Telltales on the Tanzer 16

Telltales on the Tanzer 16  -- March 14, 2014 -- A rare day off, so got the work bench and surrounding areas cleaned to make room for attaching telltales to the sails.  I think I once knew a lot about telltales*, but now all I can remember is "ease the sails till the windward tales flutter then gently sheet it, and keep all the yarn on the leech flying."  Even a cursory reading shows that there is a lot more information about sail shape that can be gathered by these simple pieces of yarn.  Bottom line seems to be, keep them all flying; it will be a long time before managing sail twist is second nature.  Most of our race legs aren't long enough for lots of experimenting.

This might be the original main and genoa--wonder how much a new main would cost?

 (*Of course 30 years ago, I thought I knew a lot more about everything.)

Many good articles online about correct placement of the yarn.

Tanzer 16 snubbing winch installed on pedestal

Tanzer 16 snubbing winch installed on pedestal  -- March 8, 2014 -- This morning the winch was mounted to the pedestal and the pedestal installed in the boat.  Drilling the stainless was really tough.  I did the first two with a hand held drill--slow speed lots of pressure--lots of oil--took about 5 minutes per hole. Then shifted to the drill press--about a minute per hole with the same bit.  If you do this with a hand-held drill, get a very sharp bit, go slow, and use lots of oil.

The holes were all drilled a little oversize, which turned out to be a good idea.  One of them was off a fat 1/32 and wouldn't have fit with 1/4 inch holes.  Secured everything with 1/4 stainless locking nuts.  Looks like it will work!  We'll see come May.  (Total price for this little enhancement about $160.00 -- a bargain for your hobby.)

The open base leaves plenty of room for the centerboard downhaul and the snubbing 

shock cord that will be added to keep the centerboard down.  The race area here is very

shallow and you don't want to lock the board down too tight in case you hit a 

mudbar that has shifted in the last few weeks.

Details, Tanzer 16 hiking stick clip

Details, Tanzer 16 hiking stick clip -- March 7, 2014 -- Finally found a clip for the hiking stick; came from Layline in NY--couldn't find one in Olympia or Seattle--dang that internet thing is helpful.  Since I generally race with a crew, and the wind is generally light, we don't use the stick all that much, but we needed something a little more handy than the rubber band tie down that the last owner used.  (Once did a complete round-up trying to get the darn thing unhooked.)  Because of the tiller curve, a little spacer block was needed.  Still waiting on the snubbing winch.  Now I need to really clean the garage floor and put new tell tales on the sails.

Tanzer 16 snubbing winch pedestal C.

Tanzer 16  snubbing winch pedestal part C  -- March 2, 2014 -- The sheet metal pedestal for the snubbing winch came back from the sheet metal shop.  They made it out of 12 gauge stainless, and it's pretty darn stout.  I drilled the mounting holes because there is a fairly heavy duty drill press in the shop.  I should have let them do.  Labor was .5 hour @ $105 per hour so--52 bucks, and the four pounds of steel cost $16.00.  They thanked me for the full-size, dimensioned drawings, and they did soften the edges and round the corners.  Ordered the winch from Layline; they said it was back ordered--then they said it was shipped. We'll find out next week.

Tanzer 16 Pedestal - Snubbing Winch B

Tanzer 16 Pedestal - Snubbing Winch B -- February 24, 2014 -- After fussing around a bit with different ideas for making a  pedestal with wood, I decided that the quickest, easiest (maybe best) way was to have something fabricated out of stainless steel sheet metal.  Drew up a little sketch and full-size orthographic drawing on plywood.  First shop referred me to the only one in town that can bend really heavy sheet metal. They will have it done by Friday.  Using 12 gauge stainless (about 1/8" thick), the heaviest their sheet metal break can handle.  I will round the corners, ease the edges, and drill the holes.

Little sketch.

Full-size orthographic drawing showing front, top, side, layout.  Didn't have big paper, but some 1/8-inch  plywood did the job.

Then went online and ordered a small snubbing winch; the base is only 3 1/2 inches in diameter.  We'll see how it goes together next week.

Pedestal for a Tanzer 16--help

Pedestal for jib sheets - February 22, 2014 -- I spent most of the morning in the sitting in the boat (Tanzer 16 1306).  I was trying to figure out the best placement for the jib tracks and blocks.  We are a special crew.  Our youngster is 60.  He tends the jib sheets and the center board, and he has a stainless steel knee.  I want him to control the sheets from the high side when the wind is blowing and, of course, the low side when the winds are light.  I want him to be comfortable and efficient.

So I tried lots of different positions for the jib tracks and blocks and the cam cleats.  Finally concluded that the only position that made sense was midships.  Hmm.

Went back and looked at the plans.  Sure enough.  The original called out an optional pedestal with a snubbing winch that sits on top of the centerboard trunk.

Thought about it for awhile--three hours--while I did some plumbing work.  I can make this pedestal out of teak or mahogany a lot faster than I can make a mold to create a fiberglass replica.  So guys, help me out.  How high should the snubbing winch be above the centerboard trunk--or how much lower than the deck?  Pictures and explanatory text appreciated.  Thanks in advance!  jslosson@aol.com

Tanzer 16 Data Base

Tanzer 16 Data Base -- February 5, 2014 -- Approximately nineteen hundred Tanzer 16 and Constellations were built.  Many still exist--the number is small enough that somebody with time on their hands (me) could assemble a data base.  It might be useful to know where the nearest Tanzer is when you need some advice or want to see how things are rigged  (or you are looking to buy or sell).

Anyway I took the liberty of starting an Excel spread sheet.  This is what it looks like.   If you would like to be included and have access to this list, please send your particulars to me:  jslosson@aol.com (Jim Slosson).  Right now I only have four entries--I don't even have the other boat in Olympia.  There is also a comments column for other details you would like to post.

Just an idea!  If you want in, great.  If you think it's a bad idea, let me know that too.

jim

Hull #	Yr Mfd	Location	Owner Name		Owner email
1306	1976	Olympia, WA, USA	Jim Slosson		jslosson@aol.com