Still learning - questions with pic links

Submitted by chester on Fri, 06/24/2011 - 22:33
In this first picture, you'll see a base for the mast - but not the one that the mast is stepped on. What's this additional base for? (And where would I read up on the boat so as not to bother folks with simple questions like this?) http://www.flickr.com/photos/21806090@N08/5866665949/ In the second picture, link below, you'll see the deck of my old FS and some cleats. What's the old silver colored cleat for - just tying up to a dock? The jib fairlead block is clear, and the flat ratchet block that the jib sheet runs through. But there's no cleat for the jib sheet - is this just old-style oversight? Unless it's the cam cleat forward of the ratchet block, which would serve the jib sheet coming from the opposite side of the boat and is quite inconvenient and in the way if there's a number of people of board. Any other ideas for what that cam cleat would be? Does everyone have a cam cleat for the jib sheet now, just next to and inside of the flat ratchet block? http://www.flickr.com/photos/21806090@N08/5867219566/in/photostream/ Thank you!
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Comments

Your boat is set up for cross-sheeting.

Submitted by sawyerspadre on Fri, 06/24/2011 - 23:15.
Your boat is set up for cross-sheeting. You are right, the jib sheet comes across. You can bow-string the sheet to get jib tension,but it is not the best angle to pull. My boat was like this when I got it. If you are going to race seriously I would go right to seat cleats for the jib. The other cleat is multipurpose. I took mine off, as I sit near that area and got them under a hip enough to get bruises. If you have three and it's windy someone will be sitting on those. You have to cut them off. The screws will be corroded fast in the cleat. You have to cut down through them with a hacksaw almost down to the boat. When the saw is almost down the boat, hit the cleat and it will break. Then spin the screws out using the two halves of the cleat as a lever. Confused, call Harry. The second mast step is for the old way of raising the mast. Before the mast hinge, you would stick the butt of the mast in the stanchion and raise it, and attach the forestay. Then on the LOOSE rig, you would lift the mast up onto the higher step. The mast hinge eliminated all that and the snug and tight rigs of today can't be done this way. Have fun. Phil Scheetz FS 4086

Phil Scheetz

FS 4086

Fleet 163, Nockamixon Sail Club

The lower mast step was probably used before the present pivot t

Submitted by Hot Wheels on Fri, 06/24/2011 - 23:29.
The lower mast step was probably used before the present pivot that newer Scots have, to raise the mast and get it vertical before lifting it to the on deck base. The pivot is easier and safer to raise the spar. As for the cleats, the silver cleats were the original jib sheet cleats and are a hazard and should be removed completely. As for the jib cam cleats, you need to see how a modern Scot is rigged in order to see your choices and decide how much you want to change. Obviously what you have now is no good. My choice would be: Getting the jib cleats off the side deck and remounted down on the seat adjacent to the track offers two advantages. The angle of the sheet to the crew improves making uncleating the sheet under load easier. And not having the ratchet and cleat on deck make the deck much more comfortable and eliminate a condition known as "Harken Butt." Of course you can't sit on the seat next to the track now occupied by the block and cleat, but nobody sits there anyhow. They sit just aft of the track.

Hot Wheels is right.

Submitted by sawyerspadre on Sat, 06/25/2011 - 00:04.
Hot Wheels is right. Where are you located? Fleet nearby? If you are near eastern PA, we have a great fleet at Lake Nockamixon. Saturday racing gets in off the water between 2 and 3. See you tomorrow? You can check out boats in a fleet and find the best setup. Phil Scheetz FS 4086

Phil Scheetz

FS 4086

Fleet 163, Nockamixon Sail Club

Phil- We're at the Jersey shore.

Submitted by chester on Sat, 06/25/2011 - 11:15.
Phil- We're at the Jersey shore. We don't race, but we sure enjoy getting out on the bay to sail, sometimes with a number of friends. The Flying Scot seems great for that - better than some much bigger boats! Thanks!

There are several good fleets at the shore, from Red Bank all th

Submitted by sawyerspadre on Sat, 06/25/2011 - 20:15.
There are several good fleets at the shore, from Red Bank all the way down to Cape May. Tom's River and Stone harbor are pretty active. Monmouth Boat Club is Red Bank is a great fleet. Our fleet goes down to a regatta in Avalon each year. This year it's in Aug, I think. Phil Scheetz FS 4086

Phil Scheetz

FS 4086

Fleet 163, Nockamixon Sail Club