Lulonga - How does she sail?

[NoNuFink]

I'm tempted to have a go at a Lulonga. - I've had the plan and the mags since 1994 but never done anything with them.

From what I've read on the 'net, weight distribution is a problem. i.e. she tends to be rear end heavy.  What I have not read, is how well she sails if the weight is sorted out.  The appearance is top heavy so I'm guessing that she's tender and tends to bob around like a cork.

Question:  Should I add and inch or three to the draught so that I can add a lot more ballast?  Any other suggestions?

It may never get built for domestic reasons but at least I can plot so that I can fit it in if the opportunity arises.

Thanks for any input    NNF

[derekwarner_decoy]

NNF....not sure if you have searched, but our member Tomas Krejci has an extensive thread on his Lulonga build here on PD's

Tomas would I suggest be the best person to talk with  ..... Derek


http://www.paddleducks.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=6336.msg38317#msg38317

[NoNuFink]

Thanks for the link - a lot more reading there.  I've skimmed the thread and skipped to the end for now.  It looks like Tomas had the heavy rear end syndrome (sounds like the wife ).  The videos after sorting it look fine but the conditions look to be dead calm and I think I can see a tendency to roll in the turns but in calm conditions and slow speed it's difficult to tell - indeed does it matter?

What I really want to get straight in my head is whether I should make changes to the hull depth/length to make for easy balancing, access and realistic appearance/behaviour on the water. - Assuming it ever gets started of course.

NNF

[Tomas Krejci]

Hi,
        What concerns the hull structure for the model Lulonga , I suggest what  recommended one of the builders before  of me .. and what I came up the hull of my finished model .. Do hull at least 20 cm longer than it is on plan(it is anyway fiction ...) I'm just increased side height at 9 cm. As you can see, a wheel I made myself, but my design wheel is very heavy because of the material used, and therefore I have problems with longitudinal balance.
The fact that the model wobbles balanced, there are properties ships with  flat hulls. Though it has high initial stability, but due to high superstructures is labile ... but to these is the problem of all flat-bottomed boats.
Stability would increase the ballast placed under the keel in the middle. But again this would deteriorate the maneuverability. Hulls with a keel-shaped "V" are in any case more stable.
Regarding speed ... ATTENTION .. it is not a racing boat, a speed is  equivalent to
orginal. There is nothing nice if, for example model cargo steamer glides across the water like a speedboat ... I saw it on youtube .. Clyde puffer model ...    brrrr ...
Paddlewheels - about 140 mm diameter ,0- 130 rpm, I can reccommend Graupner paddlewheels, or some lighter construction. BUT .. remember .. there is need to .. it is necessary to control the direction of using the paddle wheels. (e.g some like "tank steering"). Lulonga´  rudder  is absolutely ineffective.!!!

But everything I mentioned in my earlier article .. wishing success  .. But if you have doubts .. so therefore do not build it! ...  nothing will happen... 

Rear syndrom .. it depends on it  ... Lulonga is very interesting model in my eyes .. worth to build... so  i did it.

Iam building Thames sailing barge model at present in 1:24 scale.(111,5 cm b.p.) )see   >  http://barge.homeunix.org/index.php   

For some it's ugly boat  too ... but after all no boat is ugly .. it's just our personal opinion only on what is beautiful and ugly ...

greetings, Tom

[NoNuFink]

Thank you for the information Tomas.  I will keep it earmarked as I have put off starting Lulonga for now but will reconsider it - probably next Winter.

Many thanks;  NoNuFink