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Thanks for the updates Dave. I do have a few specific questions for when you have a chance . . .
- I notice in your web photos that you're using the stock Shaefer blocks at the mast base. My dock neighbor (a racer) hinted I should consider swapping these out for some with a little higher SWL. Do you feel the stock ones are handling the rough stuff pretty well?
- The Admiral would be interested to know if Rhonda has any suggestions based on the experience for making the crusing life more comfortable on a PSC 34 given its moderate salon space, and what her overall feeling is concerning the experience thus far, i.e., can she recommend giving up the shoreside life and casting off on a great adventure?
- I've been reading up on Drifters vs. Asym spinnakers, etc. to handle the lighter stuff and downwind sailing. Do you feel a conventional spinnaker would be helpful for DDW sailing (in spite of the extra handling rqmts), or is the Drifter taking care of the downwind work pretty well for you so far?
- What is your primary reason for wanting to switch to a tiller, greater control / security, cockpit space, personal preference, other? (I've picked up a Lewmar wheel that fits on the standard Edson shaft and folds in on the sides to help with the cockpit space, but I haven't installed it yet.)
- How do you like the manual windlass thus far? Has the 1:1 gearing been OK for you? I've been looking for a manual windlass with multiple gearing choices, but I'm not having luck finding a new one with this capability.
- Are the bungie cords working well for holding the floor boards in place during rough going, or do recommend something a little more elaborate? How are you keeping the icebox lid secured? Its interesting to me as a new bluewater boat owner that the manufacturers do not solve these basic problems for us.
- Any troubles swapping out the main for the trysail using the Strongtrack as the wind is picking up? Would you prefer to have a seperate track for the trysail or is the single Strongtrack working well?
Thanks much for your thoughts Dave. We're all wishing you guys continued fair winds. Best regards,
- MC1
PSC34 #307
MC1,
I'll try to answer your questions. Please remember these are only my opinions. In the end, you have to please yourself.
The stock blocks have not given us any problems. It's worth carrying a spare or two though. You could buy stronger spares, fit them and use the stock ones for spares if it makes you feel more comfortable. Racing is tough on gear. I've always broken more gear racing than cruising.
Rhonda is thoroughly enjoying the great adventure and would recommend it to anyone. Yes, there are bad days, but the overall the experience is worth it. She recommends loading up on as much food stores as you possibly can before leaving for the islands. American style foods and most canned goods can be very expensive or impossible to find. This includes, canned beef (except corned beef), canned chicken, snack foods (nuts, trail mix, tortilla chips, etc.), corn meal, tea, tang, gatorade, instant pudding, canned beans, spaghetti sauce, canned chili, canned stew and pasta are examples. You will eat through stores quickly, so don't be afraid to pile these stores in duffel sacks and stuff it anywhere you can (safely secured on bunks, cabin sole, etc.). The good news is that fruits, vegetables and basic ingredients (flour, sugar, etc.) are plentiful and cheap everywhere we've been except French Polynesia (available but very expensive). She recommends Cruising Cuisine by Kay Pastorius. It's got lots of great galley ideas. Also, good are the Pardeys' Care and Feeding of the Sailing Crew, The Self-Sufficient Sailor.
She also recommends foregoing plastic dishware and bringing a small set of "unbreakable" dishes (e.g. Corelle), bowls, coffee cups, etc. There's no reason to go without this small luxury and the food tastes better. She believes a pressure cooker is an absolute necessity. If you're a coffee drinker, she recommends a stainless steel French press and a large s/s thermos (you only have to make coffee once a day).
I would keep the drifter for light winds from a direction where a pole is not required and use a asymmetrical spinnaker for everything else. I've met a lot of cruisers who use the asym and love it. I would avoid any sail that requires a pole. They are a pain in the butt and often hazardous to use. I can't count the times I've had to gybe ours for change in wind or course when an asym would have required nothing but a line tweek.
The tiller is my preference because it gives me instant and accurate control of the boat, a necessity for maneuvering in tight spots under sail. A tiller movement of four feet, which I can make in two seconds, equals almost three turns of the wheel. I can also feel the subtle pressure on the rudder, also a necessity for maneuvering under sail. Other reasons: I always know where the rudder is at a glance; I can handle the sheets, traveler and halyards while steering with the tiller between my legs; it's simpler, so there are no wires, chains, sheaves, drive wheels, rope clips to fail (I know two boat's that have broken cables at sea); it's physically easier on the self-steering; it improves the self steering and reduces over-compensation (because less line movement is required to accomplish the same change in rudder angle); it's easier to engage and disengage the self steering; I can sit under the dodger when I steer; with the tiller up, the entire cockpit has legroom (with Dave Pomerantz's self steering lash up, I can even free up the cockpit under sail!). I'm sure there's more.
The windlass of the guy moored next to us burnt up two days ago. Now he's stuck in Fiji trying to get another one shipped in (one with the same bolt pattern). The manual has held up fine. I have brought the 45 pound CQR with 3/8" chain up from 60 feet with no problem but sweat. Multiple gearing would be nice, but I couldn't find one either. I will put up with the 1:1 in order to have the fast retrieval, though. Once the anchor is off the bottom, the boat is on the move, so I want the hook in the roller chock as fast as possible.
If you sail the boat prudently, a knockdown will be a very rare thing. I've never suffered one during two Pacific trips, so the bungee cord system of securing hatches remains untested. Still, I use them whenever a latch, screw or bolt is less convenient. We use a bungee for the ice box hatch. I agee with you, manufacturers should work on this one a little harder.
Another thing I have never used is a trysail. I have one, but I doubt it will ever be used. I usually end up with a storm stays'l and call it good. So, again, I can't answer your question. I would prefer a separate track, but I can't bring myself to screw any more holes in the mast. Should the need ever arise, we will probably depend on Carol Hasse's prowess as a sailmaker. She made a really tough mainsail for us with a really deep last reef.
Hope this helps. I would sure like to meet you someday, maybe in some exotic anchorage where we could have a two way on this stuff, so I could maybe learn something from you as well.
Dave
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