Mast Step?

[Pat McL]

Hi Kevin,

That is a really elegant solution. Might just copy it myself as it is a pretty bit of woodwork -- do you have any problems stepping the mast over it? 

My keel is almost finished, just need to gel-coat the Interlux 2001 epoxy primer. Looks really good. If I can figure how to upload pics, I have digital shots of the entire rebuild process.

Been thinking about Liane bending the mast. If one were to bend it forward, the lee helm might be abbriviated a bit, maybe she is on to something, or perhaps she just likes machinists ---

  May have to send the mainsail off to be resewn, as I remember it as having been blown a bit out of shape. Haven't taken it out of the bag since 1989! Any suggestions as to who to contact? ---Pat

[Liane]

hey Kevin

your craftsmanship totally puts my Sanford and Son approach to shame.

keep up the good work. 

someday when I'm rich and get a really big boat I'll hire you to do the woodwork.

Liane

[K3v1n]

You guys give me too much credit, of course it does help that I am a carpenter by trade.

The block works great and I have no problem stepping the mast over it. A couple times the jib sheet has gotten caught on it though but not often enough to change the design...yet.

-Kevin

[Liane]

Hey guys

What does it mean "...the lee helm might be abbreviated..." ? 

The machinist was able to really straighten it pretty well -- there is a tiny warble where the biggest part of the bend/bow was, but I don't think most people would even notice unless you're looking for it.

   

[Paul]

"Lee helm" is when the feel in the tiller wants to steer the boat to leeward, ie downwind.

"Weather helm" is when the feel in the tiller wants to steer the boat to weather, ie upwind.

Ideally, you wnat a little weather helm, so when you let go of the tiller, the boat will point into the wind.  Several reasons you want this, one of which is if one should go overboard or something else that takes the skipper away from the helm, the boat will simply point into the wind instead of sailing away downwind.

Anyway, "lee helm abbreviated" would imply to me that the tendancy for the boat to steer itself downwind would be lessened.  That would be a good thing.

At the same time,  sailors don't like excessive weather helm.  That, essentially, is like putting on the breaks.  You might see this happen if you're sailing to windward and the boat heels excessively.  You have to pull the tiller to windward (sometimes feels like a fight) in order to keep the course you're trying to steer.  You'll easily feel this if you have the original rudder.  That's why so many folks who have tried the Idasailor rudder, love it so much.  Reduces weather helm to the ideal place of just-barely-there.

Probably more info than you asked for, but the caffeine is really hittin' hard now.

[dusty]

idasailor rudder.... hmm.............. maybe the cost is worth it then.

on another note, the sanford & son approach ain't all that bad.

i dig the tympanic rhythm guitar work. (warning, wav file from the vault of timvp.com)

[B.Hart]

When I got my 16 the turnbuckles were missing, I bought new ones from bluewater in St.Pete but when I steped the mast the rigging would not tighten up, so I relocated the attachment point on the mast{up 3 inches] been sailing since, I like the block idea,didn't think of that. Thats why we need a place like this to share ideas

[Gil Weiss]

I found the Idasailor rudder and raking the mast forward a bit dramatically improved my CP16/3 performance. It is a great sailing boat after these "tweaks". The Idasailor rudder also makes a huge improvement with low speed handling during docking, etc. The foiled blade pulls you around rather than dragging you.

[Paul]

Gil:

I have the same experience.  Rake the mast forward and use the Idasailor rudder for best performance.  I can't help but wonder if that's really the solution to the mast step problem.  I suppose if one replaced the turnbuckles with a different size (longer) that would cause the need for the step/spacer.  Just thinkin' outloud.

s/v Little Wing has original gear.  Forestay turnbucke is tightened down almost all the way.  Shrouds' turnbuckles are just showing thread; open quite a bit, yet tight.  This set up yields said mast rake.  Performance is good.  Hope this helps.

[Pat McL]

Well, told you guys that as soon as I finished the Teddy B restoration, we would have a hurricane aiming for us here in Fl. I think that they are tracking one of my daughters, Megan.

[multimedia_smith]

HI Y'all... Just noticed this thread... I was trying to rake my mast forward when I ran out of thread on the forestay turnbuckle.  I made this little spacer to raise the mast about an inch... I now have plenty of play and my mast is tuned forward just enough to balance the boat perfectly.
As always with me... here's a couple of illustrations... Please excuse me if you've already seen these.

http://www.com-pacowners.com/4images/details.php?image_id=486

http://www.com-pacowners.com/4images/details.php?image_id=488

What I really like most is the way the pin from the vang now is rigidly set into the piece... I don't even worry about it pulling out.

Going Sailig day after tomorrow... we have a FRONT bringing in some DRY refreshing air!  Fall is on the way.