aaronp wrote:
I'd still like to know how to get these big old boats to point. I mean, even with weight forward and everything in tight I'm still a full 15-20 degrees off the crowd...yuck. If I can't figure that out, may just have to use the boat for long range events and pleasure only.
The 21 started magically pointing for me when i
really tightened the boat up.
First, i added a bead of black 5200 at the crossbar sleeve joint. This keeps water out and stiffened up the joint. Earler Silicone beads would break loose from the movement.
Strongly recommend.
Next, I retensioned the new tramp, i went all out with vice grips, and my hands were sore for 3 days. It was clear i needed the extra tensioning grommets at the rear extensibles so added them in situ. Strongly recommend.
After that, i rebuilt the rudders crossbars to take the slop out and set the toe in. This is important. I always use rigging tape to build a seat for the leading edge in the front of the lower gudgeon.
Finally on rig tension, i lashed the traveler to the stops and sheeted hard. That was not nearly enough on such a beam with such a short traveller. I then used 200 pounds on the trap wire to tension the shrouds.
Back on the water after all 4, the boat felt like a tight sled instead two dolphins swimming playfully next to each other. There is no easily perceptible movement between the hulls. Fact is, these boats shouldn't have been built with the extending beam. There are plenty of big Freeman cats being pulled around here without wide load permits, the idea of narrowing a 21se seems ludicrous for me! Trailers fine at modern interstate speeds (even bumped 80 once) at full width.