Trials following major winter refurbishment

[DR007]

Hello everyone, My 1957/8 Yachting World Rambler, Elena is back on the water, moored in Torquay inner harbour. All modifications including the mainsheet system are proving successful and with her new cream sails, from Westaways she is looking an attractive 'classic'. I would like to say that Classic Marine of Woodbridge were extremely helpful in providing advice, Tufnol blocks, bronze fixings and plates. I read the forum with great interest and feel very much a part of a lively interesting group of like minded boating enthusiasts. All the best, Kevin /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Gordonmc]

Wot, no pics? nm

Nm

 

[EASLOOP]

My 'classic' is a wooden East Anglian. The main sheet uses a 'horse'. Did/Does your boat have this arrangment? I am looking to convert to a traveller but the tiller is in the way. Any ideas/suggestions?

 

[DR007]

Re: Mainsheet system

Dear John, I like the look of your boat she would be the next size up for me with some accommodation on board, as mine is a dayboat. Now with regards to the mainsheet, originally there was a small horse on the transom through which the tiller came but with the mainsheet boom block being right on the clew end of the boom the sheet would constantly rub on the top of the outbaord housing. In the early days of the boat's use I understand there was a Seagul outboard which being smaller and lower did not cause an obstruction.

Last year I decided to try a rope horse forward of the engine when in it's lifted position which worked but since I sit around four feet away when sailing singlehandedly it was often a problem to set or reset the jammer on the becket & fiddle lower block. I use this block to enable sailing without the need to hold the mainsheet all the time.

I telephoned Moray MacPhail at Classic Marine in Woodbridge, tel. 01394 380390 - www.classicmarine.co.uk to ask about fitting a large horse / pinrail to span the boat and he inferred it would need to be of too heavy material for my boat.

Looking through many magazines I came up with the idea of two sprung deck fixes blocks and three pulley blocks on the boom all leading the mainsheet amidships, finally down to my original Becket & Fiddle jammer which is now fixed to a plate on the central thwart (a one and a half inch solid mahogany chunk of timber).

My two trial sails so far this season look as though the system will work well, even though the rope is now passing through six blocks. My only reservation is in very light airs when I seem to need to push the boom out physically but on a larger boat with more weight that probably would not be a problem.

My advice to you is to speak to Moray, he knows a great deal and was most helpful, even making up the two sprung deck blocks for me!

Hope this helps, give me a ring if you want 07727 285 166 or 0791 504 5757 /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

All the best
Kevin M