Where is the Far Reach?

[Jim Walsh]

It's easy to offer advice when it's not your boat, so here goes. I'd be inclined to investigate the feasability of removing the material on either side of the sheave which is the cause of the chafe. I've shaded the area in red in the photo. Were that not an option I'd install a halyard deflector. Both Harken and Schaffer make robust halyard deflectors to support the installation of their headsail roller furling units. I'm sure there are others on the market also.

[Paul D.]

Thanks for that clarification on the prebend John. Probably the most prebend I've ever seen on a CD! A sailor friend asked me whether I would consider installing a backstay adjuster. I think I said something to the effect that if I tried to bend the mast it would pull out a rigging swage or something. Pretty stout spar.

[John Stone]

Jim
We actually discussed the option of cutting back the webbing but it was felt it would compromise the structural integrity of an otherwise successful design. Also, note on the photo you attached there is no center web. I would hate to start cutting on the web only to find that by the time we eliminated the chafe it no longer had the strength required for upwind ocean sailing. I did look at a few defectors but they seemed to be intend to eliminate halyard wrap. The diverters seemed similar to the fairlead design being contemplated. Nonetheless, I intend to discuss it again with the builder. Thanks for spenfing the time to think about it and offer a solution. I also plan to post the issue on Brion Toss' rigging forum, Spar Talk.

Paul, the prebend looks very pronounced in the photo but not so much when viewed in profile. I'll take a photo in the next day or so and post. I suspect you are correct about the Rig Rite spar--I don't think it was designed to pre-bend.

[mashenden]

My thoughts are that this part of the halyard jumps around quite a bit when luffing, allowing it to hit that cotter pin, particularly when into the wind and dropping the jib, at which point there is little tension on the halyard to stop it from jumping around.

I'd suggest wrapping it with some rigging tape to see if that puts a stop to the chaffing. Then if that really is the issue, at the next opportunity, I'd flip it around so the cotter pin is on the outside (like in the picture of the other mast head that was posted).

[Jim Walsh]

My thoughts are that this part of the halyard jumps around quite a bit when luffing, allowing it to hit that cotter pin, particularly when into the wind and dropping the jib, at which point there is little tension on the halyard to stop it from jumping around.

I'd suggest wrapping it with some rigging tape to see if that puts a stop to the chaffing. Then if that really is the issue, at the next opportunity, I'd flip it around so the cotter pin is on the outside (like in the picture of the other mast head that was posted).

Astute observation. I agree. That should be done no matter what corrective action is chosen. I have Clevis pins in use there. It's the minutiae that count.

[John Stone]

That's an interesting observation. Oh, if it were that simple. Wouldn't that be nice.

That's a big hex cap clevisis pin too. So to make it a really good test I'd have to replace it wil a standard small headed clevis. I usually insert the clevis pins so tha if the cotter pin falls out gravity keeps the pin in place--granted, it's not always possible.

I'm skeptical that is the problem but open minded enough, with just enough desperation, to give it a try.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll keep ya posted.

[mashenden]

No problem!

The easiest way (albeit it would still require a trip up the mast) to test this would be to wrap the clevis pin and cotter pin with rigging tape. It would provide enough protection to make a determination, plus may also wear if the halyard is hitting that area, further pinpointing if it is the issue.

[John Stone]

This past week I've been working on several projects.

I went back up the mast and switched the clevis pin around as suggested. I think it's unlikely that is the issue but in the spirt of eliminating all possibilities, I took on board the suggestion, so to speak. I had a long conversation with my friend Robert Quates, who built my mast, as we discussed the chafing solution. We made sketches and discussed the pros and cons. I think we have a good plan. He is working on the part now and I hope to have it soon. I am confident it will solve the problem. Also, I should be able to install it with the mast in the boat.

While I was in the climbing seat and up the mast I ran the 1/4" halyard through the blocks I previously installed on the port spreader. During the voyage from NC, we hoisted the radar reflector on the flag halyard on the starboard spreader as that was the only flag halyard I had time to install before we set off on our trip. The problem was that there was only one block so the darn halyard was chafing on the reflector. Also, I had to take the reflector down to fly the Q flag and then the host country flag. By rigging two blocks there is no chance for halyard chafe on the reflector.

Last week I ran the messenger line for the halyard that chaffed through on the voyage from NC. Today, I pulled the halyard through. I also spliced up a couple of dyneema toggle shackles I learned from my friend Ben Zartman. I made the toggles from ipe before I left. The line was easy to splice. These shackles are very strong. They will probably pull about 4000-4500 lbs. I used 3/16 Amstel Blue Dyneema for the line.

I soldered a 1/8" mono Jack to a random length 14 gauge wire to make using my Sony SW7600GR portable HF receiver a little more convenient. Hopefully it will eliminate the need to use the telescopic antenna and the little wire we hook on to it. I always hear Chris Parker just fine on 8137 kilohertz but the telescopic antenna is inconvenient. I also picked up some parts to make a dipole, as described by James Baldwin, at some point. I am familiar with the dipole antenna for HF as we used them extensively in the reconnaissance units I served in for so many years.

I picked up a short length of chain to secure the 9.9 Honda HT on the rotating arm bracket in an effort to deter its misappropriation as I sail further south. Keep honest men honest, as it were.

I mailed the quarter berth cushions home to free up some space to store the 9'6" inflatable when sailing offshore. I refuse to give up the space where the inboard was to store the inflatable. That space is just too darn convenient. For sails, tools, water jugs, and other items I am always in need of getting to with minimal inconvenience.

I am ready to make the leap across to the leeward islands but the wind has been uncharacteristically light this week. So, I am prepping while I have the time.

[John Stone]

A few photos of the dyneema toggles and also one the radar reflector on the port spreader.

[Jim Walsh]

I've been prepping my mast and my boat should be launched in the next two days. I think turning the Clevis was wise. My headstay and backstay clevis pins are both turned in that manner.
I have flag halyards on each spreader. The starboard is a single block and the port is the same dual block arrangement you now have. The starboard is historically the place of honor, whereas the port is set up for a radar reflector as you indicate, or for general nonsense pennants.
Last night I spliced a couple eyes into some Dyneema. I have a fixed topping lift, adjustable at the boom, and Dyneema is great for that application.
It's always interesting to read your updates.

[John Stone]

On 19-20 April I made an over night sail from St Thomas to St Maarten. It was a fantastic 115 mile passage. All up wind of course, but I made the entire trip, except the last seven miles, on port tack. Currently anchored in Simpson Bay, St Maarten. I detailed the trip on our new sailing blog. The Far Reach sailed the upwind leg wonderfully. She was dry, comfortable, quiet, and reasonably fast. We hit speeds of 7.2 knots before we got out into the open ocean swell where we averaged 5-6 knots.

https://wordpress.com/post/farreachvoya ... ss.com/428

[John Stone]

Work continues on the halyard chafing problem. I moved the Far Reach into the lagoon in Sint Maarten so I could climb the mast without being slung about. Clearly not the clevis pin. I knew that but eliminated it as a possibility anyway. New part inbound. Hope to have it by the end of next week. Get it installed. Then, I can get back to sea. Two photos below. One of the chafed halyard. You can clearly see how it rubs on the aluminum webbing of the mast head fitting. The other photo I ran across going back through some film of my singlehanded passage last week from St Thomas to St Maarten. I like that shot. That's my place of zen and happiness. I have about 60 seconds of that shot on the GoPro. In the HD 1080p film the motion of sailing a Cape Dory on open water, the neutral helm, the contrast of dark blue water tearing by against the pale blue sky and crisp white clouds is breathtaking. At some point, I'll figure out how to post some of the video without it being squashed down and compressed into grainy worthless film.

Latest post.
https://farreachvoyagesdotcom.wordpress.com

[Jim Walsh]

Nice update John. "New part inbound." Halyard deflector?

[mashenden]

Work continues on the halyard chafing problem. I moved the Far Reach into the lagoon in Sint Maarten so I could climb the mast without being slung about. Clearly not the clevis pin...

Drats. I would have put money on that being the problem... and I don't take losing money lightly

[John Stone]

The Far Reach, Anchored in the Lagoon, Sint Maarten

I am still in St Maarten waiting for the new part to arrive. The part is a custom built halyard diverter. It looks like it should eliminate the halyard chafe. Should not be too invasive. I can install it with the mast in the boat. Just four machine screws that I can drill and tap from the climbing seat.

In the mean time I have varnished the cockpit coamings. Painted the teak dorado boxes white. Read a half dozen books. Touched up the bulwark. Spliced some lines. I have explored St Maarten. Dramatically improved my culinary skills with the pressure cooker. I have met a bunch of cruisers.

The number one thing that folks seem to be having trouble with is the water maker. And let me tell you, by the sound of it, it is not an inexpensive thing to have repaired. I am grateful for having a pin-hole in one of my collapsible water jugs.

I woke up the other night dreaming about the passage from NC to BVI. What a great experience it was. I attached two picture of the trip that really stick in my mind-- one is a beat in about 12-14 knots of wind SW of Bermuda. The second is a close reach about 350 miles north of the BVI in about 35 knots of wind and 12-14' seas. Just a reefed stays'l pulling The Far Reach about 5-5 1/2 knots. I don't know what Carl A would say about the changes we made but I do think he would be pleased with how the Far Reach has performed and how happy I am with her.