Freedom 38 main
Freedom 38 main
I am a new member of this group and a new owner of a 1990 F38 sailing out of Manchester, MA. I love the speed and roominess of the boat. First issue I have is the difficulty of raising that big main. The rest was all fun. Any ideas of loosening up that main...perhaps some type of (clean) lube oil in the mast track?
Philip Leahy
F-38 ex Manchester, MA.
F-38 ex Manchester, MA.
-
GeoffSchultz
- Posts: 1136
- Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2008 8:39 am
- Location: BlueJacket: Guatemala
- Contact:
Re: Freedom 38 main
I would try cleaning the track and then using several coats of McLube SailKote.
-- Geoff
-- Geoff
-
THATBOATGUY
- Posts: 574
- Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2008 9:50 am
- Location: F40 CC CK Maryland
- Contact:
Re: Freedom 38 main
That and it's amazing to me how much additional friction there is on self tailing winches when the lines are stiff instead of supple.
But I'll bet the Mclube turns the trick.
George
But I'll bet the Mclube turns the trick.
George
George and Kerri Huffman S/V Marquesa Freedom 40 CC CK Sail Marquesa
Re: Freedom 38 main
Thank you, guys, I will try that this weekend. We will be sailing the boat down from Mt Deserrt over the next 7 days...itching to go.
Philip Leahy
F-38 ex Manchester, MA.
F-38 ex Manchester, MA.
Re: Freedom 38 main
Two things that can help with this:
1. Strong Track makes the job lots easier and when it comes time to drop the sail it comes down like a freight train
2. High torque 18 or 24 volt drill and a Winch Bit 18v takes my main up within about 3' of full hoist. Cranking by hand for the remaining distance and tension is no problem and not much sweat.
Bill Cormack
Sailing F36 Hard Earned out of New Bedford YC, Padanaram, MA
1. Strong Track makes the job lots easier and when it comes time to drop the sail it comes down like a freight train
2. High torque 18 or 24 volt drill and a Winch Bit 18v takes my main up within about 3' of full hoist. Cranking by hand for the remaining distance and tension is no problem and not much sweat.
Bill Cormack
Sailing F36 Hard Earned out of New Bedford YC, Padanaram, MA
Bill Cormack
Formerly Sailing F-36 "Hard Earned" out of New Bedford Yacht Club, Padanaram, MA. Now a member of Pelagic Sailing Club a New England based club whose members are about half boat owners and half crew.
Formerly Sailing F-36 "Hard Earned" out of New Bedford Yacht Club, Padanaram, MA. Now a member of Pelagic Sailing Club a New England based club whose members are about half boat owners and half crew.
Re: Freedom 38 main
A second vote for the Milwaukee right angle drill. Can get 3-5 hoists per charge. Recharges in about 1/2 hour.
Ed Reiss
Being There
F38 - #154
out of Marion, MA
Being There
F38 - #154
out of Marion, MA
-
THATBOATGUY
- Posts: 574
- Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2008 9:50 am
- Location: F40 CC CK Maryland
- Contact:
Re: Freedom 38 main
I have both the strong track *and* 28 volt right angle drill with bit. I still had to recondition the stiff halyards and lubricate with McLube for the sail to go up and down properly. 
I'll replace those halyards after Kerri starts working at West Marine. 
Just sayin'.
George
I'll replace those halyards after Kerri starts working at West Marine. Just sayin'.
George
George and Kerri Huffman S/V Marquesa Freedom 40 CC CK Sail Marquesa
-
Mike Holibar
- Posts: 174
- Joined: Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:41 am
Re: Freedom 38 main
Hi guys, this "winch bit" - where do you get one. Is it a Milwaukee accessory?
Thanks,
Thanks,
Mike Holibar
S/V Fyne Spirit of Plymouth (Freedom 39PHS-1989)
Lyttelton
New Zealand
S/V Fyne Spirit of Plymouth (Freedom 39PHS-1989)
Lyttelton
New Zealand
Re: Freedom 38 main
Great tips. Thank you. I have the Milwaukee drill and have cleaned out the track. We'll see how that works. I will also look into Strong Track system for a winter project.
Any ideas on reconditioning the stiff halyards?
Any ideas on reconditioning the stiff halyards?
Philip Leahy
F-38 ex Manchester, MA.
F-38 ex Manchester, MA.