Next Page: sailing| Status: Not Started | Category: Structural | Priority: Near Term |
In the cockpit the aft surface on is essentially the inside of the transom. There is a space between this inside wall and the transom itself. There is hardware in that space for the stern pulpit, the water towed generator, the boarding/swim ladder, the rudder stock, and the former motor mount that is very nearly inaccessible. Putting a storage compartment in this area would involve cutting a hole in the fiberglass. The framing of the hole would have to be as strong and rigid, preferably stronger than the existing fiberglass. The compartment would have to be removable with screws to allow access into that space to get at the difficult to reach hardware. This would also be a convenient place to store binoculars, the remote MIC for the VHF, sunglasses, cell phone, and other items. It might be worth making this a locking compartment. This job may be challenging since the fiberglass is a curved surface, but otherwise not difficult.
| Status: Not Started | Category: Structural | Priority: Near Term |
Jacklines will run from the foredeck to the cockpit. One the foredeck they will most likely be attached aft and to either side of the mooring cleat. In the cockpit they will most likely be attached near the front of the cockpit, inboard of the jib sheet winches. The harness strap would allow movement in the cockpit. The harness strap would also allow movement forward on the bow.
Four 5/16 inch folding pad eyes have been purchased. Backing plates will be needed and reinforcement of the fiberglass near the backing plates will be needed, particularly in the cockpit.
| Status: Not Started | Category: Structural | Priority: Later |
High stress area may need to be strengthenned and stiffenned. These areas are under winches, dock cleats, and future davit attachment point. It would also be a good idea to strengthenning the area where the water towed generator is mounted. If the bimini attachment point is changed, some strengthenning under the new attachment point wouldn't hurt.
| Status: Not Started | Category: Navigation and Safety | Priority: Near Term |
Once the jackline attachments are in place, measurement can be made to determine the length of the jacklines. Then the jacklines can be purchased.
| Status: Not Started | Category: Navigation and Safety | Priority: Later |
It doesn't seem to make sense to purchase an inflatable PDF with a harness until jacklines are installed. The price of these PDFs is dropping due to growning popularity while at the same time the products themselves seem to be improving. The regular PFDs are fine for now. We never wear them even when tied in for safety (just a line around the waist for now).
| Status: Not Started | Category: Interior, Comfort, and Finish | Priority: Later |
Regardless of how the bimini is mounted, the bimini track should be eliminated. The mounting as shipped is more in the way than useful and the bimini has been in the garage for years.
| Status: Not Started | Category: Interior, Comfort, and Finish | Priority: Much Later |
If a traveller arch were added, then the bimini can be attached to that framework. If not, it makes sense to attach the bimini frame to the stern pulpit or to a combination solar panel mount and davit if that is added. The latter seems more likely at this point. Its worth noting that the bimini would be forward of the backstay and the solar panels and davit are aft of the backstay.
The arrangement that worked best in the last season that we used it had the bimini in a fixed position, under the boom and as far aft as it could go without getting in the way of the mainsheet. When the bimini was in use, it was folded forward. Even then, it could stand to be lower and it would be preferable to have a more permanent mounting. Adding a mid boom traveller would allow the bimini to be moved far aft, convenient to the helmsman, without any interference with the mainsheet.
A simple solution would be to cut the main tube and bend it using a small pipe bender (the type used for electrical conduit) so that the tube would meet the deck vertically. A second tube back to the stern pulpit would add rigidity. Straps would have to be led forward to hold the bimini in place when in use. Any better solutions might require a new bimini frame.
