Building Shesha, a Hunter Valley GIS, Australia

**woodeneye** · 22nd April 2012, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by Boatmik

Hi Bruce,
What is the name of the rope type for the non kinking mainsheet?

I did mean that the Laser Master's sailors are a pretty classy lot. You have made lots of jumps in technique in the last year (leaves me for dead!) and managed a creditable finish. My point was that the quality of the fleet is so high that you have done very well to be up in the ranks ... it also shows the high class of the fleet.

MIK

Hi Mik

The general name used for this sheet is "polilite". It has a lo-tech, high stretch core with a mainly polypropylene load bearing outer cover. I think it does have some colored dyneema threads though it to make it low stretch. it was invented by Steve Cockerill of Rooster Sailing fame and is now produced by a number of manufacturers. It is very light weight and does not absorb water and become heavy. It costs about $40 for a standard "Laser" 14m length, which is perfect for the GIS as well as there is enough for a short "tail" to play with when the boom is at 90deg. My GIS is sheeted at the transom Laser style, but 14m is still plenty. This stuff has become the Laser standard and generally comes in 5.5mm, 6mm and 7mm, and is used in lots of other classes now as well.

When I first saw this sheet, I thought "no way!", 5.5mm will be too thin and hard on the hands, but it really depends on the gloves you use. Off the shelf it feels quite hard in texture, and is quite stiff. However, it runs nicely through the blocks in all winds. It certainly would be hard on the hands without gloves though. I use a very grippy glove from Bunnings that is hot dipped in a softish, thick textured latex-like rubber. It grips this rope very well so you don't need to maintain a tight grip on the sheet so it is not tiring to hold for long periods of time at high loads when going upwind. Perfect for us older guys! Generally, a pair of these gloves lasts a regatta with all races in 15+ kts, and at around $6 a pair they are very cheap. Much better grip than the leather type of sailing glove but not as long lasting. When they wear out and lose their grip, they are perfect for other jobs around the house, garden or under the bonnet.

**woodeneye** · 27th April 2012, 06:11 PM

Update on the mainsheets. There seems to be a mounting interest in the new Maffioli sheet called Newswift which is a double braid consisting of Dyneema SK75 + Polypropylene. I haven't seen it yet, but it is also supposed to be a non tangle. Really it should be called lo-tangle

. Apparently it is softer in the hands for those masochists who don't wear gloves.

**Boatmik** · 29th April 2012, 07:43 PM

Only thing to be aware for more cruising type boats is that Polypropylene UV degrades very easily.

Club raced boats probably don't build up the hours for it to become a problem. But we would have Peter Hyndman's GIS sitting on the grass for a couple of months.

Michael

**woodeneye** · 29th April 2012, 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by Boatmik

Only thing to be aware for more cruising type boats is that Polypropylene UV degrades very easily.

Club raced boats probably don't build up the hours for it to become a problem. But we would have Peter Hyndman's GIS sitting on the grass for a couple of months.

Michael

I think it's safe to assume we'd wear out the sheet before UV would affect it, especially if using the grippy Ronstan ratchet block. I could probably get another season from the Rooster sheet, but decided to employ it on Hakuna Matata before it wore out completely and get a new sheet for next season. I haven't decided on a new Laser sheet yet. The North Americans are also using a sheet made by New England Ropes, called the Bzzz. I haven't seen it in Aus yet, so unsure about it. It's very reasonably priced so I should just get one and try it, but which color? Hehe.
New England Ropes - Product Details

http://www.neropes.com/Datasheets/MAR_BZZZ.pdf

**Boatmik** · 1st May 2012, 10:23 PM

Yes ... but for other readers

MIK

**SimonLew** · 2nd May 2012, 12:51 AM

Hi Bruce, congrat's on kicking butt in the Laser! I'm using the Bzzz line and love it. Very nice on the hands and ultra supple. It does resist tangling pretty well and when it does tangle the tangle falls apart easily.

**woodeneye** · 2nd May 2012, 07:07 AM

Thanks Simon, I'll give the Bzzz a try...

**woodeneye** · 21st May 2012, 05:49 PM

Last week was our presentation night and I was lucky enough to be presented with this fabulous trophy for the Club Championship. It's a 70's vintage Laser rudder blade with a section that is very similar to the ones we make for for our Storer boats, but a tad narrower in the chord. Not sure what timber it is, but it's very light and all one piece, not laminated. Surprisingly, it is dead straight!

Can anyone identify the timber as I haven't a clue? I wonder if they were hand made?

Attachment 209220

**woodeneye** · 28th May 2012, 06:48 PM

As winter closes in on Australia's sailing season, Hakuna Matata will soon be sporting a fun, "go fast" mod in the tradition of true Aussie skiffs.

Discussions with the designer are taking place, and the plans are slowly coming together in my head (I can't draw very well, so that's how it is for now)

Will she fly? We'll see......

**Joost** · 28th May 2012, 06:58 PM

Very much looking forward to this development!!!

Joost

**woodeneye** · 20th August 2012, 06:04 PM

I've finally had a chance to get to that mod I hinted at some 3 months ago, so today was all about having some fun in the shed.

The tubes are old Laser topmasts, so quite light. Hoping for a test run on Thursday.

Beam is now 2.46m or 8'

Attachment 220260

Attachment 220261

Attachment 220262

Attachment 220263

**Boatmik** · 20th August 2012, 06:38 PM

And to trial with the vanghaul!!! cool!

MIK

**woodeneye** · 20th August 2012, 08:26 PM

Yes, I've made up a new 8:1 vanghaul

Here is the detail of the tube joint which is made with 1/4" bolt and an eye bolt. The brace tubes are scalloped with a grinder to fit the rail tubes. Once it's nipped up, the joint is very strong. Sorry about the scratchy hand drawing.

Attachment 220283

The frame is simply lashed to the gunwale. At the lash points, I have epoxy-set a screw through the inwale, spacer and gunwale for reinforcement. The rope lashing keeps the tube off the timber.

**Boatmik** · 20th August 2012, 10:46 PM

I was very impressed how the tie downs are the padding!

Nice method

Mik

**IanHowick** · 21st August 2012, 06:33 AM

Originally Posted by woodeneye

As winter closes in on Australia's sailing season, Hakuna Matata will soon be sporting a fun, "go fast" mod in the tradition of true Aussie skiffs.

Discussions with the designer are taking place, and the plans are slowly coming together in my head (I can't draw very well, so that's how it is for now)

Will she fly? We'll see......

What I really want to see alongside that hiking frame is a topmast and a bowsprit so you can fly one of those big asymetric gennakers off one of thise skiffs as well

.

Make sure you've got someone there to take some video!

Ian

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