Hi there lads & ladettes...

Convinced myself to have a go at building myself a simple landyacht, on a very tight (almost non-existant) budget!

Health issues are encroaching on my other pursuits, leaving me now looking at less 'active' fun. I have a breathing problem, so most things are out of bounds, even gentle cycling. If ya cant breathe ya cant pedal....

Been going over your galleries and it looks 'do-able', what I need is some basic guidance so I dont waste time wandering up blind alleys. I'll start off with some basic questions and see how it goes from there.

how important is weight?
Is strength more important then weight?
Can I really use an ex windsurf board as a sail?
Do I want a stiff or flexible axle?

From whats available, could I use box section as an axle and tube for the rest?
(rectangle tube 2"x 1" 1.5mm, with inserts for axle stubs)
(1mm 1.75 tubes in parallel and joints brazed?)

I 'think' I know some of the answers, super strong but goes like a cow is no good. Neither would super fast but folds at 1st tight bend ! Hence box axle joined to twin tubes with short stubs spaced along its length and space at front used to hold steering tube.??

Or should I just get me coat???

Gday Clyde, welcome to the forum.
Yeah Yank has steered you in the right direction, the LLM yacht is a great way to enter the sport at a reasonable price and many find it more enjoyable than sailing larger class 5 yachts, myself included.

It also has the added benefit of being a hell of a lot more portable, with some fellas able to pack it into the boot of their cars, bar the mast unless it is sectioned into 3 pieces like what 'Landyacht' has done at the end of the 'build a LLM' post.

You can also save moola and time by using an uncut windsurfer sail like Chook2 does and those minis freakin fly.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Land-Yacht-Sailing/Construction/The-evolution-of-my-Lake-Lefroy-Minis/

Workshop wise, I have access to a decent lathe & band saw, all usual power tools for both metal and woodwork. I was a joiner carpenter to trade so Im up tp speed to a decent level. I used to do the model boat thing, in both battery powered and steam varieties, the largest boat being a 6ft tugboat that used to tow kids in a dinghy around the park pond on gala days. Doing the steam side of things taught me silver soldering and brazing and Ive done some stick welding too, although I would like to try MIG sometime for ally.

I would usually be on a flat tidal beach and the yacht would be in my std family hatchback. So taking the sail off, then wheels & front wheel/steering assembly should get it nicely in the car. Possibility of making the rear axle a bolt-on too if need be.

I 'put the arm' on my mate last night too and he's more than happy to be involved in some skull-duggery. Weve been mates for over 30yrs, so he's not surprised at the idea. Now....I WILL struggle loading and unloading the car, but as for controlling the yacht, I dont foresee any dramas. I can fall and bruise to olympic standard you know!

Im off to look at a cheap dead windsurfing rig this afternoon and my evening mooch with the pup has turned up some likely looking tube. A discarded traffic barrier = a string and light rear axle. I know of a store to buy steel rod that can be turned to make wheel stubs and the local cycle shop or car parts dealer for bearings. Theres even a performance bearing place along the road.

A thought: I still have my roof box for the car somewhere, car doesnt take roof rack now, so maybe the long box could be converted into a sexy cockpit.....erh....I think I need to top up my meds!!!

Later fellas!

whacky doo macca here you go !!!!

Flee while you can Scottie. This past time is like the House of the Rising Sun (as per the song) the ruin of many a poor boy.The man who reads my meter complains that he can't see the meter because the small room on the side of my house where the meter resides is jammed full of sails and battens in various stages of construction.A similar fate awaits you.