MAINTENANCE
PIMPS
MAINTENANCE PIMPS....
ESSENTIAL RIGGING TIPS TO AVOID SAILING FAILS!
Separating a stubborn mast
(By Ted Mount)
PIMP MY SKIFF TIPS AND ADVICE FROM THE CLASS
Also see Ron’s technique below…
As I need to either have my top section repaired/replaced, I tried pulling the upper and lower mast sections apart today with the help of a couple of guys…… it was having nothing of it, probably due to sand ingress and it having never been split since new!
ED’s Note: Separate your mast every now and then and clean the join … then you won’t have to follow this instructions. (I too have suffered this problem ….)
Warning received from Matt Connor: “I read the piece on tying a mast to the back of a car to separate it. There were a few stories from the RS600 fleet of doing this a few years back with the results being the extension being fired through the back of the car when it released. Be careful out there!”
Rather than messing around I went straight for the killer blow and separated it using my car.
Mode Requires:
- 1 x stuck mast
- 1 x fairly immovable object (preferably a tree)
- 2 x lengths of rope
- 1 x car
Instructions:
Tie one end of rope #1 around the lower mast section just above the gooseneck and the the other end around immovable object/tree
Tie one end of rope #2 around the upper mast section with slip knot type thing and the the other end around tow bar
SLOWLY move car forwards while preferably watching the mast in the rear view mirror. When the mast is suspended in mid-air take deep breath and continue to ease car forward. If all goes well the upper and lower sections will separate.
Clean the connection between the two sections before reassembly.
Try to separate the two parts occasionally and wash with fresh water.
Daggerboard Upper Gasket Repacking
(By Ted Mount)
PIMP MY SKIFF TIPS AND ADVICE FROM THE CLASS
This mod is to repack the case if the carpet wears out. Note that this is standard now on new boats.
If your daggerboard has started lifting on its own it’s probably time to repack the upper gasket.
Mod requires:
- 1m x 3M Foil Liner (available from Ovington Boats)
- Sharp knife/scissors
- Solvent to remove the old glue (Evostik Glue Remover perhaps)
- Degreasing agent (Isopropyl alcohol or similar)
- McLube
Instructions:
Rip out the old carpet and remove the old glue which will probably be left attached to the daggerboard case. Don’t bother trying to scrape it off, it’s tough and will take a long time probably ending up with you scratching the gelcoat. Soften the glue with the solvent (I used synthetic paint thinners) and rub off with an old cloth.
Ensure the area where the foil liner is to be fitted is free from grease
Accurately cut the foil liner to the correct length and fit with the join between the two ends located at the trailing edge.
Spray McLube on both the foil liner and daggerboard and fit the board in. It will be pretty tight initially so it will help to leave the board pushed in for as long as possible to both compress the foil liner and ensure it’s well stuck to the casing.
