Mirror Mods Part 3

Describes an experimental gaff rig for the Mirror Dinghy.
Music: Knightsbridge March, Eric Coates and his Orchestra

[@bulow453]

I like the gaff conversion.

[@davidmeijer1645]

You really should sail with Knightsbridge March blaring from an omni-directional loudspeaker at the top of the mast!!!

[@mrduff5702]

Fantastic and innovative idea. Thanks for the video.

[@shoestringsailor3889]

Nice to see how it works. Well explained, thanks.

[@thecatspajamaswilson4431]

Thanks a ton for all the great inspiring videos!! Any chance I can get the dimensions or drawings of how to build the centerboard and centerboard case that you showed in the Mod 1 video? Also interested in the sale mods as well. Would be interested in some information on several of the others as well. Sorry to take up public space with these requests. Am in the US so Mirrors are harder to come by here. Thanks for sharing all the mods. Look forward to more great Curlew journeys!!

[@andrew.bartlett7329]

I find your videos very interesting. I have just bought an ' Otter' which I plan to cruise also out of Chichester harbour. I too am interested in how you make a sleeping area. I am thinking the flat topped boxes may be a pointer. Also I would be very interested to know the exact specifications of the lines you use for halyards and other purposes they appear to function very well indeed. Fair Winds!

[@wescarter2921]

Thanks for the videos excellent i learned alot

[@VadiodaXT]

Thanks (Edgar) Mirror 66283 from Portugal

[@wulkie]

very good video!

[@kevingreen_boating]

Hi David, another informative video so done. Noticed your bowsprit - im thinking of rigging some kind of asymetric kite. Any thoughts? Kevin

[@PeterMumford]

I love it. But I can't understand how the topsail yard is attached to the halyard.

[@mikebetts2046]

I have recently discovered your video's and I have enjoyed all of them. I am currently teaching myself to sail on my 1960's vintage centerboard dinghy. Can you tell me what the quasi-spherical object attached between the port-side shrouds is? (formed by the intersection of three round plates). I have seen things similar to this but never with an explanation of what they are.

[@mikebetts2046]

Aaargghh. Just when I thought I was a know-it-all. Thanks for the reply.

[@harrisonaard1]

Loads of really good ideas on these video's. Whilst sailing, is EVERYTHING on deck actually tied down?

[@cid4887]

if I were you and with small boat like dinghy's I think it's best to tie/secure everything down for the possibility of some big waves or if ever it capsized.

[@carlosmalleum7733]

Brilliant, great idea with gaff and topsl. Btw is that your Volvo 240? I have a 244 saloon from 1982 that refuses to die.

[@somerton123]

Another informative video David well done, do you know what your all up weight is with all your gear aboard in cruising mode? I made a gaff sail for my mirror but opted for a hollow leach so I didn,t need battens.

[@msf60khz]

Thanks for the nice comment. Not sure I really need the battens. Re the weight I want to measure it but it is probably like carrying another person when fully equipped with food and water etc.

[@davidmeijer1645]

So I'm working on my 2nd Mirror acquisition. I'd appreciate a detailed description of your trailer and dolly setup. Cheers and happy 2020 mirror adventures

[@msf60khz]

David, hi. It is a standard Mirror Dinghy combi trailer which I bought in the UK from Sovereign Trailers. I think any combi trailer for a boat of about 11 feet would probably be OK. A few details here on the company web site: www.welshharp.co.uk/sovereign-trailers/sovereign-trailers-details/

[@davidmeijer1645]

@@msf60khz thanks so much! Looks like I have to replace the dagger board trunk, upon closer inspection.😖

[@msf60khz]

@@davidmeijer1645 Not a bad idea to do that because they nearly always rot around the hull joint.

[@juliancwalinski9015]

This looks a great idea. I'm a recent sailing convert, I've bought a mirror dinghy that I'm beginning in, I'm working towards sailing at sea here in North Wales, I'd feel a lot safer with a gaff sailing rig like this, it must significantly reduce the chance of capsize. If you don't mind me asking, how are the throat halyard and topping lifts fitted to the top of your mast? Thanks for the great videos, ive spent several hours watching your outings as it's exactly the type of sailing i am aiming at.

[@msf60khz]

Thank you Julian. The mast is fitted with two pad eyes for attaching the two toppong lifts and the additional halliard. These are the sort having a curved base, and are scerwed to either side of the mast just below the existing halliard sheave. I also put a hose clip round to make sure they can never pull off. The halliard needs a bit of flexibility in its fixing, which I obtain by using an oval karabiner. I also found that it was better to reverse the two halliards, using the new one for the peak. David

[@juliancwalinski9015]

@@msf60khz Thanks for your reply, I will order myself some pad eyes, I understand what you mean about the curved base to better fit the mast profile. I find your videos very interesting, you've got a great set up on your mirror, thanks and keep up the good work.

[@kellytrafford5861]

Hi David I would also be interested in any centreboard conversion details you may have. Further I'm wondering about your sleeping arrangements - do you have any images of the boards in place/ How they are supported? Thanks!

[@mikefriend7570]

I’m nearing completion of my Mirror renovations in preparation for the Southern Hemisphere spring. I like your reefing system and have been intrigued by your gaff main sail set up. I have a spare main so might play about with this idea. But before I do can I ask whether the reefed Gunter sail is a safer option for me as I’m a fit, but creaky 70 year old. Also where I plan sailing in NZ for upwards of 5 to 10 days at a time the coastal regions don’t have many points to pick up fresh water, or provisions. Have you any ideas about water storage positions for safest balance? I’m figuring the floor area I’d the preferred place and am wondering how to achieve this

[@msf60khz]

Hello MIke. Both Gunter with reefing system and gaff are very similar. The same lines do both. The sail area for gaff is less, so it is in some ways very safe. But you might need more sail area, and I have a topsail. The gaff is lighter to raise than the Gunter. I suggest carrying bottles of water in the bow compartment and I usually need about 1.5 or 2 litres per day. I keep one bottle in the boat for the day. I find it very difficult carrying stores and clothes for more than 3 days but it a matter of being hardy. david

[@kayakmaneuan]

Boats looking good there David! Perhaps a beard and a pipe to complete the gaffer rig look? Aw the best for 2015!

[@msf60khz]

kayakmaneuan Good sailing, Euan.

[@msf60khz]

Can someone please help me with Mauricio's comment as I cannot quite get the exact meaning in English. Thank you.

[@thecatspajamaswilson4431]

Sorry for the spelling error of sail in the previous post! Argh! (Unless you sell them?! Ha!) Best regards, Jim

[@simonpackham5780]

Did I detect a bow sprite??? Part 4? Can I suggest a mizzen for part 5.

[@msf60khz]

Actually I did have one s I was experimenting with the spinnaker as an symmetric, but I found the useful points of sailing were too limited, But I can use the spinnaker set at the mast, on the opposite side to the main, in light winds.

[@charlesfitton9677]

What is the huge mass below the boom?

[@msf60khz]

It is my furled boom tent.

[@mauricioalbertopadin9639]

Sigo esta CLASE ya que tengo uno ORIGINAL Ingles y lo navego en la Patagonia Argentina, se me deterioro mucho y veo aqui como volver a ponerlo en condiciones, navegga muy bien y es muy rapido, salgo solo y peso 110 Kg

[@josephinebennington7247]

How do you manage to stand on the water when you want to make all these sail changes while under way?

[@msf60khz]

Hi Josephine. Thank you for crediting me with godlike powers. I have a video showing reefing at sea, below. I do not have anything showing reefing the jib, which is a bit difficult, and best done before setting off. I also have a video of wearing ship, which you might like. My video of "Sailing from the Hamble in a Blow" shows the boat under bare pole. Good sailing. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e36upYKigJuKoK8

[@alexbowie6316]

These videos are very Salty!