by Guest » Mon Jul 17, 2000 12:00 am
To remove/replace the sheaves at the masthead, first drill out the rivets, then when you put the new sheaves in, install them with clevis pins. I did this on my old O'Day Widgeon and it worked fine. For other blocks you can do the same, but you may have to grind off the heads of the stainless steel axles (rivets), and again use clevis pins when you reassemble them. One thing to check when you replace sheaves, you may find that you also need to replace the bearing, this may just be a stainless or bronze (or other metal)bushing.
FLOTATION; there is more that enough foam in a DS II to keep the boat afloat if she springs a leak, several of us have found that out! If a Day Sailer should capsize, there is a very real possibility that she will turn turtle. However, if sailed with proper care and caution there is no reason that you will ever capsize, unless you race very competitively. Always sail a centerboard boat like a DS with the mainsheet in your hand! Yes, use the camcleat to hold the tension, but keep the mainsheet in your hand...that way you can quickly release the sheet and spill the wind if a gust hits. I have been sailing my DS II for 4 seasons on Buzzards Bay singlehanded, and have not come close to going over yet, I sailed the Widgeon for 7 seasons and never capsized. A further tip, get a tiller extension (hiking stick), you will be amazed at how much more upright the boat sails with even one person on the side deck!
Rod Johnson (rjohnson24-at-juno.com)