Making a Cruiser out of a Racer

Strangersinponds · #1 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009

I have a very nice Lindenberg 26 with a bum mast but all the fittings, spreaders, rod rigging, hydraulics, etc. I don't want to chop the keel down to reduce draft, but I am wanting to make the boat cruisy instead of racy. I want to be able to go out in higher winds without broaching, and I want to still have some sailing ability in lighter air (doesn't everybody?). Is there some basic rig modification that would let me just cut down sails and put up a smaller mast, split the rig into two freestanding masts, or otherwise use something like a junk rig or balanced rig that would make the boat easier to sail? I understand that the best classic solution is just to buy an identical mast and use that to the design, but how boring is that? Also, like I said, I don't want the spastic speedy feel of an all out racing rig. Any suggestions are welcome.

mitiempo · #2 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009

Based on the specs i found on the Lindenberg 26 it is a cruiser. The numbers don't describe a wild out of control boat in a breeze. Displacement is 5350, sail area is 312, and sa/disp ratio is 16.39. Maybe a set of reef points that can be used effectively. I wouldn't cut down the rig as I believe you would end up with a lifeless boat in anything but a breeze. Maybe a furler on the jib or a smaller jib.
Brian

Faster · #3 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009

Completely agree with Brian... this is not a high powered rocketship that's going to be hard to control - any more than most boats until you're into serious breezes.

Retain the original rig - doing anything else without a designer's input risks ending up with a real dog. Put a good reefing system and, as mentioned, a 100% jib on a furler. You'll hurt a bit in the lightest air, but will sail comfortably in conditions that wouldn't (as a cruiser, that is) prompt you to motor anyway.

Retaining the original rig will enable to easily reuse the standing rigging you already have as well as long as it's still sound.

roline · #4 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009

Just use appropriate sails for the condition, reef the main or use a smaller jib when the wind pipes up. It looks more docile than a Santana525, and I can sail her(525) with chute single handing up to 10 knots apparent. We would take her out when blowing 30 knots, reefed main and storm jib. The 525's displacement is 2,400 lbs, and yours is 5,350 lbs. Don't neuter the boat, just use your head and choose sails wisely...

Strangersinponds · #5 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009

Thanks for the helpful suggestions, everybody! Let me begin by noting that I used to race against Lindenbergs in my J24, and those boats had a nasty tendency to round up violently in a gust. I stayed away from the weather side of Lindenbergs on the race course for that reason, and it's one of the factors in thinking about detuning the rig.

I understand that the 26 was supposed to be a cruisy version of the 28, but it still has a huge foresail compared to the main and I am concerned about behavior in gusts. Second, my existing mast has some damage and I am thinking that I will need a new one, which is another reason for considering a rig change or mod because now is the time for it if ever.

Price of course is a factor, but any advice about picking up a new mast would be appreciated. I can measure the cross section of the old mast but don't know quite how to spec them out.

Thanks again for the advice, will keep working on the hull. The deadlights on the coachtop and cabin sides are new lexan/plexiglass flat pieces that screw into the hull. I am sure there are notes on this board relating to how to best reinstall the new windows, which have been predrilled. I am thinking about making decorative wooden frames to go around the windows once attached and then bed the frames up around the windows to further seal the fit between the hull and new windows.

zz4gta · #6 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009

New mast, 3k to $3500?
Don't put wood arond the windows. Use VHB tape to reinstall.
Don't cut down the mast.
Round ups happen on boats when you have too much sail. This goes for all monohulls.

jephotog · #7 (**permalink**) 11-11-2009

If you do not like the sailing characteristics of this boat or are suspect of them, you would be better off getting a different one.

Just a WAG (wild a$$ guess) but you could spend $10k to change the rigging and get new sails with a questionable outcome not to mention the time involved to get a boat not worth the money you put into it.

pdqaltair · #8 (**permalink**) 11-11-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strangersinponds

I have a very nice Lindenberg 26 with a bum mast but all the fittings, spreaders, rod rigging, hydraulics, etc. I don't want to chop the keel down to reduce draft, but I am wanting to make the boat cruisy instead of racy. I want to be able to go out in higher winds without broaching, and I want to still have some sailing ability in lighter air (doesn't everybody?). Is there some basic rig modification that would let me just cut down sails and put up a smaller mast, split the rig into two freestanding masts, or otherwise use something like a junk rig or balanced rig that would make the boat easier to sail? I understand that the best classic solution is just to buy an identical mast and use that to the design, but how boring is that? Also, like I said, I don't want the spastic speedy feel of an all out racing rig. Any suggestions are welcome.

My first "cruising" boat was a Stiletto 27 catamaran. She would do 20 knots on a reach if you had the nerves. We added some acomodation to make living on her more reasonable, but we did not change her rig a lick.
* Reef early. Get a second smaller jib for certain. They are not much 2nd hand. Add a 2nd reef too.
* A cruising load will calm her down a great deal.
* If it doesn't have a traveler, get one.

The resale value was not impacted. I sold her for more than I had paid. It was nice to have that speed in light winds, too.

A short story about a cruise on a fast boat with my daughter
Sail Delmarva: Search results for august 2008

J36ZT · #9 (**permalink**) 11-11-2009

What you're thinking about doing, making a cruiser out of a racer, is not a new idea. Many "Performance Cruisers" are born this way.

However, I don't think you'll be happy with the performance if you change the mast (thus sail plan) radically.

What I would do is repair/replace the mast. A second set of heavier weight sails, combined with reefing the main and a roller/reefing headsail, should get you close to what you want. If the sails are properly balanced, weather-helm should be reduced to a minimum and the boat shouldn't want to "round-up" as much in gusts.

Just my thoughts...

Skipper, J/36 "Zero Tolerance"

PS I've heard Harken makes a roller furler that can be quickly changed into a racing foil. I'm sure there are other companies that sell models that'll do the same thing.