Our M384 hull#2 is kept in Northeast Harbor, Maine. We are
about to address several items and would like comments. These
are some current ideas.
1. Sails - Replace the 150% genoa with a 135% on the new Harken
furler we installer last year. We have no inboard tracks, so
the smaller LP you have, the greater the sheeting angle and the
3 or 4 sailmakers I have talked to recommended the 135. I
talked with Ted Brewer about adding some power back by enlarging
the main. We have the 13' boom that came with the taller masts,
not the original 14.5'. It is also 1' higher. I am considering
a longer, lower boom, with a full length batten main. Perhaps a
Leisure Furl unit. They get some pretty good reviews. The
sailmakers say a new main with better shape, even though larger,
should not add weather helm. Thoughts???
2. Dodger - The original dodger shape has more tumblehome in the
sides than those you see on newer boats. I am considering new
bows that are more vertical on the sides for more volume under
the dodger. The Island Nautical design for the boat is a little
different, but has the same tumblehome. Has anyone done this,
what canvas shop, and do you like the results?
3. Bimini - We currently have no bimini, but make great use of a
cockpit awning. Can't sail with it of course. I think we want
the bimini to overlap over the dodger in the front leaving a
slot for visibility and extending aft to within a few inches of
the backstays. I have seen this design on a number of boats and
it seems to work pretty well and give maximum coverage. I think
a bimini this long can not be supported with single deck attach
points, and as you know, those are usually put too near the
winches and can cause handle clearance problems. I am thinking
fore and aft deck anchor points with fastpins in the forward
ones allowing folding the whole unit back against the back.
Seems I have seen something like this on an M38, but of course,
took no pictures. What about mounting it on the outside
vertical sides of the combings instead of on the wood on top of
the combings. It would make it a little wider. Problems may be:
a) All these bows may make cockpit access too difficult.
b) Folding all this back may not work very well.
c) Outside mounting puts shear forces on the mountings instead
of compression. May not be worth the extra few inches of width
and could make folding back a greater problem.
Anyone have a design similar to this and who made it and how
does it work?
4. New Instruments - Currently above the compass at the helm.
Would like to move to a horizontal pod under the dodger on the
deck at the forward end of the companionway. Edson makes 15"
and 20" pods or have a wood one made. Problems may include
mounting the pod and leading the cables through the deck to it.
Maybe put sterero speakers in each end too. Has anyone done
this, how, and with what results?
Thanks in advance for any info and experience you can share.
Glenn Wiggins 800-222-3002 rgw@wiggins.com
about to address several items and would like comments. These
are some current ideas.
1. Sails - Replace the 150% genoa with a 135% on the new Harken
furler we installer last year. We have no inboard tracks, so
the smaller LP you have, the greater the sheeting angle and the
3 or 4 sailmakers I have talked to recommended the 135. I
talked with Ted Brewer about adding some power back by enlarging
the main. We have the 13' boom that came with the taller masts,
not the original 14.5'. It is also 1' higher. I am considering
a longer, lower boom, with a full length batten main. Perhaps a
Leisure Furl unit. They get some pretty good reviews. The
sailmakers say a new main with better shape, even though larger,
should not add weather helm. Thoughts???
2. Dodger - The original dodger shape has more tumblehome in the
sides than those you see on newer boats. I am considering new
bows that are more vertical on the sides for more volume under
the dodger. The Island Nautical design for the boat is a little
different, but has the same tumblehome. Has anyone done this,
what canvas shop, and do you like the results?
3. Bimini - We currently have no bimini, but make great use of a
cockpit awning. Can't sail with it of course. I think we want
the bimini to overlap over the dodger in the front leaving a
slot for visibility and extending aft to within a few inches of
the backstays. I have seen this design on a number of boats and
it seems to work pretty well and give maximum coverage. I think
a bimini this long can not be supported with single deck attach
points, and as you know, those are usually put too near the
winches and can cause handle clearance problems. I am thinking
fore and aft deck anchor points with fastpins in the forward
ones allowing folding the whole unit back against the back.
Seems I have seen something like this on an M38, but of course,
took no pictures. What about mounting it on the outside
vertical sides of the combings instead of on the wood on top of
the combings. It would make it a little wider. Problems may be:
a) All these bows may make cockpit access too difficult.
b) Folding all this back may not work very well.
c) Outside mounting puts shear forces on the mountings instead
of compression. May not be worth the extra few inches of width
and could make folding back a greater problem.
Anyone have a design similar to this and who made it and how
does it work?
4. New Instruments - Currently above the compass at the helm.
Would like to move to a horizontal pod under the dodger on the
deck at the forward end of the companionway. Edson makes 15"
and 20" pods or have a wood one made. Problems may include
mounting the pod and leading the cables through the deck to it.
Maybe put sterero speakers in each end too. Has anyone done
this, how, and with what results?
Thanks in advance for any info and experience you can share.
Glenn Wiggins 800-222-3002 rgw@wiggins.com