Bill Green

May I add my comments to this debate, like Shaun I'm not in favour of this proposal for all the reasons he has mentioned. My concern is about maintaining the boat in rating in an event. Those that measure to or have measured to the rule will know that every millimetre matters, there are no tolerances, it is what it is. Change something even minutely and the rating will change so tolerances as quoted as 1% or 5% are in measurement terms a nonsense. Adding a second mast will inevitably change the rating, this could lead to protest during an event and that is something I would not want to see. Those that have had boats measured know how particular the measurer has to be, bringing a second mast into being means for me another complete measure. It already takes about two hours to measure a 6 so this would add further time and if there was a difference would this mean another certificate? It is bring another level of complexity into the measurement process that is frankly unnecessary. Bear in mind we have the ability to hold multiple certificates for a boat, nobody has done up to now, but thats no reason not to. Alternative masts bring another scenario into this play so combinations of alternatives is possible, how can a race team manage that at an event. Look at something else, at an event we sail the boats as measured changing masts during an event alters that measurement. Changing a mast is allowable if its broken and accepted as such, adding another mast is by choice and therefore the boat maybe out of rating, is that something else thats desirable, I don't think so.

My web site is https://smartwinchuk.co.uk/

It’s not a gearbox issue it’s more likely to be the end bearing on the motor. It can sorted by replacing the motor, it is an inexpensive repair. Contact me through my website if you want

I’ve played golf in this part of France we based our selves about 10k inland from St Gille and it’s a lovely part of the country. Easy to get to Portsmouth to St Malo (overnight) and Cherbourg to Portsmouth back. About 160k to site and nice easy roads.

The refurb of the workshop is now complete and should be functional over the weekend so from Monday 21st October normal service will be resumed.

My office and workshop will be out of action for a couple weeks so that new flooring can be fitted and complete decoration can take place. During this period my ability to mend winches will be seriously disrupted. My colleague Richard Calas has agreed to help out and I will be temporarily redirect repairs to him. Please contact me for his address etc.

As you would expect I’m discussing this with ARS now. The style of construction and the parts in use do not lend themselves to repair. Except as a complete replacement of the module which is what happens with a Red Ant. As you well know an RMG winch can be like “Trigger’s Brush” all parts can be replaced economically and the parts are available. When I know more I’ll post here

As the UK sole distributor for ARS sail winches I can confirm that they cannot be repaired.

The back log in RMG repairs has now been cleared, I’m glad to say and we are now back to maintaining a maximum of a 7 day turn around. Our objective has always been to keep you sailing. There have been a couple of changes, the range of winches we handle has increase. As well as the complete range of RMG winches and accessories, we are now the sole UK distributor for the ARS range of sail winches and hold stock of both the standard and fast winches. We also, in conjunction with Phil Holliday stock the Red Ant winches. The other change is that we have Richard Calas with us to look after repairs of RMG and sales for some of the south coast clubs like Gosport and Emsworth. Please feel free to contact either Richard or myself because we like to talk to our customers. The web site will be soon having a major update to reflect the changes I’ll soon be starting a series of helpful advice notes on this forum so watch this space.

For the last month I’ve been down with Covid that has really affected my underlying condition of MS. There has built up quite a decent backlog of repairs that I’m now working through and hopefully will be cleared by next week. My apologies for the delay but matters have been outside my control, I’m sure you all appreciate that and normal service will return.

and me please XL

The ES1 is standard E series set up

The D series RMG winches are difficult to program and signal line switch really does help. You can make one up yourself it’s a simply an on off for the programming process. Once you have the knack it’s easy. John is quite right ti suggest not using the Tx EPA. I’ve always suggest setting the travel distance a little over what’s needed and use EPA to trim it into what’s wanted. Pulsar was used in the early days of 2.4 gig as the early winches did not bind with 2.4

Correction “Be prepared etc to achieve right weight” not displacement

Centre line of the ballast and between 1-2 degrees nose up. You may need a drawing from Graham to establish its true C/L or advice. The ballast chosen is the one in common use on both 6 or A but be prepared to drill holes to achieve the right displacement. Do not be tempted to take weight off the surface. if you do you will have reduced its volume and therefore displacement and you may have a problem achieving the design waterline.