I just purchased a early 60's Daysailer. My crew and I had taken her out for the first run.
The previous owner described that the rig should be all set up, and a little loose. I have sailed before, but took his word as I was new to this type of boat!
Needless to say, on rounding up for our first close haul run about 30 minutes in, POP! starboard main stay tore in half. The mast came down.
Repairing the boat: The rivets to reinstall the mast hing plate to the mast should be reasonably simple. I am going to replace the entire standing rigging. I do have a couple of questions though in the process.
First, my mast setup has a set of hing plates about 8" above the cuddy cabin. The lower portion of the mast is fixed securely into the keel frame, but has about a 1/4 inch play in every direction at the deck level. Is this much movement normal, will getting a tighter rig set up take this away?
Second, the stays and forestay are at their shortest points and it still seems there is to much slack in the system. Is there a mast jack at the base of these masts I cant see? Or do I need to buy all the stays shorter
Also, what is the normal wind range for these boats? I grew up racing a Hobie 16 all the way up into the 30's.
I bought this boat to get the family interested in sailing, and teach my kids.... hope I didn't go wrong, but I want something that moves along too.
Thanks for the help
Jason