Search found 421 matches

by atomvoyager
Sat Jul 27, 2019 9:02 am
Forum: Pearson Triton Specifics
Topic: Rudder Shoe
Replies: 49
Views: 11078

Re: Rudder Shoe

Sorry to hear that. looks like you'll have to revisit the design. I sent you a PM with my phone number in case you want to discuss some design options.
by atomvoyager
Fri Jul 26, 2019 7:43 am
Forum: Ramblings
Topic: 19' Westsail Rendezvous
Replies: 1
Views: 1211

Re: 19' Westsail Rendezvous

Thanks for the photos. Those are all gorgeous boats. There's a W32 here in Brunswick, GA that I did some work on that the owner needs to sell and has reduced his price to asking $29K.
http://westsail.com/forsale/endlesssummer.htm
by atomvoyager
Mon Jul 22, 2019 4:15 pm
Forum: Pearson Triton Specifics
Topic: Rudder Shoe
Replies: 49
Views: 11078

Re: Rudder Shoe

Heating until it just begins to turn red makes metals easy to bend but I don't know if it does any harm to your bronze alloy. In stainless I know it can adversely effect the corrosion resistance properties. Maybe take it to a local metal fab shop for an opinion. Or there may be some fabricating foru...
by atomvoyager
Wed Jul 10, 2019 8:36 am
Forum: Sailing and Cruising
Topic: Singlehanded Sailing Society and the Long Pac
Replies: 5
Views: 4359

Re: Singlehanded Sailing Society and the Long Pac

The Westsail 28 is an impressive and pretty boat. The first one I went aboard was in the early 1980s in Florida that the owner was on his way home after a solo voyage from Chicago to Sri Lanka. The Pelagic could steer the heavy helm of the W32 probably better than the other tillerpilots and as you s...
by atomvoyager
Tue Jul 09, 2019 7:58 am
Forum: Sailing and Cruising
Topic: Singlehanded Sailing Society and the Long Pac
Replies: 5
Views: 4359

Re: Singlehanded Sailing Society and the Long Pac

Challenging sailing conditions up there. That race looks like a good way to get a shakedown in before someone sets out on a first long passage to Hawaii or points south. It made me wonder if there is an equivalent length race or event in the SE US without having to go all the way to Bermuda. The 400...
by atomvoyager
Sat Jun 29, 2019 8:07 am
Forum: Pearson Triton Specifics
Topic: Rudder Shoe
Replies: 49
Views: 11078

Re: Rudder Shoe

You can see how I sealed off the tube beginning at 4:30 in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sTHd_nCyLg

It may not be so easy for boats with an inboard engine unless you can route the plumbing and cables clear.
by atomvoyager
Fri Jun 28, 2019 9:08 am
Forum: Pearson Triton Specifics
Topic: Rudder Shoe
Replies: 49
Views: 11078

Re: Rudder Shoe

I've never bothered to add a bushing at the bottom of the rudder shaft tube because I had one not far away at the top in the form of a short PVC tube under the rudder cap and flax packing. You could add it if you want but it's one more friction point and alignment point to worry about and it makes f...
by atomvoyager
Thu Jun 27, 2019 9:23 am
Forum: Pearson Triton Specifics
Topic: Rudder Shoe
Replies: 49
Views: 11078

Re: Rudder Shoe

Looks like you have the bending sorted out. As to alignment maybe the old rudder and shaft were slightly misaligned or they were different angle because the keel groove and upper fiberglass tube are out. Either way, I guess you can tweak the bend to fit the boat or adjust the pintles and gudgeons fo...
by atomvoyager
Mon Jun 24, 2019 8:29 am
Forum: Technical Data and Boat Nerdery
Topic: Sailboat Design Ratios
Replies: 1
Views: 4285

Sailboat Design Ratios

I recently added links for Sailboat Design Ratios to my Good Old Boat List that offers a file in a downloadable Excel spreadsheet and another for a Google version for those not wanting to download files or who don't have Excel, even though that one has limited seachablity. There's still some missing...
by atomvoyager
Mon Jun 24, 2019 8:01 am
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Old Aluminum bits and pieces.
Replies: 15
Views: 3074

Re: Old Aluminum bits and pieces.

Paul That looks like an excellent solution. I hadn't heard about the DIY anodizing so that's good to know. I've seen powder coating on a boom that looked great five years later and some jobs that it was chipping off from corrosion in less time so it may be the surface prep, coating process, and how ...
by atomvoyager
Sat Jun 08, 2019 7:04 am
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Old Aluminum bits and pieces.
Replies: 15
Views: 3074

Re: Old Aluminum bits and pieces.

That's a good question. Since aluminum toe rails, mast and boom, cleats, etc are anodized at the factory they are expected to last until the time they need replacement or recoating due to corrosion or other damage. If you sand aluminum to get rid of surface damage you remove the protective anodizing...
by atomvoyager
Fri Jun 07, 2019 9:42 am
Forum: Pearson Triton Specifics
Topic: Rudder Shoe
Replies: 49
Views: 11078

Re: Rudder Shoe

I may have misunderstood that your question was not related to the test piece instead of final design. A TIG weld in 316 stainless is strongest option. That may not be the case with welding or brazing bronze. You'll have to do some research there.
by atomvoyager
Fri Jun 07, 2019 9:19 am
Forum: Pearson Triton Specifics
Topic: Rudder Shoe
Replies: 49
Views: 11078

Re: Rudder Shoe

Bolts should be strong enough as on the original factory rudder but welded tangs are stronger because of more surface area attached farther from the centerline on each side.
by atomvoyager
Tue Jun 04, 2019 8:46 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Recommended line sizes
Replies: 3
Views: 1702

Re: Recommended line sizes

For Tritons, Alberg 30 and similar I use the following, all double braid polyester such as sta-set:
Halyards, spinn/code 0 sheets, reef lines, main sheet, vang - 3/8
Jib sheet - 7/16
Boom and whisker pole top lift, preventer - 5/16
by atomvoyager
Wed May 08, 2019 7:39 am
Forum: Sailing and Cruising
Topic: Sextants?
Replies: 6
Views: 1583

Re: Sextants?

The Davis 15 should be OK. I have a Davis 25 which I prefer for the full horizon mirror that I find easier to use. The 15 may also lack illumination but that's not essential if you have a headlamp. The plastic may distort over time in some situations but I've had good luck with mine and found the in...
by atomvoyager
Tue May 07, 2019 7:08 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Adding a solent stay
Replies: 4
Views: 1672

Re: Adding a solent stay

That's right.
by atomvoyager
Sun Apr 28, 2019 7:30 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Adding a solent stay
Replies: 4
Views: 1672

Re: Adding a solent stay

I added a solent stay to an Alberg 30 a couple years ago. I made my own mast hound using two stainless plates bent in a curve around the mast then thru-bolted together. In the past I got various mast hounds from sailingservices.com. I think they were made by Dwyer. You don't need it thru-bolted thou...
by atomvoyager
Thu Apr 25, 2019 8:21 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Help picking out a new pocket cruiser
Replies: 2
Views: 1328

Re: Help picking out a new pocket cruiser

Although the Flicka is an attractive if quirky design he may be surprised at its not so great sailing performance caused by putting too much boat into too small a space and an undersized rig. Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 or Pacific Seacraft 25 - but not many available and probably too expensive. I refit...
by atomvoyager
Fri Apr 19, 2019 9:39 am
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Mast winch backing pad
Replies: 3
Views: 1323

Re: Mast winch backing pad

The angled base is good to help prevent overrides. When I made my own I didn't bother making them angled but sometimes you have to consciously tail the halyard at an angle to keep it from fouling so angled would be better.
by atomvoyager
Thu Apr 18, 2019 5:40 pm
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Mast winch backing pad
Replies: 3
Views: 1323

Re: Mast winch backing pad

Cast aluminum pads come on different sizes from Selden and from US Spars: http://www.seldenmast.com/en/products/masts/winch_pads_-_cleats.html Last year I bought two medium size winch pads #1077 from US Spars in FL to use on a Triton mast with #6 winches. I don't see them in the catalog but you can ...
by atomvoyager
Thu Mar 14, 2019 8:35 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Satellite Data Systems
Replies: 2
Views: 1360

Re: Satellite Data Systems

That Inmarsat is a big expense that could soon go obsolete or breakdown and you probably don't need it. A lot of people are anxious to go offline but you should ask yourself why you need to always be online. Do you really need to be connected 24/7 when you are out cruising? Even though it might be c...
by atomvoyager
Wed Feb 27, 2019 5:50 pm
Forum: Projects
Topic: "Sundance", an A-30
Replies: 11
Views: 4364

Re: "Sundance", an A-30

Not sure I'm picturing what you describe correctly but you may want to consider the effects of raising the footwell and reducing headroom when standing under the boom or bimini. Even with a typical opening hatch you'll be raising the footwell an inch or so.
by atomvoyager
Wed Feb 27, 2019 5:19 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Chartplotter - Where to mount?
Replies: 2
Views: 1266

Re: Chartplotter - Where to mount?

Since I want to be able to operate the plotter from inside or out the best solution I've found is the RAM swing mount. If your only complaint is that you want to have the companionway closed off sometimes to keep weather out then that isn't a problem if you have plexiglas drop boards, which you want...
by atomvoyager
Wed Feb 27, 2019 5:10 pm
Forum: Projects
Topic: "Sundance", an A-30
Replies: 11
Views: 4364

Re: "Sundance", an A-30

I haven't done it yet myself on an A30 but think I'd much prefer to have that rudder shaft tube extend to the footwell to prevent the leaks they commonly have there. It would be handy to have access by building a drainage channel and raised flange as found on Westsail 32 and many other boats. The pr...
by atomvoyager
Wed Feb 13, 2019 6:47 pm
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Wood Rudder
Replies: 8
Views: 2095

Re: Wood Rudder

As Marvin pointed out there's a school of thought that it's best not to encapsulate the wood in glass so maybe you won't go wrong by leaving it as is. If you epoxy fill the gaps then it will probably just crack again. If you glassed it with just one layer then there's a chance you might get a small ...
by atomvoyager
Tue Feb 12, 2019 8:56 am
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Wood Rudder
Replies: 8
Views: 2095

Re: Wood Rudder

Marvin
I understand your point, which is commonly held among wooden boat owners. And the rudder has lasted this long unglassed, so there's that. The good thing about a forum is you can get a variety of ideas. We can then each choose what makes sense for our situation.
by atomvoyager
Sun Feb 10, 2019 8:10 am
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Wood Rudder
Replies: 8
Views: 2095

Re: Wood Rudder

I would also put at least one layer of medium weight glass cloth on the rudder now while it is dry and still mostly intact. I built the first new wood rudder for my boat many years ago and left it unglassed and the teredo worms riddled it within two years in Florida and Caribbean. Aside from strengt...
by atomvoyager
Thu Feb 07, 2019 9:35 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Lofrans horizontal gear play
Replies: 4
Views: 1424

Re: Lofrans horizontal gear play

I didn't fully disassemble the drum side since I had no problem there so not sure about the assembly of that. Keep in mind that even when new there is a surprising amount of friction or resistance when you crank the handle even with no load on it. I guess it's just the spring loaded gears. There sho...
by atomvoyager
Wed Feb 06, 2019 10:03 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Lofrans horizontal gear play
Replies: 4
Views: 1424

Re: Lofrans horizontal gear play

Maybe you've seen this page on Lofrans Royal windlass repair: https://atomvoyages.com/articles/improvement-projects/247-lofransrepair-1.html When I took mine apart there was some play in the gears but nothing that made an impact on operation. You might reassemble and test under load. Chances are the...
by atomvoyager
Tue Jan 22, 2019 9:24 am
Forum: Sails, Rigging, and Systems
Topic: Tips for a Furlex Furler?
Replies: 5
Views: 2016

Re: Tips for a Furlex Furler?

What diameter is your current furling line and how far away is the furling line lead block from the drum? I haven't used Furlex but have used harken and Profurl a lot and don't have your problems. Similar size furler in Harken uses 5/16 line so you don't need larger than that. Going to 1/4 is going ...
by atomvoyager
Mon Jan 21, 2019 10:23 am
Forum: Projects
Topic: Cleat backing pads
Replies: 6
Views: 2361

Re: Cleat backing pads

Marvin makes some good points. I've also often use 1/4 aluminum plate as backing plates. I buy a standard length of 10 feet x 4" wide from a local metal fab shop and cut with my chop saw. You can use a jig saw or angle grinder but it can be slow going. If not sure what alloy you're getting you ...
by atomvoyager
Mon Jan 14, 2019 10:22 am
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Keel bolt replacement
Replies: 2
Views: 1260

Re: Keel bolt replacement

Maybe someone with experience in this job will reply but for now I would guess that your keel bolts (especially if bronze into lead) are probably OK and that you had a bad fit from the factory that they covered with caulk. The original caulk may have fallen out over time and a previous owner added m...
by atomvoyager
Thu Jan 10, 2019 2:11 pm
Forum: Pearson Triton Specifics
Topic: Self steering Triton
Replies: 2
Views: 1403

Re: Self steering Triton

I have a friend who installed Hydrovane on his Bristol 29.9, sailed it from CA to Mexico and across the Pacific and reported no problems. He did say the weight was about 90lbs *in the water* as listed on their site, which means + 25lbs for the rudder, so close to 115lbs total dry weight. That's a si...
by atomvoyager
Sat Jan 05, 2019 8:36 am
Forum: Pearson Triton Specifics
Topic: Rudder Shoe
Replies: 49
Views: 11078

Re: Rudder Shoe

All the Tritons I've worked on have a 1" rudder shaft. 1 5/8" - 1 3/4" keel width is about right. When I use two pieces 3/4" ply plus glass on top it comes out right. Then the layers of ply make it easy to taper it down to about 3/4" at the aft end. Atom has two stainless pi...
by atomvoyager
Wed Jan 02, 2019 10:40 am
Forum: Pearson Triton Specifics
Topic: Rudder Shoe
Replies: 49
Views: 11078

Re: Rudder Shoe

I like to keep the bottom of the rudder about 2 inches above the keel to reduce the chance of damage when grounding. I suppose if you don't get the shaft angles right you can cut it at the second or third bend from top and from bottom and install as two pieces and rely on the strength of the glass. ...
by atomvoyager
Fri Dec 21, 2018 10:15 am
Forum: Tools and Techniques
Topic: Triton Osprey Refit Part 7 - Youtube
Replies: 1
Views: 2358

Re: Triton Osprey Refit Part 7 - Youtube

The seahood has very little lifting or sheer load on it and even that is spread along a large surface area so it only requires 4 or 6 screws from below with cup washers under the heads. If worried about the strength you can use a more aggressive sealant/adhesive under the edges but I've found any se...
by atomvoyager
Tue Dec 11, 2018 7:10 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Rewiring
Replies: 4
Views: 1731

Re: Rewiring

I have Calder's Mechanical and Electrical Manual and Casey's Sailboat Maintenance Manual which is a bit easier to follow and has 160 pages on electrics. Casey's Sailboat Electrics Simplified might be a good stand alone book if you don't want all the other maintenance areas covered. There are some yo...
by atomvoyager
Tue Dec 11, 2018 6:59 pm
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Port Light Rebed
Replies: 7
Views: 2356

Re: Port Light Rebed

The medium duty Vetus PZ633 looks adequate but I haven't installed any so don't have firsthand experience with them. I'd avoid plastic frame portlights if given the choice.
by atomvoyager
Fri Dec 07, 2018 9:50 am
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Port Light Rebed
Replies: 7
Views: 2356

Re: Port Light Rebed

svMira and Kurt have some good advice. If you rebed something that had silicone on it you need to thoroughly clean the surface using a varnish scraping tool or chisel followed by sandpaper. I also avoid silicone but do use it on some gaskets and plastics because other sealants are said to react chem...
by atomvoyager
Wed Nov 21, 2018 9:10 am
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Alberg 30 v-berth liner removal
Replies: 7
Views: 2733

Re: Alberg 30 v-berth liner removal

I used a cabinet grade of hardwood plywood from either Home Depot or the local lumber supply. Marine ply is better but not really needed for interior projects that are well glassed and sealed from water. Any surfaces with epoxy on them either got coated with 2000E barrier coat or Epoxy Primekote. In...
by atomvoyager
Mon Nov 19, 2018 11:49 am
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Alberg 30 v-berth liner removal
Replies: 7
Views: 2733

Re: Alberg 30 v-berth liner removal

The attachment TimA30Vberth03kb133.JPG is no longer available
You can see some of the liner was kept in place where it was a tight fit to the hull and bulkhead and could be sealed along the edges with new glass.
TimA30Vberth03kb133.JPG
by atomvoyager
Mon Nov 19, 2018 11:47 am
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Alberg 30 v-berth liner removal
Replies: 7
Views: 2733

Re: Alberg 30 v-berth liner removal

How you remove the v-berth liner depends on what you are trying to achieve. If like me you wanted to replace the original water tank with an integral tank and maximize storage and collision bulkheads then you can cut away most of the liner but leave the walk through portion and sole intact as in the...
by atomvoyager
Thu Nov 08, 2018 9:00 am
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Cetol
Replies: 1
Views: 1302

Re: Cetol

After many years of maintaining traditional varnishes I gave up about ten years ago and have been using Cetol Natural Teak on exterior wood. Seems to last about twice as long in mid to low latitudes before needing a maintenance coat. On my own boat I stripped all the exterior varnish and left the te...
by atomvoyager
Wed Nov 07, 2018 7:28 pm
Forum: Pearson Triton Specifics
Topic: Rudder Shoe
Replies: 49
Views: 11078

Re: Rudder Shoe

There's no need for the expense, trouble, and weight of a continuous shaft bent around a prop aperture. You can try it of course. I doubt I could get it perfectly straight on its axis with so many curves. Glass over the bronze frame or glass-covered 1.5" plywood is more than strong enough witho...
by atomvoyager
Wed Nov 07, 2018 11:11 am
Forum: Pearson Triton Specifics
Topic: Rudder Shoe
Replies: 49
Views: 11078

Re: Rudder Shoe

PajaroRudder04kb114.jpg
by atomvoyager
Wed Nov 07, 2018 11:10 am
Forum: Pearson Triton Specifics
Topic: Rudder Shoe
Replies: 49
Views: 11078

Re: Rudder Shoe

PajaroRudder03kb116.jpg
by atomvoyager
Wed Nov 07, 2018 11:08 am
Forum: Pearson Triton Specifics
Topic: Rudder Shoe
Replies: 49
Views: 11078

Re: Rudder Shoe

The attachment PajaroRudder02kb102.jpg is no longer available
by atomvoyager
Wed Nov 07, 2018 10:54 am
Forum: Pearson Triton Specifics
Topic: Rudder Shoe
Replies: 49
Views: 11078

Re: Rudder Shoe

The other photos
by atomvoyager
Wed Nov 07, 2018 10:51 am
Forum: Pearson Triton Specifics
Topic: Rudder Shoe
Replies: 49
Views: 11078

Re: Rudder Shoe

I rebuilt my Triton rudder using two pieces of 3/4 plywood, fiberglass on top and off the shelf stainless pintles and gudgeons while in South Africa in 1996. Bronze was not available and converting to a shoe at that time was too complicated. I know stainless is prone to corrosion underwater but I ep...
by atomvoyager
Sun Nov 04, 2018 4:27 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: What to do w/200' of 8mm anchor chain...
Replies: 2
Views: 1323

Re: What to do w/200' of 8mm anchor chain...

How much chain to carry for me is about the waters to be anchored in and if the boat size and anchor are big enough that I want to have a windlass. With a manual windlass on my Triton I'm glad to have 125' of 5/16 G4 with extra nylon for deeper waters. So that's basically all-chain rode most of the ...