วีดีโอ

Thanks Alan!

It does go well! It'd be interesting to see side by side with the 1.3m keel

@@thesailingdonkey in two years time Ill do south of England to Falmouth. We'll fight it out then 🤙

For sure man, I'll see you there!

Nice. Are you on the ecume Facebook group, I'd love to take a look. What technical things have you upgraded?

@@thesailingdonkey hey, not on facebook. Got her in original state but nor much upkeep over the years. So had to do new hull to deck seams sealing. New winches. All lines new. About to switch to synthetic rigging. New anchor. Depth sounder..... endless story. Almost got killed by the gas cooker so switched to an alco stove....grab rails on the cabin top were rotten needed to replace the basis of those. Well, I guess a never ending love story. Some deck bits were delaminated so filled them with epoxy and foaming agent. Reinforced all chain plates with carbon fiber backing plates...

Btw mine is no. 150 from 1972 ✌️

@@horstlauch453 Ah man, I'd love to see pics of this, sounds like you're doing a great job! What gave you the indication the hull to deck seal was gone? Leaks? Interested re the chain plate backing, I've noticed my bulkhead is warped on port and starboard because of cap shroud tension so I might do something similiar.

@@thesailingdonkey Hey, I just made carbon backing plates for the lower shrouts on the inside and outside for the screws that connect deck to bulkheads. I think the problem is that connection of the hull and the bulkheads is getting loose on the floor, mine makes sound while under stress e.g. upwind with waves etc. I am thinking to just let some epoxy run into the rim where bulkheads and Hull connect. Tried i292 but it does not really get in there. Still squeaky. Also I want to make UD carbon strips that connect to the upper shrouds inside, run along the bulkhead on both sides and then end on the floor. This would then spread the force in to the bottom. Otherwise it is just pulling on the bulkhead and deck which is in my sense not great especially if the bulkheads are not really connected to the floor anymore (old glue maybe).

Thanks Stephen

Thanks Paul, yes I realised this post event, and I could have achieved it by using the shaft that was accessible outside the boat. I still think it was always going to leak as I think the packing is too small. Noted re the 45 degree cut

So I went with individual rings, but I just left the ends as flat cut "butt joints". I only read about the 45 degree thing later on. I'll cut them like that when I repack.

Thanks for that, good info. I'm also unsure whether I should have both jubillees tight at the same time, or is one just there ready to be tightened in the case the "working" one fails?

@@thesailingdonkey Both tightened. Genuinely never heard of one failing … could obviously do so if allowed to get rusty but the point of them is to keep water out😁

So I guess the reason I ask is I've run them both tight before, but then found that the result is one takes all the load and the other one slides around. Perhaps it just takes a bit of refinement to get them to equal tension

Ah my condolences, hopefully you get to see Guernsey next time 🙂 how much tidal swing do you have back home?

@@thesailingdonkey Everywhere I’ve been in California has floating docks. Even the 1 place where I’ve moored the the tidal swing was not even perceptible.

Nice. We're you mainly in the marinas in Jersey or did you anchor around the island as well?

That's a great idea. I'm not sure why I didn't do that in advance, or in fact just take then outside the boat and use the bit of prop shaft protruding to measure them against. What size did your packing end up being out of interest?

Cheers!

Hi Joe, yes I did cut separate rings, that's interesting that it should be one spiral, that makes a lot more sense! It looks like I'll need to change it anyway so I could put the new packing in in the way you described.

Haha this seems to be a common experience 😂

I'll try that next time. Cheers. I've got very limited experience maneuvering around in the marina, which I imagine is obvious 😂

It's genuinely terrifying every time. Hence why I'm so concerned about the Brittany coastline!

Actually most of Brittany is not too bad; if you stick to the marked channels and use marinas then you will have no problems. The bilge keels just open some additional possibilities for visiting drying-out places like Ile de Brehat, Ile de Batz and so on.

Ok. I've seen that a lot of places have a gated marina, I guess it's a case of making sure your timing is down!

Yeah I hosed it down. Amazing the amount of sandy, muddy, salty crap that came out of the wheel arches and suspension!

Hi Joe, Oh heck, that is worrying. Spoiler alert but I'm about to replace my forestay and was planning on replacing with swageless, I was assured they were as safe as swaging when done properly? Did you have failure of the wire (corrosion etc?) or did it literally just pull out of the fitting? Also did you boat have lowers? I'm wondering if my forward lowers would stop complete failure in the event of my forestay terminals failing.

@@thesailingdonkey It literally pulled out. My boat is a Leisure 17SL trailer sailer. I use an 'A' frame to raise and lower the mast. I checked the fitting was tight, before sailing on a lake. I fear on the sea would be worse, due to more forces involved. The previous owner used the fitting on a furler forstay. Maybe the force for the fitting was over the recommended tension allowed, I'm not sure. I wouldn't use them on rigging. You can buy the 19 strand cable and make your own eye as I did. The tools & cable are quite cheap. Less fiddling than trying to get a brass wedge on a centre strand and clamping the outer strands.

So I did previously use sta-lok swageless on my cap shroud and they've so far been ok and I've cranked them up to 25% breaking load before and they've held. Is it possibly a brand quality issue? Do you have a link to the swaging tools you bought?

Amen 😂

Tell me about it. I'm planning on going to France and it appears nearly all of the Brittany coast dries out... how am I going to cope?? 😂

Yes, in the QE2 marina

St. Peter Port, for clarity

@@thesailingdonkey Very nice.

Absolutely. In general trying to squeeze anything in a time frame without leaving room for planning is riddled with risk. 👍

@@thesailingdonkey Always plan more time than you will need, and then add 25% extra anyway. Always have a plan B. Always have everything ready to be deployed, without having to fiddle around or finding out that something is missing or broken or what not. I know sometimes you're just ad hoc and do stuff because you surprisingly have the time. been there, done that. But it's safer and less stressful if you just plan ahead. In your situation I would have just waited for the next tide and in the mean time prepare my tools and the legs etc.

Noted. I had an exit plan if it all went south, but yes it could have been much smoother! Yes unplanned availability between looking after the kids meant I chose to take what I could get! Completely agree regarding allowing plenty of contingency re expected vs actual time

​@@thesailingdonkey Done stuff like that myself. It's now or never! (although I could do it later but can't be arsed)

Yeah you're not the first to mention that! I should have picked up on it when I was editing it, especially on the sped up parts! It was a combo of head mount with ultra wide/fisheye view I think. I'll bear that in mind next time!

@@thesailingdonkey FYI I didn't have any problem watching that. I think it's just some people who are prone to that.

Thanks, I'll definitely aim to make it a bit more comfortable for everyone next time though.

@@thesailingdonkey It might just be my preference, but I do love it when the camera is moved from a fixed position to another fixed position (one of the reasons I do not follow Sam Holmes Sailing, is his camera work is stressing me out lol) The topic was interesting, and the dinghy idea was worthy of a primetime sitcom😅

I'll bear that in mind, although it probably means buying a second action cam 😂 Haha when I watched the footage back I was like "what the hell was I thinking?!". I like to retain all of my "moments", keep it genuine to the actual stupidity that occurred at the time!

Cheers mate. Yejs I should have done that in post for sure. I'd left the gopro in ultra wide from sailing but it looks terrible when head mounted with that fisheye. I'll remember for next time!

@@thesailingdonkey hey its a learning curve, its all good

Oh wow, that sounds a lot more exciting/terrifying! At least I was familiar with this area! I'm actually slightly anxious about tying up in areas I'm unfamiliar with when I head off in a few weeks! I'm glad your cleats held firm and no damage done!

@@thesailingdonkeyI felt your anxiety throughout the video🤪

You could certainly tell the elevated heart rate 😂

And that's basically why i am not risking scrubbing my boat like that. wow. What a story. But westerly tempest are beautifully designed boats, interior wise. I am interested in buying one in the future as my next boat, but not a bilgy.

@@obiwanfisher537 We’d have one again👍

Hopefully back more frequently now!

Yeah absolutely mate. I almost mentioned that in the vid. If I'd been doing any more than a short return sail I'd defo have done that. 👍

And thanks 🙂

Thanks for the comment. Congrats on completing your service! Dude you're going to love it. It's an incredible feeling. Hit me up if you have any questions!

Can't wait!

Hey, thanks!

Thanks for the comment mate. That's interesting about the weight transfer, I'll have to try that! Ah that's a shame about your yacht, what model was it? Yeah we get 10m springs here so definitely got to pick your moments!

Hopefully the orcas don't make it up this far!

@@thesailingdonkey Whoops, those naughty Gibraltar ones better stay there!

Yeah absolutely, I've got no plans on cruising down there!

Thanks for that 👍 I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Cheers mate, I promise not to make it so long this time! 😂

Yeah sorry man, change of job, lot of works at home, but the boat stuff has been bubbling along, I just need to catch up with vids and get everyone up to date

@@thesailingdonkey good man

Haha thanks man. Dude it's got a tiny mainsail. There's literally like an extra foot between the main sail clew and end of boom!

@thesailingdonkey haha but is it original? Or can you get a bigger one? Or maby it will be over canvased?

Well it's a replacement to the one that came on the boat when I bought it. When I specced this one up, North Sails basically said they'd stick with this size so it didn't affect my race handicap, and as my headsail is so large, I figured that was a good idea. But I'm curious now as to how big the original sail was. I know the original boat had an option of a 165% headsail!

@@thesailingdonkey ok I see, well that's interesting 👍

Amazing, I'll have to check out your channel! Hah perhaps I explained it poorly, my prop takes me down the fairway stern first 🤦 if the wind is coming from the south it makes it very hard for me to get out. What year is your ecume?

@@thesailingdonkey Ok it's me who misunderstood! My Ecume is from 1975, long roof. I worked on it a little over a year to do everything that was necessary for safety: Sleeping rigging (mast cables), hull fittings etc.... not sure if the translation is good!

Ah man, that sounds like the dream, I'd love the long roof. It's amazing how many differences there are between the various Ecumes. I think from 75 onwards was the "new" model. Does yours have aluminium toe rails or teak? Your comment is fully readable mate, normally "sleeping rigging" would be "standing rigging" but otherwise fine :)

It disappeared up the mast! I had to go up a couple of days later to thread it back through

Hi Bob, thanks for asking. Yes all OK thanks. Just been very busy with life (and boat work). New vid in the pipeline should be out soon and hoping to get a decent trip in soon too 👍

I'd love for that to be done, I just don't want to be the one to do it 😂

It was mad wasn't it. Sounds like you're in a very similar scenario to us. Good to hear from a fellow donkey! 👍

@@thesailingdonkey yeah ik

I'm happy to have helped! What a faff trying to work that out! What with the workshop manual being incorrect. Crazy!

Haha! I should have just cranked up the power! Are you available to hire as a creative consultant please? 🤣

Hi, I'm 5ft 8 (174cm ish), I think all Ecume's have the same height in the galley, but the long roof versions carry that height further forward in the cabin.

Thanks Jazzman! I'm glad it's useful :)

Cheers bud :)

Haha, I'm glad someone did 🤣

Thanks man!

Thank you👍

My initial plan was for spray bottle but I left that at home!

Wow! I hope I don't get quite that many but I'd say I've noticed 5-6 visually. Yeah it was spectacularly unsuccessful but it apparently is a technique. I think it needs something more viscous than detergent in water though. I'll be resealing the known ones and we'll go from there!

Agree there's a connection between cabin and stern locker and that locker isn't sealed around the lid. I figured it was worth a try, I was hoping really to see if it identified any toe rail leaks as I don't really want to do anything with the rails if I can get away with it. Well let's just say they're much lower down the job list than everything else!

To be honest if the air did not have a path through the cockpit lockers it would have been likely that the plastic and masking tape sealing would have given way. His method was sound and he clearly had a positive pressure in the hull. Maybe a more methodical (less frantic) approach starting from aft and working forward, with a more gloopy solution in a spray bottle would have produced more reliable results.

Agreed on all counts! Re the franticness... the hazards of squeezing in videos/doing boatwork during your lunch hour 😂 Hopefully with the clock change I'll be able to get more done in the evenings, if the weather ever lets up!

Yeah as a bare minimum I'm going to pull out and refit/reseal the known leaky ones. And then I guess I'll see whether or not that stops the boat getting wet and go from there

Keep smiling

Always! :D