model yachting Australia - including d'12metre radio yacht forums

Maverick · Guru

RE: Aussie Sailors

Henry · Senior Member

The dimensions of this CJ is important too. For the length means that the yacht will fit in the back seat of every car. This means that you don't need any special means to transport them around. And at 6 to 7 kgs the weight is right as well . Wait till you hear the price, for it is a lot better than what they were asking for the other boat by far! The basic kit can be landed in this country for about aud$230. This is a build it yourself with the hull and lead keel made. Thats suits a lot of cash strapped sailors out, for it is an "Easy Build". HOWEVER , for those a little richer , you can get this yacht to made to any stage and up to fully completed / ready to race for Aud $1050. Still cheap as chips in fact more so than any other R/C boat.

This post has been moved to the Canterbury J Class Forum.

-- Edited by Admin at 21:32, 2008-04-20

Henry · Senior Member

Well It is one of my favourites too but it is not to be . You see shipmate , that we can't get Victor's Aussie 2 in this country. Now we know why , Or that we know the reasons why ? The manufacturers / distributors also know why we CAN"T get them in this country. Some people in the States can't even get them there. Yes it is possible to get one here one there but not in the numbers to BUILD a class with.

Now we have just put it in the "too hard " basket. And there it will stay .

HOWEVER......... There is a little class .... smaller that the existing 12 metre classes that do have a boat that they do want to make and sell called a CANTERBURY J. J's are the class of yachts that battled for the America's Cup before the 12s got involved. So one could say this class is a kindred class to 12s. Only someone perdantic would discriminate here. Be that as it may , these boats are made in New Zealand and the people involved are keen to produce!

These CJ's as I call them are shorter, 48" long and are only 6 to 7 kgs in weight and I think this CJ would make an IDEAL yacht to replace the yacht we just can't get.

Henry

Maverick · Guru

Henry, I've just taken the liberty of posting a picture I took some years ago of my own Victor Models Australia II sailing in company with an "A" class. If you look at the angle of heel on the A, it will be observed that there was a good breeze blowing, but Australia II was more than up to it.

This is actually one of my favourite pictures. There is a bigger picture of this on my website. I think it's on "The Victors" page.
Australia II in company with an

-- Edited by Maverick at 21:20, 2008-04-05

Henry · Senior Member

Committment is one of those things that we do. Others in this hobby "talk about it" , we , and (I include you) the people we mix with , practice it.

When" One door closes another door Opens" and might I say Maverick that I'm very pleased to be associated with people who do care about where this sport / hobby is going. Some might tried to hide our sport away and just bury their collectives in the sand. But my mates are out ther beavering along and I'm very proud of their work , in all its facetts.

Even down to my freinds at the lake. Not all of them are into "little 12 metres" but they do lend useful info from time to time. And we should use all the information we can muster , for it this that makes our hobby stronger.

Maverick · Guru

You really are committing to the 20th of the month aren't you.

I look forward to publishing and am absolutely eager to read about latest developments.

Henry · Senior Member

Well Maverick , I have been told that our other correspondent of the Newsletters 12 metre Group(Viking) will have the answer in the next newsletter. Due out to you in about 16 days. It will be a little beauty for all concerned and should fit our needs very much and , and, it is a 12 metre of sorts. Telling you all now will let the cat out of the bag , so stay tuned.

Maverick · Guru

How disappointing! These Victor 12-metres are one of the best and easiest boats I have ever sailed, bar none! And in all weathers! They are simply one of the most versatile boats around.

I'm afraid I am at a loss to recommend something else that will sail in 12" of water, which is pretty much what my criteria is these days. The only thng that comes close is the Micro Magic, or if that is too small, then the Thunder Tiger "Victoria" which fits between the MM and the Victor Australia II in size. If water depth is not an issue, I would heartily recommend the Victor "Avalon 44", but this is a long keel boat and definitely not one for shallow waters.

Apart from that, the only serious boats I know of that will sail in 12" of water are the EC12, Nautic12, A2, and indeed I think, many of the A Class boats, but the A's start to get a bit heavy.

Sorry, cannot help more than that at this stage.

Henry · Senior Member

Well Maverick. The little Aussie 2 didn't eventuate. The boat didn't turnup even after 6 months of waiting. So that put paid to that Idea. It seems strange to me that one can get a Graupner Micro Magic boat in one day but with the Victor it becomes impossible?

Well there is some consolation to all this we were going to pay thru the nose for this at $322. So we are on a saving to nothing here.

So the search is on for another boat? Any ideas?

Maverick · Guru

Yeah, I must admit I've made some changes too.

I've put on a 12.7 mm round aluminium mast from RYSA, which is quite a bit lighter than the standard wooden one, but I've never had a single problem with the wooden one coming apart, and KA-6 has been sailed in some rough weather. The other thing I did replace was the gooseneck/vang setup with one again, from RYSA, as I found with the original setup that the boom pivot sometimes got twisted in the mast eyelet and would not swivel properly until it untwisted itself.

With regard to the Victoria's, I reckon that at a push, they could be described as America's Cup style boats, stand-off scale type, standing a very long way off, and therefore to be encouraged.

And not only that, but while this site's emphasis is on the 12-Metre and America's Cup style boats, not encouraging anybody who is interested in having a sail or who just wants some information, is just not an option, not even in my wildest dreams. In fact, not encouraging somebody who is interested in radio yachting, irrespective of what type of sailboat they had, is what my nightmares would be made of.

Empire building? I don't think so.

Encouragement? I absolutely do think so!

Henry · Senior Member

Of course there are others out there?
I've had a good look at Hairoil's boat and decided to do just a couple of things to it. the first thing is put a tube in it for the mast to go down it to the keel. Most people can get a 3/8 dowell at Bunnings, the hardware store. Put a aluminium 5/8 tube in from the deck to the keel. So that the mast can be tuned(fore and aft). And the boat kept pretty much standard. The lighter mast , (one peice) should be better. I have seen some of these two peice masts come away at the joint, before. After looking at HOs boat the sail attachment is not good and I think I will do mine with waxed dental floss. 1# it is strong and light . 2# it comes in a little pack and always handy and 3# it is fully adjustable. Now looking at HO's way , it is not any of those things.

I can tell you my boat is going to be red on red, no Gunshot blue to fade into the background.

Yes , I reckon there will be others around and how about we invite any Victorias to have a run too?? Gees Maverick is this Empire building? Just how many little boats are out there that nobody knows about?

Food for thought?

Henry

Maverick · Guru

Agreed,

For a basic boat it can be done very cheaply. The price of the kit is great at what, $312? Then all you need to purchase if you haven't already got it, is the lead shot for the keel, some CA and Epoxy glue, a radio, and some paint, and away you go.

I made some substitutions to my boat, none of which would invalidate it as a class boat. Modifications included Hitec's big servo for sail trimming, and stainless steel fittings from Radio Yacht Supplies Australia for some of the other bits and pieces.

Hey, as I understand it, there are now in existence, including builds in progress, at least four Victor 12-Metres. Hairoil has an Australia II, I also have one, I also in addition have a Stars & Stripes that is being built (slowly), and I understand you might be ready to take delivery of another kit at long, long, last.

Way to go. But there must be others out there. Surely!

Henry · Senior Member

Thanks Mav, thats really good info.

Hairoil's version of Victor's Aussie 11 cost him $312 dollars (for the kit) plus a little spray can of 'Gun shot blue', about $5.00. He put some excisting gear into it and ALL UP was about $350.00.

Now while we are at it . The store I go (H stores)to has a beaut futaba 29 mgh radio for about $75 complete and this will go very well with your boat.If you haven't got one. For any novices out there, Come to Scarborough Park Kogarah(Syd) Saturdays or Wednesdays for more info and instructions.

Henry

-- Edited by Henry at 11:02, 2008-03-21

-- Edited by Henry at 11:09, 2008-03-21

Maverick · Guru

Henry wrote:
More on this as above and it gets madder. I had contact with a supplier in maverick's state(VIC) who said these boats (in general ) are a big problem with this particular Distributor, big time but that is all we can do about it. But no we can do something if we get someone over there in Victor's landUSA. We need a supplier there to send us boats . If you have any info or have dealed with somebody there lets know PDQ

Well, it sounds to me like this Distributor whoever/whatever it is, is not doing the right thing, and in that case I am sure George Victor would be happy to terminate any agreement with the existing Distributor provided a new one promised more potential.

I'm not sure if this is possible, but maybe the Australian 12-Metre Radio Yacht Group might be able to swing a deal given enough demand.

But I must warn you that nowadays, the market has changed from what it was even a couple of years ago. Everything is now moving to RTF, (Ready To Fly), RTS, (Ready To Sail), or something similar, and unfortunately, that's the way I think folks have to go.

And unless Victor have got something similar in the pipeline, I think their products will suffer, and I could not encourage that option, even though I think their boats are fantastic!

I am not just saying that. My Victor Australia II is an absolute joy to sail. It behaves well, in all wind conditions, it looks good, it is easy to transport, fully rigged I might add, and for a cost of well under $1,000 including radio it provides enjoyment absolute.

Just some food for thought.

Maverick · Guru

Henry,

Just be careful about which Aussie II you are getting.

There is the one put out by Victor Model Products called the "Australia II" which is 1 metre long, and there is another more popular boat callled "Aussie II" which is put out by I think Thunder Tiger, the same folks that make the "Victoria" and the "Voyager", and it is a little sucker, about 500mm long I think.

Just be careful which one you are getting.

Henry · Senior Member

Rattling cages is getting some more results. H stores rang tonight, says they have got my little Aussie 2. Now as I mentioned H stores had always done the right thing by me and I am a "rusted on" H store customer. And they have come good.

We have got to sort out this terrible mess with "business decissions" with the distributor. It is going to cost Victor big time if we can't get boats in a reasonable time. Victor put out really good little boats and are worthy of our custom but we can't wait forever. We are not the only ones having probs, the Suppliers are in the same boat, stay tuned.

Henry

Henry · Senior Member

Well Mav there is an ongoing saga with these little Aussie11s by Victor. I spoke to GEORGEthe Victor person by Email (and I might say he was extremely helpful and quick with a reply). He assures me that he sent two boats . H store in Sydney , where I deal ( and I want to mention they are good to deal with) said they got only one boat that actually came. It appears the AUST. distributor somehow split it down to one boat and did not put them on back orders. The Distributors said it was a business decission. Well after reading your Posting on how you acquired yours we will inquire into avoiding our mate and his business decission. Big time.

Lets talk about this again, for this is holding up this class bigtime .

Henry

More on this as above and it gets madder. I had contact with a supplier in maverick's state(VIC) who said these boats (in general ) are a big problem with this particular Distributor, big time but that is all we can do about it. But no we can do something if we get someone over there in Victor's landUSA. We need a supplier there to send us boats . If you have any info or have dealed with somebody there lets know PDQ

-- Edited by Henry at 17:29, 2008-03-20

Maverick · Guru

I got it from a hobby shop in Nunawading VIC, called something like Model and Hobbies-4-U or something similar. My gifted Stars & Stripes was bought from there as well.

But as far as other current supplier's goes, I have no idea. I think I have seen an Ad for them in Castle Hobbies in NSW as well.

I guess there is always the option if importing them directly. I explored that avenue when I was looking for a Victor Products "Mary J Ward", but the cost of freight was similar I recall to the price of the boat itself, for a one off. Perhaps for a bulk order, freight would be a great deal less per boat I would think.

The biggest problem I see with the Victor Boats these days is the ready availability of Almost Ready To Run (ARTR) boats including yachts, some of which are quite high quality, and most importantly at comparatively cheap prices. Float-A-Boat in Ringwood stock and sell a variety of these boats.

But I certainly wish you luck in your endeavours. It would be really great to see these as club boats.

Henry · Senior Member

Well where did you get your Victor Aussie 11 from in Australia?

Maverick · Guru

Just goes to show you gotta know where to shop. smile

And it helps if the boat is popular too. weirdface

Henry · Senior Member

On the other hand , I believe it takes one day to get a Micro Magic kit from Mal in Brisbane.

Henry

Maverick · Guru

Ouch!!

That is not going to help things at all. But I guess it just confirms that importers/distributors, etc., don't rank the yacht fraternity very highly.

So disappointing. cry

Henry · Senior Member

Well , I've come across one Gi-normas problem with the Victor boats. That is it takes 3 months from the time I order them to when I get them. Take this last order I just got , I arrived at the shop and was told there was not the two boats I ordered but only one and they would put the other on back order. Well these things happen but this means another 3 months wait for that one to come!!! At this rate building a class in our club could take about 2 years to get about 6 or so sailing.

Henry

Maverick · Guru

Henry,

Yeah, the Micro Magic seems to hold heaps of promise and seems also to be a great candidate not only for introducing newbies into the sport, but there is a very very strong international competition which keeps the advanced sailors hooked into an ongoing relationship with the boat as well.

Someone, recently in an personal email to me described the MM as a toy. Well, I have to say that I am a little staggered by that comment, as the MM has all the adjustments that are available in all the boat classes sanctioned by the ARYA, right up to the "A" Class. If it is a toy, then that would only be because of it's size, but then if you adopt that approach, then I guess an IOM would be a toy compared to an A. False argument I reckon. And if size is a criteria for defining what a toy is, then the full size boys must definitely look upon all radio boats as toys. I must admit I am still a bit non-plussed with the comment made to me.

The support given to this boat on a international basis is staggering. I have deliberately not set up a Micro Magic forum here as there is an excellent Australian forum already dedicated to the Micro Magic. It can be accessed by clicking on the following link: http://www.aus.micromagic.info/news.php

And if you reckon you had a great time yesterday, and you have further interest, there are many great international websites with some absolutely astounding photo's on them, starting with our own home grown supplier Radio Yacht Supplies Australia home page.

As you may or may not be aware, I have bought one of these boats, but I haven't progressed very far with the building of it due to very heavy work commitments over the last couple on months. But the auditor's left on Friday so I should get stuck into it shortly.

Good to hear your positive comments Henry. biggrin

PS: As soon as I get mine built it will always accompany me when I go sailing as it can be very conveniently put, fully rigged, into even the smallest car, and/or alongside whatever other boat, (if any) one wants to sail if one has a bit more space. Oh, and one other thing. Whilst it is a one design, you can build it however you want, and nobody cares. My experience with the people involved with this boat is that the spirit of the boat, the competition, the enjoyment are the most important things associated with the Micro Magic. And I am pretty sure, that when I finish building my boat, another one will follow.

Henry · Senior Member

I don't know where to put this but I saw one of those little Micro Magics yesterday . As my friends know , I not a lover of these small boats! If fact, I hate Em'. But I saw this little boat go through its paces yesterday and I'm hooked. I can see why they are called magic!! Some bastard even gave me a go. With the controller in my hands,that was the end of me , it did everything and the turn of speed about it was , to repeat a fraize MAGIC. I had difficulty finding how long it was but do you know Mav , who bloody cares. for the performance was just STARTLING. Hairoil had a go. He was converted in an instance. It was pouring rain but three old guys were standing out in it sailing this sparkling boat and you notice I didn't say "Little".

Henry · Senior Member

The continueing saga of building the Victor Aussie 2!

The mast ; well it got joined as I said but there were a couple of things that should be explained. For some reason the mast lower piece had a big woof it it about where the gooseneck should be. I think this is just a natural occurence in the wood! So when your building this item have a look at yours to see if you have this in your mast. Now if yours has a bend in it , make sure the bend is bending forward rather that back, okay?That way , when you pull on your backstay you pull the bend out somewhat.

Now your mast & boom section come to you pretty basic. They are either square or round and solid. Masts and booms are generally not square, round or solid in general boat terms. So your individual taste can come to the fore here. At the least you can round off the corners a little bit, make it look like someone owns it. The mast is another item. you can taper your mast from the hounds up. Do it on the sides of your mast rather than the front or back.

These boats sail really well , the more weight you take off the top of your rig.( A bit like EC12s).One of the secrets of these type of boats is to have the minimum of weight up top. Now the boat has to function up there too , so while you are taking weight off , it has to be strong enough to do the job. Do you see what I'm driving at? The piece of brass, that is provided for the backstay , will suffice done in Aliminium. You might think this is not saving too much but going through the stuff on your mast and saving weight here and there , all adds up to a better boat.

One other thing I should mention here, is the fact there is not much difference in size between this Aussie 2 and the Soling OM , both put out by "Victor". The sail Area is about Equal and the beam is about the same too and while the draught is an inch lower in the Soling, having a WING KEEL might give some advantages. So that all in all they might have a contest there?

Henry

-- Edited by Henry at 10:48, 2008-01-20

Henry · Senior Member

Alas Maverick , the darstardly deed of mast joining has already been done!! Hairoil was going into raptures about the "chamfer". He jioned the mast with 30 min ZAP. He's started on the the mast and rigging first......................Don't ask me why? This is secret toolshed thingos, here. I thought he was just trying it out , to see how the instruction worked (by doing the Mast and booms ) and following to see if it all worked before starting on the hull, etc.

Hairoil wants to paint the boat , he reckons these boats have more appeal when they are painted in so bright coluour, with a name on the side. And I agree.

Yes I will get some Photos.

The name , the name . What's in a name. Yes , Your right of course! I think we should call this beaut little boat something? Perhaps something like "Ancient Mariners Aussie 2". Why don't we ask your viewers for a name suggestion?

Now lets not let this thing get out of hand , this is a really nice little boat and I think it will/could go places.

My suggestion would be "the Victor Aussie 2"?

Henry

-- Edited by Henry at 10:39, 2008-01-19

Maverick · Guru

Gees,

It took me nearly 18 months to build my Victor Model products Aussie II.

But maybe that is why it sails so well.

I did build other boats in the meantime but I wanted to make sure I got Australia II right.

Hey guys, I would love some pictures of the build if you can get them.

One other hint. I used Selley's Aquadhere (white PVC) to join the two sections of mast together. Is still as strong today as the first day I put her in the water, some 3 years ago now I think.

May I ask why you are calling it a Mini Mariner, rather than say an Ancient Mariner or Aussie Mariner? Doesn't the name Mini Mariner belong to someone?

Henry · Senior Member

Well thanks for the tips Mav. I picked up the first of the Min Mariner Aussie 2s at Hstore today. I couldn't wait to have a look as to what was inside!

So I had a quick peek and it looked pretty good but waited till Hairoil came to the pond and then we had a real good look at the kit.

My first impressions : Well it all came in this big box. I must tell you that I have already built a Victor boat before , the Soling IOM and found it went together really well. The first thing I noticed was these boats was really well manufactured, like all the Victor Products. (Who ever did this certainly knows about model yacht construction). I have built a lot of F/G boats over the years for most classes and I can tell you this will be a breeze.

The instruction manual is comprehensive with detail bits drawn, that leaves you in no doubt to the part your building.

The basic boat instructions say it takes about a week to do. I reckon this is for a novice sailor , for most sailors with a little fundimental knowledge it will take a lot less. As an Example , while the sheer beams are drying in "situ" the mast can be constructed. Then the deck beam can go in and while that is settling you can be leading your Keel.

When we first saw the kit we thought we might in -corperate a Ali Mast but after checking the wooden one in the box , we thought the wooden one might be a better proposition with a bit of sanding and stiff like that.

We will let you know how we go with this little project. We think we can get a really good little boat out of it , using the kit as bought.

Henry

-- Edited by Henry at 00:26, 2008-01-17

Maverick · Guru

I will check out the links.

In the meantime I will also see if I can find some pics of the building of my own Victor Products Australia II and post them.

A piece of trivia. It was my own Aussie II that got me hooked on the 12-metres. The day I first launched her, she just took off as soon as I put her in the water. She was the most beautiful and graceful and fast vision of beauty.

She was and still is, an absolute work of art.

If you get any pics of Hairoil building the boat, I would be honoured to put them into a public gallery.

My own personal building hint is to draw a centreline down the hull and when you glue in the sheer strips, and then the cross bracing wood bits, to make sure both sides are equidistant from the centreline. That can also be double checked by attaching a cord to the bow with bluetack and making sure that all joints are equal.

Good luck and happy building!

Henry · Senior Member

Well Mav , I went to those sites and found nothing?? Mind you I am not as good as you when it comes to web stuff.

Well Monday is the big day when we pick-up our first Mini Australia 2 boat from Victor at the H store in Sydney.

My mate Hairoil is going to put it together . I will be doing the story about it, to give those interested, some of the "gen" about doing the boat for club sailing.

As I mentioned some months ago we had two boats on order but only one came. So this will let us concentrate on building this. Stay tuned.

Henry

Maverick · Guru

Hi Henry,

Welcome to the forum.

No secret to building the Australia II, but I might suggest that it is not for the person who is without patience or is going to rush to put one together, especially in the early stages of construction.

The following links are as good as any regarding the building of the Victor Model Products 1 metre boats, including Australia II.

The only issue that folks might have is that I think you need to register on the site to get access to photo's etc. But in my experience registering is non-invasive and you don't get unsolicited advertising, etc. It is a Yahoo Groups site that was established I think about 4 or 5 years ago, and deals with the Yahoo Group - Victor Cup Class One Meter Model Yachts. It can be found at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cupclassyacht/

Once there, the member Austoz2, (yes it's me), has posted pictures of his boat sailing and also some construction shots.

http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/cupclassyacht/photos/browse/afd4
http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/cupclassyacht/photos/browse/d117

The main site is a good one that includes all the hassles that the American's went through building the class and many discussions regarding modifications, etc. The albums' section shows additional building photo's as well as other general interest photos related to the America's Cup boats.

If more info is required, I am more than happy to provide additional information, including pictures and building tips.

Henry · Senior Member

VICTOR'S Aussie 11

Maverick · Guru

Aussie Sailors