Planning
Home Up Introduction Planning Recommendations Ordering Tools Shop Adhesives

 

Last update, December 3, 2009

Planning

 

Planning is mainly getting ready for a building project and knowing what this site will do for you. This site will also give you the scope of the project and by visiting each of the sections, a reasonable idea of the parts needed. This is a builder’s boat or you can buy a new ready to sail boat (RTS).

 

Aside from the RTS there are three paths shown here: the Classic structured and framed boat, the self supporting molded deck boat or to buy a full kit with all needed to build the boat less the consumable stuff to put it together.

Classic Structured Build

Modern Racing Build

Full Kit of the Racing Build

 

 

There are no longer any parts and equipment options during the building process on the site. We know now after 8 years the direction needed is for a clean, competitive racing boat that is easy to sail. The hull is a one-design, certified and only available from approved builders. The Class Website maintains a Suppliers List for all the parts and equipment less the electronics. The process will identify the part needed and if provided by those doing business with the Class on the List.

 

The process is to craft very little and buy as much on the market as possible. Giving options does not serve that purpose. As you build, you can innovate and choose other options. Nearly all the fittings can be made at home if you like.

 

As you begin to read here, take notes and references that will help organize your ordering of parts and materials. The Electronic Checklist (EC) will be your last stop heading into the shop.

 

Some things that may be of help:

 

Construction Drawing

So, in the planning phase, there is a big picture, one that is on a single 30x40 inch sheet of paper.  You might find this document of value in your studies, particularly if you will be building a structured deck for the boat. It contains all the templates needed to produce deck supporting ribs and other parts used in the construction process. The template plan for the aluminum System Board is included. This is all excellent reference material. You can order this drawing from the EC12 Store at the Class website and it will be mailed to you. You can also download a PDF file of the 30x48 inch image and have it printed locally.

East Coast 12-Meter Manual

Optimizing the East Coast 12-Meter Manual

These are the famous EC12 Manuals you may have heard about. Some very capable EC12 sailors in the Northwest and following some serious studies and testing, prepared these two books. In many ways what you see here in a website format is what they presented in book form with excellent drawings. Some of the building information has evolved into more refinements and simplicity but the first book is still a reference piece for the serious EC12 builder. The second book, published a couple of years later, contains very good discussions as to why certain considerations should be made in the building process to enhance the performance of the yacht. While some of this may seem extreme to a modeler it presents the concept for understanding and in that lays the value of the book. If you are really interested in the finer points of modeling and EC12 performance, this will be interesting reading to you.

 

These manuals, cradle plans are also available on the EC12 Store.

 

Servos

The jib trim and rudder servos should have a torque value of 100 to 160 inch pounds and a full throw speed of at least .5 seconds. Most servos in this torque range have a speed around .15 seconds. Analog and digital designs are fine.

 

This would be also true of the twitcher servo. This is used to quickly deploy the jib sail to a wing set on a run downwind. Few use this additional servo and it is not designed into the radio board in the EC.

 

System Board

This is a one piece radio board and sheetline system in one platform. This unit is designed to be removed from the boat through the hatch by disconnecting the rudder linkage and one screw at the aft mount of the board. A full scale cut-out drawing of this aluminum platform is included with the EC12 Drawing. 

  Sail Winch

The RMG SmartWinch out of Australia is the finest and most technologically current sail winch in the world for the EC12 and many other models. This is what you want for a new build and even refitting an old boat. The 280 series is used for this boat with a 32mm spiral drum.

 

 Ballast

Hull manufacturers produce their own lead keel ballast. Some adventuress modelers will pour their own. Multiple ballasting will be discussed at its phase. This is for changing ballast for wind and sea conditions. There are rules in its use.

 

Deck

By far the most popular over the years has been a structured deck base with a fiberglass resin balsa covering. However, this has changed with the availability of a sturdy lightweight molded deck. It has made the build easier with fewer parts, less labor, less mess and provides the racing properties sought for years; reduced righting moments. Oh yes...more money too.

 

The Molded Deck

  Structured Deck

Sails

There is a list of the sailmakers and their services and products on the Suppliers List.

 

Here again, there is only one choice within reason. That is an A size suit of sails and of medium weight material like TriSpi40. Laminated Mylar has been the overwhelming choice. Drafting Mylar entered the market in 2007 and has performed well. Shown in order: TriSpi40 Laminated Mylar (1 oz), PX75 (1.3 oz) Laminated Mylar and 2.0mm Mylar. Test 505 cloth material has just arrived in 2008 performing in a wide range of wind velocities.

 

DMYC080.JPG (144065 bytes)

 

We will not recommend a particular sailmaker or cut of sail. The presumptions are too great for what may be your style of tuning and local sailing conditions. If you and the locals have preferences then you will have a sailmaker in mind. If you don't, then it will not matter as all make good sails. Call the sailmaker and let them know that you are new to the class and ask their recommendations.

 

TS40 sails have been the most popular material for some time for all around needs. This material provides good stability in winds to around three to seven miles an hour. They will work beyond this but require more knowledgeable sail tuning.

 

The 1.2 jib and 2.0 drafting Mylar sails will perform well in this range. 2.0 jib sails are also available. Mylar is difficult to store and creases easily. This cloth is limited and specific to certain sailmakers. So is the Test 505.

 

The PX75 material has been on the scene since 2000 and shown to be quite versatile with reasonable performance in light air and then to heavier air around 10 mph. It is durable, is holding its shape through use, far less wrinkling from storage and appears to be more forgiving to poor tuning.

 

More information on sail materials

 

Deck and Rigging Hardware

What will be seen here is that which is crafted for the market. When the projects shown here were undertaken to produce documentation for this website, there was an attitude that if it was offered, we would buy it. At this writing in 2009 the parts supply has never been better. The Suppliers List shows those in the US and one from the UK through Midwest Models. Some is crafted here for specialty reasons. You will see this.

 

Research for your choices can easily be made within a week. Once you have completed your research and know the choices for the new boat, order the hull or the short kit (hull, rudder, ballast and deck) right away. This will take the longest to get. 

Top of Page