We've Moved

We have a new website and blog! The new address is: http://www.sailwithbliss.com

Furlex maintenance and new furling line

We recently ordered new Samson line for our genoa furler. During the line replacement, we did maintenance on the Furlex system, which included cleaning and adding lubricant to the bearings.

old line

new line

Rigging survey finding – undersized pin

We had a rigging survey done in 2011 and one of the findings was an undersized pin in two of our lower shroud turnbuckles.  In order to resolve the finding we measured the chainplate hole diameter and did some research. 

These were the measurements:

Pin size = 1/2 inch diameter

Chainplate hole size = 5/8 diameter

Width of Tang (inside) = 3/4 inch

I went to a local machine shop and even though they could make the part for me for approximately $100, they recommended that I check McMaster-Carr’s website to see if they had a small stainless steel bushing that would right-size the pin to the turnbuckle eye.  Sure enough, they had the exact size bushing that I was looking for.  We ordered two of them. 

Before I took the turnbuckle apart to put the pin in, I taped the location of the turnbuckle so I would know where it should be when I was finished.   I coated the pin with Lanacote, even though the bushing and pin were of similar metals.  They fit perfectly together.  I tightened the turnbuckle to its original position and satisfied the survey finding.

 

 

Before bushing was added

 

After the bushing was added

  

Rainy Day Fun - Turk's Head knot

We put a Turk's Head knot on our wheel. The Turk's Head is used to indicate the rudder is centered. This is especially handy at night, or when you want to hold your attention elsewhere.

 We learned how to make the Turk's Head from Animated Knots: http://www.animatedknots.com/