Therell Be some Changes Made

September 15, 2015

After sailing the boat on several longer sails in a variety of wind conditions,  and also with and without crew of varying experience, some changes need to be made.

1.  Reefing:  I need to install additional downhauls and jiffy reefing in order to instantly reef when sailing single handed.  Right now,  I need to crawl to the bow, redo the tack, and take the sprit off the clew and move it up.  Way too long and dangerous if I fall out!

Update, Sept. 26th:  Added mizzen downhaul for the main and the mizzen, both are on the port side of the boat.  Process is as follows, takes 2 minutes per sail:

1. head onto port tack 
2. drop mizzen
3. loosen snotter
4. cleat mizzen reefing downhaul
5. move sprit to next reef clew. 
6. raise mizzen 
7. set downhaul
8. set snotter

Go to Starboard tack and repeat with main.  

main reefing downhaul set permanently in reef tack on sail.  

mizzen reefing downhaul is just below snotter.  

2.  The mainsheet is awkward, and people have a tendency to sit on the sheet while sailing downwind.  I have ordered two swivel cams to take the place of the stand up blocks, fairleads, and clam cleats.

Update, September 26th:  got the Harken rotating cam cleats for port and starboard and now the mainsheet control is much simpler.  Guests will be hard pressed to be sitting on the sheet now.

Harken cams on rotating base.  Tough to sit on!  

3.  The stern cam cleats for the mizzen are about 1/4" too high.  I need to lower these just enough to allow the tiller to pass over.  I could then turn on a dime.

sept 26th - done

A small cut in the coaming made with the multi-tool did the trick.  Unfortunately, the screws no longer were in the mahogany blocking and necessitated a hard to find #10X3" stainless screw.  A 3/8" plywood block is added below to shore it up.  

4.  bring the vertical trailer posts in  a little to center the boat better on the bunks. (not done yet.

5.  Put some finger grabs on the starboard platform/floorboard. (not done)

6.  Added some cleats to the stern bulkhead to serve as a tie down for the masts, and also a place to tie off the tiller when I need an extra hand for the boat, or if I want to heave to.

The boat is great otherwise, and a blast to sail.

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