First of 2014 Season?

[Chris Profile]

First of 2014 season?

Just wondered if Impulse is the first to be out an about.

My brother and I had a quick shake-down sail around the buoys yesterday to check out all was well with the winter repairs.

Unfortunately there was little wind as you can see. However it probably was a good thing because we had problems with the reefing lines. Inexplicably the lines didn't fit! At first we thought we had put them back the wrong way but after changing them around, the second reef was still too short.???

They fitted last season so why would they not fit now? The only possible explanation is that they have shrunk in the wash! Every winter I remove and wash, in the washing machine, all the running rigging, including main and genoa halyards.

The main halyard I renewed this winter because that has always been too short. The PO had the halyards stop at the mast foot. I prefer them running back to the cockpit. The main halyard just reached but I couldn't pull the head of the sail right down when dropping the sail which meant having to remove the shackle and halyard.

Another problem was the rudder top bearing. This is the one I replaced. I knew it was a fraction tight and thought it might be ok but it wasn't. The difference between too tight and too loose in engineering terms is very small and I didn't want to end up with any play in the bearing.

I have removed the bearing and brought it back home to turn a fraction more from the inside surface. I am just going to have to guess this which is unfortunate but I think it only needs a tiny amount skimming off and then try it next weekend.

Apart from that the rudder feels very positive and much improved from the way it waggled around before.

We managed to polish the starboard top side but that was all the cosmetic maintenance that has been done since the autumn, apart from spraying her deck over with 'Patio Magic' last weekend. The deck was quite green from all the rain we have had over the winter. One week later it has all gone without any effort.

I have at last managed to take a picture of the complete tiller for those interested. Apologies for the grubby cockpit… next weekend!

One other thing I did over the winter was change the ST1000+ into a ST2000+ (replaced the drive screw and reprogrammed it) and even with the slightly stiff tiller, it was much more responsive and quieter. Cost me £46.00.

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[Antti_DD Profile Website]

Thanks for the photos! They are definitely boosting motivation of the less fortunate forum members (like myself), who still have their boats on the hard.

Anyone else on the forum, who have already sailed this season?

Interesting information about upgrading to ST2000+... did not know that it is possible. Sounds like a cleaver and cost efficient choice!

p.s. I will get back to your question on gennaker arrangement on Tuesday.

[Chris Profile]

That's great Antti,

Look forward to your reply.

Chris

[Martijn Profile]

Hi guys, After some exhausting trips I finally had a weekend dedicated to the boat. Besides a bit of sailing I could spend some time tuning both standing and running rigging. Fortunately the weather was good and a gentle wind enabled me the to play around with the Gopro a bit. Although Gopro's main feature is filming it has good capabilities shooting pictures. With the Gopro attached to a hitch it's relatively simple to take pictures with good overview using the iPhone as a remote.

[Antti_DD Profile Website]

Nice to see that also Quint is already in her element! And very nice work with the new camera, was it GoPro Hero3 that you were using? I currently have Hero2, but it would be nice to have that new model to actually see what one is photographing/filming via that iPhone app.

[Chris Profile]

Hey Martijn, doesn't Quint look fantastic?!! I bet you are really pleased with your winter's efforts. GoPro gives great angles and makes her look fantastic. Well jealous of that deck as I've said before. Looks like you had a little more wind for your first sail than we did the weekend before.

All the best

Chris

[Antti_DD Profile Website]

Finally also DD's season 2014 is opened. We had a short and chilly (air +4 degrees) season opening sail from the wintering boatyard to DD's home port. When putting on the sails I discovered (or actually remembered from Autumn) that the main sail's stack pack needed some repairs, so we decided to leave the main sail still in its the pack and sail with the genoa only. Luckily we had a downwind leg so it did not feel that cold either.

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[Martijn Profile]

congratulations, she looks great, even without a mast

I have always wondered why you have that number/code on the coach roof side, is it for competition/racing?

[Antti_DD Profile Website]

Thanks Martijn, the number/code is actually a boat registration number. It has been mandatory here for a couple of years to have it displayed on a visible place at the boat. I am not particularly a fan of this legislation but what can you do. I tried to come up with a place and font that isn't too visible or striking.

[Martijn Profile]

Well I think it's actually kind of cool looking. In Holland only fast speed boats need a regestration number. For sailing boats like ours you actually don't even have to put a name on. I think it's remarkable you have so many regulation in Finland for boat owners (extra emergency steering). I think this would more suit Holland for it's overcrowded with boats and Dutch covernment thrives on rules and regulations. Guess on this particular subject we are lucky for a change