Refit of Whisper, #2751

[millerkm81]

We are glad to report that Whisper, Vega #2751, has found a new home with us in the
Chesapeake Bay. The previous owner, Ron Bodkin, was active on this forum, and we've
been taking advantage of this excellent resource in making our decision about buying the
boat. I have a feeling that we'll be fairly active here as well as we get ready to take
Whisper over the horizon next year.

Now the work begins, however. We are refitting Whisper for a 2-3 year cruise in the
Caribbean, and possibly beyond. Our aim is for a departure date of November, 2006. As
such we have a few questions and concerns:

1) We are replacing all standing rigging. The existing rigging is 3/16 inch wire with
swaged aircraft eye terminals (pin size is 5/16). One rigger we spoke with suggested
increasing the size of the upper shrouds, as well as the backstay and forestay to 7/32 inch
wire, and drilling out the tangs to accomodate 7/16 inch pins. After reading the postings
here regarding wire size it sounds like there is a consesus that 3/16 wire and 5/16 pins
are sufficient. We would appreciate a confirmation of this assessment, though.

2) We plan on using swaged aircraft eye terminals for the upper ends of the stays and
shrouds, and use Sta-loc fittings for the bottom end. Does anyone take issue with this?

3) Whisper has a Proctor mast with cylindrical spreaders. The rigger we are using seems
to think that the spreaders aren't aligned properly, i.e aren't bisecting the angle of the
upper shrouds (currently they are angled up at a slight angle, but I don't know exactly
what it is). Does anyone know what the mast-spreader angle should be on this particular
mast?

4) We are also replacing the genoa sheet winches with either Anderson 28ST or Anderson
40ST winches or Harken 32ST winches. The question I have is wheather there will be
space for the nuts and bolts for these winches. The base diameter of the 28ST is 125mm,
and the 40ST has a base diameter of 152 mm, while the Harken is 139mm. I'm not sure
how far inside the base diameter the boltholes are. Has anyone installed these types of
winches on a Vega before?

5) Sails... We are replacing the original main and 135% genny with a new main and
probably a 100% jib from North Sails, thinking that in the Caribbean the winds will be a
steady 15-20 kt. What would be your choice of working jib/genny/yankee (?) size for
Caribbean cruising, with comfort, speed and balance in mind?

6) Traveller... is there any point in replacing the original captive track non-roller bearing
traveller with a new one? Do you find that you use your traveller to balance your Vega?

7) Windlass.. we are considering buying a manual windlass (probably a Lofrans) to handle
our ground tackle. Any tips?

We could probably go on and on, but we will leave it at this for now. Thanks in advance
for any advice!

Hans Ericsson & Kristen Miller, s/v Whisper

 

[stevebirch2002]

Hi Hans & Kristen

First welcome to the Vega family.

1. The standing rigging is adequate as is. If you increase the diameter of
teh standing rigging then you should also replace all the chainplates as
well, only as strong as the weakest link! In teh UK and Europe we use 5mm
standing rigging (dont know the corresponding imperial measurement).

2. No comment as I do nothave any knowledge of Stalock fittings.

3. The spreaders are supposed to go up at a slight angle, dont worry. Check
the hounds (spreader end that goes against the mast) for cracks. These are
available.

4. I would stick with either a 15ST or 28ST maximum for your winches. An
ideal winch is the Lewmar 16ST. Original equipment was a standard Lewmar 8 !

5. No comment as I have no experience of Caribbean cruising. I would prefer
a furling genoa for ease of use in all winds.

6. I would definitely change the original main tarveller for a new one with
cars etc. Easy to fit and not too expensive.

7. The smallest manual Lofrans is an ideal Windlass.

I ma sure you will get no end of help and advice from the group. Hope this
helps as a start.

Kind Regards

Steve Birch Vega "Southern Comfort" V1703

 

[SVFlyAway]

Hi,

I can comment on your standing rigging and winches.

I just put new standing and running rigging on my Vega (well I also replaced
the mast (rather pricey that) -- so I am new from the deck up (well the boom
had been replaced not too long ago, so I kept that). I had Brion Toss
rigging do the work and they allowed me to work right along with them (for
that opportunity they only charged me double I think

Anyway the wire that came standard I¹ve been told,was all 5mm. That size is
right between 3/16 and 7/32. So going all 3/16 is actually undersizing. Your
rigger is right about the sizing. When we ran the numbers in the rig
formulas it came back with the recommendation that we use 7/32 on the furler
(a Schaffer) and back stay(s) and also the uppers. For the fore and aft
lowers we went with 3/16. Of course I thought it best to upgrade the size,
but Brion assured me that a rig that is properly sized will perform better
and probably have greater strength.

We pulled one of the chainplates and also the stemfitting and they all
checked out just fine. Again I was aiming to build a much bigger stem
fitting, but Brion was so impressed with the quality of the workmanship of
the stock unit he convinced me otherwise. Of course we completely filled all
the bolt holes and added some new glass to the inside of the stemfitting to
give it ³new life.²

I also used swagged terminals aloft and used a fitting that is somewhat
newer than Stalock or Norseman on the deck termination Hayn is the brand.
Of course the 7/32 fitting is bigger than the 3/16. I did this to not only
reduce the weight aloft, but still have the ability to custom fit the rig
once the new mast was stepped. One thing Brion does is to bed the Hayn
fitting by the way. Also I also added was a Strongtrack which allows the
main to be handled with great ease, and also lazyjacks.

As for the winches, I too looked at Andersons and also Lewmar 16STs as Steve
suggested. I chose the Lewmars as they are so easy to strip-down and clean
and lube. I actually used the old Lewmar 8s on the mast. I have used Lewmars
for years on all my boats big and small, and they have been great winches.
Plus, I got a much better price break on them through my commercial account.

If you have questions you might call Brion Toss rigging to consult. I don¹t
know what they¹d charge for this, but they are great folks.

Hope that helps, and I hope this doesn¹t set off a fire storm like whether
to lock or spin a prop I enjoyed that, it was most interesting reading
(glad I have a high-speed internet download though).

Chris

 

[pelagicasd]

Doing the math (and I forget the formula) shows 1/8" rigging is adequate for
a boat like ours, 3/16" is already a step up for safety, anything larger is
overkill. I'd never drill out a tang. I figure they were designed by
engineers who were smarter than me and drilling would weaken them. Sta-locs
are great fittings but why only the lowers? If you can afford them do the
uppers too. Don't forget to put some silicone in them when you assemble
them. It keeps water from pooling inside. Sta-loc also makes a terminal to
mend a broken stay, carry one of them also. You also need spare cones as it
isn't reccomended to reuse the old ones. Not a bad plan to also carry a
piece of wire as long as your longest stay. Use one of your sta-locs on a
piece of scrap wire and let it sit for a couple of weeks. Then try and get
it appart. They are reusable but not easy to do. Figure it out before you
need to it at sea.
Are you going to use roller furling? How about a storm jib? Triple reef
points in the main and Neil Pride gave me a much better price for the sail.
Full battens allow for a bigger roach also. In addition to our main we carry
a 110, 130, a spinnaker, and storm jib. I think I'd prefer a genniaker over
the spinnaker and roller furling would allow me to carry one less sail.
Storage for bulky items is tight on a Vega.
By all means replace the travelor. You will use it.
What are you planning for ground tackle? 1/4" Hi test is good but the more
you carry the lower your bow is going to be. We have about a 200 feet and
never used more than 70 but that was in the Sea of Cortez. I don't know
anything about the anchorages in the carribean. I plqn on getting rid of
half of it. We have a Simpson Lawrenc hi-speed windlass. Difficult to
rebuild and replacement parts are expensive. Ther are probably better ones
out there. Walt S/V Lyric

 

[millerkm81]

Thanks for all the responses so far. In reply to your questions Walt, we have a Profurl
roller furler and are planning on using a 60 square ft. ATN gale sail for a storm jib and a
50 sq. ft. trysail when things get dicey.

We're probably going to be sailing with one reef in the main most of the time down there.
Oh, and we will be using Sta-loc fittings on all shrouds and stays, except the top ends of
the wire that attach to the mast tangs where we will use swage terminals instead to save
weight and cost.

For ground tackle we're probably looking at 2 separate lengths of 40 ft. chain, not sure
what type yet, and some big hunk of metal at the end... 35lb delta perhaps... we already
own a 20lb CQR and two Danforths, but I like to sleep soundly.

Thanks again,

Hans

 

[ronbodkin]

Hans & Kristen,
Sorry if this is repetition. I tried to send a post off list but since
I haven't been on the list for a while I'm not sure I did it right.

Anyway, now I'm sure you are Whisper's new people. I found the bronze
cap that screws onto the Fuel level indicator on the fuel tank.

If you want it, send me a mailing address off list and I'll mail it
off. (best to send to ron.bodkin@...) It's a tiny little
item and easily mailed, but it might be a pain to try to replace it
otherwise.

Hope things are going well, from scanning a few posts, it sounds like
Whisper is getting quite a makover! I hope you'll post or send some
pics before or during your cruise. I still get Vega Fever once in a
while and check out the list serve. Sigh.

Ron

 

[millerkm81]

Hi Ron,
I sent you and email, although it looks like I sent it to your yahoo
account. The second address doesn't fully appear.
Whisper is great! Hans is embarking on an extensive electrical refit
and we have a some other projects lined up.
Kristen