Mast up, numbers on!

Tuesday, January 10th, 2006

5 days in the boat yard - lots of progress made!

Early January in the UK is not the best time to be working on the boat outside - however needs must - and so for the last week I have been at Hamble Yacht Services sorting out the boat.

The mast is up (thanks Rupert!), the sail numbers are on the hull, the GPS is half fitted (its wired by not attached!) and most of the electrics and electronics are now fully operational. The biggest problem came with the keel and the rudders.

With the keel I was struggling (with my brother) to work out how it all goes together. After a bit of fiddling (and several hours) I have it all fixed now and fully bolted down. The only problem is that when doing the antifouling at 6 o’clock in the morning (in the dark) the application hasn’t gone on too well - probably due to the heat of the paint. So it needs to be sanded down again and reapplied…. More fun! One trick that I have been told is to keep the antifouling warm prior to application (especially when putting on at this time of year) - so next time I will keep in the car - lets see if this works any better.

The 2 rudders are now attached as well - a bit of filing was required to get the pintles and stock to line up - but all OK now. I needed the exercise anyway! Sails from Banks are still missing in action….

However I have heard from Spain that they are 2 weeks away…. ummm…. I hope so - as weekend racing has started in Southampton and I would like to be there.

Alex

8 responses to “Mast up, numbers on!”

ADRIAN: Hi Alex,

Glad to hear you are making progress installing the rig & gear. What was the cause of the “fiddling” with the keel? Doesn’t the hull simply slide up the fin as you raise it - the bulb sitting on blocks not moving? Do you have to move the hull forward or back as you raise it?

I’m going to be following in your footsteps shortly,

Cheers,

Adrian

Posted by: Alex on August 31st, 2006 at 7:31 pm

Adrian,
3 main problems
1) I forgot my Spanish dictionary on the day we were doing the keel - and the internal elements were marked up in Spanish…. (port, starboard). Luckly I know my French - and one of the words is similar!

2) Due to the angle of the keel (and its natural angle) the bow end was angled up on the plate (The order was (a) bolt keel to main steel plate, (b) raise boat so plate is flush to keel (and keel is freehanging), (c) bolt down plate to internal structure, (d) go underneath and knock in the retaining “grips”. ). Had to go to the chandlery to get longer bolts so I could bolt down the front bolts on the steel plate - due to the angle it was before tightening…. (don’t forget to seal this all up before tightening!)

3) The retaining plate underneath - DONT tighten up before you hammer up… you think you should - but you shouldn’t …. as I got it nearly up (hammered in) and it wouldn’t go up nor down… so had to attach a U bolt to pull it back down again!!!!!

I found best to do the full thing with the bulb hanging free… I can’t imagine how to do it otherwise. Hull stayed still (although I was in a travel hoist)

I could do this by myself the next time - now I know what I am doing!

I hope this helps other new Zero owners….

cheers

alex

Posted by: Alex on August 31st, 2006 at 7:32 pm

PEDRO: Hi Alex,

Just found the web site!!

I´m the owner of a Zero ( nº16, still on the yard unfortunately ) which will be based on Barcelona, sailing the Med. MiNI650 races and aiming transat 2007 ( or 2009 thinking in a reallistic way ).

I saw your boat at the yard several times… t’was so yellow.. impossible to miss!!!

If i can be of any help from Spain or you want to compare info about sailing performances and fittings, tricks, sails or electronics… whatever, i’m at your disposal.

Hope to meet at sea someday.

All the best

Pedro

Posted by: Alex on August 31st, 2006 at 7:32 pm

ROCKO: Sounds very interesting.
What kind of boat is it?
I have a Westerly Tiger and it’s a great sailor.

Take a look my blog when you get a chance.

Good Sailing,
Rocko
rockodelray.blogspot.com

Posted by: Alex on August 31st, 2006 at 7:32 pm

ADRIAN: Hi Alex,

I went back and took a look at your pics. of Yellowfin being unloaded to see the cradle. Is the cradle for shipping only? Can you use the same cradle on a trailer to cant the boat for highway towing? Will you keep the boat keel down on the same cradle in the yard?
Additional pics will be welcome - you have a very photogenic boat!!!

Best wishes for a speedy launch,

Adrian

Posted by: Alex on August 31st, 2006 at 7:33 pm

FILIPPO: Hi!
I’m Filippo, one of the thousands of Italians that came in uk to work. I’ll make to the point:
I live in Bristol, I moved here one year ago and I have to find a way to get in touch with uk mini-world. Though bristol is close to the sea there seems to be not much going on here. I’ve a quite a considerable sailing experience ( just came back from a a transatlantic crossing, several race short-handed crew, fully crewed on big-boats (12m) and some on minis). I’m an aerospace engineer and worked as boat builder and mast-builder. don’t worry I’m not asking for a passage, but I’m just offering you my help with your boat and I think this might help me to get closer to the sea! Anyway if you’re interested and want to get in touch with me just e-mail me: mattioni.filippo@tiscali.it,
and I’ll be happy to help you…cheers Filippo

Posted by: Alex on August 31st, 2006 at 7:33 pm

INIGO: Hi Alex My name is Iñigo, I have a zero based on Bilbao. I am doing the mini fastnet this year, and will be doing the ISAF survival course on Poole on 20-21 may. Would be nice to meet and have some beers
Cheers
Iñigo

Posted by: Alex on August 31st, 2006 at 7:34 pm

ADRIAN:
Hi Alex,

Congratulations on Yellowfin’s first major outing. You sailed well and fast so coming home alone ought not be a big disappointment. You have set the standard & pace for next year’s race. Hope you can share some thoughts on lrarning to sail the Zero on your website.

Cheers

Adrian

Posted by: Alex on August 31st, 2006 at 7:34 pm