Will_ACT Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 I'm a novice sailor, live in Canberra and have owned (& enjoyed sailing) my 14 foot Windrush cat since buying it 3 years ago. Trouble is, the Trampoline needs restitching and the Jib now needs replacing as well. Could I please have some advice on where to go to get these issues rectified? Am I better to simply replace the Tramp, instead of restitching it? Can you buy replacement sails & tramps ‘ready to go’ or do you have to get them made up? It’s an all white ‘Surfcat 14’ but I don’t know how to tell how old it is? I imagine it's a Mk1, from what I (quickly) read on this website. I have uploaded a photo of it. Will Canberra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George II Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 Hi , yes your boat is a mark 1 boat (still looks in good nick) . I like the pic of 3 blokes all busy getting it rigged ! Windrush Yachts still sell all the parts for the WW14 . see their web site www.windrushyachts.com.au They list a trampoline as $341 (+ gst) & you would also need about 10 of the mat hooks @ $1-95 ea. + freight. So with that in mind it may be worth taking the tramp off & going in to your local canvas maker & getting a quote for them to do a bit of restiching , normally gets a few more years out of a worn tramp (as long as the material isn't rotting) Sails , again you can get direct from windrush but a new mylar batterned jib is over $600 , so depends how worn out your old one is - normally the older dacron sails keep going for ages. There may be sailmakers over east who could knock you up a new one - if you only wanted the soft dacron like what you have then they ought to be able to so one for about $300-$400 (at a guess) - they normally like the old sail to take a pattern off. The batterned jibs are slightly larger than the original dacron jibs like yours & improve the boats performance. Also keep an eye out on ebay & the like as sometimes 2nd hand gear comes up. Good luck - make sure you get all this winter maint done to keep the boat on the water !!! Rgds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TornadoSport260 Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 Morning Will, I think you have a MKII bulkhead boat. Its been a long time since i've seen Sirrius! But the sail number 4529 is the right age. As for jibs I think dad has a used mylar jib that he would be willing to offload. send me an email at mpfeffer(at)iinet.net.au Michael Windrush 14 S/S, 6335 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George II Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 Michael , you may be right with the sail number as being a bulkhead boat as sails in that range were mark 2's , I only thought it was a mark 1 boat as when I zoomed in on the picture I can see no forward hatches which are the main telltale for mark 1 vs mark 2 . Good to see used gear being recycled . A used mylar jib will still be heaps better than the original dacron jib , as long as it doesn't have too many holes in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will_ACT Posted June 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2011 Thanks for your responses. Much appreciated. I have now checked out the Windrush website - handy. I will see if I can include another photo to see if agreement can be reached on the model. Yes, I believe Sirrius used to travel to competitions a fair bit, even to WA, mainly by son previous owner (Andrew) &/or son. Sails may have been changed because he said he had two sets - I only got one set. It is in good nick, I have learned to refibreglass & have done one rudder & both hulls last winter. I don't know of any hatches up the front, only the rear. What do you mean by bulkheads? Will Canberra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darcy1945 Posted June 10, 2011 Report Share Posted June 10, 2011 New bias cut tramp, W/ front pocket, $280 includes post to A.C.T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TornadoSport260 Posted June 10, 2011 Report Share Posted June 10, 2011 Will, Really the only definitive way of telling whether it has bulkheads is actually looking inside the hull. Either put your arm down the rear hatch cover and feel for a vertical stiffening brace underneath the rear beam OR look through the rear hatch cover for a vertical stiffening brace. Here is an explanation of a bulkhead http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulkhead_%28partition%29 You MAY have to remove the hard plastic box inside the rear hatch cover if your boat has it. I'm going off memory of having seen the boat over 10yrs ago. In the photos it appears to have the Mk1 rear beam with the traveller track angled forward. This isn't necessarily an indicator of hull age because a lot of people bought new hulls and used old beams etc to assemble the platform. The price for Darcy's tramp is good, I paid over $500 for mine but I got it from one of the best tramp makers around and the quality shows (Ian Marcovitch - Redhead Sails) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will_ACT Posted June 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2011 Hi Darcy, that tramp sounds interesting. What do you mean by bias cut? What colour? Made to fit my boat? Meets all racing requirements eg stitching? Do you make them or just sell them? Thanks again Michael. I will look for potential bulkheads over the weekend. Is there supposed to be a hull number somewhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prince Planet Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 Hey Will, I see the Sydney Sailboat Centre sticker on the hull... so I guess I most probably sold the boat new... everyone else who worked there was 'mad' on Hobies... but anyone who crossed my path while I was there was kwikly 'diverted' to a Windrush 14... BTW, I'm the new NSW Windrush Dealer... so if you require anything specific, let me know...as I have a 'hotline' to Windrush Yachts... PP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sando Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 Hi Will, Here is the contact of a sailmaker who has made Windrush jibs for our club guys at PKSC at near half the cost of genuine Windrush from WA. If you are just looking at club racing this is a good option. Barracouta Sails... sailmaker: Neil Tasker ph: +61 2 9525 7626 Email barracouta@bigpond.com Sando WR6346 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darcy1945 Posted June 14, 2011 Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 Bias cut, weave in material is at 45 degrees to fore/aft centreline (allows much better tightening of tramp, stiffens platform), black tramp material only, no clips at rear, rod pocket as for maricat. My neighbour (motor trimmer) builds the tramps to my specs. ph 0243591729 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remo Posted June 14, 2011 Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 General rule of thumb; 45 degree cuts for one peice full tramp,..... straight cuts for tramps that are three piece (shoe-lace down middle). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will_ACT Posted June 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 Thanks Sando, I have sent Barracouta an email for a quote already. Thanks Darcy1945 & Remo. Michael (Tornado), did you get my email last week, re your fathers jib? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TornadoSport260 Posted June 14, 2011 Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 Sorry Will, I've been meaning to get back to you. He didn't have the jib i was thinking about, he sold it some time ago. Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will_ACT Posted June 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2011 No worries Michael. I couldn't see anything inside the rear hatch, it has a thin rubbery lining which is rivetted in, so dont know if it has bulkheads. The traveller track points directly up, not angled forward, what does this indicate? Hey Darcy1945, do you have a picture of one of your tramps (preferably on a Windrush)? Do I need to buy any gear eg mat hooks etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TornadoSport260 Posted June 16, 2011 Report Share Posted June 16, 2011 The ruddery box inside the rear hatch is something they put in up until the mid 80's (i think it was around then, may have been earlier that they stopped). Without removing the box you wouldn't easily tell if it is a bulkhead boat. There are a few tricks if you've seen enough Windrush but not easily explained. The traveller track pointing straight up indicates that if it was a bulkhead boat its most likely an early boat as they changed the rear beam to lean back to allow the traveller load to be transfered 90degrees to the angle it sheets which allowed the traveller to run free-er (still not great). All the little tips and tricks you pickup after 18-19yrs around windrush. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darcy1945 Posted June 16, 2011 Report Share Posted June 16, 2011 You only need to buy a 4 foot length of 3/4 electrical conduit for the pocket at the trailing edge of the tramp (replaces rear mat hooks and eliminates hook damage to tramp) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will_ACT Posted June 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2011 Tell tales for Windrush 14 identification - so, to summarise whether my Windrush 14 is a Mk I or a Mk II : The Tell Tale / What My Cat Has / Which model this indicates Sail Number / 4529 / Mk II Bulkheads / ? / ? Forward Hatches / Nil / Mk 1 Traveller Track Angle / Vertical / Early model. Mk I or II? Rear Hatches / Thin rubbery lining (until mid 80's) / Mk I or II? Did Mk I have this? Am I best to assume I have a Mk I? Any comments? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loose Change Posted June 19, 2011 Report Share Posted June 19, 2011 Having only ever sailed a Windrush 14 once about 33 years ago and by my own admission profess to be totally clueless about anything to do with what mark your boat may or may not be, my advice would be to not worry about it too much and just sail the crap out of it and enjoy it. I know that's what I would do. But that's just me ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neiloren Posted June 19, 2011 Report Share Posted June 19, 2011 Great Advise Having only ever sailed a Windrush 14 once about 33 years ago and by my own admission profess to be totally clueless about anything to do with what mark your boat may or may not be' date=' my advice would be to not worry about it too much and just sail the crap out of it and enjoy it. I know that's what I would do. But that's just me ..... [/quote'] Now this is with out doubt the best piece of advice you will ever get "Just get the thing in the water and sail the hulls off of it" the rest is co-incedental Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prince Planet Posted June 20, 2011 Report Share Posted June 20, 2011 3 things you will need to know to keep the boat moving... always keep weight as far forward as you can WITHOUT burying the bows off-wind - weight placement on a W14 is critical - the other thing is to make sure the jib luff is always tight - the jib leads the boat to windward on a sloop-rigged cat... likewise keep the mainsail downhaul tight upwind - many new sailors just don't put enuff tension there... of course off-wind it can have less tension... As for maintaining the rudders system, I see from the pix the crossbar already has a bend in it - so there has already been too much downwards pressure on the tillers - that is a BIG no-no on the Windrush 14 - never place downwards pressure on the tiller bars - as that leads to premature tiller-bar droop... If you need a new crossbar, the carbon-fibre ones are the correct ID for the connectors - and can be ordered with a telescopic tiller extension... Sloppy rudders can definitely reduce the pleasure – and speed of the boat... There's a nice slide-show on my website to whet your appetite, and give some visual tips as to how to trim the boat – http://www.liftkingaustralia.com.au/windrushcatamarans.html – and the new NSW Windrush Association website is up and running too... http://nswwindrush14.org.au/ Try to get to as many regattas as possible - that's the best way to see how to set the boat up for speed and enjoyment... and of course, have FUNN... Apart from that, yeh, get out there and HAVE A BALL... OR 2... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will_ACT Posted June 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2011 Lotta good advice there fellas. I do love sailing the cat. Grew up in country NSW, riding motorbikes & water skiing, not sailing. First time I sailed a cat was on my honeymoon at Hamilton Island in 2003 (think they were Windrushes too) & instantly fell in love (with cat sailing of course!). Bought my Windrush 5 years later - at 44, never too late to start eh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darcy1945 Posted June 20, 2011 Report Share Posted June 20, 2011 Get some time up Will, we have had first time cat sailors/owners in their seventies, as you said "never to old to learn" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will_ACT Posted June 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 Ok, so the upshot of all this is, I think I will go with the Tramp for $280 (incl freight) from darcy1945 (UEM $341) & a Mylar battened Jib from Barracouta Sails for $450 (UEM $570). Thank you all for your input. Any last comments before I place any orders? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TornadoSport260 Posted June 21, 2011 Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 Just remember that the mylar jib from Barracouta is not class legal should you choose to get competitive with your racing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.