Of Sails and Sisters

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Of Sails and Sisters

Portnastorm
The Sun shone for a few hours yesterday, so I managed to haul the boat out of the garage and raise the sail for the first time. I wanted to check that everything was basically in the right place so it was very loose and temporary but I'm glad to say it didn't look too bad as a first attempt.
Fine tuning will be done later, and probably continue for years.
I'm starting off with the mainsheet running back to a rope horse.
I always seem to get myself in a fanckle when tacking with a centre main, usually letting go something in the process.  
 


The boat has also received her name.
I wanted to include my three granddaughters and rather than inventing some indecipherable conflation of Brooke Adrianna and Dulcie decided on this.



According to my daughter the symbol is Celtic for Sisterhood, although I suspect it may have been invented by a graphic designer last week.  
Some salty seadogs may sniff, but the girls like it so Papa is happy.

I must be getting tantalisingly close to  Launch Day but there still seem to be a hundred little jobs to do.
Spring Beakout is just around the corner, fingers crossed.
Graham

Graham Neil https://port-na-storm.blogspot.com/
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Re: Of Sails and Sisters

PaulW
Administrator
An auspicious day - Getting her out into the sunshine!
Is that a traveller on the tack-line/down-haul?
And what sort of traveller do you have on the main halyard?
Let us know how you get on with mainsheet on an aft horse - We are considering trying it.
PW
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Re: Of Sails and Sisters

John S
In reply to this post by Portnastorm
Fantastic stuff Graham, congratulations. I trust the stem was dampened with something suitable!

But (and we have to know) are the Sisters hip?

I also hope you put it away before the wind arrived last night
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Re: Of Sails and Sisters

Portnastorm
In reply to this post by PaulW
OK so let's play "what's wrong with this picture?"
It may help others along the way.



Firstly the mast wasn't seated properly so the sheave is slightly out of line making the halyard pull aft.
I have a bronze traveller, made by my HBBR friend Richard.
It works much better when you remember to run the halyard inside the hoop, which is why the halyard wouldn't haul all the way up.
Next is the strop which is a bit too long and has now been shortened.
So the yard can now be raised another 8-10 inches which of course means the boom will be a bit higher.



I found this rather huge gunmetal spring hook in my box of bits. It is rather over-engineered for the job but it seems a waste to just leave it in the box, and go and buy a stainless one.
So the idea is to hook the yard onto the traveller, clip the downhaul on and haul away.

My Halyard and downhaul are led back to jammers on the CB case.
There will also be a Topping Lift/Lazyjack.
I had this arrangement on my Coot dinghy, when coming on to the beach the yard and sail can be dropped into the lazyjacks from the helm without the whole thing coming down round your ears.

Also useful when putting a reef in.  
Watch this space.

Graham.
Graham Neil https://port-na-storm.blogspot.com/
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Re: Of Sails and Sisters

PaulW
Administrator
Aha - "I can see clearly now....".  (Actually, the rain HAS gone!)
Halyard outside the traveller - hadn't noticed it your original pic.  Join the club.

Have you included a dam at the aft edge of the foredeck?  Good idea.
Did you hide some overboard drains?

Lazyjacks -  Yes!  I'm thinking of adding them.  So many S&O type dinghies have them; they must be worth the extra bit of string at the mast.
Will you have a single length and a block/hook on the side of the boom, as described (by CW?) on HBBR, or two lengths?
Come to think of it, CW emailed me with further details of his rig - Must re-read it.

Halyard taken back to CB case.  Maybe something we should adopt.  Good for single-handing.

Several topics for our steering committee, thank you.

Hope to meet on the water before too long!
Paul W
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Re: Of Sails and Sisters

John S
In reply to this post by Portnastorm


I put a small spliced strop of Dyneema around the gaff, with a couple of utile blocks to stop it sliding along the spar. This keeps the hook as close as possible to the spar, giving plenty of scope for pulling the splice into the sheave
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Re: Of Sails and Sisters

PaulW
Administrator
This post was updated on .
NB - There are two almost parallel conversations occurring
See https://forum.mymorbic.uk/Rigging-a-lugsail-td116.html 
PW
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Re: Of Sails and Sisters

Jon Dykes
I had lazyjacks on my Swallow which worked a treat and kept the sail and spars out of the boat which was great especially when singlehanded. But that was a Gunter rig and the boom was attached to the mast via a sliding gooseneck, I'm not sure how lazyjacks would work with the lugsail because when you drop the sail there is nothing to hold the boom up. Maybe a small cleat and a loop of string would do the trick. More food for thought 😜
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Re: Of Sails and Sisters

Portnastorm
I have just sent off my order form to TridentUK.com for a made to measure cover.
I photoshopped a couple of images to help them understand what I'm on about.











I've also asked for a Mast Sock to cover my little protuberance.

I have had several covers from them in the past and I've always been pleased with the results.
I'll let you know how I get on.

Regards
Graham.
Graham Neil https://port-na-storm.blogspot.com/
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Re: Of Sails and Sisters

PaulW
Administrator
Looks good.
Our cover-maker (Banks) included an attached "elephant's trunk" to cover the forward (top) end of our mast.  It works quite well.
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Re: Of Sails and Sisters

Portnastorm
In reply to this post by Portnastorm
More on Covers.
I have had a quote from Trident for a made to measure cover in HydroGuard breathable material.

Total price for the cover and mast sock, including VAT and postage £250.
Seems reasonable to me.
I'd be interested how that compares with other suppliers.

regards
Graham.  
Graham Neil https://port-na-storm.blogspot.com/
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Re: Of Sails and Sisters

PaulW
Administrator
This post was updated on .
Covers
Ours from Banks' Specialist Covers, Saresbury was taylor made.
Included an attached "elephant's trunk" (Pic above) three belly bands and an elasticated draw-string around the perimeter.  Material was Breathable "AquaPlus-For ALL dinghy requirements ( NEW breathable Material) Standard Colour is Dark Grey unless stated. Solution Dyed Polyester -Light weight, Strong does not shrink or stretch,  suitable  for Hot sunny climates–5 years warranty on colour fade."
Advertising says "Keeps your boat dry".
Initially there was some leaking at the seams especially where there was puddling due to the cover drooping.
Banks willingly added and extra buckle at the back and three further belly straps, including one running forward from the aft centre.
And he improved the front opening to reduce the inflow of air which otherwise inflates the cover when towing.
£340. Not cheap but very satisfied that it will have been a worthwhile investment.  (Subject to further rain-testing, not yet done following recent mods.)  See the raindrops glistening in the pic above, like water off ....
[edit added] = Banks also sealed the seams while doing the mods.
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Re: Of Sails and Sisters

Peter Taylor
In reply to this post by Portnastorm
What a lovely looking boat Graham. I am not that far behind you in construction terms and having hit the boat builders ‘wall’ with all that sanding, sheathing, more sanding, painting and sanding and painting...it is heartening to see what it is all about!
I’ve just laminated my mast and have been having thoughts about running rigging. I can’t quite understand why Francois Vivier calls for 8mm halyard when most dinghy’s are fine with 6mm or less... maybe it is to have a traditional look?
I’m with you on a stern main sheeting - I might start off with that and change to centre main if persuaded. Could you possibly share a picture of your stern sheeting arrangement if you have one? Enjoy the rest of the build and hope to see you on the water in the not too distant future.
 Peter
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Re: Of Sails and Sisters

Portnastorm
Hi Peter,
Thanks for the kind words.
Regarding halyard and general rigging sizes I think its more about how they feel to the hand rather than strength.  I think most modern synthetic lines are to all intents unbreakable, however when hauling up the sail on a traditional rigged boat you have the weight of the yard, sail and finally the boom to raise on a one to one purchase. Its nicer to get hold of a good thick line. To be honest I'm using what I had lying around so my halyard is closer to ten mm.  

For the Main Sheet I have once again used what I had to hand, and I will experiment with a few options to see how it goes.



So, working down from the boom, the single block with becket is attached to the boom by a strop. This can obviously be moved along the boom if I want to try a centre sheeting arrangement.
The mainsheet is attached to the becket and then runs down to a fiddle block, back up through the single and down again giving a three to one purchase if my calculations are correct.
There is a swivel on the fiddle block to stop things getting too tangled, I hope.

Alternatively the whole thing could be slid along the boom and the swivel attached to a suitable cleat or eye at the CB case.

Yet another alternative would be to turn the whole thing upside down and run the tail of the mainsheet along the boom to a block then down to the helmsman's hand, which makes it similar to a centre main but with all the lines aft keeping the cockpit clear.  A similar system worked well on my little Coot.

I am off to Scotland next week to visit relatives while Nicola renews my residents permit, hopefully I can get her on the water soon after I get back.

Hope this helps.
Regards
Graham.  

 
Graham Neil https://port-na-storm.blogspot.com/
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Re: Of Sails and Sisters

Peter Taylor
Thanks Graham. Peter
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Re: Of Sails and Sisters

Portnastorm
At long last Sistership has been launched.
and not before time  I hear you cry.



No fanfare, no brass band and definitely no crowd of cheering bystanders.



This was a "Soft Launch " to sort out the wrinkles, accompanied by a couple of Chums who refused to stay away.



The dedication and naming ceremony, attended by family and most importantly "The Sisters" will happen when grandad is a bit more familiar and confident with the boat.



Still the three old men had a great time sailing around, literally up the creek.



My old mucker, lug sail aficionado Chris Waite is just bustin to tell me all the "improvements" he'd propose to make my life easier.



I'll let you know.
Cheers Graham.

 







 
Graham Neil https://port-na-storm.blogspot.com/
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Re: Of Sails and Sisters

PaulW
Administrator
Well done Graham!  (The website is updated in your honour)
Please let us know CW's improvement ideas.  

FWIW Proteus is now testing a megga-bleater on the spar - It's a big brother to the bleater on the boom.  The traveller is deprecated because it is an un-necessary lump and it was injuring the mast. We are now in effect using an enhanced Storer system for main halyard/spar attachment/hoisting.
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Re: Of Sails and Sisters

Marc Lien
In reply to this post by Portnastorm
Hi Graham,
Many congratulations - you have built a beautiful boat there. I’ve been following along your build and delighted that you splashed her and had a fab time. I’m a couple of months behind you, so will be staring at all your rigging pictures zoomed in 300% in short order! Please do pass on all tips as and when.
Hope the girls enjoy her.
Best,
Marc
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Re: Of Sails and Sisters

PaulW
Administrator
{([ PW's brain starts churning - "couple of months behind" Graham.  Launch late July maybe?  Just in time for the August Morbic meet.  Brilliant timing! ])}  
Good luck Marc.
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Re: Of Sails and Sisters

Marc Lien
In reply to this post by Portnastorm
Hi Graham,
I’ve had a couple of false starts with covers. How did yours work out with Trident having sent them the measurements? Would you recommend? Anything you would tweak?
Interested too in your fore and aft mast supports if you would kindly share some details.
Thanks,
Marc
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