Messages

Thanks for the input. I think if I put any additional track down on the rail I'll be going the route of using the extruded aluminum product from Schaefer. Although, if I don't end up adding more to the toe rail  and will be only putting down straight sections of track I'll use the stainless steel material which will match my existing track and the cars will all be interchangeable then.
 
The thought of adding additional track came about last fall after sailing the newly purchased boat a couple times and finding I could not get enough tension along the leech of the 110% genoa to keep the top from luffing when sailing close to the wind.  At this point I am thinking I may be able to get close to the proper angle for the jib sheet by installing a barber haul off the foot of the aft life line stanchion. At the very least I should be able to get closer to proper trim and would like to spend some time sailing the boat before I dive into too many changes.
 
regards,
 
Mark

Thanks Ebb. I skimmed through the thread and see reference to both ss and aluminum track, but nothing specific about the difficulty or ability to bend the stainless track. I'm thinking the comments regarding bending may all be related to the aluminum extruded track.
 
Still wondering if anyone out there has been able to install 1" ss track on the toe rail or if bending is too difficult.
 
thanks,
 
 Mark

I'm working on Commander 94 and am planning on installing longer jib sheet tracks on the toe rail (boat has life lines). I just read/skimmed through the older thread on the subject but still had a question about bending the track. I would like to install a 6' section of 1" stainless steel track (similar I believe but longer than the original track used on these boats). this track seems to be quite stiff and am having doubts of whether it can be bent to follow the rail while installing. I was thinking the schaffer track referenced in the older thread in most cases may be the newer style aluminum extrusion and easier to bend?
 
Does anyone have experience with bending the 1" ss track? Can this be done?
 
I very much enjoy reading the technical forum here as I come up with qestions and develop my own plans for the boat.
 
Best regards,
 
Mark

Ebb
Hey thanks for the time to respond. With the pics you provided a clear picture of what lies beneath and a simple plan to addressing the problem when I have the mast down. If feasible when I get into it I'd like to use the angled weep hole in through the sole of the cast shoe into the collection point inside and the sealing of the conduit at the shoe penetration. Always good to have a plan before the start of a project, but looking back the final solution often deviates significantly

I have only posted a few times and thought my boat displayed in my post as part of my profile. The drain hole question above is in regards to a Commander (#94).
 
Thanks,
 
Mark

I was reading in the manual that it was suggested to drill a 3/8" hole in the aft end of the mast about 1 1/2" up from the base for drainage. I expect that I am collecting water in here and would like to provide this drainage, but wanted to better understand exactly where to drill and what I will encounter inside before doing this. Just had a few questions:

• Should the hole be drilled at the aft end right in the center
• At 1 1/2" up from the base will I be drilling through the mast heel fitting or just above it into the cavity in the mast. Not sure if that is the correct term but I'm referring to the insert (assume is aluminum) that fits up inside the base of the mast.
• The other thought I had was concern over contacting the wire harness in the mast with the drill bit, but assume/hope that is coming through the heel fitting in the center and if I know how thick of material I'm drilling through I'll just put a stop on the drill bit.

Insight from someone who has done this would be appreciated.
 
Keeping busy with boat projects here in Michigan hoping the winter will eventually come to an end and Lake Michigan will be fluid again.
 
Best regards,
 
Mark

Very good. Thanks for the information. I'll be storing my boat at a yard that scraps out boats that are too far gone for reconditioning and keeps a pretty good inventory of hardware, parts and pieces that it removes from boats being disposed.  I've been interested in picking through their bone pile anyway.

What is the "J" dimension referrenced? would that be a dimesion on the spinnaker?

Thank you both for your comments. I noticed Bill pulled his info. from the Owner's Manual which I will get an order placed for in the next few days.

I recently purchased a Commander, but  the spinnaker pole must have been lost over the years and was not part of the purchase. I figured spinnaker poles are fairly universal if the dimensions are consisitent with the original design.
 
Would anyone happen to have dimensions for a Commander/Ariel spin pole?

I'm the happy new owner of C#94. Thanks to Westwind for the time and effort he has put in to the boat and the opportunity for us to spend some time loving her now.  
 
This group looks to be an incredibly helpful source of information for maintaining these boats and I'm sure you will all see my name popping up more this winter as I get into some of that.