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Post by NigeL on Dec 11, 2007 9:33:00 GMT 1
Was there something on your boat that you altered / changed to suit you / improve ?
I think all boats have something that annoys or needs that little change to improve overall and remove that irritation ?
Mine was the rudder stock head where the tiller fitted in. It couldn't be raised more than about 45 degrees above horizontal - meaning tiller always intruded into cockpit area. The other matter was that the tiller would droop and rub on cockpit bench under. The raisoing was because the stainless steel head fitting had a full back plate that stopped the tiller from pivoting up. I got a local metal shop to cut this away and while at it - double the fitting to strengthen. It is now stronger and also tiller raises fully vertical.
To stop the droop needed a small wood block glued / screwed to back end of tiller to rest against rudder head fitting preventing it drooping.
Both were very small easy changes - but have completely changed use of the cockpit, freeing up ALL seating space. It also means that when helming you can stand high and not have to stretch down to tiller ...
So what change / alteration did you do to improve ?
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Post by kilter on Dec 11, 2007 10:08:12 GMT 1
Changing the cooker
fitting a lavac
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Post by faya on Dec 11, 2007 10:45:24 GMT 1
Yep - changing cooker form gas 2 burner and grill to Taylors 030 (2 burners, grill and oven).
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Post by petecooper on Dec 11, 2007 11:12:41 GMT 1
I moved the main halyard from the cockpit to the foot of the mast. This means that reefing is now much easier as I do most of my sailing single handed.
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Post by NigeL on Dec 11, 2007 13:17:46 GMT 1
Once we get a few more replies - we'll probably find that often it's small changes you make that make big differences.
Another small change - the closing latch arrangement of my stern cockpit locker allowed the door to sit proud and let small amounts of water in .. changing to a draw-bolt stopped it by forcing door closed positively.
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Post by roach1948 on Dec 11, 2007 13:40:07 GMT 1
Mmm, well here is a big change. Stuart Turner to Beta 10 running through an aquadrive coupling! (Ofcourse there are a zillion other small changes too, but the engine has transformed the boat)
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Post by NigeL on Dec 11, 2007 13:52:29 GMT 1
Mmm, well here is a big change. Stuart Turner to Beta 10 running through an aquadrive coupling! (Ofcourse there are a zillion other small changes too, but the engine has transformed the boat) My Father had a ST in a Hilyard ..... it would start cold or red hot - but at working temp ..... No ! I can remember him cursing and swearing at the "lump" ...... I always remember that big gear lever as well and the "lawnmower" throttle lever ...... Memories !  |
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Post by malcb on Dec 11, 2007 18:20:38 GMT 1
Fitting Single Line Reefing and having all lines led back to the cockpit.
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Post by Badger Birch on Dec 11, 2007 19:10:23 GMT 1
Sprayhood every time.....
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Post by kilter on Dec 11, 2007 19:34:30 GMT 1
Sprayhood every time..... Every time I beat to windward in cold, wet weather I curse the lack of one! |
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sulis
Coastal Cruiser
Posts: 201
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Post by sulis on Dec 11, 2007 19:52:56 GMT 1
Sprayhood every time..... Every time I beat to windward in cold, wet weather I curse the lack of one! But at least you can see me coming toward you  |
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Post by searush on Dec 11, 2007 23:41:29 GMT 1
Hmm,
Converted single saloon bunk back to double.
Re-fitted radiant catalytic heater removed by PO
Hinged the saloon seat backs & opened access to lockers boxed in by PO
Saloon table converted back to post type support (after a crew folded the old one flat - permanently)
Alloy lavac basin converted to porcelain (it could only just cope with wee!)
Roller reefing kit & used R/R genoa
Sprayhood (now due for replacement)
Dodgy MD2B replaced with brilliant Yanmar 30hp - superb, starts instantly hot, cold or frozen.
Auto-pilot on wheel steering
Laptop GPS & chartplotter
Sagging headlining supported by battens (looks very traditional, like mini beams)
Fitted wall mounted gimballed Oil lamp (homely warmth & light but no battery drain)
Every one made a significant improvement to my enjoyment of using the boat - they are not in any particular order, but are close to chronological sequence.
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Post by NigeL on Dec 13, 2007 8:50:15 GMT 1
I've commented within your text in blue as I'm interested in a bit of detail .... Hmm, Converted single saloon bunk back to double. Many I speak to don't like the saloon double berth - I assume you have reverted to the table drops into place type ? I love mine and have no trouble sleeping in it when boats moving about .... Re-fitted radiant catalytic heater removed by PO. Is this a Plastimo Mini / Maxui model or similar ? I looked at them before, but then many warned about the dangers with them .... then many shops stopped selling them ...Hinged the saloon seat backs & opened access to lockers boxed in by PO. I always though this idea was brilliant ... can never understand why some owners change it .. Saloon table converted back to post type support (after a crew folded the old one flat - permanently). Does your Table go all way to deckhead - another brilliant idea to open up a small space !Alloy lavac basin converted to porcelain (it could only just cope with wee!). So can truly "point Percy" .... Roller reefing kit & used R/R genoa. What can you say .. Sprayhood (now due for replacement). Sailed one weekend without it ... never again. They may add windage, they may look suspect on some boats - but advantage far outweighs any other consideration.Dodgy MD2B replaced with brilliant Yanmar 30hp - superb, starts instantly hot, cold or frozen. Auto-pilot on wheel steering Laptop GPS & chartplotter. Which do you use ? Sagging headlining supported by battens (looks very traditional, like mini beams). A Macwester I surveyed years ago had done this and looked fab.Fitted wall mounted gimballed Oil lamp (homely warmth & light but no battery drain). Chance of a photo ? This I am very interested in ... Every one made a significant improvement to my enjoyment of using the boat - they are not in any particular order, but are close to chronological sequence. Small changes make a hell of a difference as we all know and also stamp our little personal marker on.... |
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Post by searush on Dec 13, 2007 20:31:51 GMT 1
Blimee, I wasn't expecting that! But no-one expects the Spanish Inquisition! OK, so here goes; In general terms PO used the boat as a motorboat never going more than a mile or two from his mooring which was on the Straits & overlooked by his fabulous bungalow. Consequently, his "refit" was about appearance rather than use. The engine controls were badly adjusted so that it maxed out at 3kts. A few tweaks got it to 7kts. He`moved the cooker from its central position to the later location by the saloon entrance hatch, He covered all the GRP surfaces with Contiboard & removed the plastic sliding locker hatches & put teak mouldings across the front of them. The original table had been thrown away and replaced by a contiboard one that collapsed when an over weight crew member leaned on it! Loss of the table meant that the double berth had gone, moving the cooker changed the shape & location of most of the berth cushions. By re-installing a pedestal leg off-centre on the table I got a much stronger table that could be rotated to provide easy eating OR easy movement around the boat. By cutting a section of yellow plastic 2" mains gas pipe to the correct length the table could also be dropped to make up the bed, although a piece of thin ply was required to get the correct length. Double beds are useless on passage, but MUCH better at anchor. I don't often get to sleep on passage, but simply use a single if I do (generally the aft cabin where I am directly next to the helmsman) The Catalytic heater is about 35 years old (same as boat) and probably ASBESTOS based - which is why I think PO disconnected it. No problems if used sensibly, it generates a fair bit of CO2 & H2O from the butane fuel, but with the hatch ajar it is fine. I would not sleep with it on. I have Tsunamis99 (former demo copy I think) plus a USB GPS mouse on an old IBM Thinkpad bought on e-bay about 2 years ago for a couple of hundred quid. Here is a pic that shows ceiling battens & oil lamp (top left of bulkhead)  |
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Post by NigeL on Dec 14, 2007 8:37:07 GMT 1
Sorry if I seemed to be too inquisitive ... but boats fascinate me and what happens to them.
The PO sounds like the guy who originally fitted out SA, as I was told (i'm the 3rd owner since built) by the PO - the first guy only motored around and sails were never used.
But then as I understood PO then threw away various items himself - ie the bunk infills for forward Vee berth.
The Westerly table ideas were good .... the offset leg that swiveled table round, other where table rose to deckhead or the hinged to bulkhead (depending on layout chosen). Westerly were very good in use of space, having built up immense experience across a large range of small boats.
I have to say that you have a boat that I would also have with pride .. the aft cabin early westerlys IMHO were some of the best boats of their type.
The Oil Lamp - I really like that !
As to the Gas Heater - still a thought in my mind - especially that you can now get the cannister camping ones which are self contained. As you say never when sleeping - but if it can get cabin warm before going to bed - then great.
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Post by roach1948 on Dec 14, 2007 12:01:15 GMT 1
To be honest I am surprised you dont already have one. They really are fantastic. You will never go back to electric. when I switch the overhead electric cabin lights on after a spell on the oil lamps I get a blistering headache and shock as the interior is bathed in very bright white light and all the mess shows. Oil lamp abck on and the mess magically clears itself up and I the cosy feeling returns whilst keeping my night vision.
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Post by NigeL on Dec 14, 2007 14:38:33 GMT 1
To be honest I am surprised you dont already have one. They really are fantastic. You will never go back to electric. when I switch the overhead electric cabin lights on after a spell on the oil lamps I get a blistering headache and shock as the interior is bathed in very bright white light and all the mess shows. Oil lamp abck on and the mess magically clears itself up and I the cosy feeling returns whilst keeping my night vision. Itch Itch Itch ...... will have to go looking in the old shops now ! |
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Post by kilter on Dec 14, 2007 14:38:45 GMT 1
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Post by searush on Dec 14, 2007 22:34:56 GMT 1
Nigel, that lamp is from Nauticalia I think, it is only basic steel with a brass coloured finish I reckon. Nice to have an original, but not necessary!
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Post by NigeL on Dec 15, 2007 13:20:54 GMT 1
Nigel, that lamp is from Nauticalia I think, it is only basic steel with a brass coloured finish I reckon. Nice to have an original, but not necessary! Been offered a Nauticalia by another member - and I'm very tempted. But because of postal and delicate nature of glass etc. - I'd rather wait till return to UK and carry personally back here. I will look out here as well as they are not unique to UK ! Rather nice lass runs the local Antique shop in our town - so might have a word wth her !! |
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