paxfish

Gents, After several sails now, I've come to agree with the down under consensus that my mainsheet configuration needs to updated from the way Tennant designed it. In fact, in a blow it is very difficult to dump some main in a hurry. Dumping traveler is no picnic either. I like the 2:1 mainsheet routed to the boom that many of you have configured. I presume it is somewhat safer? Easy to dump it? Do you run the sheet back to a self tailing winch where the helmsman can attend to it? On a regular tack, you just leave it set on both sides? If anyone has a link to a dia

Thanks for that CLIVE! I'm chomping at the bit up here and your video does not help the situation! And I agree, More cowbell ! (VIDEO!)

Dayum! That's a serious traveler. I thought I was hot chit with my 12 footer....

Really Nice work there Martin! I'm betting you have some UV protection most of the time. Here in the US, my tramps are exposed to UV year-round. On the advice of the previous owner, I used Gore Tenara thread on the tramp re-sew. Pricey, but it is said to outlive the material....

Gentlemen, My only regret is that I did not discover your forum sooner, since I have already built and installed my tramps. I suspect I will be removing them halfway through the season to sew in a sleeve along the engine pod sides. I solicited information elsewhere on the internet, but in retrospect, it makes sense that you guys, who have been sailing things with tramps for 50 years, would be the keepers of the knowledge. In the US, 99% of the tramp experience is with our Hobie Cats, the lessons from which only partly apply on bigger multis.... I humbly thank each of you who re

Thanks for taking the time to post pics. If at some point in the future you could post a picture of: " webbing hoops sewn to a wide piece of heavy polyester sail cloth.", I would be indebted. I have a feeling that perfecting tramps on Terrapin will be a long process. At the moment, I'm game. After 3 or 4 iterations of reeving and removing and reinstalling..., we shall see!

Thanks for your comments everybody. My intention with the original question was to figure out if a higher pitched prop would be proper, given that I have to replace the prop anyway. The general consensus is NO!

It is possible. I'll know more once I get a few more hours on the boat! Thanks again for that link. You've really compiled some interesting information there! Have you had any rot in the core at all? I found and replaced one wet strip thus far. No telling how long it had been wet - probably since the boat was built 12 years ago. But the western red cedar was not rotten at all.

Heh heh - Forgive me. Since I value the input of this board, I do make a respectful effort to convert Imperial to metric with you guys. However I neglected to this time. Tennant's specs are 1230 empty to 1767 kilos (heavy load.) Current prop is 11 3/4" by 9" pitch. I don't know if those units apply down there when it comes to props, so that is 29.8cm by 22.9cm pitch. Basically it is first gear....

Hi Martin,, As interest, the grommets are mounted through a layer of poly mesh and two layers of Shelterite. There is a piece of rope sewn in the edge as well. Thanks for the link

We are still frozen here in the North. The creek is still locked with 6 inches of (thankfully) rotting ice. BUT we had two beautiful days this weekend and managed to get some work done on the cat. The rebuilt engine pod is installed and the newly sewn tramps are laced. Question: What do you guys think about lacing tension? On my Hobie, tension has always been the key to a stiff boat. But my gut says that having the tramps real tight on this boat may lead to premature tramp failure. Less tension may distribute the load among more lacing points and reduce catenary forces. Wha

Thanks for the comments, Freedom - Yeah - that is a Blue Seas switchbox and it is rated for exposure. I opened it up, hosed down all the contacts with Corrosion X and resealed it. Hopefully it continues to hold up well. That box is for the nav lights. I have a separate system with it's own battery, solar panel and controller to power the GPS and autopilot.

Thanks for the responses, Gents! Very Helpful. Especially yours, BNG! P. S. Has anyone seen my down under translator lying about?

Guys, I have a chip in my prop blade, and I'm thinking of getting a higher pitch on it's replacement. For those of you running a GBE or similar, what pitch are you running on your 9.9hp? My rig is 2800 to 3800 pounds GBE variant with a 9.9 Yamaha four stroke "high thrust" and a 11 3/4" by 9" pitch prop. Top speed is about 7 knots with a clean bottom. Thanks!

She looks sleek, Brother!

Excellent - thanks for the comments all. I'll post the result later this year. Thanks for the shot of Euphoria as well. I envy you guys being able to sail right now - here is what we are dealing with for the next few days. The boat is covered with snow.... I expect to post some payback photos in the June timeframe....

Thanks - As interest, my spinnaker halyard is not masthead - it exits just above the hounds.

GREAT Info, Guys! Clipper -thanks for that good description. In fact, Tennant's plans call for your old U bolt. I will pursue something like your modification though. It APPEARS that the stem is beefy enough for this. Is that a bad idea? With regard to the tubes you glued in there - PVC pipe? Or something made of glass? And thanks to you both about sails comments. You're right - I need to bone up on my sail types. We are used to dinghy/Hobie sails. I have seen several assym spin furlers available these days. I was not necessarily considering adding a screecher to the inven

On a more traditional prod rig - What does that connection look like at the bow?

Thanks for that link - I have reviewed it exhaustively over the last few months! If you were to re-do your spin rig how would you do it? Some of you guys may already have them, but would an Assymetrical furling rig be optimal for general use and occasional racing?

Ah. And Clipper - you own the famous Voom? All pictures of rigging tips are appreciated!

Yes - it does feel light underway as well. I note in Tennant's drawing that the boot top should be "painted 150mm above the datum waterline (DWL)" I believe this is to account for the difference between light displacement and "full load" displacement. Scotti - Do you run a GBE? I remain curious about spinnaker rigging and am considering mounting a sprit or possibly a way to simply have a tack point near each bow. Currently I have only a main and blade jib.

Hello, I've introduced myself over on the 8.5 facebook page. It looks like this forum might be a good place as well. I've learned a LOT by gleaning info from your past threads. My wife and I recently bought one of the few Tennant 8.5 Wildfires in the US. I have some of the drawings etc from the builder, but certainly not a complete set. So, as we go through the process of re-commissioning this spring, I will have some questions for you all. We are located in Maryland - about 50 miles south of Washington DC on the Chesapeake Bay, and have two sons 17 and 20. We are all sailo

I wish I could, Pal. She is still on the hard for the winter (we got another 8 inches of snow overnight!) I don't expect to launch until April, but expect to be prolific with footage after that!

Really cool to see these, Guys. Keep 'em coming! Are Energizer and Exodus both GBEs? paxfish Tennant Wildfire Solomons Island, Maryland USA