Quick topic to throw out there... With winter here and sailing activities limited to reading sailing articles and websites dedicated to selling gear, I often wonder if some of these items are really worth it. In the spirit of learning from the experience of other owners, is there gear or modifications you have made to your boat that you wish you would not have done?
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Mods that I wish I didn't do
Chuck L. Oh Ya! I've talked about some of the mods that I've done on my 222 that were successful to this very day, but there have been some that I wish I didn't do. Years ago, I used to subscribe to Small Boat Journal Magazine, which was a great mag in it's day. They had a lot of great articles on small boat mods and "how to's". One of them involved a self steering setup with surgical tubbing with Gennie sheet to tiller. To make it work, I had to install a small cheek block on each of my combings, in line with my tiller. It never worked that great, and I still have these cheek blocks mounted, but they really aren't in the way of anything. Another modification that I made was a sail jock for my boom which involved drilling holes for small stainless steel hooks and bails on both sides of the boom, and using Bungee cord. The hooks were always catching on to things and it turned out to be a total disaster. So I removed the hooks and bails by drilling out the rivets. Today, my boom has a lot of ugly small holes in it. This is one mod that I wish that I didn't do, as later on I discovered that Davis came out with a sail jock that was completely self contained, and could be installed on any boom in a matter of seconds with no drilling whatsoever. Davis no longer has these sail jocks in there catalog, so I've been replacing the Bungee cord and the Nylon webbing every couple of years, using the original plastic hooks that came with it when I bought it. One of the plastic hooks broke last year, so I'm going to have to do something else for a sail jock. Someone on this site last year provided everyone with a link to a site that shows how to build a sail jock similar to the Davis Jock. I sent the link to my friend Walter, and he built one for his Mac 26 and he's very happy with it. So maybe I'll just retire the old Davis Sail Jock and build this one. Check out the link provided. Best Wishes for the holidays! Joe
Chuck L. Oh Ya! I've talked about some of the mods that I've done on my 222 that were successful to this very day, but there have been some that I wish I didn't do. Years ago, I used to subscribe to Small Boat Journal Magazine, which was a great mag in it's day. They had a lot of great articles on small boat mods and "how to's". One of them involved a self steering setup with surgical tubbing with Gennie sheet to tiller. To make it work, I had to install a small cheek block on each of my combings, in line with my tiller. It never worked that great, and I still have these cheek blocks mounted, but they really aren't in the way of anything. Another modification that I made was a sail jock for my boom which involved drilling holes for small stainless steel hooks and bails on both sides of the boom, and using Bungee cord. The hooks were always catching on to things and it turned out to be a total disaster. So I removed the hooks and bails by drilling out the rivets. Today, my boom has a lot of ugly small holes in it. This is one mod that I wish that I didn't do, as later on I discovered that Davis came out with a sail jock that was completely self contained, and could be installed on any boom in a matter of seconds with no drilling whatsoever. Davis no longer has these sail jocks in there catalog, so I've been replacing the Bungee cord and the Nylon webbing every couple of years, using the original plastic hooks that came with it when I bought it. One of the plastic hooks broke last year, so I'm going to have to do something else for a sail jock. Someone on this site last year provided everyone with a link to a site that shows how to build a sail jock similar to the Davis Jock. I sent the link to my friend Walter, and he built one for his Mac 26 and he's very happy with it. So maybe I'll just retire the old Davis Sail Jock and build this one. Check out the link provided. Best Wishes for the holidays! Joe
- Jan 22, 2008
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stingey and conservative
I have learned from previous boats that too often I upgrade only to find that it was not worth it, in that I could not get the price out of it when selling. As such I would remove this equipment and switch it out to the next boat. I have learned in this process, that as much as possible, equipment should be portable. As such my recent upgrades (read switch outs from my previous boat) have been my VHF portable radio, GPS, PFD's, tools, ground tackle, jib furling, DRS, inverter and deep cycle battery. My regrets at previous upgrades have been a 5w rigid solar panel, (I would go with flexible, as my previous 2 were cracked when I leaned on them).Another piece of advice I would give is that if you are going to send your main away for a set of reef points, get two or three sets put it at the same time. You will eventually have a day when you will appreciate that you had it done right the first time. When I think I need a piece of equipment, I usually do a fair amount of research on it, then give it some time to think about how often and when I would use it. Often, I decide against it or refine my need as time goes on. I am currently doing this with a new GPS I have my eye on. It is a great system but the software and maps for my area are rumored to have a newer version coming out in the spring. As such I am waiting to see what else may come out in the meantime. I usually set up a want/need list and as my research finds things I set up a shopping list. I usually don't act on it until early spring, about 6 weeks before the boating season. I also try to order everything from one place to reduce shipping costs. That is the system I am using currently, and I am really enjoying this topic and forum as I wile away the long winter hours and days. I look forward to learning what others are doing in this regard.
I have learned from previous boats that too often I upgrade only to find that it was not worth it, in that I could not get the price out of it when selling. As such I would remove this equipment and switch it out to the next boat. I have learned in this process, that as much as possible, equipment should be portable. As such my recent upgrades (read switch outs from my previous boat) have been my VHF portable radio, GPS, PFD's, tools, ground tackle, jib furling, DRS, inverter and deep cycle battery. My regrets at previous upgrades have been a 5w rigid solar panel, (I would go with flexible, as my previous 2 were cracked when I leaned on them).Another piece of advice I would give is that if you are going to send your main away for a set of reef points, get two or three sets put it at the same time. You will eventually have a day when you will appreciate that you had it done right the first time. When I think I need a piece of equipment, I usually do a fair amount of research on it, then give it some time to think about how often and when I would use it. Often, I decide against it or refine my need as time goes on. I am currently doing this with a new GPS I have my eye on. It is a great system but the software and maps for my area are rumored to have a newer version coming out in the spring. As such I am waiting to see what else may come out in the meantime. I usually set up a want/need list and as my research finds things I set up a shopping list. I usually don't act on it until early spring, about 6 weeks before the boating season. I also try to order everything from one place to reduce shipping costs. That is the system I am using currently, and I am really enjoying this topic and forum as I wile away the long winter hours and days. I look forward to learning what others are doing in this regard.
Appreciate the Insights
Roger/Joe, Appreciate the insights.....like most of the owners, the decision to upgrade or change something is usually mine to make. It's a pretty solitary process that sometimes you worry about the excitement of "doing something" rather than doing the right thing. I also worry about doing something dumb! The previous owner rigged up a block on the aft stanchion to help pull the outboard up and it really bent the rail badly (nice 2 inch dip in the rail!). I actually remember the self-steering set-up you described. It's nice to have a data point on the effectiveness of that setup. As for selecting gear, I agree with the point of the equipment being removable....I believe Santa will be bringing me a little Lowrance unit and I am contemplating the best mounting method with the thought of easy removal if I move up or out of this boat. One of the little projects I keep thinking about is a method to keep my swim ladder in the up position when underway and when I'm off the boat and easily dropped when I row up in my dingy or kayak or if I fall overboard. Hopefully I can come up with a cunning little scheme that will look attractive and be functional.
Roger/Joe, Appreciate the insights.....like most of the owners, the decision to upgrade or change something is usually mine to make. It's a pretty solitary process that sometimes you worry about the excitement of "doing something" rather than doing the right thing. I also worry about doing something dumb! The previous owner rigged up a block on the aft stanchion to help pull the outboard up and it really bent the rail badly (nice 2 inch dip in the rail!). I actually remember the self-steering set-up you described. It's nice to have a data point on the effectiveness of that setup. As for selecting gear, I agree with the point of the equipment being removable....I believe Santa will be bringing me a little Lowrance unit and I am contemplating the best mounting method with the thought of easy removal if I move up or out of this boat. One of the little projects I keep thinking about is a method to keep my swim ladder in the up position when underway and when I'm off the boat and easily dropped when I row up in my dingy or kayak or if I fall overboard. Hopefully I can come up with a cunning little scheme that will look attractive and be functional.
Swim Ladder
Joe, Ah, the Highwayman knot. I have not used it, but it certainly is useful, as you point out. I currently have a rube-goldberg type affair that holds the ladder up and I tie off on the aft cleat. What I was thinking about doing was 1.Adding Teak threads to the swim ladder add 2. Adding a quick release at the rail that catches the ladder. I would have a halyard that hangs down. The thought is there, the execution is the deal! Alternatively, your suggestion is certainly better than my configuration. Thanks for the heads up!
Joe, Ah, the Highwayman knot. I have not used it, but it certainly is useful, as you point out. I currently have a rube-goldberg type affair that holds the ladder up and I tie off on the aft cleat. What I was thinking about doing was 1.Adding Teak threads to the swim ladder add 2. Adding a quick release at the rail that catches the ladder. I would have a halyard that hangs down. The thought is there, the execution is the deal! Alternatively, your suggestion is certainly better than my configuration. Thanks for the heads up!
Swim ladder clamp
Chuck, I think that Rudy sells a clamp for your swim ladder. My friend Alden had one on the swim ladder of his O'Day 192, that Rudy built for him years ago. Alden owned one of the six 192s that Rudy built. I think that the other four went to owners in Japan. The clamp is made of nylon or something, and allows the ladder tubing to snap on. Check with Rudy. He may even have something better for this purpose. That step idea sounds great. I'd like to do that one, myself. Joe
Chuck, I think that Rudy sells a clamp for your swim ladder. My friend Alden had one on the swim ladder of his O'Day 192, that Rudy built for him years ago. Alden owned one of the six 192s that Rudy built. I think that the other four went to owners in Japan. The clamp is made of nylon or something, and allows the ladder tubing to snap on. Check with Rudy. He may even have something better for this purpose. That step idea sounds great. I'd like to do that one, myself. Joe
Ladder Clamp
Joe, Yes, my buddy Ruddy! I remember this summer running down for the last minute parts before I splashed Everlong (my link attached). I have a habit of running up there on a Saturday morning and I can't get out of there for a couple of hours...always a pleasure. I'll have to check with him. Thanks.
Joe, Yes, my buddy Ruddy! I remember this summer running down for the last minute parts before I splashed Everlong (my link attached). I have a habit of running up there on a Saturday morning and I can't get out of there for a couple of hours...always a pleasure. I'll have to check with him. Thanks.
Swim Ladder Clip
Joe, I was actually off work today and swung by R&D in Assonet (I needed to pickup a new Hawse pipe, since my is the smaller version that I really don't like. Good deal). Anyways, I was asking Rudy about the Swim Platform Clips and he doesn't have my size (7/8) in stock, but he should have them in January. Said to make sure to tell you Hi!
Joe, I was actually off work today and swung by R&D in Assonet (I needed to pickup a new Hawse pipe, since my is the smaller version that I really don't like. Good deal). Anyways, I was asking Rudy about the Swim Platform Clips and he doesn't have my size (7/8) in stock, but he should have them in January. Said to make sure to tell you Hi!
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