Eric Finley

Hi Nigel, it may be worth stating where you are based. Is the hull a woody or fibre glass? If woody is it balsa or cedar? If fibre glass is it painted or gel coated? When you state refurbished what are you thinging of? Just the hull refinished or fin / rudder updated and rigs. Eric

Hi, There is not generally a lifting eye fitted to my knowledge! I created one which used the fin fixing bolt to retain it. It is a simply piece of aluminium flat bar which as well as having the mounting hole has a larger hole for a lifting hook. The bar was bent to allow access to this hole for a lifter with a hook on the end to suit manufctured bracket. I did this as this lifter was far less bulky than the lifters that go under the boat both ends of the fin. I also made a second longer hook lifter to cater for lower water levels. Descrition sounds more complicated than making the lifter.

Hi John In the past I have cut a seal from an old car inner tube. Just need to find a section with no ribs. Can probably obtain a dead tube from a friendly tyre shop. The other material I have looked at is pond liner in lighter gauge.

Alan, the only boats I have had a switch on were those that had them when I purchased them. All I have done on those where I want to connect the power in the pot is to use a short flying lead from the receiver for power so I don't have to disturd the reciever and it's aerials. By doing this I can velcro the receiver to the pot and align the aerials at the top of the pot or as required. I also normally insert a divider in the pot to keep the battery away from the receiver and also get the battery as low as possible in pot. By using a flying lead it speeds up connection which is important in the rain. I have to say I don't very often turn off power between races as 1000mah LiFe battery will under normal conditions last 3 hours of sailing, just change the battery more often in gale or top end of each rig. Have used in bad conditions a 1600mah battery to ensure a full morning of racing without a battery change.

Hi Richard, if I was in your position I would get in touch with Nigel Barrow via his web site. If the vang is ilegal I'm sure as he races a Viss he will have either found an alternative or looked at away of modifying the existing one. I do believe that PJ Sails are producing a Gooseneck/Vang for the latest high decked designs. Whether that could be made to fit I don't know. Hope you find a simple solution.

The main bit of missing information is 'Price'!

Thanks Austin for all your work on the forum. Trying to not pre-judge the updated forum. First impressions are that I am finding it more difficult to follow what new postings there are on subjects that interest me. I eventually view all postings, even classes I don't sail as there can be crossover of information. i use to scroll down the old forum clicking on those new postings that were of main interest and then back to the less relevant, time allowing. I tried it also on my phone (rarity for me to view this way) and currently my preference was for the previous version as a there now appears a lot of scrolling required. I will give it sometime as usually I am not impressed when my companies 'DT' team update software. Eventually manage to find ways to operate it as required. Regards Eric

I purchased Barry's Pink Psycho when he upgraded to an Asbo! I get more pleasure sailing it at club level than my Britpop as it is the only one in the club. It is satisfying beating the other Britpop's and later designs with a yacht that only seemed to proliferate in the South West Region. My only issue with the Psycho is that it is less tolerant of inaccurate setup or changing conditions than the Britpop, so seem to spend a fair amount of time on the bank tinkering with rig settings. If you get it right it is a fast design. (cannot blame the boat if tugging around at the back of the fleet.) Keep meaning to replace the sails, still using the Spindrift Sails that were fitted when I bought the boat. I have tried to find a later Asbo without success, obtaining one of those is the only way at the moment I would consider selling the Psycho. Eric

IOM Sail Marking.V1.2_03.21.pdf Hope this has worked, the pdf is from the UK IOM web site you can find it on the MYA main site under the IOM class.

I think that your best contact for these boats would be Roger Stollery. If memory serves he use to manufacture components. Regards Eric

Simon, forgot to say if you have had issues with your RMG winches and you haven't already, have a chat with Bill Green and he will advise on what maintenance you can perform to minimise any failures.

Hi, cannot help with what winch for a 6m. However before deciding to purchase an ARS 808 I would have a word with Bill Green as he stated in a previous thread that this winch is not repairable! (He is or was the UK agent for this winch and was talking to the manufacturer about this. I have not seen anything to contradict the statement.) Topic was 'Sail winch repair ARS-808R' By Ian Dodsworth back in August of 2024. The ARS 808 seems expensive if once out of warrantee it cannot be fixed. You may question an RMG initial cost and it's design but it can be repaired, normally with a quick turnround by Bill Green. Eric PS I have not tried this winch so cannot comment on performance.

Hi Giles, it has been sometime since the original post for help. For Information, did you source a ballast for your yacht? If so from where did you obtain it?

Hi Giles Try checking out a DF95 ballast weight. I think it could be approximately the weight you are looking for? If the size is different providing you get the C of G correctly positioned as this is a one off yacht the actual size should not matter too much. The ballast may be smaller which should reduce drag. May not have a slot but that should not be too difficult to produce. May be worth visiting a club that sails this class with a tape measure and scales. (Check with club before visiting to ensure they will be a DF95 available.) Being a commercially available ballast I would think a cost affective solution. Regards Eric

Hi Giles If this was a brass ballast a local machine shop should be able to assist you especially if you have a model or drawing of it. A local technical college may also be able to assist for a donation! Using it as a machining exercise for one of their students. The other alternative would be to approach a local model engineering or rail enthusiasts club. I say rail enthusiasts club as members producing their own engines or rolling stock would probably have a lathe and milling machine. Regards Eric