Mirage Drive

[auto5pilot]

I set that rudder aside and built a kick-up rudder from the description in an old web-letter. It seems that now that the boat is sailing, I'm always wanting more rudder, or more lateral resistance. Pedaling while sailinbg seems to add more lateral resistance but I don't know if that is just an illusion.

and then there is the issue of the drag created by a hole in the bottom of the boat. I've got ideas about center boards and drag reduction that will keep me busy when not on the water.

[auto5pilot]

I had a "system failure" last winter. I hit something (submerged log or rock) and knocked off the leading flipper. Pedaling got really easy after the front flipper came off. Luckily I found the flipper (I searched for a really long time). It was actually still connected to the drive unit. I never would have found it on the bottom of the lake

The actual point of failure is a cotter pin that holds the flipper on. I think I can fix it by simply putting in a new cotter pin. I don't know if I need a stainless cotter-pin, or where I could even find one. It won't be long before I'll need to get serious about fixing it. If anyone knows about SS cotter-pins, please let me know.

[Brian Eager]

I'd start looking for a stainless cotter pin at my local Do-it Best (formerly HWI) hardware store. They seem to come up with an amazing assortment of stuff that I wouldn't imagine them having.