Hi all.

My No. 1 keeps getting caught on my starboard stanchions. They are a little higher than the port side ones. I have the wheels on the wires, but they don'e help as they are too small. Previous owner had the stanchions removed. However i want them on for safety.
I was thinking of making something like this -

Rounded outside to allow for the sail to roll over it.
Flatter on the inside so it doesn't alter the shape of the sail too much.
Small weight to keep it in the correct orientation.

Do you think it would work??

Nope this.

When I winch it in, it catches on 2 Stanchions every time.

Sorry to go off thread, but how do you guys do the cool sketch's
cheers Richard

I could make it from 10-15mm HDPE and drill holes to lighten it and round the edges. Just need to fix a lead sinker into it at a point where it will hang right. Then work out a way to fit it without it coming off. I am thinking a cut at an angle as shown. I am thinking run free. However I can see that it would twist it it wasn't against the stanchion. I thought of fixing it to the stanchion so that it doesn't move. However i think it would still get caught. It needs to roll.

Stockie said..
Sorry to go off thread, but how do you guys do the cool sketch's
cheers Richard

Hi Richard. I am a Landscape Designer. So I use a CAD program. There are plenty of free ones to download that are good for this type of stuff also.

valo said..
I could make it from 10-15mm HDPE and drill holes to lighten it and round the edges. Just need to fix a lead sinker into it at a point where it will hang right. Then work out a way to fit it without it coming off. I am thinking a cut at an angle as shown. I am thinking run free. However I can see that it would twist it it wasn't against the stanchion. I thought of fixing it to the stanchion so that it doesn't move. However i think it would still get caught. It needs to roll.

You could make 2 x external bump stops that would fasten to the lifeline ( via: grub screw or rubber or cable tie or something) and then make the free running Valo component radiused to suit bump stops. Leave a 2mm clearance and it should spin without skewing or jamming?

The bit in the middle in the lower pics represents your component Valo, so please excuse the woefully out of kilter scale and crap representation, I'm just thinking of the mounting, how to leave it free runnning but pinned in place on the lifeline. Not intended to show any of the detail of your mockup.
This would make a larger surface area to stop a sideways skew/jam happening.

Here you go-

Stockie said..
Sorry to go off thread, but how do you guys do the cool sketch's
cheers Richard

another (free) option is SketchUp Free:

www.sketchup.com/plans-and-pricing/sketchup-free

OK, try the following:

ECAD Files ( *.idf,*.idb, *.emni)
OBJ Files (*.obj)
Sketchup files (*.skp)
STEP files (*.stp, *.step, ) (Read Only)
STL files (*.stl)

No worries .
FYR, I just checked the maximum size I can print.
The virtual box is:
Width: 120mm
Depth: 135mm.
Height: 100mm

As I think you had a 200mm?? length, we may have to use a plane , or create an edge and cut it into two.
Then we'll look at what option's on how to connectorise, snap, tie screw glue etc.

Jethrow said..
Being an engineer I'm a big fan of the 3d print option but on the race boat, a well timed tap or two on the top lifeline, just adjacent to the winch, will usually flick it off the stanchion ;)

Hi Jethrow,
Me too! But Vola suckered me nicely, I'm enjoying the innovation and engineering aspect of it.

Just wait till we get to the color choices!

If we join it in two halves on a plane, you could design in a cut out to house the sinker.
When you close it, you enclose the sinker.
Open to replace/resize.
Edit: First pass may have to rely on sticking weights on it in different places till we work out where to scallop it.

Here you go.
Nice blue colour, and both about the same volume. I reckon a couple of cable ties should hold them together to see if they work.

Just asking, but are your sheets run outside your standing rigging?

shoodbegood said..
Hi Valo

What size boat are you talking? Racing or cruising light handed?

Could be just a matter of trimming, there is a moment the heady will drop over the stanchions, quick trim right then?

Not a new problem, but I like your ideas.

Hi Sbg
Endeavour 26.
Tried everything I can think of.
The stanchions are just too high above the top wire.
I suppose I could just drill higher holes!