Messages

Hi Michael,
Thanks for the pics.  I think that is pretty much what i was trying to do!  Do you know if the rope in the slideshow is 4 or 5mm line?  My problem really comes down to getting enough of a hole so that the outer will fit through.  I have found that the wire fid works OK, but can't get a hollow (push) fid into the rope.
I have tried tapering the rope by cutting out 4 or 5 of the threads and this allows the thinned outer to fit in.  I will continue to experiment!
Phil

Hi all,
Has anyone comre across Excel control line - it's inside out control line with the core being a weak filler and the strength being in the outer braid.  It's quite a new product.  To splice it, the core is cut out and the outer is passed inside itself (if that make sense).  I've seen the end results and it looks great - there is virtualy no increase in thickness and no soft white joiny bit that you normaly get. 
However, I've been struggling to make this work for weeks.  The outer braid is very strong and has little give in it.  I can't make a hole large enough for the outer braid to pass through.  I've tried traditional push fids, but they won't go into the braid fully.  I've tried a Swedish or pull fid, and that didn't work either - In fact I broke off the loop off.  I've tried MIG welding wire, adding silicion grease to help it slide etc etc...
I'm just about running out of ideas.  Can anyone help? Or is this post just a warning to others that this is an impossible task that will rob you of your sanity! 
Phil

The blue curvey boat had it's revenge this evening!  Threw me into the pond when there was no wind and lots of people watching!
Phantom phil

Phil,
Probably better take it easy on Simon next time you see him....  Minor damage to his new toy yesterday, and he was lapped by a quick boat too!;D
Phantom Phil

Hi all,
Just a quick  (huge) thanks to those who made the event such a sucess....  Em's boat is now consideably better set up, having been breathed on by the assembled experts on Saturday.  On Sunday, she learned a great deal when the winning helm chose to race his discard as her crew!  Such a friendly and generous gesture - I wonder how many fleets could offer that level of encouragement to budding helms.
Phil
(now sailing Phantom 1241 ;D8) as well as sponsoring N3379!)    

Hi Phil
We should have plenty of time to look at rig set up, I would suggest there are a couple of things to check first...  1) Check the mast is straight and 2) that it is sitting on the aft end of the tenon, this puts the rear wall of the section into compression when rig tension is applied, result - no more post bend.

 
Cheers Ian,
Mast foot trimmed, it was sitting on the front. Jib musclebox rebuilt (that was fun!) and a small bucket of rake added.  No more forward pointing burgee.  Watch her go!8)
 
P

Will there be scope in the training day to look at rig set up?   I have started to have a proper look at the Crusader now and guess what happens when rig tension comes on.... The mast bends forward.  Is this called post-bend??;)
I have some spreader dimensions and i'll try those out tomorrow.  However, we also noted that the mast was very upright.  I have the base at 2500mm from the transom - does this sound right?
 
Phil
Sponsor of N3379 

Spinnaker was indeed sunny today - and a quite fantastic place to be.
The Hyde suit were tried on N3379 - excellent.  Many thanks THG.
Phil (Em's Dad)
N3379

Ah - 'tis a good and wise point you make Mr Brown.   :B 

Hi Ian, and all the Spinnaker 12 sailors.  I do hope it's not windy on your special weekend.  Seriously though, it looks great and I'm sure 3379 will be involved.
Phil (Solo sailor who actually went sailing today   )
 

We may be interested in this too, and I know of at least 1 other talking about similar modifictaions.  Possible production line/small batch....?
Phil
N3379
 

Ok - thanks all,  I'm getting the picture a bit better now.  My recent sailing experience is in a single hander with loads of battens and no spreaders, so this is all a bit new to me!  Stiff mast=heavyweight and full sail=power in my simple world!  Thanks for your patience and advice.
Sorry to hear about the carbon mast .
Phil
N3379

 

OK - I'm more puzzled now.   The suit Martin has offered are cut for a carbon mast. Will they work OK on an ali mast? will they be toooooooo full as the mast is stiff? 
As a newcomer to the class I don't want to make life more complicated than necessary.  So, I think I'm still looking for a sails for an Ali mast. 
Phil
N3379

Hi Martin,
Thanks for the offer.  The 2002 suit could be just what we're looking for. Are they cut for a Ali mast? As I understand it, N12 sails are reasonably interchangable between rigs and boats,except for mast material.   Could you email (phil@wheeler.f9.co.uk) me with an idea of how much you are looking for?
I will be manageing my son's cricket team during Burton Week so won't be there, but there will be several boats from Spinnaker, so transport could be arranged.  
Thanks, Phil
N3379

Hi all,
I'm look for a set of not-quite-new sails to replace the old ones that came with N3379, which are pretty much original from '93. 
Are there any hot-shots out there with a spare suit that would suit a Proctor tin mast please?
Phil