heeling and height-challenged crew

[DaveC426913]

I have concluded that a large fraction of the Admiral's anxiety when heeling comes from not being able to brace herself. Her legs are too short to reach the far bench - the only thing preventing her from sliding is her butt and her hands -the least strong large-muscle groups. For me, who can easily put my feet out, I am merely standing on a diagonal floor, while leaning against a diagonal wall. I could do that indefinitely.

At first, I considered putting in wedges against the benches, thus narrowing the cockpit sole by about 10 inches total (5 inches per side), but I think now an even better option is to run a footboard down the centre of the sole. Aside from having to step over it, this won't take up any more space.

So now I'm just figuring out what shape to make it (just a long 2x4? tapered so it's flat underfoot?) and how to attach it (to cockpit sole? Or at hatch and pedestal?).

Gotta put a short one at the helm too...

[DaveC426913]

Gotta put a short one at the helm too...

A footboard that is, not an Admiral.

[DaveC426913]

Can anyone suggest a way of attaching these in a way that makes them removable, yet doesn't leave bolts sticking out of my hull for crew to bang an ankle on?

My first thought is some sort of countersunk bolts, but that will require much larger holes.

[Boblee]

You could be right as my wife likes to sit at the top of the companionway where she can brace against both sides and on the ladder but find the best way to help is to let them control the sheets, not as though any of that has helped in the long run as she says she is staying on shore with the truck this year.

[NiceAft]

You got me thinking

My fourteen foot Phantom sailboat has a very wide nylon mesh strap going the length of the sole (about three feet long) for hiking out.
If you think the Mac heels , try going out on a fourteen foot boat where you are the ballast, and the boat heels to the point that the cockpit on the leeward side almost is taking in water, and you can lean out to look under the boat to see the daggerboard. Anyway, you can apply the hiking strap concept on your Mac.

Bolt a wide nylon mesh strap to the length of the sole, and down the center of the sole. Bolt it in three places; on each end, and again in the center. You will now have two loops in which she can slide her feet under. Each loop will be good for one person, and can be used on either side. A small, low block of plexi, or some other solid material wrapped around each end of the strap twice, and then bolted through ,will hold the ends well. The middle bolt can just go through a small, low block without wrapping. These blocks can be 3/8 of and inch thick.

The wider the mesh strap, the more comfortable the strap will be.

This seems doable and practical .

Ray

[Whipsyjac]

Hmmm I'm guessing your Admiral must be 5' tall or less. I don't think hiking straps on the sole will help since they'll probably be too low for her.

How about slowly maintaining 5deg then 10deg with her sitting on the low side? Once you get used to it the low side is not too bad. We were doing it to optimize the hull shape in light air, then in medium air, and now unless it's really blowing I don't care if I'm on the high side or low side. It's just a matter of getting comfortably with the boat. I was surprised how the kid's seemed at home on either side when we're heeled, I guess they didn't "know" they should prefer the high side.

She could always try sitting on the cabin top facing windward like this:



What about a closed cell foam block with a Vee cut that fits the cockpit wedged between the benches?


Willy

[NiceAft]

Hmmm I'm guessing your Admiral must be 5' tall or less. I don't think hiking straps on the sole will help since they'll probably be too low for her.

How about slowly maintaining 5deg then 10deg with her sitting on the low side? Once you get used to it the low side is not too bad. We were doing it to optimize the hull shape in light air, then in medium air, and now unless it's really blowing I don't care if I'm on the high side or low side. It's just a matter of getting comfortably with the boat. I was surprised how the kid's seemed at home on either side when we're heeled, I guess they didn't "know" they should prefer the high side.

She could always try sitting on the cabin top facing windward like this:



What about a closed cell foam block with a Vee cut that fits the cockpit wedged between the benches?


Willy

The true test is having the woman in question sit in the cockpit and see where said feet rest.

[DaveC426913]

If you think the Mac heels ,

I don't. I spent Wednesday evening with my bro trying to see how long we could keep SeaSaw past 30 degrees.

This is mine:

Bolt a wide nylon mesh strap to the length of the sole, and down the center of the sole. Bolt it in three places; on each end, and again in the center. You will now have two loops in which she can slide her feet under.

Appreciate the intent, but this is exactly opposite to what she needs. She doesn't need something to put her feet under; she needs something to place her feet on. She's not trying to lean out, she's trying to remain upright and comfortable.

How about slowly maintaining 5deg then 10deg with her sitting on the low side? Once you get used to it the low side is not too bad. It's just a matter of getting comfortably with the boat.

This is what we have been thinking, and it has been failing. It was a breakthrough, both for me and for her, when I realized it was NOT a matter of her "not being comfortable", it was a matter of her stability being physically compromised because of the dimensions. Nothing is going to get her comfortable if she is constantly in danger of sliding off the seat and pitching forward. Putting a stable platform under her feet will transform her experience.

[seahouse]

Hey Dave - has she tried sitting on the low side, instead of the high side yet?

Not the best for weight distribution for sailing but it has a "cradling"effect that can be much more comfortable for some people.

- B.

[jimbo]

Build a false floor in the cockpit. Make it a snug fit so does not need bolts. Sure might be inconvenient for you but the admiral out ranks you.

[paulkayak]

How about a high density foam block that sits on the floor squeezed between the two seats that is carved into a u shape. First very easy to make adjustments until you find exactly what she likes and is removable when not needed. Once you find what works for her put wood or plastic in the high wear areas.
Just a thought.

[Berber Boy]

If you think the Mac heels ,

I don't. I spent Wednesday evening with my bro trying to see how long we could keep SeaSaw past 30 degrees.

My Daughter (Vice Admiral) and I took our MACM in a nice steady 6knot breeze and held our MACM at 35 degrees (with minor variation) of heel to port for nearly 4 nautical miles. We really wanted to test her stability and I was quite impressed. The Admiral was not with us and we were elated but exhausted after holding her over for so long. Until

We went down to the cabin and found the porta potti upended!

The motto: If you try it make sure you are on a starboard reach.

[jimbo]

chuckle . . ah the old tip the porta potty trick - the ultimate angle of heel test. I do have a reputation for that both in the and dad's old yacht. But now the sucker is lashed down. It 'aint go'in nowhere now - well short of a complete capsize of course.

[NiceAft]

Dave,

When you do arrive at a solution, the real fun comes when your angle indicator stops at 45 and you keep heeling. That's when you get stares from all the power boater's expecting you to go over. You're not moving real fast, but it's exhilarating

I'm lucky in that the Admiral enjoys it also.


Ray

[Berber Boy]

Lol. Yes, Niceaft I 've had a couple of those too and my "potti" is well restrained these days

The Challenge remains tho:

A heel to port allows you to pass freely with right of way on a Starbord Tack but on the safer Starbord heel you are on a Port tack and have to give way! In my case twas the Potti that gave way!

Dave