Nothing special, just some shots of various rigging, carnage and upgrade details, plus a few shots of Windward in real life. The order is a little mixed, but you'll see several rounds of rudder damage, masthead damage and repair, spreader bracket reinforcement and replacement, rode locker construction, a 6:1 (3:1 cascaded to 2:1) outhaul, a couple of interior shots, a couple from Frostbite races and a couple of "geez, is that snow?" shots.
I try to strike a balance between doing a serviceable job and getting to actually use the boat. Not all the mods have been the best I can do, but they've been the best I could do with the situation given the time and money I could invest, and I've not ended up with any "what the hell was I thinking???" moments afterward. I suppose that's a measure of success.
Thanks! The pics not taken from the cockpit were during our Frostbite races. It's not the optimum sailing angle, but once I've got the second reef in and there's 600+ lbs of rail meat deployed, you just feather up in the puffs and live with it. At least if keeps the windows clean.
I'd love to have pics of the most extreme stuff Windward's done, but for some reason there's no one around to take pics then
I've got more pics than anyone here wants to see, but will try to post a few more soon-ish.
Hey I luv yer traveller - got the same set-up but was going to use square alum tubing - but I like the wood - What wood did you use and did it have to be reinforced? How did you attach the top rail to the brackets attached to the coach roof?
I'm too chickens$$t ta put CRYSTA on her rails like that - I like the world right side up - LOL
Thanks a bunch for the pictures really enjoyed them.
The traveler bridge assembly is 5/4 teak. I epoxy laminated two for the vertical standoffs, and tapered some oak backing pads to fit beneath that inside the cabin, against the ceiling. Temporarily clamping the assembly in place, I drilled three 3/8 holes straight down into each of the mainsheet bridle pads (which have a hunk of aluminum in them). I actually overdrilled them a bit, sealed the surfaces with epoxy then filled with thickened epoxy and redrilled to spec.
Bolts that long are tough to come by, so I used 3/8 stainless all-thread rod. I threaded nuts on one end, countersunk the heads into the traveler crosspiece, then filled the holes flush with thickened epoxy. Once that kicked, I bedded them to the bridle pads with 4200, using fender washers as backers under the tapered interior pads.
The Harken hi-beam track I used was rated to span about 36" unsupported, so I figured supporting it for that length with the 1" x 2" teak crosspiece would be about right. It's bedded with 4200 and attached using 1/4" wood screws (maybe they're #10s, I'd have to check).
Because it's flat, not curved, it does not alter mainsheet tension as I play the traveler. It's been one of the most effective mods I've made. The bridge also gives me a convenient place to locate cams for the vang, outhaul and cunningham. I'm experimenting with double-ending the mainsheet to make it easier to deal with off the wind, but that does introduce a lot of friction and still leaves the mainsheet dangling down the companionway.
I'd original considered mounting Raymarine ST-40 instruments across the center, just above the companionway hatch. I may still do, but I find that I peek under there a lot while sitting at the helm, and I'm not sure I want to reduce visibility that much.
Last edited by Windward on Fri Feb 11, 2011 6:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Thanks for the description, I too was wondering how you set that up.
I am also curious on how you feel with the mainsheet up there. I personally would like to have quick access ot my mainsheet (by placing the traveler between the two cockpit benches) but maybe I'd be wrong with that setup. I have no experience with a traveler so I'm purely guessing.
I am also thinking that while sailing hard on the wind a guy would be playing with the traveler more than the mainsheet. Is that true? In that case it would be easy having the traveler over the companionway.
Think we all are inspired by the work you've done and how you sail!
Lots of the projects you've done I'm looking at doing to my project boat. Especially like the forward chain locker and mid boom traveller. The other stuff will probably wait till next winter to do the mods, but those two I hope to get started on as soon as the weather warms up enough to get glassing again. It won't be much longer I hope!
My spreader brackets also need beefing up, like your work there too, cool!
I don't think I get tired of looking at project picts. I lost 30 gigs worth of work doing my C-22 with a hard drive failure. Glad folks like you take them and make them accessible here
Thanks, everybody, for the kind words. Honestly, lots of you guys have much cleaner looking mods, and it's always humbling to see the good work you've done. If one day I get around to seriously redoing the interior, I'll draw from some of the ideas I've seen well executed here.
I love Windward, love to sail her, and the repairs and mods I've made have been serviceable and have contributed to my pleasure in using her. This boat is made to sail and does it with enthusiasm. Even friends with larger, newer boats seem to enjoy sailing on her as well. She's happiest being used, and I'm happiest using her.
Thanks Windward for the discription on that traveler - I'll probably go the same route I also have the Harken Hi-beam track an was curious about the span strength - you answered my question about it. Thanks a bunch.
Glad my droning on was useful. To amplify a bit: if you sail conservatively, 36" unsupported is probably OK for a mainsail our size. If you sail like I do, then 25" or less is a better bet. Sounds as though you have it readily in hand.
Great pics. Lots of good ideas.
