Fairline Squadron 78 refit/fit - Hard Top

[Hurricane]

Re: flag pole

Everyone's missing the simple solution: employ a young person. All they need is a nice smart uniform (easily run-up on the sailmaker's sewing machine) and a bit of tuition on piping the owner aboard and mixing drinks...

Maybe the uniform should be a skimpy bikini....



To save money on the material - of course!!

 

[colhel]

Re: flag pole

That looks brilliant Colin, I assume it raises and lowers in a smooth movement? Or can it also be used as a catapult?

Thanks James. The operating pressure was 120psi with a restrictor to slow it down or "catapult" would be an understatement. And see as you asked.. You did ask didn't you??? Here's a more close up view with the other side plate and cylinder.

 

[jfm]

Re: flag pole

Thanks James. The operating pressure was 120psi with a restrictor to slow it down or "catapult" would be an understatement. And see as you asked.. You did ask didn't you??? Here's a more close up view with the other side plate and cylinder.

Colhel, that is a beautiful thing. Did you hand machine it or CNC? I'm thinking in the marine environment and the fact these things will only ever see a couple of hundred cycle, they could be machined in Nylon block. With little electric linear actuators (though pneumatics isn't out of the question) . Or have you already got loads of them in ali? Another line of thinking is to make a block of 4 of them in one set, so that the top angle section bit in your picture is replaced by the main body of the adjacent one, and also use a single shaft through all 4.

I'm still getting my head around whether the flat flags, the ones not in use, can be made sufficiently invisible (in a recessed tray or something) and I'll take another look at the boat this weekend. Nice idea though, thanks

 

[jfm]

Re: flag pole

Everyone's missing the simple solution: employ a young person. All they need is a nice smart uniform (easily run-up on the sailmaker's sewing machine) and a bit of tuition on piping the owner aboard and mixing drinks...

BJB, I actually took that Sailrite uber sewing machine of its box last weekend and used it for the first time. Wonderful thing. Punched thru 6 layers of sunbrella without batting an eye lid, using v92 thread. I put some eyes in the end of webbing and tried to rip them out with the car, and they were good for hundreds of kilos. Fantastic machine. I've bought a roll of sunbrella and also that 50% mesh stuff, for stock. Only catch is I don't actually have anything I need to make right now. But with any luck I'll do some damage soon and need to repair it

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Re: flag pole

In my experience, though, the ideas become less plausible after the brain clears the next day.

Yeah thats how I found myself getting married first time round! Seemed like a good idea viewed through beer goggles

 

[MapisM]

Re: flag pole

But with any luck I'll do some damage soon and need to repair it

LOL, the Suunto motto ("replacing luck") springs to mind.
I'm sure many of us can help you in this respect. I for one could think of a few bits and pieces...

 

[Hurricane]

Re: flag pole

BJB, I actually took that Sailrite uber sewing machine of its box last weekend and used it for the first time. Wonderful thing. Punched thru 6 layers of sunbrella without batting an eye lid, using v92 thread. I put some eyes in the end of webbing and tried to rip them out with the car, and they were good for hundreds of kilos. Fantastic machine. I've bought a roll of sunbrella and also that 50% mesh stuff, for stock. Only catch is I don't actually have anything I need to make right now. But with any luck I'll do some damage soon and need to repair it

Actually, we probably need some new screen covers - the old ones are black so a white mesh might be better.
Plan A was to go back to the factory (Lang and Potter) and have new ones made.
But maybe we will invest in one of those Sailrite machines.
To date, we have used a (very expensive) domestic machine which does a fairly good job and a cheap domestic one that we keep on the boat for little jobs.
Maybe the money would be better spent making new window covers - I did make some once before for our old Sealine and it isn't that difficult.
The cost of the fabric plus a machine will be about the price of professionally made covers.
Maybe one of those winter projects - who knows.

 

[Nick_H]

Re: flag pole

Actually, we probably need some new screen covers - the old ones are black so a white mesh might be better

I've tried both Mike. Black ones make the boat a bit hotter, but white ones get grubby in no time, so I'm sticking with black. I'm talking mesh covers that only ever come off when we use the lower helm (once a year if that!)

 

[jfm]

Re: flag pole

Yep mike, the sailrite is 800gbp so soon pays for itself, and with many simple jobs DIY is easier than getting a specialist firm in.

For window mesh I vote black because it preserves the window shape and lines, so preserves the look of the boat.

 

[Hurricane]

Re: flag pole

I'm talking mesh covers that only ever come off when we use the lower helm (once a year if that!)

Tee Hee
We were doing a short late season cruise to Denia a couple of years ago.
Three quarters of the way there it blew up - so we went below.
Just the two of us - when we got down there - guess what - the window covers were still on.
In these circumstances - SWMBO - has to do it - after all the bow is her domain!!
So, to make it safer, I turn the boat round - wind up the bum - so that she is safer (SWMBO I mean not JW).
But I got it in the neck later - twice - once for getting the forecast wrong and then for forgetting to take the window covers off!!
Now I try to remember both - especially for the longer passages.

Actually, they do come off for washing the boat.

 

[MapisM]

Re: flag pole

Black ones make the boat a bit hotter, but white ones get grubby in no time, so I'm sticking with black.

I don't disagree, but the "bit hotter" is in my experience significant enough to justify the white choice - particularly around 40N or further South... .

 

[petem]

Re: Fuel Cell

Petem's new business could make something maybe

If ever this was a problem that required a new classification more trivial than "first world" this is it. But the gauntlet has been laid down so here's my thoughts.

I think that a multi flag system is too ambitious. As other have suggested, multi single flag systems is the way to go. Instructively, a self furling design feels doable to me and some Googling returned a beautifully designed patent for such a system:

http://www.google.com/patents/US4332210

What would be the potential global market I wonder? Could just be the three units that JFM requires!

Pete

 

[vas]

Re: flag pole

I don't disagree, but the "bit hotter" is in my experience significant enough to justify the white choice - particularly around 40N or further South... .

seen that the thread has moved and is all over the place (as usual...) may I ask what other options one has for windscreen covers?
Due to the design, I SHOULD really get some black covers done, there's no way I'm getting white.
However, I'd consider a dark grey (or gray if you prefer) or a mesh thing.
Would a black/dark mesh be better in the sun compared to a solid black thing?

I understand that in the mesh the air moves through it, so in effect wont work as a solar collector and conductively pass on the heat to the glass.
Further the mesh has the advantage (I hope!) that you can see through the thing making cooking a bit more enjoyable (galley is next to the lower helm)

cheers

V.

PS. JFM, if you MUST use your new sewing machine toy, and assuming the sunbrela is a silvery grey one, I could easily get you busy for the rest of the summer

 

[jfm]

Re: flag pole

Yep Vas. The mesh isn't a solar collector so you can use black. Black keeps the window shapes and overall look of the boat intact, imho. They do grey as well, but I prefer black. One of my neighbours just got grey and it doesn't look great imho - I'll try to get you a pic.

Yes you can see out nicely thru the mesh from inside. You an even drive from lower helm, provided sea is flat. If spray hits the mesh it fills the holes and you can't see out, so it is best not to try. For protecting the boats' woodwork during periods of non use, I use solid sunbrella rather than mesh. It's no good while you're on board - it collects more heat and makes the inside dark and horrible

 

[NGM]

Re: flag pole

What are pros/cons of mesh over solid covers ? Does mesh block out all sun and protect interior ?

 

[jfm]

Re: flag pole

What are pros/cons of mesh over solid covers ? Does mesh block out all sun and protect interior ?

No, mesh blocks about 50% - you can buy differing %ages. Mesh lets some light in and gives a very good view out. Solid covers are horrible from the inside because they eliminate the view out

 

[SammyB]

Re: flag pole

Having had both I am loving our new black mesh covers. Advantages so far seem to be privacy and no bugs. One drawback has been forgetting that the side windows are open when leaving the boat- it won't happen a second time!!
After reading about Hurricane sending SWMBO out to take them off out at sea I WILL make sure we don't leave with them still on- it is very easy to do!!

 

[Vara]

Re: flag pole

Back to the flagpole, any design should incorporate fan so that on calm days the flag flies proudly rather than hanging limp.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Re: flag pole

Back to the flagpole, any design should incorporate fan so that on calm days the flag flies proudly rather than hanging limp.

Mmm IMHO jfm needs a more hi tech solution. How about a hologram generator nailed to the back of Match which could generate any courtesy flag he wanted?

 

[BartW]

Re: flag pole

Due to the design, I SHOULD really get some black covers done, there's no way I'm getting white.
However, I'd consider a dark grey (or gray if you prefer) or a mesh thing.
Would a black/dark mesh be better in the sun compared to a solid black thing?

Vas, I do have dark grey / anthracite mesh (renewed the old mesh last year) to match the collor sheme of the painting and windows on the super structure,
the mesh exists in different collors,
in my case, I found black too harsh, and want to replace some dark bleu painting by dark metallic grey in the future.
I'm completely with Jfm on this; the collor has to match the design / lines of the boat, the mesh is in place 99% of the time you use the boat.