Winter maintenance

Signs of sensibility, the weather was so bad and winds very strong during October so I was left in the water until November. Since being out of the water I have only had one visit from my illustrious owner and then he broke more than he fixed! After loosing all of the draw strings and a cable in the mast he then went on to snap the furling foresail foil!! The aim this winter is to replace the rigging and add a combined anchor and try-colour mast head light. New rigging has been made up against the old rig by Aladdins Cave in Burlesdon for a very good pice and very quickly. Also this winter, self steering mark II is well underway along with a new rudder. The steering performance has always been a bit iffy when trying to tack, especially when reefed. To try and counteract this a larger wetted area foil is being made out of marine ply with a cloth and epoxy coating. The new rudder will have a better tab than the old rudder and the self steering will be based on a horizontal pivoted vane with cable control to the tab. Pictures to follow in the projects section in due course.