Int'l 470 ballast ?
 

Can I add ballast to my 470 so I can singlehand it more easily? If
so, what would be the best way to do it?

Thanks

Richard

Int'l 470 ballast ?
 

Richard Randall wrote:
Can I add ballast to my 470 so I can singlehand it more easily?

You can definitely add ballast, I dunno how effective it will be at
making it easier to singlehand. The most effect it would probably have
would be to make it a lot slower, harder to launch & retrieve,
overstress the CB pivot & trunk, and *might* make it slower to turtle
once you've capsized.

In short, as an old 470 sailor, I think it's a bad idea.

... If
so, what would be the best way to do it?

If turtling is the problem, the best answer is to tie a gallon jug to
the mainsail headboard. If you sail in rough water, either tie two, or
else get a small laundry bag and put a beach ball in it, and fasten that
there. The added buoyancy at the mast tip will keep the boat from
turtling and you can right it at leisure.

The biggest problem singlehanding a 470 that I can see is keeping all
the control lines from getting hopelessly tangled. The boat is the
original "spaghetti factory."

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Int'l 470 ballast ?
 

"DSK" wrote in message

The biggest problem singlehanding a 470 that I can see is keeping all
the control lines from getting hopelessly tangled. The boat is the
original "spaghetti factory."

I think the *original* spaghetti factory was the Flying Dutchman. I agree
that the 470 has enough line to look like a pot of pasta aboil, but there
were two occasions when I wound up with a leg bound by wrapped lines after a
particularly hairy jibe mark in the FD. One sailor in our fleet actually
got dragged behind his FD after falling overboard with lines wrapped around
one of his legs. And we always seemed to have lines trailing out the
Elvstrom bailers. I've heard 470s described as mini-FDs on occasion, I
think more for the mess of lines in the cockpit rather than any similarity
in appearance or performance. The Tempest is another spaghetti factory.

Max

Int'l 470 ballast ?
 

Would shortening sail help? Can it be done on the 470?

Scotty

"DSK" wrote in message
.. .
Richard Randall wrote:
Can I add ballast to my 470 so I can singlehand it more easily?

You can definitely add ballast, I dunno how effective it will be at
making it easier to singlehand. The most effect it would probably have
would be to make it a lot slower, harder to launch & retrieve,
overstress the CB pivot & trunk, and *might* make it slower to turtle
once you've capsized.

In short, as an old 470 sailor, I think it's a bad idea.

... If
so, what would be the best way to do it?

If turtling is the problem, the best answer is to tie a gallon jug to
the mainsail headboard. If you sail in rough water, either tie two, or
else get a small laundry bag and put a beach ball in it, and fasten that
there. The added buoyancy at the mast tip will keep the boat from
turtling and you can right it at leisure.

The biggest problem singlehanding a 470 that I can see is keeping all
the control lines from getting hopelessly tangled. The boat is the
original "spaghetti factory."

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Int'l 470 ballast ?
 

Scott Vernon wrote:
Would shortening sail help? Can it be done on the 470?

Not as usually rigged. It's got a low boom and a bendy mast. You could
put a jiffy reef on it, but it would be difficult to tie in while underway.


Maxprop wrote:
I think the *original* spaghetti factory was the Flying Dutchman.

Ah yes. I stand corrected.


... One sailor in our fleet actually
got dragged behind his FD after falling overboard with lines wrapped around
one of his legs.

That's not such an unusal trick. I've done that on a number of boats
including a JY-15, not really much spaghetti on that one.


And we always seemed to have lines trailing out the
Elvstrom bailers.

Yeah, that's one reason why I hate Elvstrom bailers. They're a great
example of 1950s technology; better than heavy boats with no flotation
and no self-bailers but when you could have a fully self-rescuing, dry
cockpit, open transom, whatever... why???


.... I've heard 470s described as mini-FDs on occasion, I
think more for the mess of lines in the cockpit rather than any similarity
in appearance or performance.

I think the 470 is a little more power per pound, but the Dutchman is a
faster more powerful boat overall. Beautiful, too. Both FD & 470 could
benefit from an update... square head main, double trap, big A-sail...
yee haw!

... The Tempest is another spaghetti factory.

I never liked the Tempest that much. It's a nice boat but it's really a
big 2-person show-off machine. The only benefit it gains from the size
& the keel is that it's better for open water & rougher conditions...
except that they're all old and creaky at this point. Give me a Star or
a Johnson 18 (wait a minute... already got one) or a 505... or a 470 for
that matter!

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Int'l 470 ballast ?
 

"Scott Vernon" wrote in message

Would shortening sail help? Can it be done on the 470?

Racing dinghies, as a general rule, have no provision for shortening sail,
either main or jib. Many sailors of these boats simply carry a huge luff in
the main to ease the heeling force. I've raced Snipes in 15kts. which ain't
fun, but letting the main luff to the forward edge of the battens pretty
much does the trick.

Max

Int'l 470 ballast ?
 

Yeah. Keeping the lines clean is a full time job when I'm alone.
It's a nightmare when you're about to go over, reach for the sheet to
blow the jib, and find a bird's nest of lines. Not much spare time to
sort things out.

-r



DSK wrote in message ...
Richard Randall wrote:
Can I add ballast to my 470 so I can singlehand it more easily?

You can definitely add ballast, I dunno how effective it will be at
making it easier to singlehand. The most effect it would probably have
would be to make it a lot slower, harder to launch & retrieve,
overstress the CB pivot & trunk, and *might* make it slower to turtle
once you've capsized.

In short, as an old 470 sailor, I think it's a bad idea.

... If
so, what would be the best way to do it?

If turtling is the problem, the best answer is to tie a gallon jug to
the mainsail headboard. If you sail in rough water, either tie two, or
else get a small laundry bag and put a beach ball in it, and fasten that
there. The added buoyancy at the mast tip will keep the boat from
turtling and you can right it at leisure.

The biggest problem singlehanding a 470 that I can see is keeping all
the control lines from getting hopelessly tangled. The boat is the
original "spaghetti factory."

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Int'l 470 ballast ?
 

Good question. I don't know. I have to sail with a jib because it is
integrated with the forestay. But I was thinking about taking one of
my old mains and having reefs put in. Or maybe sailing without a main?
Has anyone done this? DSK, what do you think?

I know I'm sacrificing speed here, but sailing singlehanded excludes
racing anyway. I don't mind going slow if I can go out more often.
It's just that when the wind picks up, I can't go out by myself.



"Scott Vernon" wrote in message ...
Would shortening sail help? Can it be done on the 470?

Scotty

"DSK" wrote in message
.. .
Richard Randall wrote:
Can I add ballast to my 470 so I can singlehand it more easily?

You can definitely add ballast, I dunno how effective it will be at
making it easier to singlehand. The most effect it would probably have
would be to make it a lot slower, harder to launch & retrieve,
overstress the CB pivot & trunk, and *might* make it slower to turtle
once you've capsized.

In short, as an old 470 sailor, I think it's a bad idea.

... If
so, what would be the best way to do it?

If turtling is the problem, the best answer is to tie a gallon jug to
the mainsail headboard. If you sail in rough water, either tie two, or
else get a small laundry bag and put a beach ball in it, and fasten that
there. The added buoyancy at the mast tip will keep the boat from
turtling and you can right it at leisure.

The biggest problem singlehanding a 470 that I can see is keeping all
the control lines from getting hopelessly tangled. The boat is the
original "spaghetti factory."

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Int'l 470 ballast ?
 

I have a National Solo...

http://www.solosailing.org.uk/index.asp

Which just has a main.... it's very easy to sail.... and 12 feet....

If you want I good safe small boat.....I would suggest a Norca 14 which has
a full keel..... (I think it's a Norca....)
There is one my basin.....it's very easy to sail ......
The guy that bought it never sailed before...in fact I had to show how to
rig the boat.... Now he is out every second night....

Beauty of a keel is that you don't have to worry about the boat capsizing.

Giving you more time to work the sails.....

Tomek


"Richard Randall" wrote in message
om...
Yeah. Keeping the lines clean is a full time job when I'm alone.
It's a nightmare when you're about to go over, reach for the sheet to
blow the jib, and find a bird's nest of lines. Not much spare time to
sort things out.

-r



DSK wrote in message
...
Richard Randall wrote:
Can I add ballast to my 470 so I can singlehand it more easily?

You can definitely add ballast, I dunno how effective it will be at
making it easier to singlehand. The most effect it would probably have
would be to make it a lot slower, harder to launch & retrieve,
overstress the CB pivot & trunk, and *might* make it slower to turtle
once you've capsized.

In short, as an old 470 sailor, I think it's a bad idea.

... If
so, what would be the best way to do it?

If turtling is the problem, the best answer is to tie a gallon jug to
the mainsail headboard. If you sail in rough water, either tie two, or
else get a small laundry bag and put a beach ball in it, and fasten that
there. The added buoyancy at the mast tip will keep the boat from
turtling and you can right it at leisure.

The biggest problem singlehanding a 470 that I can see is keeping all
the control lines from getting hopelessly tangled. The boat is the
original "spaghetti factory."

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

Int'l 470 ballast ?
 

"DSK" wrote in message

Yeah, that's one reason why I hate Elvstrom bailers. They're a great
example of 1950s technology; better than heavy boats with no flotation
and no self-bailers but when you could have a fully self-rescuing, dry
cockpit, open transom, whatever... why???

We bought a new Snipe from Chubasco (a now-defunct company in El Cajon, CA)
years ago. It came with transom cut-outs and Elvstrom bailers as standard
equipment. I requested that the bailers not be installed, and the company
rep questioned my request. Ultimately I ended up installing two super max
units in the bilge pockets because after self-rescuing the bilge still held
around 10 gallons of water. 10 gal = 80lbs. About like taking someone's kid
along. At least on the Snipe the bailers were a necessary evil.

Max