I had thought a big 140 to 160% but it turns out with my boat and my style
of sailing (single watchstander cruising) a 120 is better. The next one
back I had thought would be a 110% but it turned out a 80% was a better
choice. That one is hank on and is interchangeable with the storm jib. But
both are self deploying from the cockpit. The setup allows space to put the
radar up high which I preferred and by changing the baby stay and two aft
leaning shrouds to four side shrouds cleared space on the deck, allowed room
for the stays'l gear etc. I like to reef down each night no matter what and
religiously reef down plenty far in advance of any impending higher winds.
For that reason we left the main halyard winches on the mast including the
reefing gear. (Two deep slab reefs). This cleared up some space under the
dodger which was needed for the stays'l jib sheet winches, and the mains'l
controls. Outhaul and power vang being the most used. It also kept the
runing rigging lines of the cockpit hatch turtle which means room for
something else like solar panels. Each idea I presented was discussed at
length with riggers and sailmakers and then had me standing in the
conference room steering a tiller with my butt and reaching out and to the
sides for the various lines. Then we repaired to the boat and did the same.
They explained how they would modify and improve my ideas each step of the
way and had me act out using the various lines then measured where the
equipment would go, where I wouldstand and so forth. A real custom fitting.
Thenwe all went for espresso although some of the espresso was microbrew!

The one thing I didn't do was put steps up and down the mast. just two
about four feet below the top so once I haul up I can stand there while
doing whatever. Neat idea.

Anyway at some point I'llbe back from the next freighter run and there will
be photos of how it turns out. Phase One is officially begun!

M.

"Scott Vernon" wrote in message
...
What size/type sail goes on the RF?

Scotty

"Michael" wrote in message
...
Had a good sit down with the folks at the rigging shop today plus the
sailmaker and a couple other crafters. Back to work now to pay for the
outcome. We're going with the roller furling forestay out on the
bowsprit,
an attachment point for the cruising assymetrical spinnaker, a non
roller
furling self tacking stays'l. (this leaves room for the radar unit on
the
mast which didn't work with the pure solent rig and provides a place for
a
storm jib for those of us who make sail changes in plenty of time), some
Murray or Anderson bottom action winches, same mast but refitted
complete
with everything to include LED lights, full batten loose foot main and a
new
boom plus a power vang. The baby stay and two lower shrouds will become
four lower shrouds to make more room on deck. And the wheel steering is
coming off and the tiller is going back on! Most everything is handled
from
the cockpit except the halyards and reefing gear. I did this to ensure
that
job would be down in plenty of time and not left too late. One shop is
designing a new pulpit/rail system and a new aft pulpit/stern arch
system.
My friends at the rigging shop are coordinating the whole plan to make
sure
it all works together. One year to go!

Meanwhile there's this young sailor who goes out with everyone and
anyone
every chance he gets. Helps out in the refit yard with no pay just to
learn
how to do boats. I wonder if he'd like to carry on with Se Fjern. What
do
you think? Donate for a tax write off? Sell? Keep her for just in
case?
Or start some one else off in this wonderful world of sailing?

M.



Most of that will be ready for this summers sailing the rest happens
over
the next winter.