Posts by David Gray44

Maybe not, but if they're running with the US Sailing Association—well, I don't know how much that actually matters, but it's not really the point anyway.

Best,

Hey everyone,
It’s been a while since I last checked in, so here I am. I see there’s a bit of a debate going on about the term "derivatives." Just wanted to chime in and say that over in Italy, they tend to use that label for pretty much all small sailboats—even those in the Olympic classes. Unless, of course, they just refer to them by their specific names, like calling a boat a "470."

Also, has anyone else noticed the news regarding the ruling against Damir Miloš? No one seems to be talking about it.

Cheers,

It’s been a minute since I’ve checked in here, and honestly, it looks like everyone else has been MIA too..
Anything new happening? It’s mid-June, so the sailing season is really starting to kick into gear... or are we all still obsessed with skiing?

Harold Morales said:I know, but I’d honestly need a few whole pages to explain it all. Just check out those sailing magazines; they're always covering this stuff.

If you've got a problem, just deal with it!

Grace Green6 said:Well... I could probably just flip it around and shave off maybe 4 inches, right?

Technically, you can't really do that because the upper terminals are pressed in too, right? They deal with all the same issues as the bottom ones—the only difference is they aren't sitting in salt spray as much, so they don't hold onto moisture quite as easily. Everything else is pretty much identical...

Harold Morales said:Looks like we're a bit quiet in here, so I figured I’d jump in!
Shout out to all my fellow sailing lifestyle fans out there!
By the way, there was a race going on today. We grabbed first place! It was actually a little chilly right before the start, but once things kicked off, it was pure madness—just waves, sun, and wind everywhere...

It's good to see more people around, though you're being pretty short with us...

Lisa Alvarez2 said:Hey everyone,
If you own a boat, you own a headache. It’s just how it works—doesn't matter if she's brand new or an old relic. Boats are way too complex for one person to handle everything. You can't realistically be your own mechanic, electrician, sailor, carpenter, and rigger all at once. 🤷
I'm looking for actual fixes here, not just endless theories. Every little marina and harbor is already packed with enough armchair experts who think they know it all.
So, I'm asking both the rookies and David Gray44 to please cut back on the lecturing. I'd much rather hear about specific problems you guys actually ran into and how you fixed them. 😕 Anyway, cheers to the blog and long live the sailing lifestyle!

Long live the sailing lifestyle! That's really what it's all about. Honestly, I didn't mean to fall into that "know-it-all" trap, but I guess I got carried away again... My bad. At the end of the day, we're all just students of the sea, and we'll probably die still learning something new. But hey, if you ever need a hand troubleshooting something and I happen to know the fix, I'm happy to help. If I don't know? Well, I won't pretend to be a genius.

If you're looking for riggers in Seattle, you should check out the maritime shipyard or hit up the local tavern (099 2222 55 1 - I’ve called that number before, though they have a few others). Honestly, my best advice is to just head straight to them. When you go to talk about that mast you're selling, it really helps to have some photos ready along with all the technical specs and gear details handy.

Look, you can't just trim every sailboat by moving the mast or the keel. Honestly, very few boats allow for that kind of adjustment once they've already left the shipyard. Those design choices—like where the mast sits or how the hull is shaped—are usually locked in based on the specific layout of the cabin or whatever custom specs the buyer requested during the build. A regular owner isn't going to go out and try to shift the boat's center of gravity by relocating the mast base or the keel. That’s just not how it works. Now, if you're talking about high-performance racing yachts or people who live and breathe competitive sailing, they might actually need those kinds of structural tweaks, but even then, it’s done in close consultation with the naval architects. Sure, you'll find some DIY enthusiasts trying to hack it themselves, but that’s exactly how accidents happen.
Anyway, I just wanted to point out that trimming the mast doesn't involve messing with the keel or shifting the weight distribution. That's a whole different ballgame!

So, how do you get rid of a used mast? Honestly, it’s pretty straightforward—just list it at the next Boat Show and see who bites. I know those riggers over in Seattle love to mess around with old masts, but hey, pass the word along...
The price is really where things get interesting. If someone happens to be looking for that exact same model for their specific sailboat, you’ll probably strike a deal where everyone walks away happy. The problem is that most people (who clearly don't know any better) just shop based on height or length, without realizing they might be buying a mast that's a totally wrong fit for their boat...

I’m on board with what you’re saying, but I think things got a little tangled up there. You hit on some true points, but some of those details actually overlap with sail trim rather than just mast trimming. A boat—even a Bavaria—can tack or gybe regardless of how the mast is set. If the genoa is pulled tight (or maybe even too tight) while the mainsail is left too loose, the boat is going to heel over to one side; if it's the other way around, it'll lean the opposite direction. At the end of the day, every single boat, or at least every specific model, has its own little quirks that make it different from the next. For instance, which stays you hook up first? On smaller boats, you get them attached before you even start raising the mast if you aren't using a crane. But if you're working with a bigger rig and using a crane, the whole process changes, and you'd wait to attach those heavy-duty stays until later...

Hey there!
To answer your question: you really ought to be trimming the mast while the boat is actually underway. It’s just common sense—you want to adjust things based on the current weather, how you're sailing, and who’s actually on board at the moment. Now, sure, pros (like riggers or whatever) or seasoned sailors can set the mast for a specific race based on the forecast. But they’ve got to take responsibility for the fact that once the race is over, it might just be the owner out there with their family. And honestly, saying mast trimming only matters for racing? That's like someone claiming tire pressure only matters if you're driving a Formula 1 car.

Cheers,

When should you actually swap out those shackles? Honestly, it’d be smart to do it before they start snapping on you! If we're talking about wire rope, the general rule of thumb is about 10 years. Of course, you'll meet plenty of people who run them for over twenty, but let me tell you—that is definitely not playing it safe. One thing I always emphasize: even if you’re just out there sailing for fun on the weekends, you still need to replace them every decade or so. It isn't just about how much weight they've pulled; it's about the internal condition of the metal inside those crimped terminals. There's actually a specific tool used to check for that...

You don't even have to step foot outside; we can get everything sorted right here at home. Besides, nobody is actually short on time—it just comes down to how much you actually care about making it happen...

Hey there,
It feels like I’ve got nothing better to do with my life than sit around typing about problems. But honestly, once things pick up and I have less free time—you know, actual time to spend out on the water—I won't be replying much because my laptop (which definitely wasn't cheap, mind you) just isn't performing the way it's supposed to...
But hey, let’s try to be productive here. The more I read through these threads, the more I realize that almost every issue we face actually has a solution. Take cars, for example. Nowadays, everyone seems to be driving brand-new rides, even if they're stretching their budget to cover the gas (thanks to credit and leasing, right?). They make it a point to hit up the dealership for service at least once a year, dropping a significant chunk of change just to ensure everything stays up to spec. Most of them don't have a clue what's actually happening under the hood, but they figure they'll drive "worry-free" all next year. And look, that's perfectly fine. An average new car runs you maybe $35,000 to $50,000, while a service visit might cost a couple thousand. Obviously, between those annual visits, we aren't going to be tinkering with the engine, brakes, or transmission ourselves; we'll just top off the washer fluid. And that's okay too! Now, a sailboat costs way more than a car—especially a new one, especially if it's over thirty feet. Most people will take their John Deere or Ford engines straight to an authorized dealer. But what about the rest of the gear? I'm talking winches, the mast, standing rigging, lines, sails, or even the fiberglass itself. People tend to DIY all of that just because it seems cheaper upfront. In the end, though, it usually turns out to be more expensive. You never quite know, and things can fail mid-season (not to mention during races where both the boat and the crew are being pushed to the limit). Sure, you need tools on a boat, but I think it's better to avoid diving into repairs where we don't have the expertise. Ultimately, it saves us the headache and, in the long run, saves us money. The best part is that there are companies right here in the States that specialize in exactly this. You can set up a flat-fee agreement to handle deck and rig maintenance. It builds trust between the owner and the company, and you end up much happier and more relaxed because someone else is handling the stuff you don't want to worry about. Ever since I started thinking this way, I've been much more satisfied on my boat. I was lucky enough to see how normal this is when I spent time abroad; over here, it's almost treated like a taboo. One more thing: my boat is about 45 feet long, she's 36 years old, and I wouldn't trade her for a brand-new model for anything. She's a classic, and she's been meticulously maintained. To keep her that way, I actually keep her docked overseas (up in Northern Italy, so I'm never far from the most beautiful waters in the world). I have a set schedule for all the routine work and maintenance. And since I'm a bit of a local patriot, a good portion of the work is done by our own skilled professionals.

Anyway, gotta run—heading down to the boat now. While I'm there, I'll get an explanation along with a quote for replacing the rig... hopefully, it won't break the bank...

David Gray44

Hey there, fellow sailors!

I totally get why you’re frustrated—trust me, I’ve been there myself. It’s completely valid. In soccer, you’ve got millions of coaches to choose from, but in sailing? There are way fewer options, simply because the pool of people actually out on the water is so much smaller. Let's say maybe 5% of the population touches a boat, and then triple that amount of people *think* they know their way around a deck. Anyway, enough rambling. I ran into the exact same headaches you’re dealing with right now. I’ve been sailing for quite a while, spent plenty of time competing in international regattas and handling large yachts abroad. Over the years, I’ve met all sorts of professionals in the industry—mechanics (classic sailor talk, right?), electricians, fiberglass specialists, carpenters, and sailmakers. Finding them is usually pretty straightforward, though it’s not always a guarantee. But man, finding someone who actually *knows* rigging? That was the real nightmare. You meet tons of people who claim they can do it all, but the second you ask a technical question, they go blank. Eventually, I tracked down a few specialists online who actually take this stuff seriously (even if some of them are just faking it). I was specifically struggling with replacing a rig. It wasn't just about finding a person; it was the whole logistical mess of where, when, and most importantly, how much it was going to cost me. At the end of the day, the rig is what keeps us safe, so you really can't cut corners on quality or materials. To make a long story short, I finally landed on an option that I was actually happy with... but hey, I'll save that story for another time, if you guys are even interested.

Glad I could help,
David Gray44