Finally did it...took about 2 hours actual time, though if you factor in all the staring and creative finagling, took all afternoon. But it was a gorgeous day here - perfect for readying one's boat for the water!! Thanks Glenn for all the detail and guidance!! See the Photo Forum for the details. (See link.) Primary goal was to add buoyancy at the top of the mast, and to make it watertight. Used noodles over expanding foam since I hope that to be easier to undo or repair if needed. I list possible advantages to the noodles in my posting. Can't wait to put the boat in! Maybe this week. Also added the Windex vane that I got for Christmas. And, quick release pins everywhere - hallelujah! New Boomkicker goes in at launch time. Only thing left is to rig the boom and mast hardware for reefing - that I can do after launching, though. Question...anyone have the Windex windvane survive a flip? When I go to do the test, I suppose I had better take that down!! Based on Glenn's success with his foaming, I am confident that this will work. Will post results once I have them! Sailing season has finally hit New England! (Frostbiters not included...;-)
Hunter 146/170 Mast, Boom Foaming / Noodling - done!!
- Thread starter Tereza
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A job well done !
Hi Tereza, Congradulations on a job well done and a good article. I'm sure others will benefit from your article and pictures. The fact that you sealed everything is inportant to keep the water from intering the mast and yes water does enter through the rivets(especially around the spreader) I would take the wind indicator off for your test, thats a nice investment that you dont want to damage. You will love the Boom Kicker ! I notice your post on the "DAY SAILOR FORUM" reguesting info on the "single line reefing" ununfortunately, Dennis has had a problem with his site and the gif is not working properly. Danny no longer has his orignal post on this topic, how evever, I know I printed it out and have it some place, If you send me an e-mail (glenn.basore@medtronic.com)I will scan it back into my pc and forward it to you. Let me know how your capsizing test goes, Brian and I had a lot of fun doing our test. It might be a good idea to have some one there to help you while doing your test, I know you sail solo most of the time be safe and have fun........
Hi Tereza, Congradulations on a job well done and a good article. I'm sure others will benefit from your article and pictures. The fact that you sealed everything is inportant to keep the water from intering the mast and yes water does enter through the rivets(especially around the spreader) I would take the wind indicator off for your test, thats a nice investment that you dont want to damage. You will love the Boom Kicker ! I notice your post on the "DAY SAILOR FORUM" reguesting info on the "single line reefing" ununfortunately, Dennis has had a problem with his site and the gif is not working properly. Danny no longer has his orignal post on this topic, how evever, I know I printed it out and have it some place, If you send me an e-mail (glenn.basore@medtronic.com)I will scan it back into my pc and forward it to you. Let me know how your capsizing test goes, Brian and I had a lot of fun doing our test. It might be a good idea to have some one there to help you while doing your test, I know you sail solo most of the time be safe and have fun........
Thanks Glenn...
That's great - thanks for digging up the diagram. I definitely plan to make the capsize test an event. Might even see if the Lake Authority would want to participate - they do safety and education sessions... And they're the dreamboats who rescued me when I turtled on my last sail of the season back in October!! Either that, or wait till my Cape Cod Bay week - where the water is shallow and warm, bottom is sandy, no seaweed... Just don't want to wait too long before convincing myself of how this works! Now just need to get the hardware for the reefing...oh boy - get to use the new rivet gun again!! ;-)
That's great - thanks for digging up the diagram. I definitely plan to make the capsize test an event. Might even see if the Lake Authority would want to participate - they do safety and education sessions... And they're the dreamboats who rescued me when I turtled on my last sail of the season back in October!! Either that, or wait till my Cape Cod Bay week - where the water is shallow and warm, bottom is sandy, no seaweed... Just don't want to wait too long before convincing myself of how this works! Now just need to get the hardware for the reefing...oh boy - get to use the new rivet gun again!! ;-)
Solo Test !
I assume you will be doing your test as you would if you were sailing by yourself, in that case, I would suggest a long "floating bow line (about 25 feet)I tie it right to the eye bolt on the bow. 1. something to hold on to just in case the boat decides to take off with you in the water trying to water ski ! lol 2. You can toss the bow line over the center board to pull the center board down, raising the boat. 3. HOLDING on to the bow line and at the stearn toss the bow line so that its inside the boat vs being along the water line outside the boat. Still holding on to the bow line, you can now pull yourself back on board by using the rear cleat and the bow line. Its a little bit of work by yourself but once you do it a few times it gets easier. With two peolpe its easy, refer back to the "foam test" Brian and I really had fun doing this test and sailing to the extreem ! had no fear of the boat turtling or getting back on board. This would be a good series of pictures to be able to post showing others just how to position yourself and the postion of your crew to right the boat ! Have fun !!!!!!!
I assume you will be doing your test as you would if you were sailing by yourself, in that case, I would suggest a long "floating bow line (about 25 feet)I tie it right to the eye bolt on the bow. 1. something to hold on to just in case the boat decides to take off with you in the water trying to water ski ! lol 2. You can toss the bow line over the center board to pull the center board down, raising the boat. 3. HOLDING on to the bow line and at the stearn toss the bow line so that its inside the boat vs being along the water line outside the boat. Still holding on to the bow line, you can now pull yourself back on board by using the rear cleat and the bow line. Its a little bit of work by yourself but once you do it a few times it gets easier. With two peolpe its easy, refer back to the "foam test" Brian and I really had fun doing this test and sailing to the extreem ! had no fear of the boat turtling or getting back on board. This would be a good series of pictures to be able to post showing others just how to position yourself and the postion of your crew to right the boat ! Have fun !!!!!!!
Bow line or stern - and no pictures, please!
More great tips - thank you!! Yes, I plan on having at least 1 other person, but would do tests both as if by myself and as if scooping a second person. Question - might it be better to attach that line to the stern? If I am hanging on for dear life as it sails away, pulling from the stern would help point it around into the wind...? And thanks so much for the suggestion of a series of pictures...just what I want to post - photos of me at my best angle wriggling like a waterlogged whale onto the slippery stern...no one could pay me enough to post THOSE pictures!! Besides, I don't know if anyone I ask to be nearby to take such pictures could stop laughing long enough to get non-shaky shots! I would rather see pictures of you and Brian, I think!!
More great tips - thank you!! Yes, I plan on having at least 1 other person, but would do tests both as if by myself and as if scooping a second person. Question - might it be better to attach that line to the stern? If I am hanging on for dear life as it sails away, pulling from the stern would help point it around into the wind...? And thanks so much for the suggestion of a series of pictures...just what I want to post - photos of me at my best angle wriggling like a waterlogged whale onto the slippery stern...no one could pay me enough to post THOSE pictures!! Besides, I don't know if anyone I ask to be nearby to take such pictures could stop laughing long enough to get non-shaky shots! I would rather see pictures of you and Brian, I think!!
LAUGHING OUT LOUD !
Thank you for giving me such a good laugh !your description is priceless
LOL Okay lets try and keep a straight face now. I found that when I was pulling myself back on board I only had the stern cleat and the line from my tiller tamer which made it hard getting back on board. I thought about using the main sheet line, however, if you are pulling on the main sheet line you will be pulling the main in and off you go. perhaps you could lock the main sheet so that the sailis are not set and still have enough line to pull yourself on board. Since I have the bow line, I can easily flip the line across the boat and be able to pull myself onboard. The problem of having a line at the stern, its already at the back of the boat, what you need is a line father forward to be able to reach higher up on and pull yourself up. I did make a rope ladder for the stern by using a long rope and tying some large foot loops (3) that are big enough that I can get my shoe into. I keep this secured to the port stern cleat and tuck the line under my seat cushion until I need it. The 18th,19th and 20th Our club will be sailing out of Mission Bay San Diego and we will be practicing this drill with a new member I will practice using the bow line as a solo sailor May be we can get some "good pictures" of how to do this without offending anyone or any other mammals and post them
Thank you for giving me such a good laugh !your description is priceless
LOL Okay lets try and keep a straight face now. I found that when I was pulling myself back on board I only had the stern cleat and the line from my tiller tamer which made it hard getting back on board. I thought about using the main sheet line, however, if you are pulling on the main sheet line you will be pulling the main in and off you go. perhaps you could lock the main sheet so that the sailis are not set and still have enough line to pull yourself on board. Since I have the bow line, I can easily flip the line across the boat and be able to pull myself onboard. The problem of having a line at the stern, its already at the back of the boat, what you need is a line father forward to be able to reach higher up on and pull yourself up. I did make a rope ladder for the stern by using a long rope and tying some large foot loops (3) that are big enough that I can get my shoe into. I keep this secured to the port stern cleat and tuck the line under my seat cushion until I need it. The 18th,19th and 20th Our club will be sailing out of Mission Bay San Diego and we will be practicing this drill with a new member I will practice using the bow line as a solo sailor May be we can get some "good pictures" of how to do this without offending anyone or any other mammals and post them Bowline
I would rig a bowline running outboard of the shrouds. It is best to bring the bow into the wind before righting. If you cannot do that, having a GOOD grip on the line as you right the boat may help you quickly bring it to a stall if it tries to escape. (Then a line over the stern would be helpful.)
I would rig a bowline running outboard of the shrouds. It is best to bring the bow into the wind before righting. If you cannot do that, having a GOOD grip on the line as you right the boat may help you quickly bring it to a stall if it tries to escape. (Then a line over the stern would be helpful.)
Noodle foam
Tereza, Thanks for the photos and details of your foaming project. Wish I'd thought of noodles instead of that messy foam-in-a-can I used. I sealed the top of my mast but not the base. I haven't done the 170 baptism ceremony yet, but I'm guessing that the mast base will remain out of the water during a capsize or a turtle, so it's unlikely that the mast will flood from that end. Maybe somebody with more experience can back me up on this, or correct me. In addition to plugging the top of my mast, I used silicone goop to seal the little holes in the center of every rivet along the mast, to prevent water from seeping in. But I want to leave a way for any water that gets into the mast -- via capsize, condensation, or whatever -- to drain out quickly. I'm eager to hear about yours, and others, first sail of the season.
Tereza, Thanks for the photos and details of your foaming project. Wish I'd thought of noodles instead of that messy foam-in-a-can I used. I sealed the top of my mast but not the base. I haven't done the 170 baptism ceremony yet, but I'm guessing that the mast base will remain out of the water during a capsize or a turtle, so it's unlikely that the mast will flood from that end. Maybe somebody with more experience can back me up on this, or correct me. In addition to plugging the top of my mast, I used silicone goop to seal the little holes in the center of every rivet along the mast, to prevent water from seeping in. But I want to leave a way for any water that gets into the mast -- via capsize, condensation, or whatever -- to drain out quickly. I'm eager to hear about yours, and others, first sail of the season.
Your right !
Hi Rick, On a 170 the bottom of the mast will be about 2 feet above the water if the 170 "turtles", I have experinece here :-( You are correct to seal all those rivets but don't forget the srews as well. the shroud spreader is the worst area so I sealed everthing around it and behid it too. after you have sealed everthing,(let dry) stick your garden hose in the mast and lower the top so the water will fill the mast, you can tell real quick if you sealed everything. I left the bottom of the mast open for all the above reasons you stated. Have fun doing the capsizing drill, practice on a beach some where in shallow waters so you can walk the boat around.
Hi Rick, On a 170 the bottom of the mast will be about 2 feet above the water if the 170 "turtles", I have experinece here :-( You are correct to seal all those rivets but don't forget the srews as well. the shroud spreader is the worst area so I sealed everthing around it and behid it too. after you have sealed everthing,(let dry) stick your garden hose in the mast and lower the top so the water will fill the mast, you can tell real quick if you sealed everything. I left the bottom of the mast open for all the above reasons you stated. Have fun doing the capsizing drill, practice on a beach some where in shallow waters so you can walk the boat around.
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