Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Fun Stuff/Mission Creep

The "Fun Stuff" in the title is an indication that I'm getting started on the part of the boat that I have a clue about, and starting the many rigging projects. The photo below was my "kid at christmas" moment, as I've got that and 2 other big boxes of cordage and hardware for 88.
What we've got on the plate for 88:

-All new control layout and purchase systems: There's only so many different ways to rig a Shields, but I'm after getting it perfect. I've sailed on these boats for a number of years and have a fair idea of what should be where. Means nothing till we try it out though!

-New Standing Rigging: Like a lot of Shields, this one has the oddest old turnbuckles and standing rigging hardware. Theres a combination of center screw, open body and lifeline (!) turnbuckles, all held together with a whole bunch of toggles. It's all overdue for replacement, and it can all be simplified and made to the correct length. Have a prototype Hayn calibrated turnbuckle for the headstay, which is quite exciting.

-New Running Rigging: This ones a no brainer, as the old lines are usually giant (we have a 5/8" spinnaker halyard!), old, wire (eck) or just lousy.
Halyards: New England's V100 for Main and Jib, with Tylaska Spool shackles at the ends. The lines will be stripped in the middle, and covered where the lines are handled, as well as cover at the shackle ends. This is overkill, but I want the boats rigging to be representative of the best out there. Adding cover to the shackle end means the halyards are chafe guarded at the ends, and they can also be skyed when stored to avoid UV damage on the stripped portion.
Sheets and Control Lines: This ones easy, we're using a lot of NERopes for this, and I'm excited to try out their Flight Line for tapered spinnaker sheets. Even the custom double tapered spin sheet I make is heavier than Flight Line!
Shackles: Going to use soft shackles wherever appropriate. It's not that the Shields is that reactive to extra weight, but again, I want the boat to be as well rigged and current as possible.
-Mast Partner System: This year we're going to try a box shaped mast partner with raised sides. This is good because it lets you have easy to fit/tight clearance shims, and it also makes a coaming to keep water out. The system I'm putting together will hopefully work great, and be a simple bolt on for other boats looking to upgrade. Currently we have an irregular cracked ovalish hole, so anything will be an improvement!

Misc: Things like the radiused raised traveler with most of the purchase below deck, redoing an old boom, etc.


MISSION CREEP

Ahh, growing projects. Anyone with a boat knows the old "as long as________, then might as well _______" It's the attitude that takes simple project boats and turns them into wrecks that take years, or worse, end up less complete than when they started. Hoping that's not the case, but our latest bit of growing plans involve painting the boat.

The deck is in good structural shape, but the paint is not good. From anecdotal evidence, the previous owner bought a gallon of Brightside, brush and a case of beer, and painted the boat on the mooring. Apparently this involved swimming, as he painted himself into the end of the boat opposite from the dinghy! Unfortunately, his purchases didn't include primer, sandpaper or even soap. The paint comes off if you look at it hard, and is generally damn ugly. Sadly, it's applied over pretty good gelcoat, which isn;t going to be recoverable.

Have changed the paint plan for the topsides yet again, now we're looking like:


In the meantime, between customer projects I managed to sneak in about 8hrs on 88. Keels prepped for epoxy (need a couple warm days) and the deck gears been mostly removed. All the old holes are getting filled/faired and then new gear fitted before the deck gets painted. Thats a bit backwards, but I've got to get as much done before painting as possible. This weeks screwy between wedding stuff and strictly sail stuff, I have very little time for any actual work, for customers or myself.

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