Sticky foils

[Torchy]

Loco has sticky foil syndrome - they don't want to go down when you start out, then they really, really don't want to come back up once they've been loaded! This really makes launching and recovery tricky.

Lubricate with (biodegradable) washing up liquid? Take a little pot with me attached to my harness?

[MK]

From my experience of loco the foils had never been an issue, which makes me think it may not be as simple as sanding them down a little, or extra lubrication

If the case has cracked at all at the back this may have allowed the board to rotate when loaded, leading to the difficulty on recovery, so perhaps give it a check over, this could also happen if the trailing edge has damage at the top, especially where it emerges from the bottom hull skin

This issue can also be caused if the first pull is done offline with the case, so make sure the crew is standing right above it when attempting to raise

[john_hamilton]

the rudder needs serious sanding nigel, but if you get either foil wet beforehand its not really a problem, the centreboard does seem to be a completely different shape to the case though?

[Torchy]

Thanks guys...

Will be sanding the T-foil as per John's suggestion (John spotted that there were some small slightly proud spots that were rubbing)...

Interested that John feels the board is not matching the slot...It all seemed to work on land when I first rigged Loco (and foils seemed to match slots etc) but then add water and it all gets difficult. Having said that rudder is sticky all the time now.

Will also check for cracks in the case etc I have had a quick look but not closely inspected.

Only damage to dagger is right at tip (that was me)

I forgot to ask John - when you sailed Loco you seemed to have trouble with T-foil for some time at first, then you got it down. What was happening? It took some time.

I think it's all close, so will try some lubrication. John wet the board to get it down and that worked. Generally the board goes down ok...T-foil is more of an issue as without a rudder even John struggled 

[Tim Noyce]

I'd suggest not using any lubrication and to try and get things working without it to be honest, maybe some fuzzy velcro to pad out the case to stop the board twisting/rocking might do the trick. Last thing you want is to be adding 'lubricants' whilst sailing from a sandy beach (Pwllheli beach for example)

I once sailed a boat where someone had waxed and polished their centreboard and hull... it wasn't pretty as trying to stay on either to right the boat was a bloody nightmare!

[Torchy]

I think the problem is for/aft rocking under load...but it is fractions. As I recall it's rocking for and aft that frees things...or just capsizing on the slipway and using brute force from beneath.

I think the T-foil catches all the way up (only used it once and John and Sam were sailing)

A velcro pad inside the bottom of the slots might just do it - stop it impacting.

Part of the daggerboard issue is growing teenage strength and experience in Sam and the narrow slipway (drops off into deep water either side) at Bartley. Things need to happen when they need to happen in such circumstances...we've coped 

[PaulJ]

Torchy

We had the same problem with Ronin's daggerboard.

Basically the daggerboard case is too long (fore and aft direction) for the board (4-5mm max), this allows the board to rock fore and aft causes it to jam solid. Peter had no hope of getting it up or down once that happened

We have now solved the problem by effectively shortening the daggerboard case. At the top I have made up a hard plastic plate that is screwed down to the deck, this is set so that the trailing edge of the board runs against it, keeping the board right up against the front of the case, we refined it further by adding  a nylon wedge at the bottom of the case, this was made from a small length of nylon chopping board, nylon seemed to work well as it compresses just enough to be gently hammered home (therefore not needing any glue). We also had to do a bit of sanding of the daggerboard near the top so it went all the way down

It's proved very effective, to the point in light winds it has a habit of floating up every now and again.

I'll put the rest of the plastic sheet in my spares box, you are welcome to have a bit at Weston or whenever we meet next

[Torchy]

Top man Paul...I'll try the velcro but I plan to be at Weston and, with a fair wind (in the allegorical sense), Royal Victoria - like you we plan to ferry it and avoid the sail across (hardy people those Trims)

[Hayley_Trim]

Er, the matter of sailing across may still be the subject of helm-crew debate...

[Torchy]

OK...we won't hold you to it...

Anyone got a double decker trailer? We have an Espace which seats 7

[Hayley_Trim]

Last year we took 3 boats: double stacker and riot van on the roof of the Honda. We popped riot up at the portsmouth ferry terminal. The club is right next to the terminal at the other end so no road driving. TK, Stuberry, Eddie and Graham got foot passenger tickets and left cars in portsmouth. It all seemed to work ok.

[Torchy]

Very happy to offer roof birth to 2nd Cherub...or any number that is physically possible...but it still depends on my health....I should know how well the rocket fuel is working by Thornbury and if OK then I can make definite plans to be at Royal Vic.

It should be possible to stack E5s/E6s/Banshees mast post to mast post...for a short trip.

Ferry trip seems to be about £100 btw. Does anybody know if it is likely to go up in price closer to the gig?