...Another "weak" spot is the stem fitting for the forestay. I don't
think they are strong enough for the rough treatment they get from a
roller furler. That said, mine lasted for 37 years...
I'm aware of the mast step weakness and have beefed up ours, to be honest if/when I need to cross an ocean, I'll probably install a temporary compression post too. I've not had a problem with the rudder (I too suspect that the problem might originate with a grounding) or the windows - ours have never leaked a drop and until they do I'm reluctant to disturb them to fit frames; once again though if I've an ocean to cross, I'll fit lexan covers over the larger ones. However, whilst I've heard lots about the forestay deck mounting, ours looks solid and other than on one Vega years ago (It was Steve Birch's I think) I've never met/heard of anyone suffering from this problem? IMO one out of three thousand + is an isolated incident, not a fault/weakness in the design.
The additions I would make to the list are:
When the next replacement's due, upgrade the standing rigging to 6mm all round - I'm not sure there's any weakness there, but I certainly feel more comfortable for with some thicker wires up there.
Replace the combi gearbox (I suppose that's happening on most as engines are renewed) as whilst I've never been 'blessed' with one, it's my understanding that they're difficult to fix - not what you want a long way from home and that the engine's never out of gear (always spinning prop?) if you're living aboard you will at times be running the motor (even if its just to charge batteries) in some rubbish strewn areas; it sounds like a recipe for disaster.
Move the fuel tank from the bilge to a cockpit locker - a gravity fed fuel system will give fewer problems.
Fit strongback bars to enable the saloon floor boards to be secured in place and also have the facility to install one across the forehatch - we met a chap with an Atalanta in Portugal which had a similar forehatch design, that'd been ripped open by big seas off Cap St Vincent - the catch at the front had been torn away.
Install a secure and insulated pocket/holder in the cockpit for your beer can.
Bob Carlisle
Spring Fever 1776
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
think they are strong enough for the rough treatment they get from a
roller furler. That said, mine lasted for 37 years...
I'm aware of the mast step weakness and have beefed up ours, to be honest if/when I need to cross an ocean, I'll probably install a temporary compression post too. I've not had a problem with the rudder (I too suspect that the problem might originate with a grounding) or the windows - ours have never leaked a drop and until they do I'm reluctant to disturb them to fit frames; once again though if I've an ocean to cross, I'll fit lexan covers over the larger ones. However, whilst I've heard lots about the forestay deck mounting, ours looks solid and other than on one Vega years ago (It was Steve Birch's I think) I've never met/heard of anyone suffering from this problem? IMO one out of three thousand + is an isolated incident, not a fault/weakness in the design.
The additions I would make to the list are:
When the next replacement's due, upgrade the standing rigging to 6mm all round - I'm not sure there's any weakness there, but I certainly feel more comfortable for with some thicker wires up there.
Replace the combi gearbox (I suppose that's happening on most as engines are renewed) as whilst I've never been 'blessed' with one, it's my understanding that they're difficult to fix - not what you want a long way from home and that the engine's never out of gear (always spinning prop?) if you're living aboard you will at times be running the motor (even if its just to charge batteries) in some rubbish strewn areas; it sounds like a recipe for disaster.
Move the fuel tank from the bilge to a cockpit locker - a gravity fed fuel system will give fewer problems.
Fit strongback bars to enable the saloon floor boards to be secured in place and also have the facility to install one across the forehatch - we met a chap with an Atalanta in Portugal which had a similar forehatch design, that'd been ripped open by big seas off Cap St Vincent - the catch at the front had been torn away.
Install a secure and insulated pocket/holder in the cockpit for your beer can.
Bob Carlisle
Spring Fever 1776
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]