Corsair/Farrier Anarchy

[deminimis]

It's time. Post up whatever (Corsair/Farrier related).

I'll start. 

Got the '15 970 home at the end of May and here we are at the end of July and I still haven't splashed it.  This project has eaten up most my free time over the past couple months.  However, I'm nearly done with what I thought were some mandatory fixes.  Non-mandatory stuff coming over Winter.  Biggest issue, as discussed elsewhere, was my trailer.  Quickly: Added a tongue (didn't have one as it had a wonky AL-KO 50mm actuator), built a 60 degree dual winch post (offset mounted winch for mast only), axles,  disc brakes, 14" wheels (trailer had 4-bolt 13"), 2 5/16 actuator/coupler.  Boat was approx 28" too far back on the trailer (nothing could be done to fix this due to way trailer was setup/lack of a tongue).   Made for a 12 state, 3300 mile, painfully slow,  wiggly, bouncy trip from hell.  Today, I finally moved the boat forward.  Chainplates between the wheels, where they are supposed to be, and rear beams at the rear of the trailer frame (like every 970 on a trailer pic I've seen...other than mine).  I have to install fenders, but damn it's just too hot outside right now.  Fenders, Honda oils, new mast antenna mount and it will be ready for the water.  So looks like splashing next weekend.

I knocked out a number of other things, but I'll get to that later (including a new mast cradle and flooring).  Anyway, making the boat towable was a priority and she tows nicely now.  It's a good day.

 

[deminimis]

Since no one is jumping in, I'll continue.  Laminate floor was a mess.  Removed it and the mastic.  Installed spaghetti mat.  Love it.

 

[deminimis]

Another biggie was the forward mast cradle.  As built it was a disaster waiting to happen.  Cradle rested on the lower horizontal pulpit tubes via half clamshells.  A number of problems with this.  First, how attach it so it doesn't come loose?  Second, all the weight, up high, rocked the pulpit back and forth until the pulpit became loose and hairline cracks developed in a couple of pulpit welds.  Third, cradle was too high (made lifting the mast off the cradle (and clearing hardware) extra difficult.  Copied the later versions found on 970s.  I'll be adding a crossmember (waiting on parts).  Pulpit now rock solid (added an extra through bolt at each base plus backed it with large fender washers).  The cradle is rock solid as well.  Love the new height too.

 

[MultiThom]

You could have removed the load from the pulpit altogether by moving the front mast support onto the trailer.  This makes it a little harder to raise/lower the mast while on the water, though.  

 

[deminimis]

Still no takers?  Come on Corsair/Farrier folks!  Pics, brags, whatever.

Well then, I'll continue.  I wanted a decent cap out of 14" tires.  As a result I went with ST215/75R14 trailer tires.  These have a cap of 2,200 lbs and a section width of 8.5".  However, given the tight clearances, I wish I would have gone with ST205/75R14 tires.  Cap is a bit lower at 2,040 pounds and diameter is only .6" smaller (effectively a quarter inch of gained clearance) and section width is 8", but every little bit helps I suppose.  Live and learn.  In five years I know what size the replacement tires will be.

Fenders:  New galvanized fenders are 10" wide.  I've tried some different scenarios, given the limited clearance between wheels and amas, and at present, it looks like I have a low rider (having to move the fenders way outboard to enhance clearance between tires and fenders and between fenders and amas).  That's not going to happen.  As someone who consistently works harder, not smarter, I'm going to narrow the fenders.  I'll cut the fenders 1.75" from the outside, inner, edge.  I'll lay that section on top of the fender, rosette weld it in place and seal the overlay joint, ultimately giving me an 8.5" fender width (just enough to cover the tires). This will allow me to have the inner fend edge further out from the trailer frame and the amas, and thus I'll be able to mount the fenders higher).  Then, I suppose, I'll use some bunk carpet along that radiused inner edge of the fender to protect the amas.  I don't plan on having fenders touch the amas, but it will be damn close...and it will likely happen.  Sure, I could double up on the 2x10 keel bunks, but then I'd have to replace all my hull side bunks as well.  Although the side bunks swivel, they are not height adjustable. As a result, I'd have to install all new, wider boards, for those.  The ama bunks are height adjustable, with room to adjust, so good there.  The bunk scenario will probably have to wait until I have a slip of my own (or can borrow one for a while).  I haven't invested in a set of tall jacks yet, and it will be a awhile as I have bigger fish to fry.  Lowering axles not really a viable option.

Tonight bow sprint gets a good sanding and new clear coat (buddy coming over to do that while I struggle with fenders).  In addition, the hit list still includes oil/filter change, new bow nav lights and new mast mount for the antenna.  With that, I think this boat will be ready to splash this weekend.  FINALLY!!

 

[SailingTips.Ca]

You could have removed the load from the pulpit altogether by moving the front mast support onto the trailer.  This makes it a little harder to raise/lower the mast while on the water, though.  

I've thought of doing this many times, but have hesitated because it will move the SOG of the boat aft on the trailer, putting more pressure on the aft-most supports for the boat and hull contact points. 

More specifically, the aft roller support on the boat will still be supporting the same weight, but the portion of the mast weight that previously held the bow down by resting on the pulpit will now be on the trailer, creating somewhat of a lever effect pushing down on the stern of the boat. 

 

[deminimis]

Too late to edit.  If I could, this is what I would write:  With that, I think this boat will be ready to splash this weekend.  FINALLY!!   Then.... the questions will start in earnest.  I can muddle through building this or fixing that, but what I know about sailing a trimaran wouldn't fill a cavity.  I know, I know, it's like using a 930 for driver's ed.  At least I'll have the former owner on board for the first few outings.

 

[GratefulED]

I'll bite ... new-to-me F25A this year. Learning the boat, put up screacher for the first time the other weekend.

Unique boat with F-28 mast and extra-long bowsprit

Re-named Grateful, sailing out of Muskegon, MI.

 

[MultiThom]

More specifically, the aft roller support on the boat will still be supporting the same weight, but the portion of the mast weight that previously held the bow down by resting on the pulpit will now be on the trailer, creating somewhat of a lever effect pushing down on the stern of the boat. 

You don't get the bouncy or torque on the pulpit by that loose weight up there.  You also could move the mast more forward giving you a little more tongue weight.  It's not a big deal since the mast doesn't really weigh that much (or you couldn't be sliding it back and forth single handed).  Only problem I have (my mast support is on the trailer) is I can't launch with the mast down which means I have to raise the mast in order to do any trailer maintenance (my boat has no pulpit).  I also can't jack the boat off the trailer without removing the mast completely in the yard.  My F242 didn't have a pulpit mast support and we just used a board tied securely to the rails....never slid off but it was concerning on long trips.

 

[eastern motors]

I think I want to pick one these up.  Is the 28 worth the extra money over the 27?  Would not be racing seriously.

 

[deminimis]

I went down this road briefly.  The 27 is getting pretty long in the tooth.  If between a 27 and 28, for me, it was going to be a 28.

 

[MultiThom]

I'll bite ... new-to-me F25A this year. Learning the boat, put up screacher for the first time the other weekend.

Unique boat with F-28 mast and extra-long bowsprit

Re-named Grateful, sailing out of Muskegon, MI.

Is Grateful boomless or boomed?  Many F25Cs are boomless.  

 

[MultiThom]

Has anyone ever kept stats for capsizes of F/C boats?  I know of an F242 that capsized in SF Bay practicing for a race (boat was righted).  There was a recent F28R capsize in SF Bay during a race (boat was righted).  Way back when an F31 capsized going around the Faralones during a race (boat was a total loss).  Be nice to compile stats and conditions.

 

[Loose Cannon]

New to me 1998 242, (ex-Littlewing the national champion.)  Bought her last fall for a restomod and after lots of maintenance checklist items, fixing coachroof holes from the prior owners' dreaded 'oops i forgot to bungie up the mast rotator when I lowered the mast', and doing boat yoga to get to pulpit (wiring for bow lights) and beam hold down fitting bolts buried deep in the recesses of the boat (and glued in as the fittings were put on before deck joined the hull and the glue squeezed out) I splashed this past weekend.  Relaced and tightened the nets - why the hell are there not instructions in the manual for this - and she sailed like a champ out of the box.

Need to shim or replace the beam pads to stop the squeaking, and my new topping lift fitting unbolted itself while sailing - but not a bad start.

Did 9kts on a 10kts kinda day upwind and nobody got hurt.

I think half the lake gave her a long look - but she is all mine

 

[kruiter]

Seeing your location, I wonder where you are going to start sailing.   Maybe a nice lake somewhere rather than going out the Florence jetty.

 

[deminimis]

If talking to me, the Mighty Columbia River (on light wind days).  On high wind days, well......hard no:

 

[deminimis]

Slapped together a crossmember for the mast cradle. Spot welded (316) the tube ends so I wasn't relying on a couple little failure prone set screws.  Now I can check this one off the list.

 

[MultiThom]

 I can muddle through building this or fixing that, but what I know about sailing a trimaran wouldn't fill a cavity.  I know, I know, it's like using a 930 for driver's ed.  At least I'll have the former owner on board for the first few outings.

Seriously, just do it.  Driving in under 20 kt breeze is "no worries mate".  Launch/retrieval of spinnaker will take some practice.  Tacking will be easy once crew and you get the timing down.  But these boats are popular for a reason.  

 

[Sailabout]

Has anyone ever kept stats for capsizes of F/C boats?  I know of an F242 that capsized in SF Bay practicing for a race (boat was righted).  There was a recent F28R capsize in SF Bay during a race (boat was righted).  Way back when an F31 capsized going around the Faralones during a race (boat was a total loss).  Be nice to compile stats and conditions.

what would be nice was what sails were up hence wind angle when they went over.
Plus if down wind did they do the keel boat move and dump the main...guaranteed swim.