Dumas Sailboats from the 70's

[Tmblewd]

How can you tell what kind of Dumas Sail Boat you have? I got one from my Dad. I know for a fact it is a Dumas Kit. I just don't know anything else about it. The Hull is about 35 inches long and 10 inches wide. The mast is 48 inches long. The hull is all fiberglass and the keel sweeps back at about a 40 degree angle. My Dad said it was a 6 meter. It has the Dumas sail winch installed. It is complete, but the radio system is an old MRC from about 73. I want to get it up and running.

Also, being such an old boat, is it a good idea to keep the Dumas Sail winch or should it be upgraded to a sail servo? I have the Lead Acid batteries for the winch ( 6 batteries in series ) They just need to be cleaned and cycled.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[doomracing]

ummmm don't be surprised if the lead acid batteries are sulfated (meaning junk). if they sit too long with no charge they become junk. lead acid batteries?! hmmmm never herd of that except in the dumas mr. darby tug.

power it up, and see what it does. replacing them is up to how it sails with the old servo.

[Tmblewd]

Yes, I understand that about the lead acid batts. If they are junk, what do I use instead? Any ideas?

[doomracing]

well i'd use ni/mi batteries that add up to the voltage of the current lead acid battery. are you sure it's a lead acid battery? it should show it's voltage on the case i'd think. rechargeable batteries are 1.2 volts unlike alkaline batteries that are 1.5 volts.

i think i'd use a 4 cell AA pack of alkaline batteries first just to see if it will run the winch witch i think it will with no problem. get the highest milliamp batteries you can when you switch to rechargeable. they will last longer. plus you will need a charger designed for the battery chemistry you get. expect to pay over $100 for a good charger, and get the venom AA ni/mi batteries, and ONLY charge them at no more than .5 amps, or you will fry them. i know. i did. it says right on the package no more than .5 amp charge rate.

i'm assuming you are new to rc hobbies? if not you probably have a good charger already. if your not i recommend a triton charger. it will charge any battery you will use in the rc hobby.

[Tmblewd]

LOL< no I'm not new to hobbies. I was thinking of using some of my 4 cell Lipo's from my Lepton!! Just Kidding!! Actually I was thinking of using some Metal Nickel RC Car packs in series. 2 - 6 packs onn a y connector then connected to the winch. I know for a fact they lead acid's are 1.2 volts and that there was 6 used for the sail winch.

Any ideas about the sail boat? What model?

[wamf]

Any ideas about the sail boat? What model?[/QUOTE]

Dumas did a boat called the Huson 36 and a fiberglass version was offered.
That's all I know.
MikeV

[Tmblewd]

Ahhh, maybe that's what it is. A Huson 36. I know that Carl Atherton from Dumas Boats built the hull. So maybe that's why it's fiberglass.

[charlie eaton]

Ken,just remember,whatever you use for batteries you have to compensate for the weight of the lead acid ones you take out. They also are in there for ballast.

[Tmblewd]

OK, I know I have a Dumas boat, there is a tag inside the hull that says Dumas Boats. I was doing some research on the AMYA web site. What class would my boat be? The only thing I could figure out would be a 36/600. Does that sound about right? Also, would going to the local club get me in the right direction if it's legal to race? Thanks

[wamf]

Asking the folks at Dumas? http://www.dumasestore.com/catalog/specials.php
MikeV

[Tmblewd]

I talked to Dumas today. My sail boat is a Huson 36. It was one of their Fiberglass hull versions. It has not been made in 20 years. I also found out that it is in yacht catagory 36/600.

So, bascially my questions have been answered. Thanks to all who helped

[doomracing]

i could'a told ya that, but.... ok so i couldn't :D

hey don't go anywhere. we are a friendly bunch. you'll have more questions so come back no hire. was supost ta be like the ending of the beverly hillbillies tv show.

[Tmblewd]

Oh, I'm here for awile. Atleast on the boat side. I spend lots of time at RunRyder for the Helis.

I'm still going to get the Huson updated with a new radio and get it out on the lake. I just won't be fast, and the way I'll drive, it probably won't be pretty. I'm already looking into another 36/600 boat. I just have no clue what to get. I'm thinking of a North Wind 36 to start out with. I still need to do more research and talk to the guys out here with boats before I buy anything.

[doomracing]

get a USOM. granted you will have to build it from scratch ( the kit version ones are way to expansive) at a cost of around $500 less radio. if building is out of the question see what the guys localy are sailing/racing, and get a similar boat. don't say you don't want to race. believe me ounce there is a second boat on the water you will be racing weather you realize it or not.

the sceneraio:

sail to that tree, and back. guess what? you'll try and do it faster than the other boat. you just had your first race of many to come.

i'm a heli wannabe pilot. i can fly my cx2 ok, but my shuttle is a pain. i'm having a futaba 401 installed so tail wag is less of a problem, so i can concentrate on hovering in one spot instead of a 10' radius.