Starting point
At the beginning of this project we needed to decide what our end goal was. Bring the boat to its original spec or bring it up to modern standards.
The first sail of the boat was made hard as nothing worked properly, then during the strip down fittings broke with no obvious replacement.
With no other Classic 14s active in Ireland we have to race under PY. TBear, our mascot refuses to be an ‘also ran’ so demanded that we do it ‘properly’.
We didn’t want to do anything which took away from the fundamental ‘classic-ness’ of the boat. This meant no mylar/carbon sails and no fully adjustable rig system for example.
This is an iterative process, as we sail the boat more we are making incremental improvements and changes. The images and videos here are the latest when we did this article. That isn’t to say this is how the boat will look when she is next seen on the water.
Rig controls
We kept the original cleats at the back of the centreboard case, they are in keeping with the modern kit. To simplify the rig control we added a 16:1 cascade rig tensioning system. This runs along the starboard side of the centreboard case. For the shroud adjustment, we fitted Ronstan Fine Tune Stay Adjustors with fast pins.
The 16:1 cascade is made up of a Harken 1″ Wire block which connects to the jib halyard, a Harken 18mm fly block, a Harken 16mm double block and two Harken 16mm deck turning blocks, one to redirect the tail up to the control cleats on the centreboard case. We kept the existing muscle box for the mast ram and furler unit, both were in perfect condition.
Main sail controls
By running the rig tension along the base of the centreboard we needed to change the run of the primary controls to their cleats. We replaced the corroded existing mast base with a new Seldon high load mast base, which fitted the existing and new masts’ feet.
This enabled us to dead-end the purchase systems for the Vang and Cunningham on the mast base removing the need for fittings either on the mast or in the deck. We then used Harken 16mm deck turning blocks for each control allowing a straight run to their respective cleats.
The mainsheet is a 4:1 purchase using Harken 40mm soft attach blocks. We are using a small Harken base with a 57mm Ratchet block.
We are using a mainsheet traveller, we did consider going to bridles but decided a traveller was more in keeping with a classic boat. Also for this boat it gives better overall control of the mainsheet.
The track we used is a Harken 13mm high beam track with their 13mm Loop Car. The car allows us to use 18mm Fly blocks for the traveller.
The traveller cleats are Harken Micro Cleats with tall angled bases. The line is led through a 16mm cheek block to put it to hand on the gunwale. A line with two Allen 20 friction rings allows us un-cleat the leeward cleat.
Vang and Cunningham
The Vang has the same purchase and block setup as the rig tension system. With a harken 16mm block instead of a deck turning block. The Cunningham is an 8:1 system, a simple 2:1 through the mainsail, dead ended with an Allen dog bone to a 18mm Fly block and then a Harken 16mm block.
Jib Controls
The new sails from Batt Sails, follow a modern design approach, a maximum size main and minimum size jib. Meaning we had to fit a new set of jib tracks forward of the existing ones. To retain the classic feel of the boat we choose to use Harken 16mm Jib Tracks with a Pin Stop Car. For the lead we used a Antel Low Friction Ring tied to the car. We added a teak backing block behind the track epoxied to the hull, with two blots through the hull. Jib turning block is a Harken 40mm Cheek Racket block, led through a Harken Micro Cam-Matic.
Dick Batt suggested we should have barber haulers on the sheets, while we assess whether this the right move we’ve kept it simple. Using a Clamcleat Aero cleat, we have a 2:1 attached to a Harken 16mm single block. The small jib already sets close in so we need to assess the value of this.
Spinnaker controls
For our spinnaker controls we decided to follow the lead of the 505 Class: No Pole Downhaul, use a twin pole launching system and explore a ‘lazy guy’ system.
The boat originally came with a simple twin pole system and given the size of the spinnaker we decided to continue with that pole setup. The boat came out of her refit so well that we decided to give her a treat. A pair of custom made spinnaker poles from https://cfbylandl.com, who did an amazing job. The mast fitting is from EZI and we used the sheaved ends in the end as the standard ends produced too much friction. The pole deploy lines is very long, in order to keep that line out of the way we designed the take-up to be inside the pole.
We are looking at putting a 505 style ‘lazy guy’ system on the spinnaker sheets, which will help with gybing. By having a purchase system on the guy eye this enables the guys to be set going into the gybe, making it easier. The reason we are hesitating a bit, is because the long length of the foot of the spinnaker means the travel is very long. Its a work in progress…
Hoist and Chute
The kite halyard runs from the mast base through a Spinlock cleat. We have two 29mm Harken Air Blocks, one half way on the port side centreboard and one at the back. This enables both the helm and crew to hoist and drop the kite. The take up system is attached the transom, using three 16mm harken blocks. We have a custom made Pinnell & Bax spinnaker chute to create a continuous system. P&B did a great job especially given they were working from pictures and rough measurements.
Miscellaneous
Rather than paint and grip the bottom of the cockpit, it was quicker and easier to use Self Adhesive Pro-Grip which we sourced from Rooster. We made a paper mock-up and then cut the pieces to the mould. Unfortunately the roll isn’t long enough for the whole cockpit, so we had to make it in two pieces.
The old toe straps had to be replaced, TridentUK do an excellent range of custom Toe Straps. We changed to full length toe straps. Given we sail in open water, having the straps aft is a good idea.
Below is a video of the internal layout, plus a cameo from our Collie.
- Freebooter – Two sail reach in 16-20 knots of wind
- Data Driven Decision Making – I14 Handicaps – The RYA’s response and the Rickmansworth results
- Classic I14 – Where we are & how we got here – The Mast
- Data Driven Decision Making – How to develop a fair handicap for all 14s, especially those in the Vintage and Classic fleets
- Classic I14 – Where we are & how we got here – Fitout