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Messages - Phil Spicer

#16
Main Message Board / Re: Mast boot sealant?
September 24, 2023, 06:37:01 PM
  Stu, as I understand it, Rescue tape is silicone tape. That is what I used first. Then I looked for wider tape so the top of the boot could be sealed with only one wrap instead of 2 or 3 times around. As for silicone calk, not on our boat ! 
#17
Main Message Board / Re: Mast boot sealant?
September 23, 2023, 08:20:42 PM
 Bayside, after 20 years or so the factory mast boot was looking a little bad so I got a new one. Think it came from CD
but was a lot less than price today. Mast comes down every year. I cut the silicone tape, undo the large hose clamps on the boot and slide the boot up the mast to get to the wedges. Then the mast is pulled. I have used 1",2" and 4" wide tape. All work well to seal the boot, wider is just a little less work. The boot does not get cut, just the tape. The nice part of the tape is no sticky adhesive to clean off.
     Just how I seal the boot.
         Phil
#18
Main Message Board / Re: Raising the boom
September 22, 2023, 08:02:39 PM
We had the same problem. Had a sail maker keep the tack location and raised clew 12". How much you raise the clew would depend on the height of your Bimini. Taking a wedge out of the bottom of the main was our choice.
Just my view , good luck
     Phil
#19
Main Message Board / Re: Mast boot sealant?
September 07, 2023, 07:32:00 AM
  Bayside, I use the factory boot and large hose clamps after setting the wedges in place. Then run the silicone tape
over the boot to seal everything. One inch tape worked for years, going around two times at the top of the boot with about a half inch overlap. Then I found 2" tape and now 4". Things just keep getting easier.
  As for how long the tape will last, I don't know, my mast comes down every year so the tape is removed.
  Don't forget to PLUG the SAIL SLOT !
    Just my view, my solution
         Phil
#20
Main Message Board / Re: Rebuid/Replace Lewmar Spinlock
September 02, 2023, 11:53:31 AM
 Dave, I went through these same thoughts 2 years ago. Do you know how good those new stoppers look on the deck. Much easier to replace than to rebuild. That is from someone that usually goes with fix it, not replace it. Yes, most things can be fixed...but these new stoppers are really nice.
Your boat bucks...just my thoughts.
     Phil
#21
Main Message Board / Re: Plumbing questions
August 17, 2023, 05:46:55 PM
 Dan, I would presume your boat will winter on the shore of Lake Michigan. I have family in Grand Haven. I have
seen winter there. You may want to consider 2 heaters. Remember, sunny days create heat under the tarp.
Good luck with your winter projects
#22
 I cut some new wedges from oak. Cut different thickness wedges because the mast is not perfectly centered. So you can put thicker on one side and thinner on the other side. Put 1" to 1-1/2" wedges on the sides and3/4" wedges around the corners. Fill the perimeter with wedges and nothing moves. Works for me.
Just some more thoughts
   Phil
#23
Main Message Board / Re: First sail - wow!
June 23, 2023, 01:10:44 PM
  HC: I remember those days. The boys wanted the v berth and that lasted one night. when the morning sun said "it's time to get up they were done up front. They took over the aft cabin so they could sleep in.
(Lewmar retractable shades and screens now in overhead hatches.)  We usually had 4 boys on board on trips and still had plenty of room including bikes, fishing gear, soccer balls,etc. When we moved up from the C27 we told the boys they could now do overnights with buddies. Now they are passing in stories and memories of those trips...Make the good memories !
   Have a fantastic summer
#24
Main Message Board / Re: Marble or solid surface
June 07, 2023, 07:10:47 AM
 Just a thought, offset the c34 port list with the heavier solid surface in the galley. See how the boat sits before doing the head. If the weight of the solid surface would take out the list you may want to rethink adding more weight
back on the port side. (But I know my admiral would want everything to match.)
If you stay with new Formica in the head you may find a good deal at a local cabinet shop.
#25
Main Message Board / Re: Boat Fire
May 24, 2023, 06:35:25 AM
The fire was just off of Catawba Island. It was a 34 out of the same marina I wintered in this past year. When the  marina crew  put me in they said it was a really nice 1989 C 34.
#26
Main Message Board / Re: Mast boot sealant?
May 17, 2023, 07:18:17 PM
 The silicone tape I found is "Tommy tape mast boot wrap."  Should only take one time around the mast to get a good seal. Will know tomorrow when we splash.
    Phil
#27
Main Message Board / Re: Mast boot sealant?
May 17, 2023, 06:17:29 AM
 Silicon tape has on adhesive, just stretch and it will stick to itself and the mast. On mess to clean when it is removed. You can run it around the mast joint 2 or 3 times for a good seal. Found a 4" wide silicone mast seal tape this week. Once around and done. Will post the name of the tape when I get to the boat this afternoon.
Years age I found "Rescue Tape" at the Annapolis boat show. Used that for years. ( my marina pulls all masts because of a wire across the yard. ) Silicone tape became my go to mast seal.
#28
Years ago I removed the core of all the holes, filled with epoxy and redrilled (as Main Sail teaches). Now " the plan" is to use the old eyebrows as a template to drill the holes in the plastic lumber. Will try a few holes and if it doesn't work I'll just epoxy the old holes and make all new.
#29
 Many years ago l changed my teak to plastic lumber, the same product as " plasteak". Works wonderfully. Have all the parts cut to replace the eyebrows, just haven't gotten to that job. I'll try to use the same holes that fastened the teak.
(good luck with that)
#30
Main Message Board / Re: Bigger boat
April 29, 2023, 07:31:50 PM
kh, I've seen what you can do with a little epoxy, glass, gelcoat and some tools. Are you sure you could go back to
a 25? Better get a hard hat for that 25, and your new air unit...a lot to give up. Hope to see you soon
      Phil