After last years sailing it became obvious that we were going need something to help with handling the main sail, Maricole’s sail was just too big for one person to easily handle.
Last October when we went to the Annapolis boat show we looked at just about everybody’s Lazy Jack set up and main sail handling system including built-in covers stack packs and other such ideas.
What we decided on was a simple Stowable Lazy Jack system that would help us when dropping the main but remain completely out of the way when sailing, we also decided that we would build it ourselves rather than pay for a system that wasn’t exactly what we wanted.
We mostly followed the ideas laid out in this . . . → Read More: Lazy Jack Install
When we purchased Maricole she had no effective way of reefing her main sail so this was a priority to get corrected for this year. What we decided on was mounting a 4′ section of 1-1/4″ T track on the boom with T-track cheek blocks so everything could be adjusted for the best reefed sail shape.
I clamped the T-track in place so it would lay flat against the boom and drilled all the holes after using a masking tape wrapped tap as a center punch, afterwards it was easy enough to tap all the holes for the stainless steel fasteners.
Well we managed to get our bowsprit replaced and Maricole launched despite the best efforts of Roadway freight and the fabricator. The only advice I will offer on this is to pick a fabricator close to you not one on the other side of the country, that way whens theirs a problem you can visit them in person.
The actual install was fairly easy and went off without a hitch. We will also be replacing the samson post soon( notice the cross bolt not installed ), im thinking one of the reinforced synthetic timber materials or stainless steel so I only have to do it once.
We managed to get away this winter to Mexico where I had a chance to do what i do best mainly drink beer in marina bars and talk boats. We have visited Mexico twice now and despite what you hear in the news have had nothing but a great time and that’s with us taking the bus around with the locals even though my Spanish is far from perfect.
I also managed to get some diving in, there’s certainly more stuff to see down in Mexico than off the New Hampshire coast, we used Manta SCUBA Diving for our dive charter.
A friend of ours is selling his Mariner 36 sloop, its a one owner cruising boat owned by a knowledgeable sailor that’s been well maintained over the years.
Mariner 36
More information and complete specifications can be found on his boat site Here
For awhile now I have wanted to upgrade our charging system, the factory 35 amp marine alternator just wasn’t cutting it, I was barely getting 10 amps at idle speed and did not like the idea of having to run at 2000 plus rpm to even approach it’s rated output.
Original Volvo S.E.V Marchal 35 amp marine alternator
After looking at Balmar and several other marine alternators I decided that all of them where overpriced for what I was getting.
We took a trip to Newburyport, MA today. We have often spent time in Newburyport and the surrounding area during our various “boat quests”. We know the marinas, boat yards and, of course, the restaurants well and enjoy spending time meandering along the main street, popping in the shops as we go.
Today we walked all around downtown, spent a little time by the waterfront and went to the Custom House Maritime Museum (http://www.customhousemaritimemuseum.org/). What an interesting place!! I can’t believe we have never stepped inside that building during any of our previous jaunts to Newburyport.
The museum holds a record of maritime history for the Merrimack River Valley. Currently, they have an exhibit titled “Fighting Sail, Conflict at . . . → Read More: Newburyport, MA Custom House Maritime Museum
According to Wikipedia, A gundalow is a type of flat bottom cargo vessel once common in Maine and on New England rivers. Up to 70 feet (21 m) long, they characteristically employed tidal currents for propulsion, shipping a single lateen sail (a triangular sail set on a long yard mounted at an angle on the mast, and running in a fore-and-aft direction) to harness favorable winds.
Cannon-sporting gunboat style gundalows were built and deployed on Lake Champlain by both British and American forces during the American Revolutionary War, meeting in combat at the Battle of Valcour Island.
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