Wykeham-Bloody-Martin

[Kristal]

Another voyage involving a precarious monkey trick on the bowsprit in F5+, and Messrs Wykeham and Martin are in danger of receiving a stroppy letter (I doubt it will do much good!).

Has anyone had any experience with a more modern headsail furling gear on a classic boat - one which doesn't look out of place, but is less likely to foul up all the time? Crystal's rig is already fairly modern looking, with stainless standing rigging and a modern racing mast and boom, and she has a bowsprit of about 3-4 feet - see pictures by visiting the link below.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.


<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.crystaltwo.co.uk/>Crystal II in Pictures</A>

 

[Guest]

There are some issues with Wykeham Martins. Like you, I have over the past cursed them but once tamed they are a good piece of kit and IMO worth persevering with. Here are some pointers I have found helpful:

1. Make sure that the foresail has a luff wire (not rope) of sufficient rigidity
2. The luff has to be good and tight; too loose and it won't furl
3. Make sure the furling line runs at right angles from the drum and then to your cockpit by means of fairleads
4. when you are furling or unfurling, make sure that you keep a hold of the furling line. If you let it go all at once, it is likely to lose a turn
5. Is the size of the WM correct; i.e. not too small

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[Peterduck]

One of the things that I found with a similar [Ronstan] furling gear was that it was important to keep a light tension on the jib sheet while you are furling. This ensures that the sail lies close to the forestay and doesn't balloon around all over the place. I would also advocate Pro-Ma penetrating lubricant for the bearings of both the furling drum and more importantly, the swivel. It's not easy to find, but it is terrific stuff. That company's grease is quite special too. Of course, any lubricant is better than none at all.
Peter.

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[Plum]

Lovely Boat! Don't recall seeing you at the East Coast Classic Boat (OGA) events.

Regarding W-M, I do not believe there is an alternative that will work better. I very raraly get a foul-up, but then it is only because I have not been careful. The gear itself has never failed. What exactly goes wrong?

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[Tulla]

Hi

Go have a look on: www.bartelsgmbh.de

Stuff looks pretty good on classics yet incorporates up to date technics and manufacturing.

Reg

Tulla

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Tulla on 24/02/2004 09:28 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Mirelle]

Major Wykeham-Martin\'s excellent invention...

Could you be a little more precise about the symptoms?

In my experience, the following are not unusual:

1. Line jumps off drum and jams - solution: keep slight tension on line during unfurling, reduce number of turns on drum

2. Sail won't roll all the way up - solutions: harden up halyard, add turns to drum.

3. Line breaks - solution: use better line. Hard braided line is best.

4. Drum capsizes en route to end of bowsprit on traveller - solution: hoist the sail most of the way before hauling on the outhaul, keeping tension on the furling line as you do so.

<hr width=100% size=1>Que scais-je?