Just took the mast down. Found out the boat had been hit by lightning. All around light is melted and the antenna seating is fried. I also realized that the block on the backstay being used for the topping lift may be an improvization by a previous owner. Shouldn't the topping lift be attached to the mast head pad eye?
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Well, yes...
As topping lifts go, the mast head is where they should go. Using the back stay isn't unheard of, just not recommended.
As topping lifts go, the mast head is where they should go. Using the back stay isn't unheard of, just not recommended.
Lightining Damage
I just finished restoring a boat that was suposedly hit by lightining. I found out lightining wasn't the cause of the fire. Lucky for me. But in the process of talking with other boating people about lightining I found out some interesting info that I would like to pass on to you. 1. If lightining was truely the cause you need to replace both the running and standing rigging. The rigger I spoke to said that it was a probabilty that the lightining also went through your rigging which would effect the strength of the rigging. You also need to check out your electrical connections and wires. 2. I spoke with a marine electrician and he told me that lightining usually follows the negative electrical cables and could then fry the electrical wire within the conduit where they go through the boat. Be very carefull; the wires in a straight run could be OK but when the wires make a bent, that is were the damage could be. As I said before, we found that the damage in my boat generated from the positive cables coming off the battery charger. If I were you I would definately have a rigger check the rigging for damage. Let me know if you have any questions, since I just finished my fix up project. Mickey rgbcmy@tiac.net
I just finished restoring a boat that was suposedly hit by lightining. I found out lightining wasn't the cause of the fire. Lucky for me. But in the process of talking with other boating people about lightining I found out some interesting info that I would like to pass on to you. 1. If lightining was truely the cause you need to replace both the running and standing rigging. The rigger I spoke to said that it was a probabilty that the lightining also went through your rigging which would effect the strength of the rigging. You also need to check out your electrical connections and wires. 2. I spoke with a marine electrician and he told me that lightining usually follows the negative electrical cables and could then fry the electrical wire within the conduit where they go through the boat. Be very carefull; the wires in a straight run could be OK but when the wires make a bent, that is were the damage could be. As I said before, we found that the damage in my boat generated from the positive cables coming off the battery charger. If I were you I would definately have a rigger check the rigging for damage. Let me know if you have any questions, since I just finished my fix up project. Mickey rgbcmy@tiac.net
Topping Lift Comment
Our H-35, similar vintage to the 40, is fixed to the masthead and has two Dutchman lines through the sail. The lower end has a small block for a 3/8" line which is fixed to the end of the boom, travels through the block (providing mechanical advantage), around a sheave at the end of the boom, forward to the gooseneck, down to the base of the mast, then aft to a sheet stopper. From the cockpit one can adjust the height of the boom for sail trim purposes. My bet is both boats were similarly rigged when new.
Our H-35, similar vintage to the 40, is fixed to the masthead and has two Dutchman lines through the sail. The lower end has a small block for a 3/8" line which is fixed to the end of the boom, travels through the block (providing mechanical advantage), around a sheave at the end of the boom, forward to the gooseneck, down to the base of the mast, then aft to a sheet stopper. From the cockpit one can adjust the height of the boom for sail trim purposes. My bet is both boats were similarly rigged when new.
Thanks for your advice
I'm going to have the rigger check the rigging, Mickey. John, that sounds better so I'm going to run a 3/8" line from the padeye at the masthead. Thanks Gene
I'm going to have the rigger check the rigging, Mickey. John, that sounds better so I'm going to run a 3/8" line from the padeye at the masthead. Thanks Gene
My previous post was confusing
After reading my previous post I can see where it can be confusing. Our H-35 has a plastic coated steel cable, similar to the small lifeline cable, fixed to masthead and it is run to near the end of the boom, say about a foot above the end, and has a small eye spliced in the end where a small block is attached. The two Dutchman lines drop down from this cable. The boom height adjustment is made off this cable with a line through the block to the cockpit. Hope this makes things a little clearer. I appologize if the previous discussion left some confusion.
After reading my previous post I can see where it can be confusing. Our H-35 has a plastic coated steel cable, similar to the small lifeline cable, fixed to masthead and it is run to near the end of the boom, say about a foot above the end, and has a small eye spliced in the end where a small block is attached. The two Dutchman lines drop down from this cable. The boom height adjustment is made off this cable with a line through the block to the cockpit. Hope this makes things a little clearer. I appologize if the previous discussion left some confusion.
Mine's that way
On my '88 L37 my topping lift is rigged the same way. I'm the second owner, but I beleive this was facory installed.
On my '88 L37 my topping lift is rigged the same way. I'm the second owner, but I beleive this was facory installed.
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