DaySailer.org Forum

Hello all, am new to forum. I am the owner of "Turtle" a 1971 DS1. https://picasaweb.google.com/Niles.Hooper/TheTurtle I got her about 3 months ago to learn to sail. She is teaching me a lot.

I managed to break the proctor mast.... yes, I know. Rudy at DR Marine hooked me up with a replacement stock extrusion which I have been carefully refitting for a second try

I could use some help from the experts here.

I am trying to figure out where to mount the shroud tangs and the forestay tang on the mast. I was able to lay everything else out against the old mast but I am puzzling over where the stays and jib block would go measurement wise..... The old proctor spar was tapered and so bent up by "treemageddon" that I am a little gun shy about just drilling holes where I think it "looks like" the tangs should go. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. I have the measurements from the class association.... but... it looks like I have to put it all up to band and measure from the bands. Anyone know measurements "from the top of the mast" that would keep her class legal?

Thanks.

I'd be interested in that too. I'm trying to select a location for my UPS halyard, and in the process it seems I've found that my mast is about a foot shorter than class standards. OK, well, I think so. I could be wrong, not for the first time, or the last.

All measurement is based on the Mast Datum that is where the mast is at the partner, exclusive of the lip. If you do not want to put the bare spar up first to measure mast datum, your could go from the base of band 2 (top of the mast) 20'6" that would put you at the top of band 1. The max distance from top of band one to top of mast datum is 24 ". You could then measure up from the top of band one to the other attachment points taking off 24". However, I would recommend stepping the mast first and getting the proper mast datum before measuring and drilling. Good luck!

I think I got it figured out, mast went up anyway and this time it stayed up. Shakedown cruise was fun. Took a while to figure out how to get the mainsail situated and raised fully. Turns out I did not have the downhaul set up correctly. Got that fixed - a little surprised at how low the boom is when rigged. Will definitely be adding a topping lift shortly. Made a ton of mistakes, had a great time and did not roll the boat. Did one day with the wife (day being about an hour before I realized this was a bad idea) and one day (morning and early afternoon) single handing. Seems like about 12 to 13 knots of wind is about as much as is comfortable for me right now Sailing reminds me a little of golf, not too hard to do it badly, but a lifetime to do it well.

I'm glad you getting it figured out. The boom shouldn't be all that low. Unless you're extremely tall, when sitting in on the bench seats you should be up to see under it easily.

Oh so true… Sailing is basically simple… but not necessarily easy...

Topping lift definitely makes life a whole lot easier and saves the paint job on your transom

I'd check to make sure your hoisting your sail all the way to the top of the mast track, the boom should certainly be plenty high to get under comfortably.

Also, especially since youre new to sailing, make sure you add or use a reefing system it makes life much less nerve wracking on you and your crew when the wind starts to pick up.

Good luck, and if your'e in southern new england (I'm assuming so since you know D&R) you should consider joining us June 15 in Narragansett Bay for our group-sail.

Thanks! I am in Texas but still know DR..... Only a few options for masts and he was most helpful!

I think I got the sail all the way up but was kind of struggling with it and boom vang angle looks all wrong. I need to actually lay it out and run it up and see where the tack should fall under ideal conditions. Am not too tall and can get under boom, it just seems, well, a little low, like I am not getting the sail up far enough...

The first day was wretched, big bags at foot.... Skittish wife, stressed capitan, and too much wind! Figured out that the forestay was slack enough that I was bending the mast a good bit with sail and bolt rope. It looked like it was jamming up about 6 inches low. Second day I worked that out, and set downhaul and managed to actually get a flat sail and MAN what a difference that made. Sails are basically brand new so it's my newbie skills causing the issue I suspect....

Already planning on adding reef points...... Was reading all about that today on the forum. Probably going to add a mustang rescue stick to the mast too..... just in case. I have it sealed up pretty good but am a bit paranoid about turtling "the Turtle" until I can practice righting her.

Where are you in Texas? I live just west of Austin and sail Canyon Lake.

John

Hi John,

I am in in Fort Worth. I just started sailing so have only sailed on lake worth (wanted something shallow to learn). I plan on visiting as many lakes as I can though.

Niles.

I'm about 35 miles SW of Fort Worth. I've been wanting to try Lake Worth myself. I do most of my "learning" on Proctor Lake.

-Matthew

Hi Mathew,

I will share what little local knowledge I have on Lake Worth.

I put in on the 820 ramp - AVOID the Casino Park ramp due to trees (or just look UP ^ - which newbie here failed to do the first time out). The 820 ramp is pretty nice (from a field of exactly 1), but stay out from under 820, the birds poop all over your boat and car. There is a courtesy doc. It was pretty darn crowded with powerboats but everyone seems pretty nice. The lake is good and shallow, my theory being if I dumped at least the mast would prevent a turtle. Worked mostly but honestly seemed necessary after I got the hang of the spilling the main. Also, it was dead calm most of the time I was out but I motored around a good bit and got a little sailing in. Also, be aware, they are currently dredging the lake, google it, and overall the lake is pretty small, making it a good, tack and turn lake but left me wishing I had a bit more time to work on messing with the sail before having to change course.

Think I will go this weekend to Eagle Mountain and see about that. The alternatives are Benbrook, Grapevine, or a haul up to Ray Roberts.

How is Proctor? I imagine a USACE lake is a good bit more scenic on the shoreline. I was kind of hoping there would be a site like Southwest Paddler for local lakes but I am missing it if there is one. Any info - advice on Proctor would be appreciated.

Niles.

When I lived in Richardson I in the 70's, I sailed on Lake Lewisville (Garza-Little Elm was it's name when I sailed on it).

John

Niles,

Thanks for the info on Lake Worth!

Proctor is nice, small (yet big enough for my boat), and quiet. I've never seen more than 8 or 9 boats on the water at a time. Mostly fishing boats.

I don't find myself having to tack too much. It depends on which way the wind is coming from.

I launch at Sowell Creek Park ramp and typically just piddle around in the middle of the lake. When the wind is from the south, the north side of the lake is usually a bit more windy because of the dam on the south side.

There's a "day-use" fee of $4.