Comments for Sticky's Tips

Comment on Retrieving a man overboard by Andy Bracewell

Andy Bracewell — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:29:13 +0000

I have read your artical in the All At Sea January 2008 addition and also the above page with interest.
Just to make you aware that Jason’s Cradle have now introduced an MOB recovery device specifically for the Leisure Market which is lighter than its commercial cousin.
The Cradle operates by fixing one end around the stanchions and clipping the other end to the halyard. This enables a person to lower the Cradle to retreive the MOB. It can also be used as a ridgid bording ladder for persons able to assist themselves due to its unique design.
If you would like further information on this product, then please do not hesitate to contact me.
Regards

Andy Bracewell
Jason’s Cradle

Comment on Slab reefing by bil bailey

bil bailey — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:09:38 +0000

Regarding set-up for 3rd reef…..

Numerous boats I’ve sailed on are rigged with sheaves for 3 lines only at the boom end - outhaul, and only two clew reef pennants. As mentioned, what do you do about the sometimes-needed third reef?

Whenever I have a ’slab reef’ in for any length of time, I secure a strong sacrificial strop tight around the boom and through the relevant clew eye 2 or 3 turns, then ease the reefing line to protect it from chafing through. Webbing sail ties, with a loop tied in, fit the need.

When going for the next reef, I tend to lower the boom right down and secure it temporarily, avoiding it swinging about ( Eric Taberly et al ) When I’ve pulled down the SECOND reef, it is but a moment’s extra work to ease the first reefing line, clip a snaplink onto it and reach up to attach the snaplink also to the THIRD reef clew-eye ( or clew ’spectacle’, if fitted ).

That facilitates safely pulling the third reef down to the boom in wilder conditions, then attaching my next strop, before hauling on the halyard, sheeting home, then putting the kettle on…..

Comment on Blocking up holes by Sticky

Sticky — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:59:53 +0000

Hope you do not have to buy too many, but peace of mind and being well prepared are all important. I used to carry a piece of equipment called a Suberella which was rather line an umberella. If holed badly this device could be thrust through the hole and then pulled back against the hull like a brolly, and alledgedly stop the inflow of water. Luckily I never had to use it!

Comment on Blocking up holes by Rob Brown

Rob Brown — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 14:04:21 +0000

This article just caught my eye & I fully agree with you Sticky. I carry a set of soft wood bungs of various sizes for such eventualities, but some advice I came across recently, which I will put in place before my boat goes back in the water, is to pre-select a suitably sized bung for all the thru-hull fittings/apertures on the boat, drill out and tie a length of cord on each bung and affix on or beside each fitting, so to hand immediately if there is a failure.

Comment on Gas heaters, beware by atible » Gas heaters, beware

atible » Gas heaters, beware — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:37:49 +0000

[...] here for full [...]

Comment on Rigging failure by Sticky

Sticky — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 16:05:39 +0000

What a lot of people do not realise is that metal does fatigue. How often do owners inspect their rigging other than with a pair of binoculars?

Comment on Rigging failure by Bill Giles

Bill Giles — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:48:31 +0000

I was sailing on a Nic 55 when we had a forestay break in the middle of the night. The bang was such that it sounded as if we had hit something very large and hard. Fortunately the genoa halliard, staysail stay and staysail halliard were man enough to keep the mast upright. A turn downwind relieved more pressure on the other rigging and we returned to a safe harbour without any problems.

The boat had only just had new rigging fitted but it was the bottle screw which failed. It could be that this was quite old and had fatigue failure. Moral of the story - when you change the rigging don’t forget the fittings.

Comment on Rigging failure by Sticky

Sticky — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 20:55:16 +0000

If you go to this website you will see a picture of what I mean.
http://www.roma.co.ae/rig_wrc.html

Hope this helps.

Comment on Rigging failure by David Briggs

David Briggs — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 16:56:07 +0000

Rigging failure - I often think about this but what are ‘bulldog clips’? I only know these as clips for keeping sheets of paper together?
Regards

Comment on Gas heaters, beware by Damien Gallagher

Damien Gallagher — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 13:10:35 +0000

Great tips Sticky!