MILDEW:
Hot soapy water with a little bleach will generally prevail. After scrubbing,
leave the solution on the fabric for a few minutes and rinse thoroughly. When
using a bleach, a residual chlorine smell may be present after rinsing. A 1
%
solution of Thiosulphate (photographers' Hypo) should remove all chlorine
traces. Here again, rinse and dry well.
PAINT AND VARNISH: Acetone and M.E.K. should remove most common paint stains.
Varnish can be easily removed with alcohol. Generally speaking, use all
solvents with care. Always rinse and dry thoroughly. It should be
emphasized that nylon ripstop spinnaker fabrics are less durable and more
sensitive than their polyester counterparts. Bleaches and solvents can ruin
nylon ifnot used properly.
Follow the above guidelines, take your sails into your sailmaker for periodic inspection, and you
will have many effective seasons of racing and cruising pleasure.
RIGGING:
STEPPING THE MAST:
1. Before stepping the mast check all standing rigging lengths against the checklist
2. Check all mast light wiring, be sure the masthead anchor light, steaming light and deck
light function, the wires exiting at the base of the spar should be taped up to prevent
damage when the spar is set on the step.
3.
Prepare to step the mast in the following sequence:
a) Check all rigging lengths and inspect all end fittings.
b) Attach all shrouds, forestay and backstay. Tape clevis pins and spreader tips, check
all halyards and tape to mast.
c) Connect and check mast wiring and mast light wiring at mast step.
d) Make electrical connections at base of mast for mast lights and check circuits.
e) Run halyards through turning blocks at deck.
f)
Tune rigging at dock and when under sail.
TUNING THE MAST:
Your mast is held aloft by the standing rigging (forestay, backstay, upper shrouds, intermediate
and lower shrouds). The term "tuning" refers to adjustment of the standing rigging so that the
mast remains "in column" (not bent) when under load, this is accomplished by following the
procedure outlined below:
AT THE DOCK:
1. Adjust fore stay and backstay so that the mast is straight up and down. Tie a bolt to a 6
to 7 foot long piece of light line to make a quick plumb bob, and tape the free end of the
line to t he front of the mast as high up as you can reach. This devise will help you to
determine if the mast is perpendicular or not. Otherwise, sight your mast with the
comer of a building.
2. Adjust the upper shrouds so that the mast is straight up and down athwartships. That is,
from side to side as opposed to bow and stem.
3. The upper shrouds should be firm but not bar tight. A 50 pound push should deflect the
upper shroud about I" at shoulder height.
17
To Next Page
Loading...
