Can someone give me advice on mast-stepping my Ospray? The manual mentions a "mastjack," but I don't see one, just an oval protrusion that the base of the mast appears to slide onto. No pins to hold in in place, etc. Am I missing parts? My only experience in this department is setting a mast into a Laser.
Ospray mast stepping
- Thread starter bansheemermaid
- Start date
My Ospray has a "mast jack" positioned on hull just below where the mast is inserted on the deck. It's a post that is threaded with round threaded disk that can be turned to adjust the height of the mast, thereby tightening the side stays. The mast has a hole at the base, which when you drop the mast, slips over the mast jack. My boat is circa 1968, but I would assume most Ospray's have this feature. This is either verbose or helpful. Jim
That was a standard feature on many early O'DAYs, but may have been optional in later years. I would say that the standard mast step on your OSPREY (the cast aluminum, sort-of horseshoe-shaped piece the mast fit onto) would be original and you are not missing any parts. Early Day Sailers had the mast-jack too, but mine has basically the same as your OSPREY, a metal fitting that the base of the mast fits onto.
Attachments
Thank you, Jim. I think maybe my boat is a later model or something. Or it has been altered. I'm not sure how to check what year the boat was made, but I know the manual was dated 1966.
I think I may have many more questions for you as a fellow Ospray owner!
1) Do you have trouble purchasing sails? None of the online sellers seem to have exact dimensions. I'd rather not have one custom made due to cost...
2) I noticed about three "holes" on the side of the seats, and up where the mast sets into the hull. Looking in the manual, I see that they are intentionally there to "air out" the buoyancy material on occasion. However, there were no plugs in these holes; I fear the styrofoam (or whatever is in there) has been corrupted. Have you any experience with this?
3) I have yet to sail my new purchase. I was noticing while rigging that there is no boom vang. I really feel as though I am going to miss this once I am out on the water. any thoughts?
4) Can you suggest any good sites to visit for Ospray owners?
Thanks,
Patti
I think I may have many more questions for you as a fellow Ospray owner!
1) Do you have trouble purchasing sails? None of the online sellers seem to have exact dimensions. I'd rather not have one custom made due to cost...
2) I noticed about three "holes" on the side of the seats, and up where the mast sets into the hull. Looking in the manual, I see that they are intentionally there to "air out" the buoyancy material on occasion. However, there were no plugs in these holes; I fear the styrofoam (or whatever is in there) has been corrupted. Have you any experience with this?
3) I have yet to sail my new purchase. I was noticing while rigging that there is no boom vang. I really feel as though I am going to miss this once I am out on the water. any thoughts?
4) Can you suggest any good sites to visit for Ospray owners?
Thanks,
Patti
I haven't priced sails yet. My sails are functional, but I think they'll need replacing. If you you type O'day Ospray sails into your search engine, you're going to find a reference taking you to a Sailrite Sails page. They have sail dimensions and then a link to their home page. I haven't really checked out prices or what they can make for you. I had a MacGregor 22 some years ago and found a used main on Minney's Yacht Surplus site. Though not the exact dimensions, it was pretty darn close. They worked just great. Just a thought.
I did end up purchasing sails from Sail Warehouse in California. The price was right; three places I shopped online quoted me between $725 and $740 for a new mainsail made to specs. The one I purchased from Sail Warehouse was $365, came in a nice bag, battens included. I believe it is the sail that fits a Venture 17, but I think it will be fine. It falls about a foot (actually looks like less than a foot) short from a full stretch across the boom, and the luff is plenty long enough. I did go to the Sailrite website, where I got the specs. I was under the assumption that they sold kits - I didn't realize they made the sails as well. I did not research Sailrite's price.
I'd second the idea of adding a boom-vang! There are after-market setups available from many sources, D&R Marine has them, as does Garhauer, and any other marine hardware (blocks, cleats, etc.) suppliers, Dwyer Mast Company (D&R gets a lot of parts from them) has the one that I have on my DS II.
For sails, measure your current sails and compare them to any of the following other sailboats: Beetle Falcon, Paceship Falcon, McVay Falcon, Paceship Peregrine. All of thse boats were near sister-ships (the Falcons were basically the same boat but built by different companies over history). The Falcon might have had a smaller rig (shorter mast), but still worth checking for. My Dad had a 1950's Beetle Falcon and when he ordered new sails the mainsail was too tall..... I often wonder if the sailmaker (Smith Sails In Fairhaven, MA) Goofed and used the O'Day Osprey dimensions.....but, anyway, Dad just bought a taller mast!
For sails, measure your current sails and compare them to any of the following other sailboats: Beetle Falcon, Paceship Falcon, McVay Falcon, Paceship Peregrine. All of thse boats were near sister-ships (the Falcons were basically the same boat but built by different companies over history). The Falcon might have had a smaller rig (shorter mast), but still worth checking for. My Dad had a 1950's Beetle Falcon and when he ordered new sails the mainsail was too tall..... I often wonder if the sailmaker (Smith Sails In Fairhaven, MA) Goofed and used the O'Day Osprey dimensions.....but, anyway, Dad just bought a taller mast!