couple questions, and initial sailing reports

[TeamSlacker]

1. cable covers
I got a new set of cable stay covers with my CP16, they hadn't been installed yet. When I installed them they were a PITA to put on, and are tight on the cable and dont rotate. Did the previous owner get the wrong size, should they install loose enuf to rotate on the stays? The cable measures .161" on my caliper, should I order a set of 3/16" covers instead? (I'm not sure what size I just installed)

2. Clevis pins
The pins attaching the side stays to the chain plates. The clevis on the top of the turnbuckle looks like the right size for the hole 1/4x3/4". But the Clevis holding the bottom of the turnbuckle to the chain plate is smaller diameter, but longer, maybe 3/16x1" Is there a reason for having different size in the bottom? I'm assuming they were probably lost sometime in the boats life, and replaced with whatever was available. Just thought I'd ask first before replacing, because the bottom clevis on both sides was the smaller size.


On to our first adventures in "2Lobsters"

Our first time out was on the 4'th of July. Pretty uneventful day. Didn't have any problems figuring out how everything worked. Only small issue was we had to step the mast on the water because of low hanging trees at the ramp, but even that went fine. I think the CP16 is easier and quicker to setup then our JetWind.
Second time out was the same lake, the following weekend. Little stronger winds this time but still the sailing was enjoyable with no issues.
Our third time out we headed out to a larger lake "Green Lake" in Spicer MN. Looking at google earth it appears to be oval shaped, roughly 2 miles by 4 miles. We put in at the public access, headed out close hauled/reach across the lake. It was an overcast day, with a chance of storms later in the day, we were there and in the water by noon. Figured we'd be out before any storms rolled in. So anyway we get to the E side of the lake, and start tacking to the North side of the lake. Our plan basically was to sail around the lake looking at the houses. After tacking to within about 1/2 mile of the north side we droped the sails and had lunch and took a quick swim. After lunch, hoisted the sails again and took off  close hauled to the NW. It wasn't but 5 minutes and thunder started cracking. This wasn't a 'oh I hear thunder in the distance, we better start heading to shore'... this was more like a 'where the heck did this come from? bam and it's on top of us with no warning.' At this point we were about 3 miles from the access. The closest shoreline was directly back downwind on the SE side of the lake. I was scared, really didn't know what to do, I just knew I didn't want to be on the lake sitting on a lightning rod. Figured our best option was to 'run' downwind to the nearest shore. So we turned the boat, let the main sheet out and got the jib flying on the other side, trying to outrun an approaching storm in a sailboat..lol yeah right. As we got closer to shore I picked an area between a couple docks that looked good and we managed to make it there just as the rain started to pour. The owners there saw our predicament and came out to help get the compac tied off and secured to there bouy which was unused. They invited us in to dry off and warm up with a cup of coffee and wait out the storm. When the storm had blown over, we thanked them profusely, and headed back out working our way back to the access. The rest of the day was uneventful, altho the wind had picked up pretty good after the storm and gave us a good ride I had my GPS with for the day, up untill our run downwind from the storm we had logged a max speed of 6.2mph. After the storm, I looked and the run had a max of 7.8mph. Total miles logged on the gps for the day was around 16 miles.
We haven't been back out again yet, but I think I'm going to be scared to go out on a overcast day again!

[TeamSlacker]

1. cable covers
I got a new set of cable stay covers with my CP16, they hadn't been installed yet. When I installed them they were a PITA to put on, and are tight on the cable and dont rotate. Did the previous owner get the wrong size, should they install loose enuf to rotate on the stays? The cable measures .161" on my caliper, should I order a set of 3/16" covers instead? (I'm not sure what size I just installed)

2. Clevis pins
The pins attaching the side stays to the chain plates. The clevis on the top of the turnbuckle looks like the right size for the hole 1/4x3/4". But the Clevis holding the bottom of the turnbuckle to the chain plate is smaller diameter, but longer, maybe 3/16x1" Is there a reason for having different size in the bottom? I'm assuming they were probably lost sometime in the boats life, and replaced with whatever was available. Just thought I'd ask first before replacing, because the bottom clevis on both sides was the smaller size.

So know one knows if the cable covers are suposed to rotate over the cables, or stay snug?
Or if all the clevis pins should be the same size, or one side undersized for a reason?

[idouglas]

TeamSlacker:

Can't tell you about the cable stay covers.  Sorry.

The clevis pins should be the same size, in my experience.  I think your assumption about them having been replaced is probably correct.

idouglas

[multimedia_smith]

The white plastic covers for my 16 side stays are snug, but loose enough to rotate and I slide them up when I trailer to keep the stays from scratching the cabin top.  Also it lets the area previously covered dry out...
Dale