Fight Club____for Sailors

[Dewey Benson]

Originally Posted by Surfesq

I have a question for you Dewey, I have a brand new aluminum mast and the original wooden Ketch Mast. Do you think it is acceptable to mix and match?
My bowsprit is rock solid and I actually was commenting last night that it feels more rigid than my buddies IP.

I wouldnt hesitate to use the mix n match masts. If there is no triactic stay they will be tuned individually. If there is, the point of attachment is mast top to mast top, or jumper backstay attachment point mizzen, to mainmast top. just think through the pressure on the rig and tune accordingly.

The reason for the looser tune on wood spars is to allow the mast to flex along it's lenth somewhat freely. This distributes stress and keeps too much pressure off of one point.

Nice to know that the bowsprit can be stabilized. Some bowsprits would drive me nuts. A friends Hans 43's sprit felt like it was made of jello.

I saw your later posts, when the wind is up she has a nice turn of speed.

Dewey

[Surfesq]

I am relieved. The guy I bought the boat from is a rigger and he seemed confidendant it was not a problem. He also swears that the boat will cruise at 8 knots in 15 knots of breeze. That would be nice!

[Dewey Benson]

Surf,

I am a fan of many older designs. There were just as many good designs in the old days as there are now (just as many crappy ones too!). While this ones lines were from a gentelman known for his cruising designs, ole Bill knew a prime requirement was for a cruising vessel to be able to make passages in a reasonable amount of time. Hence the rig is fairly powerful, the ketch sailplan allows for a good deal of flexibility of setting various amounts of sail and indeed will allow the setting of oddball little filler sails for those lite air offwind days at sea (mizzen staysails and such).

Don't hesitate to spend a buck or two on some of the sail powerups. You can experiment with some used stuff from Bacon & Assoc. until you figure out what you want or need. Also don't get your mind stuck in a rut with head sail size limitations that are part and parcel with the racing rules. Much larger Genoa's than 150% are very usefull. I had a 180 on my old S/S sloop and Sir that allowed me to kick butt and take names downwind from ULDB's that were giving me 60 seconds per mile. On several occations I physically passed light weight racers turning their skips a bright purple color. This was in winds of less than 3 kts dead downwind. On these older heavyer boats horsepower is the name of the game. (oh yeah dont forget to vang the holy **** out of the main and the mizzen).

Also learn when to drop that great big 180% or 200% genny prudently(LOL!) or it will become a very expensive teabag. I would switch to my 150% before we hit 5 kts. Baby those big guy's and they will work forever!

Dewey

[Surfesq]

So you dont have a roller furler up front it sounds like? I am always torn on this issue because I love the option of changing out sails. I have looked at a few roller furlers that wil allow two sails. That could be an option. I definitely agree with you that the other sail options are very interesting and pretty cool.

[Dewey Benson]

Surf,

Didn't have one would be more correct. I was one of those old cranky hank on guy's Argg! The only thing missing was the eye patch n the Parrot.

I have only recently purchased my "old man's boat" and it doesnt have any headsails at all! It's a Freedom 39 pilothouse Schooner. The cat schooner rig is interesting. There is a pic of her in the galleries section called pets and family or somthing like that. The pic is called Dog n Boat. Before you comment yes yes yes my wife is younger than I, yes shes a knockout, and yes I have had a pretty good run of luck.

Dewey

[Surfesq]

Thats a very interesting rig. How does it sail? By the way...your wife...never apologize for having a babe. Its never luck when you end up with a good woman.

[Dewey Benson]

Surf,

She sails very interestingly indeed. The sails are full battened with a huge roach. so the sail area is big. The lightest air I have had her in was at the sea trial in Tampa bay in November. 5 to 8 knts Breeze in flat water. She would pinch that day to 30 degrees but that was the ultra edge, shes quite fast at 40 to 45 degrees.

Here in San Diego this year our vaunted light winds have almost completey failed to make an appearance. I havent had her out in less than 15 kts, mostly 18 to 22. I've been wanting some light air because that is the best way to learn to effectivly trim the boat. Upwind in swell of 6 feet with a modest chop (the chop is coming off the cliffs from Point Loma) I have been achieving 6.8 to 7.2 kts over the ground via gps. This was in about 18 to 20 kts wind pointing at 45 degrees. I have reefed her and shook out the reefs in the same wind speed and conditions to see how it affects her balance. With full sail the lower aft cabin windows were still out of the water. She's REALLY stiff. Pretty amazing to me.

I have been slowly bringing her back up to full cruising condition and daysailing her every other weekend or so. Ang an I took our first little shakedown 4 day minicruise several weeks ago. I'm very impressed, i've never owned anything that was comfortable before and for her to sail well is just too cool.


Dewey

[sailingdog]

Dewey-

Nice looking boat. Nice doggy too...

[banshee]

anybody have any thoughts-recommendations etc. for me on getting a autopilot for a tiller

[Surfesq]

What size boat do you have? It also depends on how you intend to use your boat. Coastal..probably okay with a simple in cockpit auto pilot. Offshore you probably want a below deck setup.