Rob,
I have swapped out the Ronstan block for a Harken high load block on the
59er. The other thing to do is to minimise how far down the block hangs from
the attachment point on the mast. Clynton at Bethwaites reckons a lot of the
18s have completely got rid of the shackle and use spectra line to attach it. I
haven't actually done this as yet.
I use a high quality snap shackle on the clew of the 59er jib as we adjust
the clew hole on the water. When I bought the boat it was simply attached using
a bowline through the clew. As this attachment point is not adjusted on the
water on a Swift Solo why not just use a bowline? No snag points there.
The sail cloth on the Swift sails is much higher quality than found on 29er,
59er or 49ers. The batten pockets on the 59er are different than on the Banks.
I have taken the mainsail into the sailmakers twice to have repairs done from
defects in them.
Sorry to hear about your bad experience on the water. I've had a few myself.
These sort of boats are powerful and fast. Every now and then things get shitty
and you get your arse kicked but when things are going well..............ITS
GREAT
Steve
"Rob DesMarais, D.C." <drrld@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Bram,
I think I can swing the $1.20 (how about for the time (1.5 hours) and the
mileage (90-roundtrip) to the nearest Home Depot? How do I get another middle
batten?
I didn?t crank on the battens so I don?t believe that was my issue.
It?s not correct for me to imply that the whole set of sail ?quality? is
reflected in the cheap batten stops.
Ronstan Block: I don?t believe I stated it was defective. I was inquiring
if anyone had issues with theirs. I suspect that the size of it in
relationship to the line being used maybe an issue. Perhaps it is the way I
had tied off the halyard to the head of the spin? I actually had the same
thing happen with the block next to the pole ring.
If this is not the forum to bring up these issues for the class, let me know.
Rob
Subject: Re: Poor Quality Batten Pockets - Who's responisble???
In a message dated 5/21/2006 12:51:25 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
drrld@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:
I?d like to know who?s responsible for these poor quality sails from Banks
and what is being done to fix the poor quality of these batten pockets?
Rob,
since I did the R&D and approved the final sail design, I am the person
responsible. You asked about poor quality sails and poor quality batten
pockets. The plastic batten pocket protector problem involves $1.20 worth of
screws that can be bought at any hardware store (as I pointed out before). I
should have bought and mailed these to you as soon as I got home but I dropped
the ball (or more likely, lied). These are the same batten pocket protectors
we've been using for several years and they did not become a problem until Kris
talked us all into tensioning our battens to double the tension we had been
using. I have talked to Banks about this and they've assured me that all
future sails will come with pockets with a screw in the center of the end.
Apparently, almost everyone else has taken care of this problem themselves. I
will be glad to reimburse all who have for the screws.
As for the poor quality sails, I'm not sure what the problem is but, just
ship them back to Banks and I will see to it that you get your money back. As
you know, there are many sail makers who would be glad to make you a set of
sails.
Regarding the defective Ronstan block at the top of the mast and the Sea
Dog clip, again it was me who made the decision to copy the 49er class and use
these fittings so it is me who is responsible. Just ship them to me and I will
see to it that you are given a refund.
Let me take this opportunity to thank you for all your help in promoting
the class.
Bram
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