John Powell
New Member
I'm based near Cannes France, Just bought a UFO 34 in a rather sorry state, I'm looking for anyone whose brains I can pick about electrics, plumbing, wheel steering conversion, interior layout, & general maintenance.
HELP Just bought a sadly neglected UFO 34,
- Thread starter John Powell
- Start date
sailorman
Well-Known Member
Hi John & welcome. You need to chat with Boo2 on here he has a 34 too
http://www.ybw.com/forums/member.php?39294-Boo2
http://www.ybw.com/forums/member.php?39294-Boo2
Norman_E
Well-Known Member
Welcome to the forum. I am sorry I can't help much except to say that the first thing you need to do before changing plumbing or electrics is to define what you really need, and what out of the current equipment you can keep. As for wheel conversion, even though I prefer a wheel to a tiller, is it actually a good idea on a UFO?
Boo2
Well-Known Member
Yes, I have a UFO 34 and am happy to answer questions re mods etc. I've performed quite a few on my own boat (Sunrunner) so let me know what you are thinking about and I will tell you my experiences.
As for changing to wheel steering, I think that's not the best idea - the tiller (with extension) on the UFO34 is long enough to reach from everywhere in the cockpit and this means that it is perfect for single-handing as you can reach halyard winches, jib sheet winches and main sheet whilst still steering. The cockpit was not designed for wheels and getting behind and back out from one would be a bit of a scramble. Tiller much referred IMHO.
What's your boat called ? Any pix available ? I've put some pix up at my website here if you are interested.
Regards,
Boo2
prv
Well-Known Member
That covers most of the forum
. Most of it won't be specific to the UFO, though of course Boo has that additional insight.Like others, I'd caution against the wheel conversion. Boats are generally designed for one or the other and work best as designed. I would strongly suggest sailing the boat for a season with the tiller to confirm that it really does need replacing - you might just find you change your mind.
Pete
sailorman
Well-Known Member
That covers most of the forum
Like others, I'd caution against the wheel conversion. Boats are generally designed for one or the other and work best as designed. I would strongly suggest sailing the boat for a season with the tiller to confirm that it really does need replacing - you might just find you change your mind.
Pete
One of the main concerns will be what anchor is best for her, CQR
jwilson
Well-Known Member
Daydream believer
Well-Known Member
My recollection of 6 years of racing EAORA in a UFO 34 ( apart from fun with a great crowd) was a really wet boat, a dirty great genoa which was hard work to tack esp up the Crouch. The tiller was so heavy that I used to sit to leeward with my foot against the tiller pushing to act as a servo for the helmsman who could not keep control after a long slog upwind due to the heavy weight. No wonder the OP wants a wheel. All the crew suffered " leg chop" at some time whereby the tiller ( which dominates the cockpit) would chop any leg that was not smartly removed in a maneuver, or mid broach.
Great fun in a blow with the spinnaker & blooper though. Nothing like the Holman roll down wind in a F7 for a scary ride in the Thames estuary. Slower than a Sigma 33 in light airs but faster up wind in a blow so we often ended up in a "Sigma sandwich" over some Burnham weeks which used to end up in a " who can shout the loudest" match
Great fun in a blow with the spinnaker & blooper though. Nothing like the Holman roll down wind in a F7 for a scary ride in the Thames estuary. Slower than a Sigma 33 in light airs but faster up wind in a blow so we often ended up in a "Sigma sandwich" over some Burnham weeks which used to end up in a " who can shout the loudest" match
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pvb
Well-Known Member
John Powell
New Member
Hi Sailoman,
Thanks for your reply.
Boo2 is already in touch!
Getting lots to think about!
Cheers John
Daydream believer
Well-Known Member
Well, that's a glowing endorsement!
You do not have to sail it like a bunch of yuppee muppets--I am sure it can be cruised very nicely- but more fun that way---so long as the owner can afford you!!!!!.
But let's face it. It is a bit- shall we say - ancient in its design!!
But somehow, I would just as soon cross the Atlantic in a properly maintained UFO34 as I would my Hanse 311
John Powell
New Member
John Powell
New Member
Hi Norman,
Lots of thought going into the wheel conversion, I agree with your advice on planning totally
Many thanks
John
Lots of thought going into the wheel conversion, I agree with your advice on planning totally
Many thanks
John
jwilson
Well-Known Member
Daydream Believer's description of a very hard-mouthed boat is very different to my remembrance. In light to moderate winds used to sit on the coaming with a tiller extension and the helm was light. Not racing, just cruising, but sailing fast. In extreme weather did not play with tiller extensions, but despite helming for long periods I don't remember the tiller being heavy except when going astern.
A UFO34 rights fast from an inversion. The last couple of editions of "Heavy Weather Sailing" have my account of trouble off Iceland in one, though it's not in the very latest edition. Some time after that episode sailed the same boat to windward through an ordinary gale in the Irish Sea and made very good progress up to Scotland. It is a fairly wet boat if you sail it fast, but no more so than many others. Like almost all contemporary IOR era racers driving hard downwind can be very rolly, but slowed a bit and it is fine, and you're still sailing fairly fast.
A UFO34 rights fast from an inversion. The last couple of editions of "Heavy Weather Sailing" have my account of trouble off Iceland in one, though it's not in the very latest edition. Some time after that episode sailed the same boat to windward through an ordinary gale in the Irish Sea and made very good progress up to Scotland. It is a fairly wet boat if you sail it fast, but no more so than many others. Like almost all contemporary IOR era racers driving hard downwind can be very rolly, but slowed a bit and it is fine, and you're still sailing fairly fast.
John Powell
New Member
Hi Boo2
Many thanks for your reply. The boat is "Yewlands One", she's been in France a good many years. I get the impression that the previous owner, when a system packed up, just disconnected & did without it!
So, I need to install new "head", new freshwater tank, reconnect drains, & renew most system electrics, (there is a newish VHF & GPS but the old fuse & switch board has been bypassed)
The boat has mains electrics which work, so it's ok when we're tied up!
Although it seem that most advice is against putting in a wheel, I think for the type of sailing we'll be doing here it will suit us better, winds are generally not too strong, but the sun is, so we'll want a permanent cockpit table, & the tiller would get in the way.
We sailed a UFO out of Fleetwood a good few years ago with a friend David Oddy (do you know him?) I remember the tiller being hard work cos we generally had too much sail up!
Thanks for your pictures, when I've worked out the website, I'll put some on.
Just completed antifouling for the season, boat going back in the water tomorrow morning, so we can get on with other jobs & sail as well.
Kind regards,
John
Many thanks for your reply. The boat is "Yewlands One", she's been in France a good many years. I get the impression that the previous owner, when a system packed up, just disconnected & did without it!
So, I need to install new "head", new freshwater tank, reconnect drains, & renew most system electrics, (there is a newish VHF & GPS but the old fuse & switch board has been bypassed)
The boat has mains electrics which work, so it's ok when we're tied up!
Although it seem that most advice is against putting in a wheel, I think for the type of sailing we'll be doing here it will suit us better, winds are generally not too strong, but the sun is, so we'll want a permanent cockpit table, & the tiller would get in the way.
We sailed a UFO out of Fleetwood a good few years ago with a friend David Oddy (do you know him?) I remember the tiller being hard work cos we generally had too much sail up!
Thanks for your pictures, when I've worked out the website, I'll put some on.
Just completed antifouling for the season, boat going back in the water tomorrow morning, so we can get on with other jobs & sail as well.
Kind regards,
John
John Powell
New Member
Getting many replies, thank you all for your thoughts & ideas. Most of my thinking is with reply to Boo2, so forgive me if I don't reply personally at the moment.
Looking forward toa bit of sailing
Kind regards,
John
Looking forward toa bit of sailing
Kind regards,
John
pvb
Well-Known Member
Why did you buy a boat with a tiller when you want a wheel? It may cost a significant percentage of the purchase price to change it.
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Trying to think of a less suitable boat for your type of sailing but struggling. Even worse if it is neglected and has many non functioning bits of kit.
From what you say you are going to sink a huge amount of time effort and money into a boat which will end up being a functioning, slightly more suitable boat. Pretty sure there are plenty of boats where you are that are already fitted with wheels, large cockpits, good light weather rigs, bathing platforms, light airy interiors, biminis, big fridges etc - in other words designed for your style of sailing. The complete opposite of a UFO which was designed primarily for racing in all weathers in the North Sea and English channel with an active crew of 6 or so - and very good at the job and in its time when such activities were popular. They can be tamed to make good cruising boats, but their good points are not ones that are good for your use.
Do not underestimate the amount of work and cost involved - far, far more than the boat will ever be worth. Better to invest that money in a more suitable, functioning boat.
William_H
Well-Known Member
Well lots of conflicting opinions. I would advocate that you just start using your boat. Perhaps fix electrics and plumbing to get ti more usable. Just keep thinking about the wheel steering. If indeed it does have a heavy tiller then I would advocate adding more balance ie area to the front of the rudder. Perhaps another 30cms made with foam stuck to the grp then covered with glass and epoxy. to fair the leading edge. Then it might be a lot cheaper easier to fit an auto helm and possibly shorten the tiller a bit.
Or for a way out idea fit a transom mounted rudder so that tiller is much further aft out of the way of your cockpit table.
good luck with the new boat and don't rush any major mods. olewill
Or for a way out idea fit a transom mounted rudder so that tiller is much further aft out of the way of your cockpit table.
good luck with the new boat and don't rush any major mods. olewill
bitbaltic
Well-Known Member
pvb said:
Could not agree more with the above.
To the OP, if you like and want to keep the UFO the best thing you can do with it is make it the tidiest example of its kind and adapt your sailing to it and to the style of sailing it offers. There is absolutely no point trying to turn an old offshore racer into a mediterranean sun deck. It won't work well if at all, it will cost a bomb, and the boat will probably be harder to sell on (read, will have to sell for less) than it would as a clean example of the kind, because very few buyers are likely to be looking to front load the sort of compromises and mods you are suggesting. Extensive and curious mods like the suggestion to redesign the rudder etc will probably render the boat close to unsellable/worthless.