Recent content by Joe A.

E26 lazy jacks SteppingStone, it's a work in progress. I attached a pic. A lot of boats around me seem to get away with only two loops around the boom but I experienced too much sail falling off the aft end so I've added a third loop which is what I planned anyway. It has worked good so far...

On our last sail in the fall we were well heeled on a close reach, stable with periodic 15K gusts. One gust made the boat turn to leeward and we are still trying to figure out what happened. Causes?; too much sail (full main/140% jib), poor rudder grip, mast not set right, lousy helmsman (my...

E26 lazy jacks oin thanks. I needed a starting point. also, since they say the support segments should be 70-75% up the mast, I assume you are not using your spreaders. If so any tips on holding down the noise? Joe E26 'Half Fast'

After two yearssailing my 87 E26, I've come to the conclusion I need to install lazy jacks. Wesail on steep L. Erie waves and lowering the main is a little too exciting formy comfort level. There is an excellent Good Old Boat article on the subjectand together with EY.O input I've grasped the...

Among my winter projects (I guess it's now spring projects), I found another job when I tried to flip my cockpit 'oil' switch. It broke off. It's next to my key ignition in the lower right corner of my engine control panel for our Universal Model 12 / 1987 Ericson 26 with wheel steering. (By...

Stainless steel fasteners Mort, thanks for your input. Yes I am trying to save on the headliner work but no I will not do anything that is not as functional as the traditional way. I have two additional questions; My headliner experience exposed a rough fiberglass surface but nothing that...

I'm running my reefing lines into the cockpit and want to find someone who already has knowledge about stainless steel toggles (see link) and whether they are applicable to deck oranizers and clutches. The toggle is rigid one piece u-shaped channel that has removable plastic handles that...

weatherstripping I agree that some of my line fouling may be due to a little sloppy sailing but my main concern with weatherstripping is keeping it in place when the hatch is opened. I'm looking for a more permanent solution where once the fix is made I can forget about it. I agree however...

My 1987 E26-2 jib sheets get caught under my closed front hatch when I tack. I might try to put two small 'guards' to fill the gap under the forward corners but before I try to make something, who out there already has this problem figured out? Joe.

Broken headstay :esad:By this time tomorrow I will have talked to many experts and will eventually write a book on this subject, but for now I am dumbfounded and need help on what to do about the broken headstay on my 1987 e26 (fractional rig).<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =...

I need suggestions on where to put reefing points on my main sail. I just bought the 1987 e 26-2 (fractional rig) with a nice crisp set of north sails but no previous owner ever had reefing put in. I do. I'm dropping the sail off to a sailmaker in a few days and need to make a decision. I'm not...

replacing halogen bulb Loren, yes it is the foredeck light (sorry). It is in a black assembly that wraps to the sides of the mast and attached by two screws. It also contains the running light just above it which works fine. My boy indicated there was also two small screws on the front but as...

I sent my 13 year old up to see how we (he) can replace a burnt out halogen bulb. Together we were unsuccessful figuring out how to make it a "quick fix". It looks like the whole assembly needs to come off the mast. Yes? No? Advise? Also, the wife and kids bought me an early father...

thanks! Thanks guys. Lots of work just to replace a hasp huh? Unfortunately I think your links are identical to the hasps I tried but I may try to contact someone who can open a package with a ruler. These hasps are so long the bottom holes line up below the wood block. It's worse when the...

(See attached pics) I have spent several hours and miles in the last few weeks trying to get a replacement hasp for my companionway. I've tried the internet and local West Marines (what other option is there?) and haven't found anything close. I'm not adverse to drilling new screw holes but no...