We just bought a 1998 260. Having never sailed one before, we're overall pleased as we gingerly learn our ways with it. But one thing I found interesting/annoying. The blocks for the jib don't allow the roller furling to extend any further than a 100% jib. Has anybody installed genoa tracks to allow the use of a larger headsail? Or am I just missing something about the boat? Deucer Biloxi MS
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Keesler Marina
Rick, Keesler is making progress. Right now they're hoping to be back in business by next April. They've got the major walks done and are installing the floating docks. They've still got to roof the pavillions and get the fueling dock rebuilt. I'll try to to get some pictures to post. I'm trying hard to get them to put in a dry berthing area for us trailor sailors. Probably got a 60% chance of succeeding. The ramp here is sweet for launching a 260. With the trailor in the water, you've got 4 feet of water under the stern at low tide. Enough to lower the rudder. We're still feeling our way out of the Back Bay Channel (we've only been here for 4 1/2 mo and just got the boat three weeks ago. So far, so good. Karen and I are anxious to get some warm weather to come sail over in your neighborhood. Deucer
Rick, Keesler is making progress. Right now they're hoping to be back in business by next April. They've got the major walks done and are installing the floating docks. They've still got to roof the pavillions and get the fueling dock rebuilt. I'll try to to get some pictures to post. I'm trying hard to get them to put in a dry berthing area for us trailor sailors. Probably got a 60% chance of succeeding. The ramp here is sweet for launching a 260. With the trailor in the water, you've got 4 feet of water under the stern at low tide. Enough to lower the rudder. We're still feeling our way out of the Back Bay Channel (we've only been here for 4 1/2 mo and just got the boat three weeks ago. So far, so good. Karen and I are anxious to get some warm weather to come sail over in your neighborhood. Deucer
Charisma, Thanks for the tip. On our first sail, we didn't even pull the jib out and were amazed how quickly the boat gathered speed with a slight increase in wind. This is our first boat (and first time sailing a water ballast boat), so we're taking it very easy at first. We learned to sail in Santa Barbara on fin keelboats, so this shallow water, swingkeel and water ballast stuff is keeping us from getting to rambucous. Deucer
Trailor Sailing
Rick, I didn't answer you question. I guess you'd have to say, "Yes, we're trailor sailing." Currently, the Kessler Marina is out of business for a wet slip. So we store the boat about 1/4 away in the R/V storage lot. But, heck...$15/mo for secure storage ain't bad. As I said in the earlier post, we're hoping to be able to dry berth for about the same price starting next spring. Sure would make going sailing easier, if we didn't have to rig the boat each time. We bought the 260 because of its trailerability. I probably still have a few years left before I retire and we might end back up on the Great Plains (CO, WY, MT, or WY). We wanted a boat that we could lake sail with. I'd pretty stupid with a 36ft Catalina in a mountain pond..sigh. We also hope to poke around Mobile Bay, Pensecola, Ft Walton, and maybe Jacksonville on the weekends (OK...long weekends). Sure easier to get there at 65 mph than 5 kts. Deucer
Rick, I didn't answer you question. I guess you'd have to say, "Yes, we're trailor sailing." Currently, the Kessler Marina is out of business for a wet slip. So we store the boat about 1/4 away in the R/V storage lot. But, heck...$15/mo for secure storage ain't bad. As I said in the earlier post, we're hoping to be able to dry berth for about the same price starting next spring. Sure would make going sailing easier, if we didn't have to rig the boat each time. We bought the 260 because of its trailerability. I probably still have a few years left before I retire and we might end back up on the Great Plains (CO, WY, MT, or WY). We wanted a boat that we could lake sail with. I'd pretty stupid with a 36ft Catalina in a mountain pond..sigh. We also hope to poke around Mobile Bay, Pensecola, Ft Walton, and maybe Jacksonville on the weekends (OK...long weekends). Sure easier to get there at 65 mph than 5 kts. Deucer
Sounds Familiar
We bought our 23.5 there for all the same reasons. We were one of the first ones in the marina after it was rebuilt after Georges. Four years later my wife got orders out here to Eglin then with one year to retire they sent her back to Keesler to open the hospital back up along with a two year comitment for a PCS. She stays out there during the week and comes back here during the week. Except this week the kids and I are going to go visit her and get our TatoNut fix. When you get out here look us up.
We bought our 23.5 there for all the same reasons. We were one of the first ones in the marina after it was rebuilt after Georges. Four years later my wife got orders out here to Eglin then with one year to retire they sent her back to Keesler to open the hospital back up along with a two year comitment for a PCS. She stays out there during the week and comes back here during the week. Except this week the kids and I are going to go visit her and get our TatoNut fix. When you get out here look us up.
Genoa track on the hull/deck joint lip...
You didn't mention what size your furling head sail is, but if it is more than 110% you need to run outside the shrouds. The easiest place to mount a track is on the lip formed by the hull/deck joint. For a large genoa (135% plus) or drifter, this is ideal. I have the standard hank on jib, and this is great for wind speed of 7 knots or more. For lighter air I have a drifter and run the sheets to the stern rail at the aft of the boat. For better sail shape on different points of sail, I plan to mount a couple of attach points on the hull/deck joint: one just forward of the forward end of the cockpit, and the other about midway between there at the forward end of the stern rail. Fair winds, Tom
You didn't mention what size your furling head sail is, but if it is more than 110% you need to run outside the shrouds. The easiest place to mount a track is on the lip formed by the hull/deck joint. For a large genoa (135% plus) or drifter, this is ideal. I have the standard hank on jib, and this is great for wind speed of 7 knots or more. For lighter air I have a drifter and run the sheets to the stern rail at the aft of the boat. For better sail shape on different points of sail, I plan to mount a couple of attach points on the hull/deck joint: one just forward of the forward end of the cockpit, and the other about midway between there at the forward end of the stern rail. Fair winds, Tom
Companionway Snaps
Tom, Thanks for the advice. We're going to take the boat out to Ship Island tomorrow, and I hope for enough breeze to see if I really need to pull the jib out further. On another note, I saw where you installed snaps for a companionway cover/pop-top screen. I just purchased a companionway cover and need to install the snaps on the boat. I read about the issues with installing hardware and water weeping around screws. If I understand what I've read right, the best way to install the snaps is to drill a hole 2X larger than the screws for the snaps, fill the hole completely with epoxy, let dry, then drill a pilot hole in the epoxy, then install the screw/snap with a bed of 3M 5200. Sounds like a lot of work and time, but I really don't want to ruin the boat's deck. So, to get to the point, how'd you do it? Thanks. Deucer OBTW, my wife is from Brockton...
Tom, Thanks for the advice. We're going to take the boat out to Ship Island tomorrow, and I hope for enough breeze to see if I really need to pull the jib out further. On another note, I saw where you installed snaps for a companionway cover/pop-top screen. I just purchased a companionway cover and need to install the snaps on the boat. I read about the issues with installing hardware and water weeping around screws. If I understand what I've read right, the best way to install the snaps is to drill a hole 2X larger than the screws for the snaps, fill the hole completely with epoxy, let dry, then drill a pilot hole in the epoxy, then install the screw/snap with a bed of 3M 5200. Sounds like a lot of work and time, but I really don't want to ruin the boat's deck. So, to get to the point, how'd you do it? Thanks. Deucer OBTW, my wife is from Brockton...
Roller Furler
That is why I do not have one, yet. I do have a Yankee Bag for the jib and a downhaul easy enough that way. For the companion way cover I just drilled and screwed in the snaps. There is a liner in the upper shell of the boat with a couple of inch void between getting epoxy to stay would be tough. I laid mine out so it was all set in position rubbed the snaps on the fiberglass so it left a ring then drilled a hole in the middle of the ring. If you run the drill backwards at first there will be less chance of the gelcoat cracking. I squirted some sealer in the whole before I screwed the snap on and get no leaks at all.
That is why I do not have one, yet. I do have a Yankee Bag for the jib and a downhaul easy enough that way. For the companion way cover I just drilled and screwed in the snaps. There is a liner in the upper shell of the boat with a couple of inch void between getting epoxy to stay would be tough. I laid mine out so it was all set in position rubbed the snaps on the fiberglass so it left a ring then drilled a hole in the middle of the ring. If you run the drill backwards at first there will be less chance of the gelcoat cracking. I squirted some sealer in the whole before I screwed the snap on and get no leaks at all.
Installing snaps...
Hi Deucer, I simply drilled the proper size hole (don't go too small) and filled them with caulk before screwing the snap base in. I wouldn't use 5200 in case you ever need to replace it. Fair winds, Tom
Hi Deucer, I simply drilled the proper size hole (don't go too small) and filled them with caulk before screwing the snap base in. I wouldn't use 5200 in case you ever need to replace it. Fair winds, Tom
Larger Headsail
Deucer and Others, I have asked this question before and did not install tracks. I purchased a Doyle UPS for the boat and it's quite nice. Has its own furler and installs ahead of the headsail. I have a PDF from Doyle that explains it. I like the sail for light air. Installation is easy. It doesn't point higher than about 40 degrees apparent but when reaching and running in light air it is the best. With all due respect to comments made about the stock rig and its large main, the stock headsail won't move the boat very well in light air (under 3-4 knots). If you want to see the PDF, send me your email address and I can forward it to you. dfhoch@yahoo.com I race the boat with our yacht club on Lake Mead and do fairly well with a PHRF rating of 218. David Hoch
Deucer and Others, I have asked this question before and did not install tracks. I purchased a Doyle UPS for the boat and it's quite nice. Has its own furler and installs ahead of the headsail. I have a PDF from Doyle that explains it. I like the sail for light air. Installation is easy. It doesn't point higher than about 40 degrees apparent but when reaching and running in light air it is the best. With all due respect to comments made about the stock rig and its large main, the stock headsail won't move the boat very well in light air (under 3-4 knots). If you want to see the PDF, send me your email address and I can forward it to you. dfhoch@yahoo.com I race the boat with our yacht club on Lake Mead and do fairly well with a PHRF rating of 218. David Hoch
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