Express Dinghy

[jmason]

I am a novice sailor and have recently acquired an Express dinghy in poor condition (built in the 1970s). I have replaced all the woodwork, including the centreboard casing, copying what was there before. Nobody here in Ireland seems to have seen one before so I am in search of some advice on how to seat the mast.
The old arrangement was very crude - the front of the centreboard casing is fixed to a wooden rail running forward, fibreglassed to the floor. The mast foot has flanges which fit loosely over this and was prevented from moving forward or back by two steel screws sitting up about half an inch proud of the top of the rail, in front and behind the mast foot.
Am I missing some sort of a base plate which seats the mast, or should I just replicate what I found?
I am also intersted to know if and where one might buy replacement sails.
Advice will be gratefully recieved!
Jonathan


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[Evadne]

I do recall the Express being launched, would it have been at about the same time as the Miracle? And of similar (i.e. stitch-and-glue)? Its difficult to say without seeing what you have but you can't go too far wrong with a dinghy if you follow the axiom that if it looks right, it is right. Most of what is there will be functional, and if you can visualise the vertical forces transmitted via the mast and rigging to the hull, you should be able to see if the load-bearing parts are in the right place. If nothing has been modified and the mast is in the right place, then the load bearing bits will all work as designed and the only other function of the mast step is to stop the mast foot from moving sideways. From your description the screws into the keel do that, but if you can devise a neater method then that would probably be more satisfactory.
Sorry if that's a bit vague but it's the best I can do not knowing the type personally: it sounded like you were desperate for some informed advice, and since none has been forthcoming, I hope this is of some help.

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[sailorman]

the express was designed by gorden harris when he was m.d. of pegasus yachts.
i belive that he is still involved with the yard at oulton broad norfolk / suffolk border
you could also perhaps write via >
waldringfield sailing club
waldringfield
ipswich
suffolk

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[Ali Hoad]

Hi Jonathan
I've just got my second Express dinghy and the mast just sits on the Keel held on by the tight forestay and shrouds. Ive got to admit Ive fitted mall bottle screws to the forestay and shrouds to make life easier adjusting the rake of the mast when up. As far as replacement sails are concerned I doubt if you can get them as they usually sell with a hull. I hope this helps you out and I would be grateful for the dimensions and angle of the spreaders for the shrouds as my express No K15 came without them and I need to make some replacements. Thanks a lot
Alistaire

 

[Kevin Guard]

Hi all . Just adding to the express forum enquiry with another enquiry i'mafraid. Recently snapped my mast sailing around Brownsea island Poole. Does anyone know if anyone is selling an old mast i can use as a repacement? Either an express mast or something which would be a suitable sized replacement.

Hello all. Recently snapped m mast sailing around Brownsea island , Poole. Does anyone know of an express mast for sale. Or of an alternative mast that would do the job or even where I could get marine grade extruded aluminium tubing to remake my own. I still have all the fittings which could be transferred onto a new tube. The lenght is 22.5 ft (6866mm)long by 55/56 mm diameter.