Messages

Not a reply about the electrical panels but nothing quite like sitting in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay in the middle of August. Grew up sailing in the Yorktown/Hampton area. Also just finished 12 years in the Army - good analogy.

Mike,
The old wire to new bitter end was my plan. I just didnt want to set i up only to have the rope not fit through the opening going from outside to inside the new mast. The reason I questioned this was my inability to pull the halyard through from the front (leading me to believe the rope didnt fit through the opening).
Jeff

Looked through the threads and didnt find this topic (doesnt mean it wasnt there). I need to replace my jib halyard and have the new halyard ready to go. The question concerns whether you can attach the new one to the old one and thus not go aloft. The halyard only comes down a certain amount to the bow - meaning that you could not pull the halyard out from standing on the bow. My concern is that if I tie the bitter end of the new halyard to the wire end of the old halyard i will not be able to get the rope through the opening and over the sheave at the top of the mast. Any suggestions?

Additionally, my spinnaker sheave (block) broke at the masthead and I need to replace that as well - any pointers? Is it really just a block?

Jeff

Perhaps that is what I will do then. Mine is already in apoxy so I guess I will have to take it out. > imight be able to use the pin I have just a little further out.

I tested the St1000+ this weekend and had a fair amount of success. It does struggle because of the excessive weather helm. I reallyhad to depower the main. The next project is a mainsheet traveler which should help. My only desire for the tiller pilot is that it let me get 30-60 minutes sleep on long single hand voyages (i.e. Nova Scotia from Boston) and get some celestial nav done. It did that yesturday on a port tack on the way to Gloucester but the starboard tack is giving me trouble. I believe iI need to reinstall the pin so that it sticks up out of the tiller further. It would occasionally pop out.

Here is a poor picture of the bracket. I took it in to be reinforced afetr finding the beginnings of a small fracture along one of the prongs. It was returned to me with both redone and the rest of the bronze cleaned up. An impressiing piece of metal - at least to me. I am sailing to Gloucester today and will let you know how the tiller pilot performs.

Just thought I would let you all know about a few minor improvements to my newly purchased Surprise (Commander #293). The first thing I did was remove the illegal head and install a small porta pottie. Following that I replaced the broken tiller with a West Marine Catalina 27 - shaved it down a bit and it works great. Along with that I had the tiller mount/bracket reinforced (it's now a beautiful bronze).
 Also installed a standard Windex on the mast head - she came with a broken one. Last thing installed was a ST1000+ Autohelm - going to try that out today.
  I think that will do it for this season. Early next season I plan to paint the bottom and topsides and install a mainsheet traveler.

I found mine under the floor board beneath the companionway ladder. It is also held in place by some boards. It seems secure to me and I have decided to leave it there.

I meant O'Brian (had some brew at the local Publik House)

You got me!
I did indeed name my boat after Jack Aubrey's Surprise. I have been a huge fan of Patrick O'Brien for many years (well before the movie). I thought the idea of the Surprise (a smaller vessel, somewhat aged, but with good sailing ability) was just right for the Pearson Commander.

Hey everyone,
I just sealed the deal on Commander 293 "Surprise". She's in good shape and only needs a little cosmetic work,a holding tank (read the threads and still deciding on course of action), and a new tiller among other things. She is also my first boat and I am downright pleased. I also joined the association and look foward to getting the manual and delving into the archives even further.
Here are some pics:

Great thanks. I will certainly join - lots of great info and good people.

I took another look at the Commander today, Hull #293, and she appears to be in great shape and a real value for 3500 (buying from non-profit - all found money to them). It has some interesting changes, namely an actual marine head without a holding tank. That will be my first fix. There has been a well done carpeting of the inside of the hull. Teak inside and out is in good shape. Roller furling Jib, Autohelm 1000, depth, wind instruments. All in all I hope she turns out to be a great first boat. I have one last thing to do - sail her! But I feel that she will probably do well. I will try to get some pictures tomorrow and get some feedback. I guess I will have to join the association!
Jeff
 

I will probably be looking at a commander tomorrow. Tell me more about this shocking hull/deck joint.
Jeff

I did register - is that the same as joining? She is in good condition, ned to get the hull number. It is still tentative as I have not taken her out yet. Previous owner kept her in good shape. I will get some pictures soon. On a slightly different subject, do the Commander's track well when trimmed properly?