"Leoma" update 5/17/20

[JD-MDR]

Decided to pull the reverse gear and V-drive and took them in for service. The V-drive was sucking oil out of my MD7a gearbox /engine. Finally removed all the instruments away form the compass and finished that bulkhead. I'm embarrassed that I didn't think they would affect my compass. So dumb. Put two coats of polyurethane paint on all the white color at deck and cockpit. I have more on order and the Sand beige non-skid. I just painted everything about 2-1/2 years ago but I hated all the rusted stains that my old anchor chain made. a lot of little rust particles always came up and ran all down the rails. So my next big project is to send the worm steering gear to be re-machined. They want me to wait till November. I think my date for departure will be March 2022. I'm thinking La Paz, Hilo, Kodiak then across to San Francisco and down to Ventura. I'm on schedule and doing good financially (just barely). I shouldn't speak too soon and wait till I get the bill for the gearbox. I think most of the parts are not available but I'm hoping all I need is seals. Oh I also am planning to install a track for my storm trysail. I wonder what size slides I should get . I saw on Rigrite bronze slides and SS tracks. The slides on the trysail now are 3/4" nylon or some type of plastic.

[SVFayaway]

Looking good. I'd be very interested in hearing what you decide about the storm sail track. I'm not sure if I'm going to end up with a storm trysail or use a third reef in the main as advocated by Skip Novak.

[JD-MDR]

Hi "Fayaway" Is your name Avery? I want a separate storm sail so I don't ruin the mainsail. I also like the idea of keeping it ready on it's own track bundled up on deck. I want to copy J.S's. design. Here is a photo of how he made a wood bridge to pass over the gooseneck hardware etc.

[SVFayaway]

Yes that's my name. I have a coworker who was a sailmaker and he said that most sails aren't built to withstand storm conditions when third reefed. I'm going to get Sailrite to cut me a kit for a new mainsail so I'm going to consult with them and get them to design it so it can really be used that way. From what I've learned talking to other sailors, setting a third reef is a lot easier than setting a trysail and most people seem to prefer it. I am going to install a dyneema solent stay with a hank on working jib and storm sail to protect my furling sail and give me more efficiency than the furler can provide.

[John Stone]

Yes that's my name. I have a coworker who was a sailmaker and he said that most sails aren't built to withstand storm conditions when third reefed. I'm going to get Sailrite to cut me a kit for a new mainsail so I'm going to consult with them and get them to design it so it can really be used that way. From what I've learned talking to other sailors, setting a third reef is a lot easier than setting a trysail and most people seem to prefer it. I am going to install a dyneema solent stay with a hank on working jib and storm sail to protect my furling sail and give me more efficiency than the furler can provide.

Well, it’s true setting third reef is easier than hoisting a trys’l. Though the key is to set the trys’l up correctly. And you are correct that unless the cloth is heavy enough and made correctly sailing in high winds with a third reef is hard on the sail. Another thing is a trys’l is cut different for a full keel boat than the shape of mains’l with a third reef. The trys’l is longer on the foot and helps to hold the bow up for heaving too. Also, a trys’l gives you options if you damage the mains’l. The thing I like most about the trys’l is it does not use the boom. So it’s in the gallows and lashed down and it’s so much safer when the boom is eliminated as a weapon. The boom is the number one killer on a sailboat.

But, for lighter boats I think a third reef can make a lot of sense. Just depends on what are your priorities and what is the likelihood you will use that third reef.

Not sure I’d go with sailrite sails for serious offshore work unless you really know what you are doing. Sails are put under tremendous loads and the quality of fabric is very important to a long lasting good performing sail. Plus very minor deficiencies in sail shape can have a dramatic effect on performance.

Not saying it can’t be done or even that it shouldn’t be done. Be smart. Do your home work. Then so it right.

[John Stone]

Here’s a picture of our trys’l. You can see how the shape is different than a third reefed main. The boom is lashed into the gallows. It’s super heavy material. Triple stitched. No battens to break.

[JD-MDR]

Thanks John Again.. What size track and what type of sliders did you get.?

[SVFayaway]

Interesting detail about the shape of the sail, I didn't know that. I do plan to talk to the guys at Sailrite about the weight and quality of the cloth. I have got sail kits from them before and I like them and have no reservations about them. I do have a fair amount of sewing experience and I wouldn't say there's much risk to sewing your own sails. It's not magic, just patience and care. Most of sewing I've found is just doing everything in the right order.

[John Stone]

Thanks John Again.. What size track and what type of sliders did you get.?

7/8” SS Track. The slides are bronze. My sailmaker gifted the slides to me. They were from a stash he had on hand. Said “no one wants bronze anymore but I knew would like them.” He was was right about that.

[John Stone]

Interesting detail about the shape of the sail, I didn't know that. I do plan to talk to the guys at Sailrite about the weight and quality of the cloth. I have got sail kits from them before and I like them and have no reservations about them. I do have a fair amount of sewing experience and I wouldn't say there's much risk to sewing your own sails. It's not magic, just patience and care. Most of sewing I've found is just doing everything in the right order.

Sounds like you are going to do a great job.