New to OKs – a few questions

[Dave Lee]

Hi there! I’ve just bought 2017, an O’Donnell composite, and intend to refurbish and bring her back to racing condition over the Summer. First off, 2017 currently has underdeck controls, but I understand the modern trend is for overdeck controls – any feelings on whether it is worth me changing the current systems?

The boat has quite a nice Milanes swept back fixed rudder, but again I understand the modern pattern is somewhat different. I sail on an estuary, so I really need to obtain a lifting rudder – does anyone have a modern shape secondhand one available? Would also consider a fixed blade that could be modified.

The rig comprises of a stiff red top section Needlespar and a completely shot Batt sail. I will be therefore be looking for a good condition s/h main, but as I weigh 12 stone, should I also consider looking for a softer mast section, say a Needlespar black top? I also need to find a top cover, but no rush on any of this kit because the boat will be in my garage for a few months yet.

Finally, any South West based OK sailors out there?

Thanks in advance

Dave Lee

[chrisarnell1]

Hi Dave!
Welcome aboard.

How far ‘south west’ are you?
I’m sailing in a handicap fleet at Christchurch in Dorset. We have Bill MacMillan doing likewise in Swanage & presumably Mary Reddyhoff at Parkstone. So we really ought to get ourselves together sometime because the east coast is a very long drive for us!
Right – your questions – I’m no expert, by the way…

Underdeck controls – I own 2015 – a Hoare composite – also with underdecks. These are fine – if I was re-decking the boat & looking to save a couple of pounds by removing the plastic tubes I might switch to overdeck controls – but providing they work OK I see no reason to change.

Rudders – I have the same problem – mostly sailing in a harbour. I use a fixed 30 degree rudder & rely on local knowledge to get around the course – the nice Milanes 15 degree rudder I just purchased feels much better but I won’t risk it over the mud. You could probably cut down the rudder blade & fit it into a ‘standard’ lifting stock. I’ve thought about doing this but never got around to it but I’m sure someone on this forum has tried!

Masts – I had a red-top but recently upgraded to carbon. When I 1st owned the boat it had a blue-top which is pretty similar to a black-top in performance. I never liked the red-top personally & I’m bit heavier than 12 stone – so if you can’t make the leap to carbon but can replace your current mast for something softer I think it would be a good move for you.
The Batt sails were reckoned to be pretty good for light-ish sailors because Dick’s philosophy was to put a flattish sail onto a stiff mast – so a 2nd hand Batt cut for a red-top might be a good compromise.

Anyway – best of luck & I hope we’ll meet up sometime!

Happy Easter

Chris Arnell – GBR 2015 (Although all my sails have ‘K’ on them)

[RB]

Would this be the same Dave Lee of Starcross – Merlin 3546 by any chance???

Anyway Dave, I have an O’Donnell composite 1946. In the process of refurbing my boat and at the same time will be converting from under to over deck controls personally because I prefer that system, plus I recon easier to maintain, but under deck is fine.

Good luck with the boat.

Richard Battey

[Dave Lee]

Hi Chris and Richard,

Yes, I am that same Dave Lee I’m intending to race Merlin 3546 at a lot more open events this season, but also want to keep my hand in the local club racing without the hassle of trailing the Merlin back to Starcross for an evening race / every other weekend.

Thanks for the tips, it sounds like I’ll need to look out for a softer mast along with a secondhand sail – Batt sounds ideal, but are any others cut fairly flat? Once I’ve got the boat together it would be good to meet up. I sail at Starcross near Exeter, so Parkstone is just a couple of hours up the road.

Dave

[X]

Hi Dave,

You will probably remember me from my time a few years ago in MR 3544.
As chairman of the OK class welcome.
It may be worth you dropping Ian Harris an e:mail, he sails his OK at Bristol Corinthian.

Cheers
Terry

[RB]

I note in one of the earlier replies regarding underdeck controls there is a requirement for control lines to be run in tubes. I noticed on my boat 1946 the control lines are not housed in tubes but run freely under deck. Am I correct in assuming this is class illegal?

Thanks in advance

Richard

[davecooper]

Hi Richard
None of the rule changes have made legal boats illegal, so if it was ok when the boat was measured, then the boat is still ok. You just wouldn’t be able to do it on a new boat now. When I had 1918 (O’Donnell composite) the underdeck controls weren’t in tubes and there wasn’t a forward bulkhead either – not requirements at the time, certainly made it nice and simple, but as most of the deckbeam to deck glue joints had failed it wasn’t actually the stiffest boat you ever saw! (or the fastest !)
Dave Cooper

[Dave Lee]

Hi Terry

Yes, I remember you. The OK seems to be the singlehander of choice for ex Merlin sailors!

I’m looking forward to getting 2017 back on the water and will definitely give Chris Arnell and Ian Harris a call when she is ready – would be good to meet up and try some class racing. However, I’ve got a fair bit of work to do first. Most of the varnish is now off and the woodwork all seems sound, so should be ready to start the build up in a week or two. The hull is generally very good, but there are a few dings and chips – anyone know what gel coat O’Donnell used? I’m guessing the colour is a normal white tone, rather than the very light grey used on a lot of GRP hulls?

Thanks

Dave

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