1) The topping lift needs to be run. My friend Scott is helping me with that on Thursday. Then we can use the spinnaker pole again. Last night one crew member stretched out dangerously, hanging onto the shrouds, to hold the clew of the spinnaker out. Not fast, or safe.
2) Need to fix the boom vang. It is hardly adjustable. Word is you don't use much boom vang on these boats, but still, I'd like it to function a little better than it does now.
3) The jib tack adjuster. Can't adjust the halyard tension on the jib easily. This used to be a ridiculously clumsy system. Now it is simple, but crude.
4) The mast puller (forward). I hooked up the mast puller (aft) last night. I still don't know when I would use it. These damn boats are so complicated. I have to get out a pen and pencil and think my way through all the different combinations of mast adjustments, between upper shrouds, lower shrouds, mast block, mast pullers, backstay, and jib halyard tension. The mast is like a big half-done piece of spaghetti. It's stiff enough to hold the sails up, but pretty bendy, and you play with all the different ways to bend it to flatten out your sails or to give them some curve. It's mind-bogglingly complicated. Mostly, I just play with the backstay, with occasional adjustments to the shrouds.
5) The mast block. We're using a big block of wood, but we have a multi-tiered plastic block with a bungee cord attachment just like all the fancy boats. Unfortunately it's a hair too wide for our mast partners so we need to shave it down a bit. Meg has it right now; hopefully she's gotten it slimmed down and we can install it next week.
6) The cunningham. This is silly; an arrangement like I had years ago on my Laser, but without even that sophistication. Can't be easily adjusted during a race. Need to fix it, and lead it back to the console where the skipper can get to it at a mark rounding.
7) The traveller cleats and the backstay cleats need to be greased.
8) We need a new jib and a new main. The jib is on its way. The main we'll have to get next season.
9) We need larger twing blocks, because these are sized such that the spinnaker sheets can barely squeeze through them, which makes for resistance we don't need during the spinnaker sets.
10) I need to review the shroud turnbuckles to make sure everything is okay there.
11) I should examine the jib lead adjustments and make sure they're rigged right.
12) We don't have a fraculator. I'm not convinced you need one, but the big boys all have them, and it inverts your mast downwind which they say is what you want.
Come on. You made up the "fraculator," right?
Posted by: CM | June 22, 2005 at 11:17 AM
No joke. See this page (forward crew's assignments):
http://www.etchellsmyc.org/3Crew2003.pdf
The fraculator is a line that connects to the forestay downwind and pulls it tight, thereby pulling the mast forward and inverting it, which changes the shape and position of the main.
Posted by: Scheherazade | June 22, 2005 at 11:22 AM
Here is my suggestion:
Get a boat with fixed, non-adjustable standing rigging. Preferably with outboard chainplates. This would eliminate at least half of your "to-do" list. Sure, you'd lose races, but think how relaxed you'd be!
Posted by: turboglacier | June 22, 2005 at 01:58 PM
I think Turb has it right. You need a Nordlandsbåt.
Posted by: CN | June 22, 2005 at 02:21 PM
Hey, what exactly is a jib? I only know that word from Mr. Burns saying "Who is that man, Smithers? I like the cut of his jib."
Posted by: Patrick | June 22, 2005 at 02:28 PM
Ever since I was 11, I've always found the words "boom vang" entertaining. They've got a fun bunch of sounds. Boom vang. Boom vang.
But "fraculator" is pretty cool too.
Now that I live in Colorado, I don't generally encounter boom vangs or fraculators.
Posted by: Tim | June 25, 2005 at 12:07 AM
My mast looks like a snake, looking up at it from the bottom...it curves, from the spreaders. I can fix that, but I would like to know how much tension is 'maximum' when adjusting?? I have more tension on one side, but I am afraid to tighten (or loosen) a side to match the pulling of the stays.
Thanks...Richard
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