Hello all! My model yacht club has just adopted the Nirvana as our club entry boat. We race several others classes but decided the Nirvana perfect for people to start with. I even discussed this with Steve Lang this past summer. Well now I log onto his site and find out that they are sold out and don't know when or ever get another order in. My question to you all is, besides finding them used on Ebay where can one find any Nirvanas in the States? We will have people joining our club this spring and need to find a source for them to get boats. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

John Ebell
Maryland Model Yacht Club

Hi John
Looks like you have a conundrum there. The good news is that there are Nirvana's for sale on E-bay quite often. Seebee has a nice boat for sale right now that would be a good starting point. If the club had the funds, stocking up on a few boats might not be a bad idea.
Not sure how long the wait will be for another container load of Nirvana's or even if that is in the works, but depending on how many boats you anticipate needing, it might not be more than an inconvenience. Not sure?

Good luck
Boomer

MMBClub Sail - Jan 12

A short video of last Saturday at the pond to show that used boats aren't all bad. First part is an old Charleston dingy racers way of telling if a boat has a favored tack, but I keep forgetting to do it both ways. Middle is just some sailing. Last part is the Vulture taking a closer look, then quickly running away; I guess just scared.

BijouMaiden-1-12-13 (3 min 48 sec)

Originally Posted by John Ebell

Hello all! My model yacht club has just adopted the Nirvana as our club entry boat. We race several others classes but decided the Nirvana perfect for people to start with. I even discussed this with Steve Lang this past summer. Well now I log onto his site and find out that they are sold out and don't know when or ever get another order in. My question to you all is, besides finding them used on Ebay where can one find any Nirvanas in the States? We will have people joining our club this spring and need to find a source for them to get boats. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

John Ebell
Maryland Model Yacht Club

Originally Posted by Boomer1

Hi John
Looks like you have a conundrum there. The good news is that there are Nirvana's for sale on E-bay quite often. Seebee has a nice boat for sale right now that would be a good starting point. If the club had the funds, stocking up on a few boats might not be a bad idea.
Not sure how long the wait will be for another container load of Nirvana's or even if that is in the works, but depending on how many boats you anticipate needing, it might not be more than an inconvenience. Not sure?

Good luck
Boomer

Originally Posted by dwatson

That is a website I will keep my eye on when it is time for me to move back to the states in few years.

I could load up, bring it back and sell it off.

HMMMMMMM!!!!!

Hmmmm? Indeed.

I just went though the process on THIS site and found that 405USD shipped is a great price for three boats. However, as you go through to the end you have to "contact seller" to figure a way to pay.

I sent them a nastygram advising that since it's not PayPal to cancel my order. If they respond that somehow they DO accept PayPal, I may need to be the proud owner of a few yachts!

The used Ebay boat is almost 300USD!

b

rikybob
My Mom used to tell me "if something seems to be to good to be true, it probably is". If they don't accept PayPal beware. Using a credit card could be OK but I'd contact the CC company to determine your options with them for fraud protection.
You can use a Prepaid CC that is limited to the exact amount of the purchase, but you should know that card's rules for support on fraud.
I am hearing that Google is offering a PayPal like service now. Maybe of interest?
Be careful, cover your self - good luck.

As far as the price on E-bay, it is always fun to watch as folks get into the bidding wars. Anytime people are bidding so far in advance of the bid closing tells you that those folks don't know what they are doing, don't know the value of the item and clearly don't know how to use automatic bidding.

There is an art to winning on e-bay as well as technology to be used to help you win. E-bay can be fun - like playing cards, it's better to understand the game before you play................or you will pay the price

Boomer

Originally Posted by jppom

MMBClub Sail - Jan 12

A short video of last Saturday at the pond to show that used boats aren't all bad. First part is an old Charleston dingy racers way of telling if a boat has a favored tack, but I keep forgetting to do it both ways. Middle is just some sailing. Last part is the Vulture taking a closer look, then quickly running away; I guess just scared.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqd6jViwC_g

Hey you forgot the part where I ran you down, boarded and keel hauled you...


Seriously...I didn't even know you were filming or I would have shown off some...

Nice job Wild Bill...it's good to have another man filming some action and posting...

Originally Posted by Boomer1

Hi John
If the club had the funds, stocking up on a few boats might not be a bad idea.

I've done that twice...even fixed one up at a loss to resell to a new member only to never see them again after a couple of sails...

Originally Posted by jppom

... First part is an old Charleston dingy racers way of telling if a boat has a favored tack, but I keep forgetting to do it both ways.

Would you care to explain what exactly is going on there for us newbies? To me, it more or less looks like you're sailing in a circle? What is it you're looking at/for? What are the control inputs you're giving?

Originally Posted by carlsoti

Would you care to explain what exactly is going on there for us newbies? To me, it more or less looks like you're sailing in a circle? What is it you're looking at/for? What are the control inputs you're giving?

Don't know if it really works, but this is the what I was told ~40 years ago. Steady wind, up to about 10kts, because you will be jibing. Sails set at about 1/4 reach position and tied off. Rudder just a bit off center to turn into the wind gently, and tied off. Without any other inputs the boat will sail on a reach, turn into the wind, tack, sail back, jibe, and sail on initial heading, etc. Take a bearing at midpoint of first tack and after four or five more. If the 'circle' is migrating one way or another, you are sailing farther on that tack in the same amount of time than you are on the other tack. Verify by shifting the rudder to the other side and going opposite direction around the circles. Smaller boats need more attention to minimize weight shifts to get accurate results. If the wind changes, you have had fun, but have zippo results. This can also be used if by yourself and need to go below to make a sandwich or get rid of a previous one. The boat sails in gentle circles 'station keeping' while you are busy. Aren't you glad you asked?

JP
Great explanation! Enjoyed reading it.
Thank you
Boomer

Originally Posted by jppom

Don't know if it really works, but this is the what I was told ~40 years ago. Steady wind, up to about 10kts, because you will be jibing. Sails set at about 1/4 reach position and tied off. Rudder just a bit off center to turn into the wind gently, and tied off. Without any other inputs the boat will sail on a reach, turn into the wind, tack, sail back, jibe, and sail on initial heading, etc. Take a bearing at midpoint of first tack and after four or five more. If the 'circle' is migrating one way or another, you are sailing farther on that tack in the same amount of time than you are on the other tack. Verify by shifting the rudder to the other side and going opposite direction around the circles. Smaller boats need more attention to minimize weight shifts to get accurate results. If the wind changes, you have had fun, but have zippo results. This can also be used if by yourself and need to go below to make a sandwich or get rid of a previous one. The boat sails in gentle circles 'station keeping' while you are busy. Aren't you glad you asked?

+1!

I know NOTHING of sailing except the theory, the practice of "tacking" as I was just given the model!

The other day I, quite by accident practiced that phenom while doing something with the radio. I looked up and the little devil would loop around in circles. Oddly, that's the video I posted back. If you look closely, the author is seen facing away, horsing with the Tx!

b

Originally Posted by Boomer1

rikybob
My Mom used to tell me "if something seems to be to good to be true, it probably is". If they don't accept PayPal beware. Using a credit card could be OK but I'd contact the CC company to determine your options with them for fraud protection.
You can use a Prepaid CC that is limited to the exact amount of the purchase, but you should know that card's rules for support on fraud.
I am hearing that Google is offering a PayPal like service now. Maybe of interest?
Be careful, cover your self - good luck.

As far as the price on E-bay, it is always fun to watch as folks get into the bidding wars. Anytime people are bidding so far in advance of the bid closing tells you that those folks don't know what they are doing, don't know the value of the item and clearly don't know how to use automatic bidding.

There is an art to winning on e-bay as well as technology to be used to help you win. E-bay can be fun - like playing cards, it's better to understand the game before you play................or you will pay the price

Boomer

To date no contact from the Hobby Company. Kinda interested in their response!

Yah, Ebay auctions annoy me, I'm a "buy it now" kinda guy!

All the best!

b

...here is a video to get your sailing fix with the # 72 boat in her previous life. The fishing boat is a Midwest lobsta boat conversion, the tugs are a Mister Darby and highly modified Atlantic Harbor tug...

MMBC Sail 5/28/2011 (4 min 45 sec)

Originally Posted by Boomer1

rikybob
My Mom used to tell me "if something seems to be to good to be true, it probably is". If they don't accept PayPal beware. Using a credit card could be OK but I'd contact the CC company to determine your options with them for fraud protection.
You can use a Prepaid CC that is limited to the exact amount of the purchase, but you should know that card's rules for support on fraud.
I am hearing that Google is offering a PayPal like service now. Maybe of interest?
Be careful, cover your self - good luck.

As far as the price on E-bay, it is always fun to watch as folks get into the bidding wars. Anytime people are bidding so far in advance of the bid closing tells you that those folks don't know what they are doing, don't know the value of the item and clearly don't know how to use automatic bidding.

There is an art to winning on e-bay as well as technology to be used to help you win. E-bay can be fun - like playing cards, it's better to understand the game before you play................or you will pay the price

Boomer

Originally Posted by Capt.Crash

...here is a video to get your sailing fix with the # 72 boat in her previous life. The fishing boat is a Midwest lobsta boat conversion, the tugs are a Mister Darby and highly modified Atlantic Harbor tug...

http://vimeo.com/24470822

Great viddy!

Don't be afraid of used boats, I have 4 now and no problems, actually, sometimes used can be better as the previous owner may have upgraded the electronics and addressed known issues with a particular part of the boat. Good luck with your endevour and I know your will enjoy your Nirvanas once you get going.