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Topics - selene

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1
Electrical Systems & Electronics / P323 Main Fuse
« on: February 13, 2024, 01:00:34 PM »
Hoping somebody can help...

Upgrading electrics in preparation for LiPO4, and better switching than 1-2-both. In my way is the main DC fuse. It has a big plastic cover over it - unfortunately wedged behind the water heater, so cannot be accessed/removed nondestructively. I therefore cannot see the original fuse rating (50,000 amps AC does not help!).

Does anybody have an idea of the correct fuse size for DC Main? I am assuming it is equivalent to a Class T fuse, and therefore needed in addition to the standard BlueSea 30A breaker.

2
Engine and Drive Train / Starter Battery
« on: February 01, 2024, 08:02:02 PM »
I'm finally starting the project to add a starter battery to Selene. I was simply going to use a G27 battery, but apparently my engine (Westerbeke 30BThree) only needs 190 CCA. So I was wondering...maybe a G24? or even smaller?

What do you have?

After setting up the new starter batter, I can link the 2xG28 @~100ah each, so I'll have a small but robust house bank. Plan is to use a Victron Orion charger between the two banks; I could use a basic BlueSeas ACR, but it I eventually want to move to LiPO4, the Orion seems a more futureproof choice.

Thoughts welcome!

3
Mast and Spar Issues / Spreader Failure
« on: February 23, 2022, 09:33:04 PM »
Okay, this is a weird one. Out sailing - brisk, 18kn (reefed). Nice sail for a few hours, then large bang.

Connection between spreader and mast broke. Oddly - not sure yet, mast is being pulled as we speak - the spreader on the other side seems also to be showing a crack in the same place. I was on a starboard tack, and it was the starboard spreader, so it would have been under pressure. But...

Fortunately it was the spreader that I fly my burgees on, so I was able to retrieve the spreader itself from ocean using the burgee line. And some quick maneuvering prevented more damage to the rig - as coincidence would have it, I was on my way to the yard to replace the $tanding rigging (it's been 20 years, so seems like time).

So:

- Anybody else experienced this kind of failure?

- Any idea where to get a new pair of spreader-mast connectors?


4
Boat Handling / P323 Boatspeed
« on: July 24, 2019, 10:57:21 PM »
So..there have been a few comments in the past about P323 boat speed and polar charts. Sadly Pearson (AFAIK) was not much help with this.

A couple of years ago I came across a spreadsheet program called PCSail developed by a student at the University of Michigan. Sadly it needs a really old version of excel to work - 2003, I think - and so I can't get it going on my current PC (and vbasic experts out there?). Full download can be found here: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f134/pcsail-excel-sheet-to-make-vpp-for-sailing-yachts-89998.html

Anyway, before my old version of excel became unusable, I developed a rough polar chart, and a speed table - which holds up pretty well for me (for data fiends I can post my assumptions upon request).  I keep this table in my cockpit so I can check if my sail trim is optimal. For your edification, here is is:

Selene   
       Wind                       Jib size
       (kts)              87%               99%
                                    Max VMG
~40º (Close hauled)   
   5               3.2                3.4
   7               4.2                4.3
   10               5.1                5.2
   14               5.7                5.7
   19               5.9                5.9
         
65º    (Close Reach)
   5               3.9                4.0
   7               5.0                5.1
   10               6.1                6.2
   14               6.7                6.7
   19               7.0                7.0
         
90º   (Beam Reach)
   5               3.8                4.0
   7               4.9                5.1
   10               6.1                6.2
   14               6.8                6.8
   19               7.0                7.0
         
120º   (Broad Reach)
   5               2.5                2.6
   7               3.4                3.5
   10               4.6                4.7
   14               5.8                5.9
   19               6.7                6.7
         
178º   (running/DDW)
   5               2.1                2.2
   7               2.9                2.9
   10               4.0                4.1
   14               5.4                5.4
   19               6.6                6.6

5
In the next few weeks I am going to pull and replace all the chainplates - Garhauer will make new ones for a decent price. Hey, it's been 40 years! :-) In preparation I checked the tension on the standing rigging - seems a bit loose to me (in fact, leeward shrouds are loose - very loose (floppy) - when heeling).

Do you guys have recommendations for shroud/stay tension?

Selene is currently:
Backstay                 600lbs  (insulated)
Aft lower shroud      700lb
Upper (cap) shroud  530lb
Fwd lower               700lb
Forestay                 ?? (roller furler)

All of these are around 5% of breaking strength for the wire...well below the 10-15% often recommended.

Thoughts?

6
Electrical Systems & Electronics / AIS
« on: January 04, 2019, 08:45:00 PM »
Hi folks. For Christmas I treated myself to a Garmin AIS.  Here is the SF bay there is a lot of shipping, both in the bay and outside, it seemed prudent - and fun!

Any suggested locations? Theoretically should be mounted horizontally. I was thinking above the chart table, but at 2'25" thick, I am not sure there is room.  Other options I am considering are under the chart table bin, perhaps behind the dining area seating...needs to be fairly high to get a good GPS signal.

Paul

7
Ports & Hatches / V Berth Hatch
« on: May 24, 2018, 03:04:06 PM »
Darn - port side hinge broke on my V-berth hatch. Looks like a Bomar 155; they sell them at West Marine...but for $1,300?!

Any other ideas? Anybody have a hatch top piece? I am trying local chandleries...

Need something pretty robust, I am often in 20-25 kn, so the bow gets wet :-)

Paul

8
Steering System, Hull Structure / Rudder Bearing
« on: March 21, 2017, 03:49:52 PM »
I was thinking...do we ever need to lube the rudder bearing?  It is not easily accessible. Things seem to be working fine, but a friend with a Bavaria 40 has recently had to re-lube his as his steering was getting stiff, which got me to wondering.  It is one part of Selene I have not yet poked around.

Like I said, just wondering.

9
Deck Mounted Hardware / Adjustable jib cars
« on: August 20, 2015, 09:18:46 PM »
So as you guys know I put in a new Garhauer traveler, and rigid boom vang.  Awesome upgrades - both have been excellent investments, making Selene safer and more fun to sail.

I was out on a friend'sa few days ago  C&C (36 I think) - sweet boat - and was admiring how easily they adjusted the jib cars from the cockpit.  I am always jumping forwards to tweak mine.

So...anybody had experience with the Garhauer e-z Glide Adjustable Genoa system?  How smooth does it run?  I have heard of people replacing the bungee cord (which seems a bit weak to me) with blocks. Under load - unless the bearings are (and remain) very low-friction, I can imagine the car binding and not coming back with a bungee.

Anyhow, and feedback would be appreciated.

10
Engine and Drive Train / Fuel Gauge
« on: September 02, 2014, 03:45:09 PM »
Anybody done any work on the fuel gauge on the top of the fuel tank?

Mine seems to work fine - the porthole in the cockpit deck is scratched, but you can still see through it (just).  However, the lens over the gauge itself is getting increasingly opaque (see photo), and it is very difficult to see the reading.  From the photos (my phone won't focus well 4 inches away), t looks like the lens (plastic?) is held in place with two screws - but it'll be awkward getting to them, and before I started mucking around I thought I'd ask if anybody had played around in this area (e.g. while replacing a fuel tank).

I do keep a fuel log, but the fuel gauge is useful - if somewhat funky!

Tx

11
Standing & Running Rigging and Fitting/Tuning / Boom Vangs
« on: August 26, 2014, 11:58:21 AM »
Instead of hijacking my own traveller thread, I thought it may be good to start a new one...lots of talk on vangs and boomkickers...

I am looking at installing a Garhauer rigid boom vang this fall, and would appreciate any thoughts people have. One of the main reasons I am doing this is that the current setup has the vang secured from a bale to the mast tie rod, which leaves me uneasy, and it is difficult to adjust.

I read the notes on the "Ping" installation, my hatch is already reversed.

In addition to any general "best practices" or experience, a question for Alma - in your amusing story on the Traveller thread, I noticed that you decided to retain the topping lift even though you have a rigid vang.  Why was this? Sorry, rigid vang noob....

12
Exterior Finish and Fiberglass / How to keep the Gelcoat shiny
« on: March 16, 2014, 01:50:50 PM »
I was looking through rbrtfeld's excellent photos on the Windlass project, and I could not help noticing that his gelcoat is awfully shiny.

I have tried a number of polishes with mixed success - things look nice for a while, and then go dull again.  I mainly use Collinite Fleetwax, but it takes forever to put on.

Anyway, thought I would ask you guys what you use. Any tips would be welcome!

13
Deck Mounted Hardware / Winch Repair
« on: January 10, 2014, 02:36:04 PM »
FYI, I have just come across an interesting website that sells spares for old winches:

http://www.winchspares.com/

I have not used them myself, but somebody I know spent months looking for a part for his Lewmar 40ST, and these guys sent him the parts he needed immediately.

14
Sails and Canvas / Spinnakers
« on: November 21, 2013, 01:32:36 PM »
Well, the peer pressure is mounting, and I am beginning to look for a gently used spinnaker, probably an asym.  Do you have one rigged?

For a while I had a sistership "Enchantress" opposite me; he picked up a gently (twice) used spinnaker for $800, all the extras  <sigh>. His good fortune planted the seed...and the light winds in the fall are also providing further encouragement....

Selene was never rigged for a spinnaker; Clearly a halyard would be a starting point, requiring a block on the beak at the masthead.  Enchantress was following a minimalist route, simply relying on the halyard and using the quickrelease shackle just behind the forestay.  I have also read the article on this site posted by Ping...

If you have a spinnaker, how do you have it set up? Any advice?

Just at the planning stage right now....

15
Interior Structures / Mysterious design feature
« on: August 08, 2013, 11:46:26 AM »
As you guys know, the P323 is a well-though out, well-designed boat.  Things fit well, and everything seems to have a reason.  Well, except one thing that baffles me, thus my call to your collective wisdom.

Opposite the table, stbd side.  Remove the cushions, and there - just above the water tank - there is an angled recess.  Pretty big, too.  Hmmm. For a cushion put in at an angle?  Add a door for a secret compartment? Doesn't seem to be one on the port side.

Like I said, everything in the boat seems to be there for a reason - the reason for this beats me.  Probably something obvious.  But just though I would ask!

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