Shrouds

[Don]

Well, I went shopping and struck out. Fishing stores on the Island don’t carry stainless wire but she said she’d check with her supplier. Post binders must have lasted too long, they’ve discontinued them. Ah, the joys of living on an island. I’ll look for wire on the internet.
Don

[grizzlyone]

Hey Don,
Sunday was a drifter. I think we managed to get in a half a dozen races with 6 IOMs. Sprint to the next parking lot and repeat…I hanked on some lighter A-rig sails that did OK. I’m optimistically working on my B rig now…

The Soling mast is free to rotate on the mast jack but, as Dick said, the shrouds keep it pretty much where it needs to be.

I’ve got Steelon excess to my current needs if you’re interested. LMK.

[Don]

Thanks Mike, I’ll let you know. I looked for wire on the net and Small Parts.com has about anything I could want and cheap.
http://www.smallparts.com/products/descriptions/swx.cfm
Has anyone from Canada delt with them?
Thanks
Don

[yar]

Don,

As stated, I use kevlar line but, in the past, I have used guitar strings (steel, my packet here says .011, Peavey Electronics - I’m unfamilar with string sizes). Do you have a music store on the island?

yar

[Don]

That’s funny, I was just looking at guitar strings. Do you know how long they are? I need about 5 ft.
Don

[yar]

… guitar strings. Do you know how long they are?
The one I have is 40 inches.

yar

[Don]

Bowsies work fine but tuning is tentative as mentioned above. Her’s another method. Rig up a small piece of flat aluminum or brass plate. The plate will be about 4mm wide and 25 or 30 mm long. file or cut a narrow slot in one end, down the middle of the plate maybe 6mm deep and 1mm wide. Bend the slotted end into a rounded shape, sort of like a fish hook. In the end of the backstay line, vang line, outhaul line, down haul line, string 8 or 10 small beads. Tie a knot in the backstay line end so the beads will not escape. The fish hook plate will be attached to the deck or where ever. Hook the beaded end into the slot in the plate. Select the bead that gives the desired tension on the line. Simple, cheap, repeatable adjustment.

Like this, I thought I was so clever. I guess there isn’t anything new under the sun.
Don

[messabout]

Don; That is the general idea… I expect that there really are some never before used ideas that might be inside some of our heads. but… this is a big world and a lot of people have already been thinking about various methods and innovation. I think it is a credit to modelers that they are so willing to share information and notions. I got the bead idea from another RC sailor who got it from another one who got it from…etc.

You are a US1 guy, right? I have not sailed that class before but I like the developement boats better than strict one designs. That gives me the ability to make more mistakes than people who make sane boat choices. I’ve been in the process of selecting a hull for that class. I’m thinking of the Orca. It appears that that one will have more form stability than Magic, mistral, and others. Maybe get away with less bulb weight. Your comments appreciated.

My current build project is a 50/800. The boat is of my own devising and it is something on the order of an inland lakes scow. It may be deficient on the downwind legs but it should be a demon on windward legs. The next one will be a US1 of one kind or another.

[Don]

I found some wire!!! It was in the back corner of an old fishing shop. It’s Marlin wire of all things. There’s no marlin within a thousand miles(or so) of here. It’s solid stainless .020" dia 90# test. I kind of wanted stranded but beggers can’t be choosers. I had to buy 300 ft so me and everyone I know are set. It didn’t come with sleeves but I think 1/16" brass tubing will work.

Messabout
The only boat I’ve had experience with is the Mistral. I’ve had weather helm concerns that I haven’t sorted out but that could be all my fault.

Don