17 April 2017
Trimming
Well I put the recommended amount of lead into the Blueback, ≈ 24 oz.
First time
I placed 10.45 oz. in the sonar dome, two 5 oz. bars around the indexing pin–Velcro strap foundation, total ≈ 20.5 oz. and WTC installed. There isn’t enough foam in Rock Hill to get it off the bottom of the dive tank. I changed the weight in the sonar dome to 6.80 oz., two 5 oz. bars around the WTC peg holder, total ≈ 16.85 oz. and WTC installed. Still on the bottom of the dive tank with a lot of foam around it. I know that I cannot get all the external foam into the internal available space with it still on bottom of test tank.
Second time
Remove it from dive tank and charged batteries. Remove previous lead from inside it. Initially no lead in sonar dome, changed the indexing pin–Velcro strap foundation lead to two bars, 3.55 oz., and WTC. Not level. Added about 3.5 oz. of external lead forward of the sail (total lead weight 10.55 oz.). The weights were hung from fishing line across the hull and all foam was external attached with rubber bands. I was able to vent the ballast tanks and submerge level, then using the Low Pressure Blower to surface and the boat achieved the proper surfaced stance. The WTC worked just the way it as described. Added just enough foam after diving that the top of the sail just broaching the surface. Looks like everything is good. There was little to no water in the WTC this time due it not being rolled to vent the ballast tank. I need to adjust the internal vent valve very slow diving. The hull seems to be holding air during the slow angled stationary towards the rear of hull. It might need to add additional hull vent midships or toward the engine room, will make this change if needed after the first rubber band pool trial.
Third time
One more time to check weight. I was able to get a level submerged boat with the sail just broaching the surface, no WTC installed. The weight were hung from fishing line and the foam was held in place by the rubber bands, all loading was external. The sonar dome weight ≈ 3.5 oz. and one bar of 4.15oz. above the indexing pin–Velcro strap foundation, total weight 7.65 oz.
I’m going back to the second time method and retrim it this time. It seem to work for me. The only thing that is questionable is the difference of total weight from what was recommended (≈24oz.) to what actually works (≈10.55 oz.) in the tub, I mean the dive tank. But if it works life is good. The earth is round you can get there by several different routes.
If my buddy uncovers his pool next weekend, I will start sea trails using the second method of trimming in a larger tank (swimming pool) and to see if maintains the zero or near bubble at speed, surfacing time, diving time and if it seems to have the correct lead weight or if I'm in for uncontrollable angles and dangles or long dive times.
If the rubber band pool trial is successful then I'm down to the cosmetics, body work, painting (another coat of gray, black and red lead), hull numbers, and which if any mast & antennas to attach. Still need to figure out an easy way to add camo to the mast fairings. What are the black and red lead colors in corresponding car paint? I saw it on here before and didn't write them down. My friend that owns a body shop that let me use his paint booth to air brush it the first time with the gray primer said that he will mix the colors for me since its such a small amount of paint. I bought a quart of Nasson 421-23, gray. I have enough to gray primer paint more boats than I will ever build.
If I don't get instructed too bad this time I think I see a light at the end of the tunnel, of course it could be ole number 97 at full throttle trying to make Spencer on time, coming at me also.
Ernie
Trimming
Well I put the recommended amount of lead into the Blueback, ≈ 24 oz.
First time
I placed 10.45 oz. in the sonar dome, two 5 oz. bars around the indexing pin–Velcro strap foundation, total ≈ 20.5 oz. and WTC installed. There isn’t enough foam in Rock Hill to get it off the bottom of the dive tank. I changed the weight in the sonar dome to 6.80 oz., two 5 oz. bars around the WTC peg holder, total ≈ 16.85 oz. and WTC installed. Still on the bottom of the dive tank with a lot of foam around it. I know that I cannot get all the external foam into the internal available space with it still on bottom of test tank.
Second time
Remove it from dive tank and charged batteries. Remove previous lead from inside it. Initially no lead in sonar dome, changed the indexing pin–Velcro strap foundation lead to two bars, 3.55 oz., and WTC. Not level. Added about 3.5 oz. of external lead forward of the sail (total lead weight 10.55 oz.). The weights were hung from fishing line across the hull and all foam was external attached with rubber bands. I was able to vent the ballast tanks and submerge level, then using the Low Pressure Blower to surface and the boat achieved the proper surfaced stance. The WTC worked just the way it as described. Added just enough foam after diving that the top of the sail just broaching the surface. Looks like everything is good. There was little to no water in the WTC this time due it not being rolled to vent the ballast tank. I need to adjust the internal vent valve very slow diving. The hull seems to be holding air during the slow angled stationary towards the rear of hull. It might need to add additional hull vent midships or toward the engine room, will make this change if needed after the first rubber band pool trial.
Third time
One more time to check weight. I was able to get a level submerged boat with the sail just broaching the surface, no WTC installed. The weight were hung from fishing line and the foam was held in place by the rubber bands, all loading was external. The sonar dome weight ≈ 3.5 oz. and one bar of 4.15oz. above the indexing pin–Velcro strap foundation, total weight 7.65 oz.
I’m going back to the second time method and retrim it this time. It seem to work for me. The only thing that is questionable is the difference of total weight from what was recommended (≈24oz.) to what actually works (≈10.55 oz.) in the tub, I mean the dive tank. But if it works life is good. The earth is round you can get there by several different routes.
If my buddy uncovers his pool next weekend, I will start sea trails using the second method of trimming in a larger tank (swimming pool) and to see if maintains the zero or near bubble at speed, surfacing time, diving time and if it seems to have the correct lead weight or if I'm in for uncontrollable angles and dangles or long dive times.
If the rubber band pool trial is successful then I'm down to the cosmetics, body work, painting (another coat of gray, black and red lead), hull numbers, and which if any mast & antennas to attach. Still need to figure out an easy way to add camo to the mast fairings. What are the black and red lead colors in corresponding car paint? I saw it on here before and didn't write them down. My friend that owns a body shop that let me use his paint booth to air brush it the first time with the gray primer said that he will mix the colors for me since its such a small amount of paint. I bought a quart of Nasson 421-23, gray. I have enough to gray primer paint more boats than I will ever build.
If I don't get instructed too bad this time I think I see a light at the end of the tunnel, of course it could be ole number 97 at full throttle trying to make Spencer on time, coming at me also.
Ernie
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