Updating an Older Boat

[rennisaint]

My soon to be father-in-law has a Pearson Invicta that he keeps quite regularly upgrading, but never seems to update. For example, all the winches have been replaced with nice new two speed self tailers, the autohelm has been replaced, it has new electrical systems, new auxiliary, new GPS, new instrumentation, but essentially the same rigging as when he got it in 1972.

So my question is, what could be done to make the boat a better cruiser? I know this is very vague, but I am mostly thinking about its rigging.

My soon to be father-in-law has moved on to an obsession with sport class float planes, so he has graciously allowed me to live aboard next summer and generally act like the lazy bum I am until I get dragged to the alter (no I'm not in it _just_ for the boat). But in return I'd like to do a bit of updating but not sure where to start.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

[DrB]

If the rigging is bad, replace it and be done with it. If not, don't spend the dough. If anything re: rigging, see if the main halyard leads back to the cockpit. If not, that would be a welcome addition for single-handing. Other, does it have a roller furler, if not, another handy item for cruising, single handing.

I don't know what you mean about update versus upgrade. From your description your soon-to-be father-in-law has done a good job of keeping the boat equipped with the latest stuff. ST winches, Autohelm, new electrical, etc.

DrB

[sailingfool]

Sails are a good place to start...How about a nice furling unit, otherwise standing rigging really doesn't get updated, and usually not replaced, until something fails or a surveyor/rigger recommends replacement. There is a school of opinion that says standing rigging should be replaced every 10/15/20 or whatever years, but you see very few people willing to pay the price of admission. Running rigging can be replaced whenever wear is apparent to the eye or hand, new sheets are always pleasing to both.

[rennisaint]

All the lines on-board are in excellent condition, like I said, he upgrades, i.e. gets newer, better versions of the same thing, a lot, but doesn't ever change things. So, though everything is nice and new, it is still running on essentially the same rig it was in 1962 when it was built. I guess what I am asking is, would it be worth it to rig up a mizzen staysail? or change out the symetric chute for a double lined assym? or running backstays? a solid vang?

Basically I'm looking for ideas on ways to modernize, something to think about while shoveling 6' of snow off my car this winter

[sailingdog]

Umm... aside from upgrading to a roller furling headsail, there really isn't much you can do to upgrade the rigging on the boat. If the rigging is in good shape... don't mess with it. Leading the lines aft can make single-handing the boat easier, but isn't necessary.

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by rennisaint

...it is still running on essentially the same rig it was in 1962 when it was built.

You have to give Pearson's designers a bit of credit for knowing what they were doing.

Originally Posted by rennisaint

I guess what I am asking is, would it be worth it to rig up a mizzen staysail? or change out the symetric chute for a double lined assym? or running backstays? a solid vang?

I dunno about the other stuff, but a solid vang might be useful. (It at least does-away with the need for a topping lift.) A backstay tensioner might come in handy if you're racing the boat. A windward mainsheet traveler is nice--even if you're not racing. A jib fairlead traveler with blocks and a clear for positioning, rather than a pin, might be useful if you're racing. If you're cruising: A roller-furling headsail is nice. If you're racing: A Tuff Luff system is advantageous.

Originally Posted by rennisaint

Basically I'm looking for ideas on ways to modernize, something to think about while shoveling 6' of snow off my car this winter

Upgrading for the sake of upgrading is pointless, IMHO.

Jim

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by SEMIJim

You have to give Pearson's designers a bit of credit for knowing what they were doing.

Yup...they made a solid boat back then...

I dunno about the other stuff, but a solid vang might be useful. (It at least does-away with the need for a topping lift.) A backstay tensioner might come in handy if you're racing the boat. A windward mainsheet traveler is nice--even if you're not racing. A jib fairlead traveler with blocks and a clear for positioning, rather than a pin, might be useful if you're racing. If you're cruising: A roller-furling headsail is nice. If you're racing: A Tuff Luff system is advantageous.

A backstay tensioner is only really useful if the boat is fractionally rigged IMHO. If it is a masthead rig, then it doesn't do much. Some boats work well with a solid vang, others not so well... don't know the Invicta well enough to say—also, most solid vang manufacturers say the boom should be supported by a topping lift if being left that way for extended periods of time. The traveler and genoa upgrades are a good idea in any case—cruising or racing, as is the roller furler.

Upgrading for the sake of upgrading is pointless, IMHO.

Jim

And expensive too.

[camaraderie]

I would say that if the standing rig is 35 years old you should replace the rigging. That is over double the life that one might expect rigging to last. If you are going to sail her hard...that is the first step...to make sure things don't fall down! I like the idea of a solid vang as an update. New running rigging might be worthwhile as well. Maybe re-arrange the lines...add sheaves and stoppers and run everything to the cockpit.

[the1much]

does you "soon to be father-in-law" have another daughter?

[sailingdog]

He only has the one boat

Originally Posted by the1much

does you "soon to be father-in-law" have another daughter?