Tomasek Fully Built: "Exclusive" 1 Meter Competition Sailboat

[dave_lilley]

I just bought a sailboat from Hobby Lobby. I picked up the Tomasek Fully Built: "Exclusive" 1 Meter Competition Sailboat, which was on sale. Even though I have been primarily a plane guy, I wanted to try sailing, and I have been looking at this boat for some time now. At the sale price, it looks to be a deal too good to pass up. Has anyone here had experience with this boat?

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/images/hlit207.jpg

Length: 39-3/8”
Width (beam): (7-7/8”)
Overall Height: (82”), (distance from bottom of keel to top of deck:19”, mast height: 63”)
Maximum Sail Surface: (620 sq. inches)
Minimum weight: (3.38 lb.)
Gross weight: (8.78 lb.)

Hull and deck construction: Fiberglass laminate
Use: Recreational, and Competition class F5-E for RC Sailing boats.

Exclusive 1 Meter Competition Sailboat is one of the best made products of ANY type that we’ve seen in years! “Exclusive” is fully built, and fully finished, with a one piece tempered mast, Kevral rigging ropes and sail sheets. The fiberglass hull is completely finished —flawlessly! The keel weight is moveable for trimming the boat’s draft for competition, and is held in fore/aft position with a single M5 setscrew. The deck hatch latches at the forward end and the manufacturer suggests that you attach the receiver and sail winch servo to this hatch.

The only time that you will have to spend in preparing Exclusive for sailing is the installation of your two or three channel radio with one or two sailwinch servos, and a rudder servo. ALL other construction is completed!

We have no doubts that this will be very fast in any winds. The very high aspect ratio main sail and jib, and the engineered hull shape obviously will be responsible for winning performance.

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/exclusive.htm

I plan to post a mini-review here after it comes in.

Dave

[Jim McPherson]

I don't have any experience with the boat... but it sure does look nice. Let us know how it goes!

-Jim

[dave_lilley]

Will do...I am getting excited now. I just found out (after living here for nearly years) that there is a sailing club in San Antonio (Texas), about 15 to 20 minutes from where I live.

http://www.woodlawnsailingclub.org/rcsailing.htm

This boat won't exactly fit in here, but it's close to the OD-39 1-meter sailboats (not an offical class).

[aeropuppy]

Originally posted by dave_lilley
I just bought a sailboat from Hobby Lobby. I picked up the Tomasek Fully Built: "Exclusive" 1 Meter Competition Sailboat, which was on sale. Even though I have been primarily a plane guy, I wanted to try sailing, and I have been looking at this boat for some time now. At the sale price, it looks to be a deal too good to pass up. Has anyone here had experience with this boat?

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/images/hlit207.jpg


http://www.hobby-lobby.com/exclusive.htm

I plan to post a mini-review here after it comes in.

Dave

HLIT207 Tomasek Fully Built: "Exclusive" 1 Meter Competition Sailboat ..... $ 8199.94
For over $8,000 dollars I think I'd by a real sailboat !
Is this price correct????

[dave_lilley]

I wish, because I would sale mine for a $8000 profit! Something or somebody must have messed up, because the sale price was $200.

I rigged mine up tonight, just to make sure everything fit correctly. It looks nice, and went together well, although I will be switching some of the running lines for Spiderwire. The only downside was the ballast weight on mine was a little loose, which is easily remedied. A little more bothersome is that the keel didn't come with the three holes for position adjustment as indicated in the instructions, although I should be able to drill some out if needed.

Other than that, one part of the Hobby-Lobby instructions, indicating where to mount the winch servo, was wrong. The original instructions say to mount the winch servo under the hull cover, but the Hobby-Lobby instructions seem to indicate that the servo should be mounted to the underside of the cover, which is completely different. The plate does not strong enough to act as a mounting point for a winch servo. Anyway, despite that small translation error, the instructions are a bit sparse, but seem adequate.

In the picture, the keel appears red(ish), but it is brass. I haven’t decided on a paint scheme yet, but her un-Christened name, as of now, is “My Belle”, in honor of my wife. I know that's not very original, but I don't care. :) My wife has always love the Beatles tune, and her name is Michelle, so it fits.

Now I just need to decide on whether I will use on winch servo or two, buy and install them, and read tons more about sailing. I know a real sailor who will help, but I suspect this isn’t going to be an easy learning curve, especially since sailing has its own language, most of which is based on old (sometimes very, very old) words and traditions.

I find this an interesting and challenging new hobby for me, and I didn’t get into for instant gratification, so I will take my time, while I enjoy my other hobby, electric RC planes. I hope to have my PBY ready about the same time as the boat for some sailing and flying at the local lake this summer.

[aeropuppy]

Originally posted by dave_lilley
I wish, because I would sale mine for a $8000 profit! Something or somebody must have messed up, because the sale price was $200.

I rigged mine up tonight, just to make sure everything fit correctly. It looks nice, and went together well, although I will be switching some of the running lines for Spiderwire. The only downside was the ballast weight on mine was a little loose, which is easily remedied. A little more bothersome is that the keel didn't come with the three holes for position adjustment as indicated in the instructions, although I should be able to drill some out if needed.

Other than that, one part of the Hobby-Lobby instructions, indicating where to mount the winch servo, was wrong. The original instructions say to mount the winch servo under the hull cover, but the Hobby-Lobby instructions seem to indicate that the servo should be mounted to the underside of the cover, which is completely different. The plate does not strong enough to act as a mounting point for a winch servo. Anyway, despite that small translation error, the instructions are a bit sparse, but seem adequate.

In the picture, the keel appears red(ish), but it is brass. I haven’t decided on a paint scheme yet, but her un-Christened name, as of now, is “My Belle”, in honor of my wife. I know that's not very original, but I don't care. :) My wife has always love the Beatles tune, and her name is Michelle, so it fits.

Now I just need to decide on whether I will use on winch servo or two, buy and install them, and read tons more about sailing. I know a real sailor who will help, but I suspect this isn’t going to be an easy learning curve, especially since sailing has its own language, most of which is based on old (sometimes very, very old) words and traditions.

I find this an interesting and challenging new hobby for me, and I didn’t get into for instant gratification, so I will take my time, while I enjoy my other hobby, electric RC planes. I hope to have my PBY ready about the same time as the boat for some sailing and flying at the local lake this summer.

I like it much much more for $199! was the price messed up when you ordered yours? Also, is this just the boat kit or does the rsdio come with it as well????

[dave_lilley]

The price was fine when I ordered mine. I would just let the HL folks know. They are good about fixing things like that. The boat doesn't include a radio, but considering it used to cost over $400.00, and that comparable boats cost $500.00+, I think it is a fantastic deal.

[aeropuppy]

Originally posted by dave_lilley
The price was fine when I ordered mine. I would just let the HL folks know. They are good about fixing things like that. The boat doesn't include a radio, but considering it used to cost over $400.00, and that comparable boats cost $500.00+, I think it is a fantastic deal.
Any idea on how much the radio equipmet will cost?

[dave_lilley]

A winch servo will cost around $70 and a cheap radio with receiver and two standard servos will cost $50.

[aeropuppy]

only one winch servo needed or 2???
If 2 sail winches are needed then how much more for a 3 channel surface radio???

btw: I just learned that the boats are sold out!!!!:(

[dave_lilley]

You can use just one winch servo, but you can also use one for each sail.

Another decent looking boat is the Saphir. It is a one meter boat, and looks like it is close to the 60/600 class boat. (See AMYA.org for more details) Whether it fits into one class or another doesn't matter to me much, but it may be a consideration if you join a club. (This boat was my second choice.)

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/saphir.htm

Finally, if you want to get sailing fast, the final link below looks to be a good choice, since it is essentially ready to go.

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/nirvana.htm

Mind you, don't value my opinion too much on this matter, because the Exclusive is my first boat. (I have just been reading a lot of posts and pages on RC Sailboat / Sailboat websites. ) :) I also downloaded a demo of a sailboat sim. My first couple of trys were pathetic, but now I can tack the boat, sail out around the bouys, and then sail back. We'll see if this translates to anything later.)

[dgoebel]

Greetings all,
As the webmaster of the American Model Yachting Association (AMYA) I'd like to interject a little here. The AMYA website can be found at http://www.amya.org we have several hundred webpages with thousands of photos primarily about racing radio controlled model sailboats, some about those who enjoy building for the sake of building and others as well. Everything from multi-masted schooners to fine looking boats like Dave's Tomasek.

The Tomasek is (er was) based on an old international class rule (F5E) that is now basically the International One Metre and it may well be still legal in that racing class.

There are over 20 registered racing classes in the AMYA, and many, many more boats that aren't sanctioned (as a racing class) in the US or internationally, but are still raced in large groups by (hopefully) very satisfied skippers....<G>

Most R/C Sailboats only need 2 channels, one for sails (both main and jib are controlled by the one sail servo (sail arm or drum winch type) and the rudder is controlled by the second channel. Some classes allow other channels to control the jib/main sail slot, backstay tension, or a "twitcher" that helps flip the jib over for an easier "Wing on Wing" sail set when running with the wind.

The AMYA has several hundred clubs around the US and we have a club list on the website by state for those interested in finding others near them already sailing. AND we've got a getting started section for those still just thinking about getting into the hobby.

You must use surface radio systems with sailboats of course, so that your sailing experience isn't driving some flyer's plane into an accident, but the nice thing about R/C Sailing is, there's Rarely a rekitting accident....

Fair Winds,
David Goebel
http://www.intellisys.net/dgoebel/rcsail.html

[R2800]

I was a member of AMYA and the Eisenhower Model Yacht Club on Long Island back in the 90s.
AMYA is a well organized operation and I have nothing but good words to say about it. The racing (thats what its all about :) is exciting, competitive and lots of fun.
My advice would be, find a club in your area from the AMYA site, watch their races, determine which class (or Classes) they race and buy accordingly. You could be left out of their racing activity if you have the wrong boat :(

[dave_lilley]

The F5E I have doesn't quite fit into the AMYA International One Metre class, but I found European groups that still sail the F5E class. (...as if that helps me.) ;) The club local to me is sailing one-meter boats, but it is not an official AMYA class boat. However, I plan to contact the club soon and see if they wouldn't mind me coming out to learn, sail, and perhaps join their club.

I have a question about servos. Is the sail arm or drum preferred? Does one work better than another? Is one easier to set up than another? I apologize for asking questions that probably have already been answered on the AMYA website. However, (I hope you don’t take offense), it is one of the most unorganized, difficult to navigate sites that I have seen in a long time.

[dave_lilley]

Never mind on the servo question...I found my answer.

Dave

[R2800]

Sorry to hear about the AMYA site, yikes!

FWIW I tried arm and drum. Preferred the drum. I seem to recall it had more power and when it starts to blow you need power to haul in that main.
I was Commodore of the aforementioned club and we would always welcome new members regardless of boat. Of course they were encouraged to switch to a class we raced (36/600 and Marblehead back then)Loved Marblehead, the bigger boats are more fun IMO.:)
On Wednesday we would have a pot pouri of boats just racing for fun and at that time you would see a lot of different boats.

[mitchellj]

Originally posted by dave_lilley
I also downloaded a demo of a sailboat sim. My first couple of trys were pathetic, but now I can tack the boat, sail out around the bouys, and then sail back. We'll see if this translates to anything later.)

Where did you find a sailboat sim?
I have a trimaran kit building this summer, it will be my first multihull and first with a sail winch; so a simulator might be a very good idea. Never even knew they existed!

[dave_lilley]

I will post the links tonight when I get home. I've tried four so far. Two seemed to focus on realism, one was half way between a game and simulation, and the last was just a game.

[dave_lilley]

Simulation: http://www.sailsimulator.com/
Simulation / game: http://www.virtualskipper2.com/ (very fun game)
Game: http://www.hangsim.com/vs/

...more
links: http://www.terafox.fi/sailing.htm

[dave_lilley]

The local club meets on Tuesday evenings around 5:30pm, so I stopped by on my way home. They seemed like a nice bunch of guys. They answered all my questions, gave me tips to help me set up my boat, and offered to let me come sail with them.

They have some nice looking boats, some that were sailed frequently (not pretty, but very functional), and several new V-32 boats for sale ($250, ready to sail, with radio!)

I am looking forward to getting my boat into the water.

[R2800]

Be careful Dave, if they race it can be addictive.:)

Vince

[dave_lilley]

they race.... :eek:

[dgoebel]

As the class secretary of the V-32 Class, I can reccomend it as a great one-design boat, and probably the only one with a national fleet (though small) that can be started for $250 ready to sail (which is below the MSRP by the way...<G>)

For more check out http://www.v32rc.org

Fair Winds and happy sailing all,
David Goebel

[dave_lilley]

I finally bought the servos, but now I am faced with a problem. The deck opening is not very large, so a tray won't be easy to install. The translated instructions say to mount the servos with servo tape. Is this correct? Can servo tape hold a servo capable of 200+ oz of torque to a fiberglass hull? Would it be better to run stringers inside the hull and mount the servos to those, instead of using a tray? As for the battery, should I mount it to a ply plate on the bottom of the hull, or should it be placed higher up on the stringers.

I also worry that the ply plate, stringers, whatever, will expand if they get wet and spread the hull apart. Should I use something on the ends, such as a rubber gasket or a soft balsa cap, to allow for expansion? Am I worrying too much???

[R2800]

I've been out of boats for a while but FWIW I mounted the servos on rails. The battery pack I just don't remember but it sounds like a good idea.
I do remember this.... I never got water inside my boats and I sailed in pretty heavy stuff . And I never saw one sink.