Racing land yachts is exciting fun

B y HI S I B L E Y

Whether you build a fleet or just one, these boats make for summer enjoyment

• LAND YACHTS are fun to make and exciting to race.
Teamed up with a breezy day and some smooth pavement, they will provide your youngsters with hours of amusement.

Their construction is strong but surprisingly light.

Thus, a strip of lead ballast must be tacked to the bottom of the cross beam if capsizing is to be avoided.

With the exception of the capstan, which is made to be a snug, friction fit, all wooden parts are nailed and glued.

The sail is secured with celluloid loops cemented in place.

The housing for the rudder wheel is made from a scrap of tin.

Piano wire soldered to the housing forms the steering post which is bent downward so that it bears strongly against a balsa crossbar.

This assures that the rudder wheel will remain in the desired position.

Much of the yacht's performance depends on the wheels.

For best results use 1-in. model airplane wheels.

They are designed for lightweight objects and are easily obtained.

Wire nails make good axles, but you'll have to solder the nail to the housing of the rudder wheel.

Colorful shades of enamel will result in an attractive finish; you might try painting the deck yellow and the cross beam and rudder housing red.

Top off the sail with a red star.

Once finished, your youngsters will be able to compete in sidewalk races or driveway regattas with land yachts that can be constructed from materials available in any hobby store.

See also: air-car model; railroad model; road racing, model; stick-model planes.

Cut parts to the dimensions shown.

The cross beam should be 6-in. long and attached at a point 3-in. from the deck end.

Drive pins into the mast to prevent rigging from slipping