Hints and tips

[capttb]

Okay, here's a two fer one I've relearned many times. IF you have any shackles WITHOUT captured or seized pins carry SPARES in a handy location.

[Giulietta]

When tying the the Genoa sheets to the sail, tie a bowline in a large loop, the longer the better.

Why?? In case of emergency or to reach the sail, its easier done if the knot is still inside the boat, as the photos show.

If you tie too near the sail, you need to reach outside the boat to undo the knot if needed. This way the knot is whithin reach of the arm.

[TrueBlue]

That's a great tip Giu, but I have a question. I know you use Dyneema rope for most lines on your boat because of it's relatively higher strength over other, thicker brands.

But, is the thinner line more difficult to grasp and do you find that it tends to get snagged under hatches?

[sailaway21]

If you're trying to make a fillet with silicone or adhesive polyurethane, dip your finger in a solution of water and dish soap-it'll keep the silicone from sticking to your finger as you smooth it out.

[Giulietta]

TB, yes, all my lines are dyneema, but the ones that are to be touched by the hand are the ones with outer shell, spliced into the thiner shell less rope.

All lines inside mast and the halyards that come from the mast out to the sails and where one doesn't have to grab by hand are simple core dyneema, to reduce friction, specially the ones ran into blocks and sheaves.

The lazy sheet in that photo is under the hatch, but the gap is wider than the sheet thickness. Altough it goes under the hatch gap it does not snag..and never has.

They are normally spliced together at the mast base, here is an example that is my outhaul.



And the photo bellow shows where the halyards transition from thin low friction dyneema rope to thick shell dyneema, (the part that one pulls), you can see the different colour.

[Sabreman]

Pre-Sail Briefing
We entertain quite a few friends and clients onboard Victoria. My work for the U.S. Navy takes me to sea at times and we always conduct pre-sail briefings. On Victoria, we extended the practice to anyone new to the boat regardless of their experience level. We gather everyone in the cockpit and review a two-side printed page that covers man-overboard procedures, flare location, use of the head, engine startup, life jacket location, swimming rules, etc. As new experiences occur, we modify the brief. We also let guests wander around the boat for about 15-30 minutes before we brief them. I use the time to watch and gauge their comfort, balance, and competence.

We've received numerous comments afterward that our guests felt a greater confidence in what to do on the boat and in our competence and operators. We've even received compliments from another boater that overheard the brief and planned to start doing the same.

[LarryandSusanMacDonald]

Sabreman,

Can you post a copy of your pre-sail briefings.

Great posts everybody! Keep 'em coming!

[Giulietta]

If you are going to use an assymetrical spinnaker when sailing alone or when sailing with less experienced crew, or even if you do not have much experience yourself, rig a quick release clew shackle.

Basically in the clew shackle trigger, you rig a smaller diameter line that you route back to the cockpit, and secure in a easy to reach location, that once pulled allows the clew shackle to open..(joking in my country we call that the "hand brake")...

Then in the event of a broach, a large puff or simply a loss of control, where you need to release the sail quickly, simply pull the "hand brake" and the sail clew will release...then bring the spi down by pulling on the sheet, until you have things in control again..

See the drwaings bellow that show how to rig, the emergency release line is line A:





This is the brand I use HR swivel eye.

[PBzeer]

Always have some 2 1/2 gal, 1 gal, and 1 qt closeable plastic bags on hand. I especially use the 1 gal for sliding up over the fuel filter when changing, thus, any diesel goes in the bag instead of the bilge. Also, an empty battery case makes a good place to put the bag with the old filter and fuel in it, until you can properly dispose of it.

[Sabreman]

LarryandSusan - Gladly, how I you post a pdf? Do I need to supply a separate link (think so)?

PBzeer - I really like he plastic baggie idea. Very smooth