley

Hi Craig, have you managed to source a replacement rudder? If so from what supplier?

Looked at Mark Dicks Web site and some photo's and the rudder shape on the IOM's I looked at seem to use a trapezoidal rudder design. Dave Creed was/is building the Viper which is a Mark Dicks design, I presume he uses his standard rudder design shaped to the hull.

Unfortunately my main conduit to David Creed recently died. However I know David experimented with different profiles, his earlier creations were more like a Spitfire wing before he moved on to the trapezoidal later version, also know he experimented with longer but narrower designs. Hence the best thing to do is talk to him.

Hi Craig Try:- David Creed, Mouldings, Fins, bulbs, and rudders 0151 342 7693. Does not have web site. (Found in past to be very quick to supply a rudder/fin. He supplied the early Uk Britpop rudders and fins) Robot yachts who also produce their own fins and rudders. Nylet also advertise IOM rudders and fins. Eric

Hi Mark, please share your build log. Always interesting to hear information on builds. Not enough of the builder's share their experiences,. if more were to complete logs it may encourage others to attempt builds. Eric

Hi Terry I think I know where your boat currently resides! To try and confirm this do you have the hull registration number? It may take a little time to catch up with the person who I believe owns the Errica that I think is the yacht in the photographs. Regards Eric

Hi, have a look at the 'Component Shop' web site for 'Kingmax' sail winches. There is a selection of possibilities for use in a Marblehead. 77g Professional at £69.75 (No personal experience of this winch, was thinking of trying it in the future as specification looks good) 68g High Voltage at £47.50 (A fellow club member uses this on IOM with no issues, will take higher voltage LiPo batteries) 61g Digital at £28.95 ( I have used this one on both IOM & Marbleheads, I used LiFi battery on this which is just a little over recommended maximum voltage (6V). Only problem I had was when set up was wrong so trying to hold an unachievable position and burnt first winch out. Fitted new winch with updated endpoint and no further issue) There is a posting on the site regarding this winch. Need to state other suppliers are available. Regards Eric

The Sedici is still a good design. Plenty of good skippers are still sailing them. However if the designer has produced a newer design which has proved itself better why if you are travelling at considerable cost (money and time) would you not want to maximise you chances of winning or at least performing to the best of your ability. It was not only Sedici against Venti but also Vickers V12 or V11/10, Viss or Kantun etc. Also sail supplier is a major item, if I'm correct the winning skipper also made his own sails as he found his own cut suited his sailing. I just wish I had the skills to maximise the performance of my own boats as I suspect any of the skippers sailing in the World's would be faster than me!!!!!!

Both the KingMax and PJ sails winches are fully enclosed cases! I think they both claim some level of water ingress protection. The KingMax are standard servo size cases, I believe the PJ sails cases are slightly larger. At least with the RMG you can monitor the condition of the gear train and maintain as required. A motor failure is also not life threatening to the winch. If your boat is reasonably water tight you should not have problems. Why not give Bill Green a call and I'm sure he will talk you through the RMG's pros/cons.

Simon, forgot to include PJ Sails also offer winches suitable for an IOM or Marblehead. I have not used one of these but word of mouth is that these are also of satisfactory performance. I believe that these are a little over £100.

Simon, the choice of winch will be dictated by performance requirements versus cost. If price is not a consideration then my personal choice for a drum winch is the RMG or for an arm winch a Hitec Monster Power. (I am using both, arm winch in a Britpop and RMG in a Psycho. The arm winch is certainly the quickest and is good downwind to jybe, but sometimes unless you are controlled on the stick can be too fast. If cost is a consideration the KingMax winches are a good choice as Component Shop in Wales can supply these. The most suitable range in price from £30 to £70. I also sail a Tonic IOM and have used a variety of these chinese winches in this, the Eurgle Winch (no longer available had satisfactory performance but proved unreliable. The KingMax winches have adequate torque and speed and have proved to be suprisingly good with reliability. There are plenty of IOM's using these winches. The lower cost versions are too slow and they are even slower as you approach the endpoints, I cannot reccomend these. I did start a thread regarding the KingMax winches, I personally have only used the £30 versions (metal case) with either the metal optional drum on the faster but lower torque version or the higher torque version with an even larger 3D printed drum to improve speed. Happy with either in the Tonic. One of our members purchased the next version up approx £50 and has been sailing her IOM with that without issue, even at the top end of the top suit of sails. The decision on what suits your reqirements is yours!

Hi Ian Glad to hear you got it sorted. As I stated in the originl post the Futaba T6J is not very intuative to use! It is however fairly robust and reliable to use. Just keep it dry and be careful where you position the aerial on rx if your Marblehead hull is carbon. Happy sailing with your controller. Eric

Colin, worth giving Bill Green a call at Smartwinch regarding set up of RMG. Always found him helpful, if I remember correctly he has produced a video on Utube on how do setup a later 'RMG' with the setup wire. If your 'RMG' is not programmed I would look to do so, as this winch is powerful enough to cause damage if it over runs end points. Long time since I have had to do this as my Britpop uses an arm winch, Psycho is an old 'RMG' without setup wire and fortunatly has not given issues and Tonic is still running Chinese 'Vigor' winch now not produced (EPA used for this winch).

The T6J enables 15 different models to be programmed on the transmitter. (so two boats will be no problem) If you are programming two boats it would be best to have two receivers, one for each boat. As far as programming the winch you will be using the endpoint adjust on the throttle channel (EPA). You are best to set the mid point of the winch to the centre position of the transmmiter stick and then set the end point of the required sail movement as near as possible equally either side of the stick mid point. (I normally take off the winch drum and then switch the transmitter on with the stick in its cental position so a multi turn winch finds it cental position, turn off transmitter and then put the drum back on with he sail sheet takeoff at the mid point in its travel.) If you get this wrong it is possible to damage boat or servo. If you are using an RMG winch talk to someone over setting it up as most don't use EPA for them. The Futaba T6J is/was a popular transmitter for radio yachts so I would expect a skipper from Hampton Court Club should be able to help you. As with most of these things it is generally easier to show someone rather than explain verbally. So for basics you need to be able to create a model name or just a number(I normally use design name). Then how to navigate to the End Point Adjust (EPA). I must admit I don't find the Futaba as intuative as the Spektrum DX6 to programme. Each to their own! More of our members use the Futaba. If uncertain, best to ask at the Lake on a non race day or ask to meet a member who can help at the club to prevent damage.

Hi Nigel, it may be worth stating where you are based. Is the hull a woody or fibre glass? If woody is it balsa or cedar? If fibre glass is it painted or gel coated? When you state refurbished what are you thinging of? Just the hull refinished or fin / rudder updated and rigs. Eric