Safe-Sailing.com » Tips

Best practise for applying Coppercoat

Joe — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:46:12 +0000

Ensure the hull is thoroughly prepared by power sanding, then pressure wash to remove dust.
Check the weather forecast to ensure you will have fine, warm weather for the whole application job.
Have a gang of at least two people, one to do the rollering and one to mix and clean up and also assist in applying the material.
If two people are applying the paint, start one at each end and meet in the middle to ensure wet edge to overcoat
Do not try to re-coat any area that looks bear until it has had sufficient time to dry (approx 1 hour), or it will lift off previous coats
If the mix starts to go off discard it, don’t try to use it. A good indication if this is when blobs of copper appear on the hull surface as you try to apply it with the roller
Don’t mix a new batch in a container that has previously been used, or reuse a rollertray unless it has been thoroughly cleaned. Any partially cured material on the sides of the mixing pot or tray may peel off and contaminate the new mix; water will remove uncured material from hands and tools
Wear washing up gloves as they last much longer than disposable ones
Have a couple of different types of rollers to find which one suits you best, preferably 23cm (9in) ones which will speed the application. Whatever type you decide to use, make sure you have enough to complete the day’s work. Ask you supplier if you can take a quantity on sale or return.
Make sure you will have sufficient time to apply all the necessary coats in one day.

Mast Checks Part 1

Joe — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:57:07 +0000

Take the time to give your rig a proper check.

Check forstay and backstay toggles, clevis pins and plit pins for security
Check all tang bolts T-bar and shroud terminal backing plates for wear and possible cracking, ensuring the fastenings are secure
Examine all swage terminals and make sure there are no cracks, especially on the inside of T- and shroud-type terminals. Make sure there is no sign of the wire either pulling out of the terminal or any broken strands where the wire exits the terminal. Lubricate all turn-buckle threads with light oil or grease; this is especially necessary on turn-buckles with stainless bodies to prevent galling, a condition where the threads become abrasive and seize together.

Corrosion on the mast foot

Check spreaders and their mountings brackets for security on the mast.
Check the goose neck for security, making sure there is no wear either on the pivot bolt or the toggle. If there is excessive vertical moment fit either stainless steel or nylon washers onto the bolt above and below the toggle to take up the loose play
Check round halyard exit plates for any signs of cracking of the spar wall; this is especially necessary on performance fractional rigs set up with large amounts of pre-bend
On keel-stepped masts check the rubber desk seal gaiter to make sure it hasn’t perished, also checking to make sure any drain holes are clear and that the gaiter is not covering them
Check to make sure any drain holes in the mast are clear
Check the mast step is securely fastened to the deck or floor

EPIRB UPDATE

Joe — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:24:32 +0000

Offshore sailors who carry either an on-vessel EPIRB or a transportable Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) are reminded that from end January 2009 the 121.2/243 MHz waveband ceases to be monitored as an alert frequency.

After this date, beacons transmitting on this frequency will only be used for localised homing, so for the most part they are redundant.

RYA Cruising Manager Stuart Carruthers explained: “Nowadays modern beacons transmitting on 406 MHz offer many advantages over analogue 121.5/243 MHz beacons. “With a 406 MHz beacon, the position of the distress can be relayed to rescue services more quickly, more reliably and with greater accuracy. These will not be affected by the change.”However, some of the older devices transmit on 121.5/243 MHz only and it is these that will become redundant as a means of emergency alert following the decision to discontinue monitoring this frequency.

“The important thing is that people check their beacons and make sure that they are not redundant. From a safety point of view, this is paramount,” he added.

The frequency on which your EPIRB transmits should be clearly marked on the casing so it’s an easy matter to check.

Cospas-Sarsat, the organization that runs the satellite system supporting these alert devices, has decided to cease satellite processing following recognition of the limitations of the 121.5/243 MHz beacons and the superior capabilities of the 406 MHz alerting system.

In addition, only about one alert out of every fifty on the analogue system was a genuine distress.This has a significant effect on search and rescue resources and was a major factor in the decision to discontinue the service.

However, 121.5/243 will continue to provide a short-range homing signal once an initial call for assistance has been made and rescue services are in range of the casualty.

For further information the MCA’s Marine Guidance Notice gives you a full overview of the changes.