Mast deck ring

[tony thresher]

Can anybody remind me of the correct angle to machine a new deck bearing ring to allow for an average rake? Had the figure written down once upon a time but cant find it anymore.
Thanks.
Tony Thresher

[davecooper]

8 degrees? 10 degrees? Just a guess. How do you machine them, Tony? The only times I’ve tried, I’ve bolted the blank onto a lathe faceplate, with a chock under one end to get the angle, and then bored the hole out, but it’s not a very satisfactory way to do it. It’s very difficult to set it up so that you bore dead through the centre, so I have to make the blank a bit oversize and then mill away the edges until the hole’s in the middle!
When you get a definitive answer for the angle, maybe you could let me know and it can go on a technical page with Alan’s kicker lever drawing, if he doesn’t mind publishing it.
Can anybody suggest a good angle for the wedge under a centre mainsheet jammer?
Dave Cooper

[RB]

Dave,

Picking up on your last sentence.

if you are going to use a centre jammer why not just put the cleat upside down, that way all you have to do is give it a gentle tap with the foot or flick of the wrist, anyway I didn’t think centre jammers were widley used in OK’s? Obviously this is down to individual preference but do you find them easy to use so low in the boat?

ATB

Richard

[tony thresher]

Terry Curtis informs me 10 degrees.

In answer to how I machine them? I dont but I know a man who can. If you want one made up give me a few weeks notice and the dimensions and I’ll get one made. I have plenty of black Nylon 6 so you dont have to supply the material. Dont know what the latest cost for the job is but I’ll know by the end of this evening.

Tony

[RB]

Tony,

Do you know a man that can make kicker levers for less than £65 as priced on Victor boats website?

[tony thresher]

Richard

No but you can make one yourself out of old spreaders or the like. Cut two pieces to the required length of your lever. Bolt them to the boom at the pivot point.and join the bottom ends together with a suitable bolt and spacer. Drill holes at the top of the spreaders to take shackle to attach wire and your triple block can be attached to the bolt/spacer at the bottom. I’ve had mine on my boat for some years now and it hasn’t and doeasn’t look like failing. I’ll try and remember to take a picture this weekend and mail it to you next week.

Tony.

[RB]

Tony,

Thanks.

I have actually made one from some aluminium only the mass produced levers for the likes of Finns do look more professional!

What would you say is the minimum thickness for a piece of aluminium to be used as a lever?

The one I have made looks quite nifty and is based upon dimensions supplied a while back by Alan Price just a little worried of its strengt!! :?

Thanks

Richard

[davecooper]

Thanks, Tony. Richard: I had a centre-line jammer on 1918 and it’s fine, but you need a wedge under the swivel base or else the angle is impossibly steep when you’re sitting right aft. I think I actually prefer a jammer on the side deck, but my redesigned side decks are going to be contoured to allow the traveller to run out further and I think it’ll be tough to find anywhere to put the jammers.
Dave Cooper

[Alan Price]

Hello All,
Well , I’m pleased my lever dimensions and hopefully the short description/photos have been of use.
If you would like to post them Dave, please feel free.
I’m no engineer and have limited metal work skills so I’m sure it could be improved and made neater although mine has been in active service for 4 years and done a good job.
Sorry, can’t help with the mast ring.

[Russell Hopkins]

Alan, i have used the dimensions from your system which Richard forwarded on to me, i used some old Albacore spreaders, shroud platesand some stainless threaded bar, i also borrowed some triple blocks from my albacore (whilst it is drying out for the winter) but these will have to go back on the alb when i sell it!!

[davecooper]

Hi Alan
Can you let me have a copy of your kicker lever design please?
My lever is made of a piece of aluminium channel 4.4mm thick (must be about 6 gauge I suppose). It’s black anodised just like all the other ones on needlespar booms. I can’t imagine that anything that was an adequate dinghy spreader won’t be an excellent kicker lever.
Dave Cooper

[NickCraig]

Hello
I’ve used both centre jammers and sidedeck cleats.
I prefer sidedeck cleats.

It is harder to trim downwind and play the main in marginal conditions upwind with a centre jammer as it gets in the way a bit no matter how well designed your system.

Sidedeck cleats do have the downsides that its harder work coming out tacks when windy as it takes longer to get the main in the cleat so you have to hold it in longer. And it is possible to mistakenly knock the main out the cleat whilst adjusting the traveller, as I did in AUS. However, its very funny for everyone else who sails past you whilst you are capsized to windward!

Cheers
Nick

[Mike Edwards]

Do you ever do any work Specky?

I agree with Nick in principle regarding cleats. I have used both in my time sailing OK’s and now use a centre jammer.

I think that side deck cleats are great, if you have the staminer and strength to cope in a long and windy race. But I realistically need the centre jammer on a broad reach in windy conditions. Plus, being able to cleat sooner through a tack helps.

Getting the right angle is critical as Dave suggests. If it is not perfect, you will either find it a nightmare to cleat or a struggle to uncleat.

I would suggest to anyone to try both before making a decision and consider the pros and cons in different conditions.

Cheers

Mike

[davecooper]

It is harder to trim downwind and play the main in marginal conditions upwind with a centre jammer as it gets in the way a bit no matter how well designed your system

Well, I’ve certainly never done anthing like that, so a centre jammer wouldn’t necessarily be a problem, but the swivelly bit with the jammer on costs £53 at my local chandler, so I can suddenly see the force of Nick’s argument!
Dave Cooper

[X]

Hi Dave,

If your traveller is cut into the sidedecks, you can put the cleats in front of the traveller. Just make sure that the mainsheet can’t fall in them to leeward. very annoying when you come out of a gybe & your main is cleated out !!!!

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