JC Rig Changes

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G12

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Hi Guys,

Further to my questions on self steering, Here's the plan for changes to the rig that I have written.
The first section is what I presently have and the second section is what I intend to do with it.
Any advice on anything I have either omitted or could do with having a rethink on gratefully received.


Present Setup:
Masthead sloop, single spreaders, roller headsail(twin groove foil), new boom with slab reefing (3) at the mast. Outhaul adjustment presently at the mast and main halyard and kicker presently lead aft.
2 genoa halyards and one spinnaker halyard, spinnaker pole lift and downhaul.
Aluminium spinnaker pole, aluminium whisker pole.
Sails: 135% Hydranet bi-radial genoa – new. Well used 128% cross cut genoa (serviceable but quite blown out), Spinnaker – very worn out, Good serviceable mainsail, Storm jib – never been out of its bag in my ownership.
Mast Electrics: Foredeck flood, Steaming light, All round white, Tricolour, VHF aerial. No instruments except windex.

Rig plan,
Fit removable inner forestay for storm jib – dyneema probably.
Move main halyard forward to mast, move genoa halyard forward to mast, bring outhaul back to cockpit and bring spinnaker halyard back to cockpit.
Fit LED tricolour bulb – probably change the all round white whilst I’m there. Full inspection of all fittings and repairs made as required.
Un seize backstay tensioner.
New NASA Clipper wind instruments with magnified wind direction in box awaiting fitment.
New main halyard and spinnaker halyard. Could get away without replacing main halyard if funds extra tight.
Considering a radar detector – advice required on this. Not sure I want the current drain of a radar target enhancer like the Sea Me – again, opinions invited.



Let me know what you guys think....

Geoff
 
Geoff

I put a SeeMe at the top of the mast last winter. Not really had a chance to test it yet but what it does have is an alarm so when the transponder is triggered by a radar it bleeps in the cabin. Obviously in the North Sea it is goinging all the time but I rather hope that when in the Bay of Biscay / Altantic the number of radars will be less and when the transponder triggers I will know there is something big to look out for. Have AIS too which I can feed from the masthead aerial giving >40nm warning of ships over 300 tonnes - assuming they are doing the right thing and have it on.

I believe this all helps the singlehander comply with the spirit of Colregs Rule 5
 
Just had some major work done to my mast!!!

In addition to already having a fixed backstay I've had slots for retro fit adjustable backstays to help stop the mast pumping in big seas. These are located just above the single spreaders and will be anchored aft along the toe rail. I did this having been made aware of a couple of people having issues with rigging due to mast pumping in big seas. Not sure I would have done this just for the Azores but as I'm planning on doing the 2014 I thought it was worth the extra expense.

The riggers weren't sure I needed them but I'm working on thye basis it's better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them!!!
 
Forestay Rig

Am very interested in your moveable forestay, I intend to do the same, how do you intend to secure the deck fixing underneath? I am thinking of fiberglassing in a lower fixing to the hull and then lead a strop up to the underneath of the deck attachment. Is this what you have in mind?

Cheers

David
 
With regard to the forestay, there are a variety of options for attaching it to the deck in a removable manner. I would like the dyneema option because it's a lot easier to deal with when stowed totaly flexible like any old rope and it's pretty UV stable. What I do not want is a S/S wire banging about all over the mastwhen not in use. I've seen this on another boat and it's a bit annoying and takes the anodising or paint off the mast. As for strengthening the deck itself, I thought I'd see exactly where it's going to be anchored and then make a plan of action from there. The babystay is strengthened under the deck with a large steel plate, however, there is an eye already provided under the forepeak for taking a wire to a bit further forward so I will see if I can use this as an anchor point. Failing that, it'll be strengthening the deck in the usual fashion. A large hardwood pad probably or maybe just a steel pad like the babystay.

Peter, thanks for the infor on the SeeMe, do you happen to know what the power consumption is?

G.
 
G12, seems to me you've thought of everything and will be well prepared. I assume you have a topping lift, which can double as a main halyard and thereby save a trip up the mast.

I had a Seame fitted at the masthead and it worked very well (not the past tense). Unfortunately it filled with water and stopped working - all a bit puzzling as the casing is not cracked and the cable gland at the bottom is working effectively (it's still full of water!); it may have happened when I was knocked down. The alarm on it has to be turned off until you are well offshore and away from all the radars in busy waters, but very handy mid Atlantic. However, the extra radar signature is well worth it and it doesn't use huge amounts of power if you use it only whilst off watch and asleep.

I have a wire inner forestay on a highfield lever which clips off to a point just far enough forward so that it doesn't frap against the mast of rigging. There is a small strop fixed to the deckplate to allow for the differences in length between stowed and deployed. I also use mine to fly twin headsails downwind when it's a bit windy for singlehanded spinnaker peace of mind(!).

I bought a second telescopic spi pole and stow both of them on deck. The theory is that I can raise both of them as an A frame jury rig to be able to get some sail up in the event of mast loss. I have deployed them ashore with the rig down as a bit of practice, but I suspect it would be a bit of a learning curve doing it at sea. It's important not to stow the poles on the mast - if you lose the rig, they'll go with it too!
 
Rig changes

Not sure if these photos are of any use to you but they show how the anchor point for my inner forestay was engineered and fitted which basically required the foredeck to be cut out and replaced!!
 
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sea me

I have a sea me and also a merville radar detector
Both are set at a height of 3.5m above the water
Crossing the Atlantic northern route I got lots of hits on the seame most out of sight so the alarm was a PITA.

I set the range on the merville to about 10 miles and so either x band or s band radar set it off and i had 10 mins to leave my bunk, find the ship and take action.
Ships at 30 miles may not be a problem and the seame alarm is too active in my opnion but then I do like at least 1/2 hours kip and could not do the 15mins sleep 15 mins on deck routine.

Mike
 
I have recently updated the rigging on my boat with an addition of a Babystay with what I believe is called a pelican hook at the base to make it removeable - thus allowing access to larger diameter ropes on my bollard mooring post. excuse my terminology, I sometimes forget the correct names of various parts, but you get the gist!

edit - LED lighting is a fantastic idea. The power consumption is so low you will REALLY see the difference compared to the 'standard' 10w anchor/25w tri.

I have managed to go several days without having to charge the batteries after a night sailing/at anchor.
 
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