Topics

Hi Everyone,

Paul Alcock (Eximius) noticed that the gooseneck stud on Esprit du Vent had cracked just like on his boat.  With a little effort Franco and I removed the cap and on Monday morning I will order part K1846 from Catalina Direct.  It does not look like the 4 holes that screws go through to hold the cap to the boom are provided with that part.  And, the cap casting does not appear to be pre-drilled.  So... What type and size screws work best?  Do I need to tap the casting or can I drill a pilot hole to accept the recommended screws?  Any other pieces of advice will be welcomed.

Thanks,

Bob

Hi Forum Readers,

I have a reasonably new 547xs which is working fine except for one issue.  Up to this point I have been using it as a passive chart.  Recently I decided to use "Go To" navigation.  I had a lot of trouble using this feature, and the documentation is, in a word, poor.  When I finally backed out from my problem all of the buoys had lost their associated text.  For example just outside of Ft. Lauderdale, FL there is a red buoy labeled "2" Fl R 2.5s.  That text is now gone.  Upon further reflection this probably happened after the software update of June 16th and I just did not notice it.  It was on that date that I installed software ver. 6.40. 

From a post on the forum The Hull Truth I learned about a Garmin new "feature."  The forum user named "guineaman" had the same problem.  He was told by Garmin that the text was deliberately removed by Garmin.  To quote him: 

"Thank you for contacting Garmin International.  I'm happy to help you with your navaids.  Unfortunately those will no longer show up all the time no matter what settings you change.  You will have to scroll over the navaid to get information on it."

Garmin claims that customers were complaining that the screen had too much "clutter" so in the interest of customer satisfaction the text was removed.  For a more detail listing of the issue please turn to:  http://www.thehulltruth.com/marine-electronics-forum/770547-garmin-547xs-lost-buoy-text.html  For even more blow by blow comments send an e.mail message to me at Bob@s-i-inc.com.  I have some comments that I don't want to display here so that is why the e.mail request.

Cheers,

Bob

Hi Forum Readers,

Getting close on my small hatch leak.  Before I order just any part I want to make sure I get the right part:

• Did Bomar make the V-berth hatch for the 1987 C34?
• If so, is there a Bomar part number for the hatch and/or the gasket?
• Bomar does not seem to exist any more, but parts can be ordered from Pompanette LLC.
• Catalina direct has gasket material too.  Parts: Z2656, Z1546, Z3708
• Some of the above are priced by the foot.  What is the exact length I would need to order?

I did this once about 4 years ago, but I cannot find the paperwork.  It was a devil to get it inserted and my problem now is that a wind storm seems to have opened a drip path.

Thanks in advance,

Bob

Hi Everyone,

Two questions about hatches:

1/ Last weekend we were in quite a blow during a line squall.  Hit 55 kts!  Boat performed well and Pat and I are safe and sound.  The only loss was the canvas hatch cover on the mid-ship hatch.  Does anyone know of a supplier of a ready-made cover? 

2/ About two years ago I installed a new gasket on the forward hatch.  It was a tight fit which never gave me satisfaction, but in the words of the Stones, gave me what I needed in a water tight seal.  That same squall, must have lifted the gasket just a tad such that a rain storm that night caused a slow drip into the V berth.  Is there a sealant I can apply to the gasket in the area of the leak so I can avoid buying another gasket?

Thanks,

Bob

JUST FOUND TECH NOTE NOV 2000 ON CHANGING ENGINE MOUNTS:  It tells you how to lift the engine using a block and tackle hung from the boom.

Hi Forum,

Esprit du Vent has a problem in the gearbox.  Franco was on board yesterday and reports:  "I had to drain the transmission fluid (so no starting the engine until that is refilled!!!).  I noted that it does not seem to be the transmission and suspects the gearbox (more specifically the mechanism / spring which triggers it).  Unfortunately, the location of this on our engine (1987 Mk I with the Universal M-25XP) will require we lift the engine for to access it as there is not enough clearance to get at it  .  Certainly not the news we wanted... I know others have rebuilt the transmission and gearbox.  We need to know how to access it and lift the block?  I think it can be done by suspending the block from a piece of wood in the companionway and lifting it with a block & tackle."  Any details on this procedure?

TIA,

Bob

Hi Forum,

Just about the time I got my stanchion issue resolved I noticed water on the head floor.  With my moisture meter I traced it down to the port side jib track.  Unlike the stanchion, the jib track runs along a lengthy section of deck.  How is the track secured to the deck?  Are the screws ended with washers and nuts?  Will I have to rip into the underside fiberglass?  Is it at all possible to seal it without removing the track?

TIA,

Bob

Hi Forum Members,

This is not something which must be done at once.  I discovered another spot of wet deck and have taken some temporary means to stop the problem.  We had not realized that water has been getting into the boat from underneath one of the port stanchions.  It was a place that the previous owner had made a rather poor repair.  We need to get some idea of how to make the "real" repair.

(Left image) The area marked in yellow registered as wet with my moisture meter.

(Right top image) We removed the stanchion and re-bedded it with butyl tape.  Note we still have "spider" cracks.

(Right bottom image) Here is the block of wood that the previous owner used to "anchor" the stanchion.  From the first image you can tell that the water soaked wood extends forward and aft of the block.  There is still enough integrity to the block to hold the stanchion.  What we want to know is how to fix the problem for good.  Can this be done from inside the cabin?

Thanks,

Bob

Hi Everyone,

I noticed that the sheaves on both of our jib track cars are badly worn.  Garhauer seems not to make the more massive ones that were original equipment back in 1987.  They do sell T track cars:  http://garhauermarine.com/search_process.cfm  Does anyone know the current replacement?

Here is mine:

Hi Forum Readers,

I have a two year old Raymarine ST60+ API that is going "crazy."  Here is what I "think" I know.  When I arrive at the boat and power up the instruments, the ST60+ works fine.  For example, today it read 5.0 knots with the wind coming out of the East.  Then I turn the motor on and the direction needle goes "nuts."  The wind speed show --- in the LCD.  If I cycle through the programs they display correctly and the instrument goes to OFF on command.  Any idea what is going on?

Thanks,

Bob

Hi Forum Readers,

Because Forum readers sometimes don't look at posts they have reviewed before, I am adding this one about the finished forward hatch cover.  This is how the project turned out.

Using the technique described in the video, and making adjustments for the fact that our hatch is not a square, I made a pattern.  My lady who did prior work for us is no longer in business.  However, I found a great company who does custom work, Beaver-Brand Canvas, Inc. (http://www.beaver-brandcanvas.com/)  Here is how the finished cover looks.  Notice the loops on the inside view and how they hold the corners.  Also notice how the line avoids the hinges on the outside view.  I paid just over $100.00 for two covers; the one described here and another one for the mid-ship hatch.  Anyone one interested should contact Linda Schwartz of Beaver-Brand.

Cheers,

Bob

Hi Everyone,

I would like to fashion a hatch cover made of Sunbrella.  Due to the fact that it is a tight fit and the hinges are in the way, how do you design one that fits?  There has been some postings on this:

Another project for WaterDog?

Actually I made my own.  Not as well versed as Steve is on the machine, but whipped up one for each of the overhead hatches in about an hour.  Sorry I don't have the dimensions, they are on the boat.

Does someone have some pictures on how they handled the hinges?

Cheers,

Bob

Hi Forum Readers,

As we disassembled the broken rudder post (see post about how we lost our rudder) the 26 year old casting broke.  My shipwright, and good friend, Danny Escobar, said a custom casting could be had for about $900.00, but he thought someone might sell a replacement part.  We need to move the boat back to our dock this weekend, so we are going to skip this replacement for now.  Does someone know of a place to buy this part?

Thanks,

Bob

Hi Everyone,

Here is one for the books.  It is about the sad story of squirrels shredding our mainsail.  This post was developed from my note to the sail maker.  The boat has been idle at our dock since we lost our rudder in the Intracoastal on May 10^th.  The new rudder came in last week (July 17, 2014) so the boat is on the hard at Playboy Marina.  We noticed a squirrel on the deck on Saturday, July 19^th, and found out that three of them had been nesting in the Mack Pack.  They probably hopped aboard from our dock, jumped up to the bimini, and entered the Mack Pack from the open end at the aft of the boom.  They destroyed the main and even chewed on hole in the Mack Pack.  In February of 2013 Mack Sails quoted us a new main with strong track.  We need a new quote for the mainsail with the following specifications:

• Mainsail for a Catalina 34 with conventional battens.  Fit the sail to the existing Mack Pack.  The sail should have the Catalina 34 device (logo) applied along with our hull number, 422.
• A "Strong Track" system to ease the raising of the sail with installation.

Further, make the following other adjustments:

• Patch the Mack Pack over the one hole which is quite near the mast.
• Fashion a closure system for the Mack Pack at the clew such that critters cannot get in.  We are quite willing to remove something when getting ready to raise sail.
• Cut the leach just a tad smaller so that it lifts the boom clear of the bimini when the sail is raised.  Right now the topping lift is tight and that causes wind to be "dumped" when sailing close hauled.

Esprit du Vent will be at Playboy until Saturday, August 2, 2014.

There is a small silver lining to this tale.  The main was old and needed replacement.  The original sliders had seen better days making raising sail difficult.  The sail was slightly to big for the bimini causing wind to be dumped when sailing close hauled.

With a boat it is always something.  Until the new sail comes in we will be doing some powering and sailing "jib alone."

Cheers,

Bob

Christeen & Franco, who are partners in the Esprit du Vent, LLC had the boat out this weekend.  I am sick in bed, but I wanted to post this today.  Somehow Christeen has lost her forum posting ability, so I am filling in today.

Hi Forum,

So I need some input on a recent event. To begin, we have a 1987 Catalina 34 wing keel. We LOST our rudder... Yes, lost it. We did not strike anything or ground now sailing it hard. We were in the protected Intracoastal waterway motoring, we were waiting for the bridge when suddenly, we lost all steering! Of course right directly under the bridge. We managed to forward and reverse (with only a minor bump on the bow pulpit into the piling but no damage) letting the current push us out from under the bridge. We managed to use the current to GET close to a dock and tied up.  All without hitting another boat! But it was such a scary event and we were lucky we weren't either out at sea in the Gulf Stream or coming into the inlet. I am so thankful nobody got hurt and no other boats damaged in the whole ordeal.

Once tied up we went to look under the boat and the entire rudder was GONE! It fell right off the boat just before the bridge. We then towed the boat to are dock so we can figure out what to do. By the way, there is no water infiltration.

Anyway... I read of a case or two of rudder loss on the forums, but most were after a hard hit or heavy weather or grounding, none of which apply to us. After further inspection, it seems the shaft corroded and it just broke off. I have photos of under the boat, which I may post later. We are really in shock and not sure how this can happen? Are there any other experiences with this?

We are not sure where to begin. I know a call to Catalina is in order. And I know they sell the retro fit elliptical rudders which I assume is the way to go. Any other advice you guys might have in the road forward would be great.

Thanks in advance for your help,

Bob

I have a Garmin 178C GPS that is partly broken.  It can no longer acquire satellites.  Many of the functions still work.  The display lights, the menus work, and the depth sounder still work.  It started out that it would fail to find the satellites every now and then.  Then it became more frequent and now it does not find them at all.  I opened up the case hoping it was a corroded antenna wire, but sadly the insides are in pristine condition.  There are people on EBay who want to sell the PC board as their display has died.  I would like to have someone with real marine electronics experience do this repair if it can be done.  Any ideas?

Because of who might attend, we have shifted our winter cruise from Peck Lake to the Port of Palm Beach.  Same date and time.

Cheers,

Bob

[Esprit du Vent #422]

Hello Everyone,

We have now agreed to have our winter cruise, Fleet 14's first cruise, be a sail to Peck Lake on the Intracoastal just south of St. Lucie Inlet.  Shortly there will be updates to our website, forum site, a newsletter, and an e.mail message to the "Friends of Fleet 14."  There has been discussion with Joe & Lisa Kern (Jenny Jewel), Bruce & Carol Hagreen (Symphony), and Pat & Bob Schuldenfrei (Esprit du Vent ).  Esprit du Vent and Jenny Jewel will be there for sure.  If work permits Symphony will join us.  We hope that a few more boats from the Hillsboro Inlet area can make it and perhaps one or two from Biscayne Bay.  Here are the details:

Date: January 18th & 19th (I plan to sail up there on Friday, January 17th but the "official" event is Saturday and Sunday.)

Rendezvous: We will meet near R "2" at the entrance to St. Lucie Inlet in the afternoon.  We will sail for a bit and then power into the inlet and proceed to Peck Lake.

Overnight: Provisions can be made for dockside accommodations at Loblolly Marina or you can "campout" in the anchorage.  There will be a party Saturday night, perhaps at the marina.

Let me hear from you even if you cannot make it.  I am sure the summer cruise to Ft. Lauderdale will fit the schedule of more of the fleet members.  However, we have set sail into 2014 and we plan to drop anchor a few times each year.

Cheers,

Bob
Esprit du Vent   #422

Hi Everyone,

This past weekend I added a small ding to Esprit du Vent to the collection started by the PO.  I noticed from a past post that Catalina Direct sells a product from Spectrum: http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=271 .  They also sell a tint kit.  How good is the color match of the base product?  If I do buy the tint kit, how hard is it to match the color?  Is there a video on color matching?

TIA,

Bob

Hello Everyone,

I have been following the thread "Taken out center bar of stern pulpit...?" and, for a number of reasons I did not want to do that.  It did get me thinking.  I have tried getting a seat cushion to serve as a back rest.  Nothing worked quite right for me.  Then, while reading the thread, I asked myself how I could get padding on the horizontal bar?  Swim "noodle!"  In addition to a back rest it is a chafing guard for the swim ladder.  Here is what I came up with that works for me.

The members of Fleet 14 would rather use e.mail "blast" rather than this forum for communication.  Therefore, this spot will be rather quite for now.

Hi Forum Readers,

While this spot is usually reserved for technical issues, I thought I would make one entry for fleet formation.  Last night we had our official Fleet 14 Launch Party.  It was a tremendous success.  Because we took our time forming the fleet we have 14 "Founding Members."  I have a "ton" of materials on how to form a fleet which I would share with anyone thinking of either forming a fleet or revitalizing an older fleet.  We have some idea of what works and things I thought would work, but did not.  It has been fun and promises to be even more fun once we start having fleet cruises.

Cheers,

Bob

Hi Everyone,

This is the second of my two small projects.  After Franco got our engine running so quietly and so free from vibration we began to notice some small details we had never before detected.  One of these was a sympathetic vibration of the companionway steps.  I got a small piece of fairly stiff foam from a craft store and applied two pads with DAP contact cement to the bottom of the companionway steps as shown below.  Quick, cheap, and easy!

Cheers,

Bob

Hi Everyone,

This is the first of two small projects.  I wanted to fashion a Sunbrella companionway hatch cover for Esprit du Vent.  The cabin top teak is badly weathered.  Shortly, I will give it the Cetol treatment.  However, for weather protection and to insure no water infiltrates the cabin, I took on this DIY project.  I was able to do everything myself except sew the Sunbrella.  For that we are lucky to have Mary Ann Young of Ft. Lauderdale, FL.  First, a pattern was made with "Visqueen."  Mary Ann did her canvas-work magic.  Snaps were applied and grommets were added for some wind insurance tie-downs.  Finally, clear nail polish was added for further weatherproofing. 

As an added benefit, the Sunbrella cover can be repositioned over the companionway opening to keep the air conditioning air in and the bugs out.  That is a real plus down here in sunny south Florida.

Cheers,

Bob

Hi Everyone,

My partner in Esprit du Vent and engine guru Franco tried to remove the aft bulkhead and got it to the point of the "hidden screw."  At that point I searched for the issue and I think I found all of the articles.  Our boat is a 1987 model (hull 422) and it definitely has the missing screw.  Can someone who has found it describe where it is or better yet, take a picture.

BTW, Franco reports that all of the screws were the same size.  Perhaps the PO made that change so as not to poke the aft water tank.

We are starting to look at wiring changes and other maintenance issues so we need the aft section wide open.

TIA and smooth sailing,

Bob

Hi Members and Friends of Fleet 14,

When we officially were designated Fleet 14, the C34IA asked what we would like the fleet to be named.  I responded that I would hold off naming the fleet until the Launch Party such that the founding members could participate in the name.  Here is the start.  Please continue with this thread so we have a rich set of names from which to choose.

Fleet 14 - East Coast of Florida Fleet
Fleet 14 - First Light Fleet
Fleet 14 - Osprey Fleet

I look forward to your contributions.

Bob

Hi Everyone,

Water has infiltrated Esprit du Vent.  Thanks to this forum and Mike McDonald's illustrated post (Cabin Top Teak Removal/Re-bed etc.: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,7191.0.html ) I am going to have to remove the teak boards, but not today.  The immediate issue, rain water, is not draining from the port channel of the companionway hatch (see Mike's first picture of his post of 10/09/12).  If you stand inside the cabin and draw the hatch closed (aft direction) you get a non-planned shower from the water that has collected in the channel.

From Stu Jackson's post of 10/10/12 the water is to drain forward: "Just make sure you don't block the drainage (which goes forward).  Take a look at the forward outboard end of the big teak strips."  Short of removing the teak, does anyone have an idea how to clean out the blockage?

The PO had a dodger which we removed and put into storage that probably kept rain water out of the channel.  He may have blocked forward drainage, but I don't think so as the starboard side drains just fine.

Thanks in advance,

Bob

Hi Forum Readers,

Well, the self-proclaimed "Prince of Blue Painter's Tape" has found something better.  While continuing to apply Cetol to my teak handrails I had trouble masking off the non-skid.  The smooth gelcoat was no problem, but the "blankety-blank" Cetol was getting into the "valleys" of the non-skid.  No matter how hard I pressed the blue stuff down I was forever having to clean some Cetol out of the non-skid with 216 solvent.  A friend of mine at West Marine, my home away from home, suggested FrogTape© 2013 SHURTECH BRANDS, LLC.  Although West Marine does not sell it, Ace does.  WOW, what a product!  It takes me an hour to mask off one long handrail.  Cetol application is quick, but it took me an hour and a half to remove the Blue Painter's Tape and clean the valleys.  Now it is about 15 minutes to remove the masking and no valley cleaning.

For those of us who have teak brightwork and like a varnish-like finish, you have got to try this product.  For more information go to: http://frogtape.com/index.php/ .

Happy Painting,

Bob

Hi Forum Readers,

We cleaned the bottom of Esprit du Vent yesterday.  While inspecting the undersides, we discovered a ring "floating" on the half inch of rudder post between the top of the rudder and the rudderstock tube in the hull.  It appears to be Delrin plastic and I am sure that it is meant to be sealed to the hull.  I have some West Marine "Epoxy Putty Stick" which I could use under water to reattach the ring.  I would put a tiny "bead" of this putty on the edge of the ring.  BUT, before I did anything I wanted to hear from the experts in this forum as to how serious this unattached ring is and if my fix is the proper solution.  We have been sailing for months in this condition.

Thanks in advance,

Bob

Hi Everyone,

It is time to dive under Esprit du Vent to check on the condition of the prop shaft zinc.  I have looked in the owner's manual and searched on line and could not determine what size zinc the shaft of the 1986 Catalina 34 uses.  I am sure it is in the Forum somewhere, but with search down, I cannot find it.  I bought three sizes today at West Marine ( 1 1/4, 1 1/8, and 1 ) to be sure.  Since I cannot hold my breath too long I sure would like to use the right one the first time.

Thanks in advance,

Bob

Hi Everyone interested in Fleet 14,

I spent some time today making phone calls.  Fleet 14 now has 11 members.  Ten of them have 34s or 355s and one has a larger Catalina and is an "Associate Member."  This number of members is but one shy of my goal of a dozen "founding members" by mid-August.  There are many more people who have not yet returned my call so I am certain we will reach our goal.

Next week I am going to start making "field trips" branching out from my home in Palm Beach.  It will be a while before I get up to mid-coastal Florida or down to the Biscayne Bay area, but that will happen before month's end.  I have not even started to work with Massey.  I am confident that with Ed Massey's help we will pick up more members.

Please try to look at our website (http://c34.org/fleet14/index.html) and even our forum (http://c34.org/bbs/index.php?board=56.0).  I would like to get a few pictures up of the boats of Fleet 14, so any of you who have pictures, please send them to me.  I will also be writing a quarterly newsletter.  If you have stories about your boat, how you named your boat, or general "sailor's life" tales I would like to hear from you.

Since we have members from as far north as Orlando and south as Miami, we will have our founder's meeting in Deerfield Beach, FL.  I am starting to firm up the date of August 14, 2013 at 7:00 PM for this launch party.  I would like to hear from the fleet members if that is a good date or would some other date between August 19th and August 29th be better for you.

I will be cruising this weekend, so this is my report for this week.  More next week.

Cheers,

Bob

Hi Friends of Fleet 14,

This has been a fruitful week for our marketing campaign.  Our membership now stands at eight.  Note that this is just 4 shy of my personal goal of 12 by mid-August.  Next week will be a quiet one for me as I have lots of commitments that will take me away from recruitment.  The C34IA sent me a listing of every name they ever had in Florida.  I have sent e.mail and/or USPS mail to every name in our market area.  That was about 40 names.  Of course, many of these turned out to be bad addresses, but I am hopeful we will glean new members from the list.  There are a number of phone numbers on that list so I will be making phone calls starting the week beginning June 16, 2013.  This is slow work, but from my experience with small business, it pays off.

The biggest news of the week is that Paul Chasse, our member who was a broker with Eastern Yachts before he retired, knows Ed Massey of Massey Yacht Sales & Service quite well.  He called Ed yesterday.  Ed will have his data processing person (who is on vacation this week) give us every Catalina owner in southeastern Florida.  In addition, Ed will send a representative to our meetings to talk about Catalina Yachts.  This is huge, as Massey is really the only Catalina dealer of any size in our area.

I will be sending out these updates from time to time to keep you all informed as to our progress.

Cheers,

Bob

Robert Schuldenfrei
Esprit du Vent  #422

bob@s-i-inc.com
www.s-i-inc.com
(561) 582-3340
3450 So. Ocean Blvd. - #616
Palm Beach, FL  33480

Hi Friends of Fleet 14,

I got my copy of Mainsheet Magazine.  The recruitment program begins Monday, June 3, 2013.  If you want to join the fleet, or just be on our e.mail distribution list, just send me an e.mail message (bob@s-i-inc.com) and I will do the rest.

Cheers,

Bob

Hi Forum,

I would have used "search," but that function is down right now.  Does anyone know of a firm that will make a rigid companionway bug-screen?  I would rather have a frame based screen then the Velcro wrap-around.

TIA,

Bob

Hi Everyone,

I have not yet (05/21/13) received my copy of Mainsheet Magazine.  Until a week has past from the time I get my copy we will not start the marketing effort.  This is not a big deal, as we are collecting members and the launch party is not until August.

There are two new pictures up on our website under the tab "Our Boats." 

Cheers,

Bob

Hi C34IA members,

We have formed Fleet 14 in southeastern Florida.  Once the summer 2013 issue of Mainsheet Magazine is in the hands of readers we will begin a marketing campaign for our fleet.  Because it is a good feeling to be a "founding member" we are holding off our formal launch until mid-August.  If you want to learn more about our efforts, please go to "Fleets Forum" and follow the link to our website.

We are going to need a lot of help to make our fleet successful.  I invite all fleet officers, fleet members, and anyone C34IA members to contribute ideas, questions, and general help to this fleet forum thread.  We want to know what works and what does not work.  As we get ramped up this site will be a main-stay of communications.  If anyone wants to be on our distribution list for e.mail messages, just drop me a note at: bob@s-i-inc.com and I will put you on the list.

Cheers,

Bob

We have approval to form Fleet 14 in Southeastern Florida.  We are putting off the formal formation until mid-August so that we can have a goodly number of "founding" members.  The announcement will be in the 2013 Summer issue of Mainsheet Magazine.  You can read more about it on our website: http://c34.org/fleet14/Fleet14.htm .  There will be a link shortly under the "Fleets" topic, but for now you are just going to have to type in the complete URL.

If you are in Southeastern Florida, go to the webpage and join our fleet.  Stand by for other news coming out of our area.

Robert Schuldenfrei
Acting Fleet Captain
Esprit du Vent #422

Hi Forum Members,

Well my obsessive compulsive tendencies have kicked in again.  While in the middle of making "pretty" aboard Esprit du Vent, I tried to "spruce up" the trim plates on the combing.  First I tried hobby-shop black enamel and a fine brush.  The trim plate is so pitted that the paint ran down the sides of the letter top into the "valley" below.  Cleaned that up.  Now I am thinking about press-on black vinyl cut out with an X-Acto knife.  That will be hard for me to do, so I am looking for suggestions.  I would love to buy a replacement, but I could not find a source and I doubt there is one.

If I have to go the X-Acto route, I can correct the photo such that I can get the letters the right shape.  The angle the photo was take from has led to a prospective distortion, but I can fix that.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Bob

Hi Forum members,

Yesterday we tried the asymmetrical spinnaker for the first time on Esprit du Vent.  It went well.  The sail came to us with the boat we purchased last fall, but this was the first time we took it out of the bag.  It has minimal gear:  One sheet, so no gybing for us yet.  One 8' length of line for the tack downhaul.  We set the sail on a starboard tack and raised it in the lee of the mainsail.  I tied the tack to the bow cleat. Everything worked.

So now I want to improve the rig.  I am going to add a second sheet so we can gybe.  I have seen pictures of a wire collar with nylon balls that fits around the furled Genoa.  I do not know the name of this collar nor where I can purchase same.  Any idea what this is called?  Has anyone used one? 

I am considering a turning block to lead the tack downhaul back to the cockpit, but I think I will hold off that modification until I get a tad more experience. 

Thanks,

Bob

Hi Forum Members,

You have been so helpful on my last question I thought I would try another.  In returning Esprit du Vent to its 1987 glory, I need to refinish the bright work.  My first attempt was Cetol.  In order to test Cetol, I removed the swim ladder steps, removed the old varnish with a heat gun, and coated them with clear Cetol.  While the first coat dried, it seems somewhat soft to the touch.  So I do not have "buy in" with Cetol.

So, I am considering varnish or paint.  Here are the pros and cons for varnish.  Pro:  when done right, with 6 coats, nothing beats the look of old fashioned varnish.  Cons:  The conditions have to be just right with respect to temperature, shade, wind, and humidity.  Six coats will cut into my sailing time.  Varnish does not hold up well over time.

Paint does not look as good as natural wood even if it matches the deck color.  What kind of marine topsides paint would you recommend if I went this route?

Thanks in advance,

Bob

Dear C34IA forum,

The Standard Horizon DS-1 depth sounder instrument aboard Esprit du Vent (#422) is "toast."  From reading these pages I have learned that the transducer, which is probably sound (no pun intended), can be attached to other instruments.  What new or used depth instruments might we get to work with this transducer?

Thanks,

Bob