Re: [bolger] Re: navigator goes ahead
Paul,
Sailrite had not cut a Navigator sail at the time I approached them, but
they are very efficient at putting a quotation together. I supplied them a
dimensioned sailplan, and specified some of my hardware preferences (like
webbed-on stainless D-rings instead of handsewn rings at corners) - they in
turn supplied me a kit with all panels cut, and annotated sewing
instructions. If our preferences coincide, there's your kit :)
Mr Bolger's sailplan is a little light on details for a tyro like me, so I'm
still trying to work out the best way of implementing the attachment of the
slab-reef lines. As drawn, the 'Navigator' rigging calls for a good deal
more hardware and would be slower to set up from the trailer than the
original. It's my impression that these were not important factors for the
folk who commissioned the upgrade. I'm working on a rigging plan which will
minimise both set-up time and reliance on expensive visits to the chandlers.
Derek
Sailrite had not cut a Navigator sail at the time I approached them, but
they are very efficient at putting a quotation together. I supplied them a
dimensioned sailplan, and specified some of my hardware preferences (like
webbed-on stainless D-rings instead of handsewn rings at corners) - they in
turn supplied me a kit with all panels cut, and annotated sewing
instructions. If our preferences coincide, there's your kit :)
Mr Bolger's sailplan is a little light on details for a tyro like me, so I'm
still trying to work out the best way of implementing the attachment of the
slab-reef lines. As drawn, the 'Navigator' rigging calls for a good deal
more hardware and would be slower to set up from the trailer than the
original. It's my impression that these were not important factors for the
folk who commissioned the upgrade. I'm working on a rigging plan which will
minimise both set-up time and reliance on expensive visits to the chandlers.
Derek
Hi Craig
Thanks for all the info. I may indeed end up buying blocks (although it's
been my experience that here in western Canada that those same #82 Harken
bullet blocks will run you 15 to 20 bucks). No doubt there is something
irrational in the DIY impulse - at least I'm not planning on making my own
rope.
Many of the blocks shown on the sail plan will be substituted with thimbles
unless or until proven impractical, but if I do go DIY it will be nearly as
easy (hard?) to make 20 as 10.
Current plan is to turn simple sheaves from HDPE, and spin them on brass
'chicago bolt' axles with cheeks from meranti marine ply scrap. These will
be strapped with rope or webbing.
Geography definitely makes a difference - I can get Lignum Vitae much more
easily than Osage :) I guess this is softwood country...
Derek
Thanks for all the info. I may indeed end up buying blocks (although it's
been my experience that here in western Canada that those same #82 Harken
bullet blocks will run you 15 to 20 bucks). No doubt there is something
irrational in the DIY impulse - at least I'm not planning on making my own
rope.
Many of the blocks shown on the sail plan will be substituted with thimbles
unless or until proven impractical, but if I do go DIY it will be nearly as
easy (hard?) to make 20 as 10.
Current plan is to turn simple sheaves from HDPE, and spin them on brass
'chicago bolt' axles with cheeks from meranti marine ply scrap. These will
be strapped with rope or webbing.
Geography definitely makes a difference - I can get Lignum Vitae much more
easily than Osage :) I guess this is softwood country...
Derek
Derek,
Is Sailrite now selling a ready-cut Micro Navigator kit? Or did
you have to order the material and so forth 'a la carte'? I'm just
back from a 1-month business trip out of the country and ready to
send in my check for Micro plans, still pondering which rig I'll go
with. Keep us posted!
Paul Lefebvre, Cape Cod
Is Sailrite now selling a ready-cut Micro Navigator kit? Or did
you have to order the material and so forth 'a la carte'? I'm just
back from a 1-month business trip out of the country and ready to
send in my check for Micro plans, still pondering which rig I'll go
with. Keep us posted!
Paul Lefebvre, Cape Cod
--- Inbolger@egroups.com, "Derek Waters" <dgw@d...> wrote:
> Dear Bolgerphiles
> After much thought, this week past I ordered (a Sailrite kit for)
the Navigator mainsail for our as yet un-named Micro.
Go to a boat show with a Harken booth and you can buy their bullet blocks
(sold as keychains) for a buck or two. I know, I have them everywhere!
Paul W. Esterle
Capt'n Pauley Video Productions
423.989.3159
S/V Bryn Awel, Columbia 10.7
Bristol, Tenn. USA
http://www.captnpauley.bigstep.com
http://pages.preferred.com/~pesterle/
(sold as keychains) for a buck or two. I know, I have them everywhere!
Paul W. Esterle
Capt'n Pauley Video Productions
423.989.3159
S/V Bryn Awel, Columbia 10.7
Bristol, Tenn. USA
http://www.captnpauley.bigstep.com
http://pages.preferred.com/~pesterle/
----- Original Message -----
From: "C. O'Donnell" <dadadata@...>
To: <bolger@egroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2000 11:12 AM
Subject: [bolger] Blocks / was: navigator goes ahead
> "Derek Waters" <dgw@d...> wrote:
> >
> > After much thought, this week past I ordered (a Sailrite kit for) the
Navigator mainsail for our as yet un-named Micro.
>
> Hi Derek,
>
> The whole question of blocks is an odd one.
>
> First of all, Harken bullet blocks for dinghy use are so cheap - about
> $5 each - and so good that it's almost pointless to make your own.
> Given modern rope and such, they are plenty strong.
>
> But also, given modern rope and the fact that it's a lot more flexible
> and slippery than old-timey line, nice bullseyes of wood are probably
> sufficient for many uses where a single block would be. There are a
> number of woods which are hard enough to take a nice polish. Dogwood
> is one that people often don't think about. There is a dogwood blight
> going around and many dogwoods are falling down or being cut down so
> it might be possible to get enough dogwood for several boats from
> someone who lives in the dogwood zone. Dog wood was often used for the
> 'club' on the clew of sailing skiffs in the Chesapeake.
>
> Eastern Red Cedar is another (juniperus virginiana) and so is black
> locust. Osage orange is almost too hard to work easily but it polishes
> up, and I suspect red mulberry does too.
>
> No need to resort to Lignum Vitae <chuckle>... if you could even find
> it.
>
> But then on the other hand, you can buy delrin sheaves for about a
> buck each and make your own shells if it's a question of being a DIY
> maniac. The shells can be plywood or shaped from just about any wood.
> Off the top of my head I can think of several sources for "how to make
> blocks". Sometime in the past 18 months or two years in John Marples'
> sketchbook section in BOATBUILDER there was something. In H G Smith's
> book MARLINSPIKE SEAMANSHIP there is something. In Conor O'Brien's
> SEA-BOATS, OARS AND SAILS there is something. And also online
> somewhere David Goodchild talks about making blocks for his boat.
>
> Finally, I've made functional "dumb sheave" blocks from PVC pipe (as
> the 'roller') and 1/4 or 1/2 inch ply for the shell sides. All epoxied
> up, but you could also make wood inserts and use metal axles. This is
> a great way to make custom configurations like quadruple sister
> blocks. It depends on the slipperiness of PVC and the slipperiness of
> modern rope, and of course is suited only for small-boat use since I
> haven't exactly tested these on a transatlantic voyage.
>
> Never will, either, but perhaps I will test one to destruction
> sometime. In any event they are certainly applicable to many places on
> a boat like a Micro.
>
>
>
>
> Bolger rules!!!
> - no cursing, flaming, trolling, or spamming
> - no flogging dead horses
> - add something: take "thanks!" and "ditto!" posts off-list.
> - stay on topic and punctuate
> - add your comments at the TOP and SIGN your posts
>
>
"Derek Waters" <dgw@d...> wrote:
The whole question of blocks is an odd one.
First of all, Harken bullet blocks for dinghy use are so cheap - about
$5 each - and so good that it's almost pointless to make your own.
Given modern rope and such, they are plenty strong.
But also, given modern rope and the fact that it's a lot more flexible
and slippery than old-timey line, nice bullseyes of wood are probably
sufficient for many uses where a single block would be. There are a
number of woods which are hard enough to take a nice polish. Dogwood
is one that people often don't think about. There is a dogwood blight
going around and many dogwoods are falling down or being cut down so
it might be possible to get enough dogwood for several boats from
someone who lives in the dogwood zone. Dog wood was often used for the
'club' on the clew of sailing skiffs in the Chesapeake.
Eastern Red Cedar is another (juniperus virginiana) and so is black
locust. Osage orange is almost too hard to work easily but it polishes
up, and I suspect red mulberry does too.
No need to resort to Lignum Vitae <chuckle>... if you could even find
it.
But then on the other hand, you can buy delrin sheaves for about a
buck each and make your own shells if it's a question of being a DIY
maniac. The shells can be plywood or shaped from just about any wood.
Off the top of my head I can think of several sources for "how to make
blocks". Sometime in the past 18 months or two years in John Marples'
sketchbook section in BOATBUILDER there was something. In H G Smith's
book MARLINSPIKE SEAMANSHIP there is something. In Conor O'Brien's
SEA-BOATS, OARS AND SAILS there is something. And also online
somewhere David Goodchild talks about making blocks for his boat.
Finally, I've made functional "dumb sheave" blocks from PVC pipe (as
the 'roller') and 1/4 or 1/2 inch ply for the shell sides. All epoxied
up, but you could also make wood inserts and use metal axles. This is
a great way to make custom configurations like quadruple sister
blocks. It depends on the slipperiness of PVC and the slipperiness of
modern rope, and of course is suited only for small-boat use since I
haven't exactly tested these on a transatlantic voyage.
Never will, either, but perhaps I will test one to destruction
sometime. In any event they are certainly applicable to many places on
a boat like a Micro.
>Hi Derek,
> After much thought, this week past I ordered (a Sailrite kit for) the Navigator mainsail for our as yet un-named Micro.
The whole question of blocks is an odd one.
First of all, Harken bullet blocks for dinghy use are so cheap - about
$5 each - and so good that it's almost pointless to make your own.
Given modern rope and such, they are plenty strong.
But also, given modern rope and the fact that it's a lot more flexible
and slippery than old-timey line, nice bullseyes of wood are probably
sufficient for many uses where a single block would be. There are a
number of woods which are hard enough to take a nice polish. Dogwood
is one that people often don't think about. There is a dogwood blight
going around and many dogwoods are falling down or being cut down so
it might be possible to get enough dogwood for several boats from
someone who lives in the dogwood zone. Dog wood was often used for the
'club' on the clew of sailing skiffs in the Chesapeake.
Eastern Red Cedar is another (juniperus virginiana) and so is black
locust. Osage orange is almost too hard to work easily but it polishes
up, and I suspect red mulberry does too.
No need to resort to Lignum Vitae <chuckle>... if you could even find
it.
But then on the other hand, you can buy delrin sheaves for about a
buck each and make your own shells if it's a question of being a DIY
maniac. The shells can be plywood or shaped from just about any wood.
Off the top of my head I can think of several sources for "how to make
blocks". Sometime in the past 18 months or two years in John Marples'
sketchbook section in BOATBUILDER there was something. In H G Smith's
book MARLINSPIKE SEAMANSHIP there is something. In Conor O'Brien's
SEA-BOATS, OARS AND SAILS there is something. And also online
somewhere David Goodchild talks about making blocks for his boat.
Finally, I've made functional "dumb sheave" blocks from PVC pipe (as
the 'roller') and 1/4 or 1/2 inch ply for the shell sides. All epoxied
up, but you could also make wood inserts and use metal axles. This is
a great way to make custom configurations like quadruple sister
blocks. It depends on the slipperiness of PVC and the slipperiness of
modern rope, and of course is suited only for small-boat use since I
haven't exactly tested these on a transatlantic voyage.
Never will, either, but perhaps I will test one to destruction
sometime. In any event they are certainly applicable to many places on
a boat like a Micro.
The beauty of fence insulators is that they have a bigger turning radius
than a thimble, and so run better without chafing as galvanised thimles do
when they get a little rusty
Foster Price
than a thimble, and so run better without chafing as galvanised thimles do
when they get a little rusty
Foster Price
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Peter Vanderwaart [mailto:pvanderw@...]
> Sent: Tuesday, 12 December 2000 11:03
> To:bolger@egroups.com
> Subject: [bolger] Re: navigator goes ahead
>
>
>
> Find a business that supplies galvanized gear to commercial fisherman.
> For lazy jacks, you may not need a block at all, just a thimble in an
> eye.
>
> PHV
>
>
> --- Inbolger@egroups.com, Foster Price <foster.price@s...> wrote:
> > Gidday
> >
> > I have very sucessfully used plastic electic fencing end insulators
> for the
> > likes of lazy jacks and other non shiv applications. They are
> strong,
> > smooth and cheap, especially if you can't be bothered to make a
> block. Here
> > in farming country they are easy to get but I'm sure you could find
> an
> > agricultural store somewhere or a place that sells horse gear etc.
> >
> > If all else fails I'd be happy to post anyone a sample from here,
> but it'll
> > be a while in the post!!
> >
> > Foster Price
> > Southland, New Zealand
> >
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Derek Waters [mailto:dgw@d...]
> > > Looking at the sailplan I count over 30 shivs, mostly in
> > > single blocks.
> > > Since we're keeping the standard hull I can dispense with
> > > eight or ten of
> > Still (to get to the point) it is going to be a challenge to
> > > rig the boat to
> > > be both economical and still capable of rapid set-up from the
> > > trailer. (Part
> > > of me mourns the sprit boom's elegant simplicity :)
> >
> >
> > > I'd be really interested in any experience on the list with
> > > d.i.y. blocks
> > > (and anyone else committed to a 'chinese gaff' sailplan)
> > >
> > >
> > >
>
>
> -------------------------- eGroups Sponsor
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> --------------------------------------------------------------
> -------_->
>
> Bolger rules!!!
> - no cursing, flaming, trolling, or spamming
> - no flogging dead horses
> - add something: take "thanks!" and "ditto!" posts off-list.
> - stay on topic and punctuate
> - add your comments at the TOP and SIGN your posts
>
>
Find a business that supplies galvanized gear to commercial fisherman.
For lazy jacks, you may not need a block at all, just a thimble in an
eye.
PHV
For lazy jacks, you may not need a block at all, just a thimble in an
eye.
PHV
--- Inbolger@egroups.com, Foster Price <foster.price@s...> wrote:
> Gidday
>
> I have very sucessfully used plastic electic fencing end insulators
for the
> likes of lazy jacks and other non shiv applications. They are
strong,
> smooth and cheap, especially if you can't be bothered to make a
block. Here
> in farming country they are easy to get but I'm sure you could find
an
> agricultural store somewhere or a place that sells horse gear etc.
>
> If all else fails I'd be happy to post anyone a sample from here,
but it'll
> be a while in the post!!
>
> Foster Price
> Southland, New Zealand
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Derek Waters [mailto:dgw@d...]
> > Looking at the sailplan I count over 30 shivs, mostly in
> > single blocks.
> > Since we're keeping the standard hull I can dispense with
> > eight or ten of
> Still (to get to the point) it is going to be a challenge to
> > rig the boat to
> > be both economical and still capable of rapid set-up from the
> > trailer. (Part
> > of me mourns the sprit boom's elegant simplicity :)
>
>
> > I'd be really interested in any experience on the list with
> > d.i.y. blocks
> > (and anyone else committed to a 'chinese gaff' sailplan)
> >
> >
> >
Gidday
I have very sucessfully used plastic electic fencing end insulators for the
likes of lazy jacks and other non shiv applications. They are strong,
smooth and cheap, especially if you can't be bothered to make a block. Here
in farming country they are easy to get but I'm sure you could find an
agricultural store somewhere or a place that sells horse gear etc.
If all else fails I'd be happy to post anyone a sample from here, but it'll
be a while in the post!!
Foster Price
Southland, New Zealand
I have very sucessfully used plastic electic fencing end insulators for the
likes of lazy jacks and other non shiv applications. They are strong,
smooth and cheap, especially if you can't be bothered to make a block. Here
in farming country they are easy to get but I'm sure you could find an
agricultural store somewhere or a place that sells horse gear etc.
If all else fails I'd be happy to post anyone a sample from here, but it'll
be a while in the post!!
Foster Price
Southland, New Zealand
> -----Original Message-----Still (to get to the point) it is going to be a challenge to
> From: Derek Waters [mailto:dgw@...]
> Looking at the sailplan I count over 30 shivs, mostly in
> single blocks.
> Since we're keeping the standard hull I can dispense with
> eight or ten of
> rig the boat to
> be both economical and still capable of rapid set-up from the
> trailer. (Part
> of me mourns the sprit boom's elegant simplicity :)
> I'd be really interested in any experience on the list with
> d.i.y. blocks
> (and anyone else committed to a 'chinese gaff' sailplan)
>
>
>
In a message dated 12/11/2000 3:<BR20:<BR57 AM
Eastern Standard ,dgw@...writes:> I'd be really interested in any
experience on the list with d.i.y. blocks
Many years ago, WB published an article detailing the process. One of those
Sam Manning bits IIRC.
Cheers/Carron
Eastern Standard ,dgw@...writes:> I'd be really interested in any
experience on the list with d.i.y. blocks
> (and anyone else committed to a 'chinese gaff' sailplan)Derek,
Many years ago, WB published an article detailing the process. One of those
Sam Manning bits IIRC.
Cheers/Carron
Dear Bolgerphiles
After much thought, this week past I ordered (a Sailrite kit for) the
Navigator mainsail for our as yet un-named Micro.
Looking at the sailplan I count over 30 shivs, mostly in single blocks.
Since we're keeping the standard hull I can dispense with eight or ten of
those, and the dozen or so camcleats called for will probably be replaced
with pinrails.
Still (to get to the point) it is going to be a challenge to rig the boat to
be both economical and still capable of rapid set-up from the trailer. (Part
of me mourns the sprit boom's elegant simplicity :)
I'm intending to go retro, with seized-in eyes and toggles replacing
snap-shackles where feasible. Blocks will hopefully mostly be rope-stropped
home-mades.
I'd be really interested in any experience on the list with d.i.y. blocks
(and anyone else committed to a 'chinese gaff' sailplan)
in the icy BC interior,
Derek
After much thought, this week past I ordered (a Sailrite kit for) the
Navigator mainsail for our as yet un-named Micro.
Looking at the sailplan I count over 30 shivs, mostly in single blocks.
Since we're keeping the standard hull I can dispense with eight or ten of
those, and the dozen or so camcleats called for will probably be replaced
with pinrails.
Still (to get to the point) it is going to be a challenge to rig the boat to
be both economical and still capable of rapid set-up from the trailer. (Part
of me mourns the sprit boom's elegant simplicity :)
I'm intending to go retro, with seized-in eyes and toggles replacing
snap-shackles where feasible. Blocks will hopefully mostly be rope-stropped
home-mades.
I'd be really interested in any experience on the list with d.i.y. blocks
(and anyone else committed to a 'chinese gaff' sailplan)
in the icy BC interior,
Derek