Sail Life - Unstepping the mast, Harken MKIV furling system & new cables - DIY sailboat project ⛵
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- čas přidán 5. 08. 2024
- This week we unstep the mast to do a bunch of stuff. We assemble a new Harken MKIV furling system for our staysail, replace the coax cable and the VHF antenna and install an aft-looking Garmin GC200 camera on the bottom spreaders. Timestamps and links below :)
00:00 Intro
00:46 Prep for unstepping the mast
03:00 Heading to the rigger
04:15 VHF issue, new coax cable
06:59 PL259 connector
07:45 Running new cable
08:04 Garmin GC200 camera
09:16 Harken MKIV furling system assembly
13:54 Mounting the second GC200
15:31 Next week
15:41 Looking for a friend in France (Cherbourg)
17:00 Cya!
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I've been watching these videos for 6 years, and they're still one of the best parts of my week every week.
That is so nice to hear! Thank you so much! :D
Yep
same here
I agree.
Well, to me it’s the start of another week of working😂. But since 5 years it’s my anchor on Sundays. Without it something’s missing!
And it’s still interesting to see how much jobs have to be done before a yacht can safely enter the oceans!
It's hard to believe that English is Mads' second language. He speaks at Irish speed.
It makes you wonder where he learned it and if his need drove the programming or the other way around.
Hi from Argentina, you both help me in a deep depress in my life, thanks to you im getting out of it. you make more good than you think.
Hey folks, I have been watching your videos every Sunday for a few years now. Love them. Since you asked, I just wanted to let you know that the marina in Cherbourg (port Chantereyne) receives packages, at least for residents --It's my boat's homeport and I receive packages there--. Otherwise, the guys at Axe Sail are very nice and I am pretty confident they wouldn't mind getting deliveries for you (tell them I gave you this recommendation). Let me know if I can help you in any way. Cheers.
Thank you so much 👍 That's very reassuring 🙂
Absolutely the best video's and the nicest couple on utube. I just wish the video's were a little longer. God bless and stay safe.
Even without a mast you've done a lot more sailing than Russian Oligarchs have lately.
Excellent video, project number 597 of 2072 almost completed. LOL⛵
Replace the coax?!? You had a heck of a time getting the cables in there the first time!
All very exciting!! Please include more Ava content. …asking for a friend. …also that friend is my wife. We’ve been watching you since almost forever. 🤘🏻🤓
Ahhh proof of life for Ava at the end. You avoided thousands of questions and maybe even a visit from the local constabulary with that smart move! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I know, right, I was really missing some more Ava character development in this episode. Although it did look like she did the bulk of the work prepping the mast for removal. Us Michiganders need to represent!
I think that you should install a bow thruster, it would be fun to watch and be educational.
With where you are sitting right now if you continue to have issues with the VHF, AIS, or other long cable runs, consider asking around to see if you can borrow a TDR (Time Domain Reflectometer). It will allow you to send a signal down the cable and "see" the connections and determine if the problem is a loose connection, short or open in the cable. It will tell you how far down the cable the problem is so that you can look to see if there is a connector there, cut, bend or what ever. Sometimes the problem is not a single connection but you loose a little bit at a couple of spots and now you have a problem. You could buy a TDR, but they are expensive and of limited use (unless you want to be the 3rd most popular nerd in the anchorage)(if there are no more than 5 nerds in the anchorage).
I vote YES for France. We lived on there for many years so we are definitely Francophiles. I'm looking forward to Ava's tours in France and Ireland.
Next haul out I see a spiffy shiny new bow thruster. I’ll watch that on repeat for days. Another great vid Mads.
As all have said, I look forward to every Sunday’s video! One Sunday soon we’ll see the blue tape latch replaced with something more substantial 🤣 Your work and attitude are impressive!
Stay healthy and we'll see you next week.
Well, while you are mast-less, it's a good time for an "Ava tours the local attractions" portion of the video. Not sure why I enjoy her sense of humor so much, but I do.
Safe travels.
Magnets are amazing for keeping doors etc closed. Also, Ava you could use a sheet of adhesive magnets, cut a strip for the bottom of each row on the spice rack, then cut a circle for the bottom of each bottle, stick down, and done. Stronger magnets are also good for draws and doors, one on each side- no screw holes and you can remove them when you have the handles you want. Safe sailing.
They do make a flexible LMR-400. It's very flexible but more expensive. Another thing to check is the impedance of the cable, radio, and antenna is the same. The vast majority of civilian RF equipment is 50ohms, but the military and some others use 75ohms. What ever you used to get your vswr should have a TDR option. TDR will let you know where the cable is damaged. Before changing the cable I would have changed the connection. A band center pin will ohm check good, but it will have a high vswr. Also checking vswr one cable at a time reduces unseeded replacement. Sorry if this sounds like a rant I'm an RF technician just trying to pass some knowledge.
There not much better in life than new sails, I love how they feel
I do love your laid back approach to how you do it and the use of all the american venacular, ie: spiffy. Thank you for being you and keep on. I love this channel!!
Mads. It is so nice to see you with a “helper”. Ava is much much more than a helper of course, but having her there to give you a boost on projects and for moral support must make your life so much more enjoyable on so many levels. I suspect you have already wondered how you got so far without her.
Love how things are coming along! The boat looks completely different from when you brought her home and she's just beautiful. I'm excited to see where all you two end up next!
You guys are great. Our favorite channel by far. Thanks for everything. Jan and Ron
I’m surprised you didn’t do the refit on the mast prior to reinstalling it. Also I’ve be accustomed to seeing Ava in some part of the video. I guess I’ve been watching you too long. Still, another informative episode.
Lots going on Ava and Mads. Judging by the aft cabin you won't be running out of projects anytime soon, but do you ever run out of projects on a boat? Have a great week ahead and stay dry.
Nice to see a shot of the Aircraft Carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales in the background. They will both be leaving harbour tomorrow morning!!!!
Exciting! Any idea of what time of day? I'd love to see that :)
Can't wait for you guys to Sail .....Good job!
By the time this makes it to you you it will likely be too late, however they make lmr-400-uf which has a stranded conductor. The UF stands for Ultra Flex. This is what I used when replacing my VHF set up and it has worked well.
Hi guys, Guernsey would be ideal for you to stop over.Beaucette marina is marvelous or the beautiful town marina. Great boat building tradition great people and may be a help visa wise?also the beautiful Bretton coast a day sail away. Have fun : )
Watch it Maz. If you keep going with adding more and more tech in your boat, it might end up being overweight, and sail badly. Or worse, you'll need to reduce your food provisions. 😁
Hahaha
The higher tech boat in the world.
Always a bit exciting. Thank you
Definitely a lot easier to replace the sheaves with the mast down - I've done it with the mast up and it's like going on a spacewalk! The Harken MKIV is also a great unit - had one for 10 years with zero problems whatsoever!!!
door handles??? Mads you are a real inspiration, thanks for your hard work.
to Robert's comment - your vids are better than anything on cable or TV! I have said this before, and, dang it, you keep making it so: wonderful! Fair winds from Doug on WS42 Harmony!
Thank you so much Doug! I often think about when I came to see you and got a tour of Harmony. That was a fun day :) Fair winds :)
Be sure to ensure the AIS splitter is not your problem when you are doing your antenna troubleshooting. So many cruisers we know have had splitter issues. If you can borrow an antenna analyzer that is the best way to ensure you have not messed up the top connection and that your antenna is OK. I am assuming you have trimmed the VHF for ideal operations as a dual-use AIS/VHF marine radiotelephone antenna. Many VHF antennas come a little on the long side and need to be trimmed. Without a proper antenna analyzer you can test for no continuity between the center conductor and shield as well as continuity of the shield and center conductors through the new connection on top.
Having a higher tack with the extra long link plates will also give you much better visibility under the sail when going tight to weather. We sail and motorsail a LOT in busy high-traffic waters as well as in areas with TONS of crab pots. More visibility is a good thing. On the AICW there are a lot of kayaks, canoes, and other tiny watercraft that can easily be missed under a deck-sweeper foresail.
I have been watching since the very first videos Sunday isn't Sunday without them - thanks
I can remember the video about your first time through a lock my oh my how things have changed!
If you like green landscapes, historic villages and Celtic culture I'd strongly suggest to go for St. Malo, the Channel Island, Lezardrieux maybe and Perros Guirec for sure. More targets west might be Morlaix or Roscoff (easier with an keelboat as Morlaix is on a very shallow tidal river) I've started a week from Cherbourg and do not suggest the city. If you're looking for the beaches of allied landing you might consider other small ports over there. If you have tide pillars a stopover at Mont St. Michel can be strongly recommended. Brittany to me is far more interesting than Normandy. On top the navigation is really interesting in the bay of St. Malo.
Haha, love the futurama reference 🤣
At some point I would like to see a bit of color along that line in the upper hull. Lime green perhaps? You could do it with removeable pinstriping in case you did not like it. Keep up the great work!
You can put the LMR400 down the mast and connect it to RG-8 at the base of the mast. Connect and add waterproof to the connections when done. New RG8 is still better than bad coax. check the SWR before you step the mast so you can fix stuff if necessary. This way the longest run loses the least power up the mast. The loss from the RG-8 is small with the 20 +/- foot interior run.
Every connection/connector is a point of loss too
The norm is tin coated RG 213, something between RG8X and LMR 400.
Like all your videos, this one was over too soon. Cheers!
I use RG 8X for UHF/VHF and HF radios. 50 ft run and I am quite happy with the cable. If the radio doesn't perform as you want perhaps some local amateur radio operators might help you out with an antenna analyzer.
Thank you, something to watch tonight..looking forward to this.
Scott
Hi Mads & Ava, I run a Sailing Club in the South East of Ireland. We would be happy to receive and store any items for you.
Looking great
Hi Mads. Radio transmission noise could be the result of an electrical ground loop.
Nice one - as always!
Next week is going to be exciting
Love your videos. Did you consider seeking out a local ham radio operator to help with the antenna? If you are having an SWR problem, they could probably help you using the better cable.
Great video.
Better to solder the shield as well!!!! Add heat shrink over the outer casing.
RG213 for the win!!
You can get parcels delivered to shops like Mr Bricolage.
Interesting way to get the plastic the shape you want. I have recently learned how to shape plastics like pvc. It is simple and can be done with a toaster oven at low temp(200degF)
John Campbell
0 seconds ago
If you used a knife to cut the coax cable then it is already stuffed.
The signal strand core is steel copper coated and the signal travels on the outside of the strand so if you used a knife to cut off the Insulation highly likely it won't work properly
While you have the mast down, have you thought about adding an ion dissipator to prevent lightning strikes from frying your electronics?
We have one and have never been struck. There again my elephant repellent seems to be working because we have never had an elephant on our lawn. I know what youre thinking, we dont have elephants in Australia. Well the folks at Dubbo Zoo disagree.
Haha :) that is exactly the problem. I haven't seen any convincing evidence that any of products/attempts to prevent lighting strikes actually work. Maybe someone out there has information to share? :)
@@SailLife I have had the joy of experiencing multiple hits to the structure I was in, so a question: Is there a good path from the mast to seawater that doesn't involve arcing through the living space? The electronics won't like it either way, but you can avoid holes in the bottom of the boat. And if you expend the effort to have that path, murphy's law says it will all be in vain and you won't be hit.
Love your video !!
Mads, have you considered adding a speaker under the radar? I am so happy with mine which I use mainly as a fog signal connected to my VHF radio. i can also use it as the required sound signal when anchored in fog. The manual fog signaling devices I had previously used were either time limited by the pressure canister or required near constant pumping and neither were automated. The VHF takes care of the timing (different modes for sailing, motoring, or at anchor) so I can concentrate on lookout and navigation which is always stressful in fog.
Mads, I don't believe you will notice any loss on any signal using RG8X as opposed to RG8U or LMR * . Those losses are not easily measured with your standard equipment, but you will gain in having a new and undamaged cable, and looks like a new antenna. Might I suggest squeezing a bit of Silicon Dielectric Grease (not RTV) in those UHF connections to aid in keeping the salt water out. As always, I enjoyed your video. Cheers!
Mas, even with the best coax cable (RG8X has been obsoleted) all coax cable stretches when it hangs vertically. As it stretches the dielectric foam or plastic becomes thinner, and the characteristics of the cable change. A service life of 5-10 years is all you can expect. A professional uses compression spreading clamps about every two meters on the vertical runs, so the whole weight of the cable is spread out and the stretching is less of a problem. If you do not know what a "chinese finger trap" is, Ava can tell you. Ones made from light metal cable are used to grab the coax without compressing it, for the vertical runs. Most electricians won't mention this because of the time required, which raises the cost.
Agreed. Wondering how the clamps would be attached inside the mast? Ideas?
Mounting then strain relievers "inside" the mast is not possible. (Maybe Dyneema cord added and attached to the top of the masthead?) But I understand your point. Most boaters never change the coax and only change the antenna when they fall off lol. If boaters paid more attention to this subject, they would be far more readable miles further. Extra points for Mads knowing about SWR. SWR is another thing most people never check. A before and after of the old and new cables SWR would be great to demonstrate the problem.
Yes, Dave. If there is a wire conduit, you can hand a steel or synthetic non-stretch cord along side the coax. That will take the strain when the two are fingertrapped together. Sometimes the whole conduit has a sleevd or liner that can slide out. It can't be done more often than it can, but that just means more frequent coax replacement.
@@StevenHull , yeah. For me, I’m sticking with LMR400 but will probably take a few 6”turns right under the antenna for both a drip loop/strain relief and a trap. Unsightly at the top of the mast but personally I’m more concerned with performance. (Using a RigExpert 650 Zoom to check everything)
@@dave-wk4t Maybe heat shrink some ferrites instead at both ends but just not a lot of room at the masthead. I am concerned all the spiffy solar gear could add noise without some ferrites too. A lot of electrical on board. KN4TKR 73.
Thank you
beautiful video. Full of usefull info. Not for a dog of course but i ll tell dad. Thamks
LMR-400 coax cable is the best! Much better for VHF than RG-8!!!
Hopefully you chose an antenna that has some gain.
Nice video
If this is "a somewhat thorough refit" I don't want to know what a thorough one looks like.
Well Mads if you ever need a container ship worth of Amazon boxes dropped off in Massachusetts in the US, I'm your guy.
Antenna needs to be tuned to the radio, you should use a SWF balance box.
I just keep lookin at the boat and rememberwhening.
Thanks for explaining how the stay sail boom interferes with on deck dinghy storage.
Mads & Ave are you going to put a Good Luck Coin under the Mast? Maybe a 2022 coin the year you two became One.
You have water some where it shouldn't be, no range and high SWR, ya if the antenna doesn't have damage it's the coax/fittings.
I ran RG213 and I get excellent transmission
The RG-8X coaxial cable is a good compromise between size and flexibility with insertion losses. However the cable you have chosen does not have tinned wires which is much better for a salty environment. The RG-8X sold by Ancor is tinned but as usual more expensive as it is sold as a "marine" cable. Cheers
Noticed you changed from 'fiancee' to 'wife' - CONGRATULATIONS! :)
I ❤⛵
Something to consider on the VHF antenna, it looks like you are using a 5/8 wave. It can have better performance than a 1/4 wave but there is a cost. It compresses the radiation pattern horizontally. That works well if the antenna is always vertical. But a sail boat heals and bobs about. Whenever the antenna is tilted, some of the energy is aimed into the water and some into outer space. A 1/4 wave antenna will give up some performance when vertical as compared to a 5/8 wave. But when tipped it will have superior performance by a wide margin.
I was just about ready to ask where your lovely wife was and then she made a surprise appearance at the end of the video.
Even when you will be crossing the atlantic i am 100% sure you will keep instaling!!! Hold fast!!!
Run both VHF cables maybe the high end will work if not you have the flexible one to use.
Hi Maas, thanks for another great video.
Cable loss assuming 25W and 25m cable length; RG58 = 7.7W at masthead, RG8X = 12.8W and LMR-400 = 17.4W. RG8X sits mid-performance between RG58 and LMR-400. Another cable worth considering is Aircell/Ultraflex 7 with 7.2mm diameter and 15.4W at masthead. Amazing how much signal lost in a 25m cable!
Cheers!
Marine VHF radios are actually coax heaters.
You seem to have more things to do (considering all the boxes) then you have sticky notes on the bulkhead. Are the sticky notes truly indicative of the work to be done? You haven't updated us in a while regarding all of the projects, perhaps Ava and you can do a small video segment to bring us up to date. As always, looking forward to next week.
Great video.. that felt rushed.. but thanks again!
If you do go to France would recommend St Vaast rather than Cherbourg. Just a thought
Hello you two
You are more than welcome to visit Slovenia and if you do I will be happy to help you in any way you will need
Love the videos
See you
Unstepping a mast isn't such a big deal if you have done it few times. I find it quite easy, but over the years I have done it 54 times on my Allied 36.
I’m sure this has been asked before but I just can’t find it, what do you do for a living that makes you so knowledgeable about boats?
It would be worth finding out why the old aerial doesn't work.. and using new cable installing it somewhere else other than the mast .. as a backup with another radio, disconnected from the 12 volts but ready.. I suggest a plug rather than a switch as lighting can jump that..
I've even seen a disconnected radio stored in a biscuit tin ready to be connected to the Ariel and power..
I honestly don't think anyone will ever stop spending huge money on boats. LOL
Double fore stays an double stay sail cables with double down hauls work better.
Bonjour, leaving in NICE , I am not sure I can help you; anyway you’re are both welcome in the paradise…
Athena has become more of a *yacht* and less of a boat every week.
I really like your videos BUT so wish you would go into more detail when you do installations . please consider this.
si tu viens en France c'est Cherbourg, mais passe avant en Bretagne sud , voir Houat et Belle-Ile en Mer ... c'est magnifique...!!
if you come to France it's Cherbourg, but go ahead in southern Brittany, see Houat and Belle-Ile en Mer... it's magnificent...!!
Did you also take into account the db gain of the antenna? I think your loss will be negligible also adding in the height since VHF is mainly line of sight frequency wise . Amateur Radio op here W4SOX.
Hi! I've been thinking about the sealing of chainplates. I saw the video where you used butyl tape for sealing and considered using that. Another idea I've had is to enlarge the hole in the deck so that there's about 5 mm on each side of the chainplate, and then using Sika caulking to fill it. That way the shearing forces on the caulking would be reduced, thanks to the thickness of the caulking, hopefully providing longer lasting seal without leaks. Chainplate cover should be ground from underneath so that it doesn't press against the caulking compound when the chainplate and the deck move relative to each other. That movement is something that happens in my boat when I tighten the shrouds, and probably causes the sealing to fail. Do you or anyone else have any thoughts?
@@palunanue-zahl7202 The Sika caulking I've used is polyurethane based. I'm well aware that you should avoid using silicone based sealants on your deck hardware, as it's a nightmare to clean properly. I was thinking about using Sika in the chainplates, as Mats used butyl tape in his chainplates, and one of them started to leak. Thanks for your thoughts.
Too bad the LMR is a problem in the mast (bending and kinking). Understand the need to compromise and hope you got a quality length of RG-8X. Can’t wait to see the solar work next week, until then…..Sea Yoo !
I really really hope that RG8X is not too horrible. It's only a 15 meter run to the AIS box. I still have LMR400 from there to the VHF radio. Fingers crossed! Electricity here in the marina is a little pricey so it'll be good to subelement it a little with solar - we won't get much this time of year but still :)
@@SailLife I Changed our whip antenna for a Comrod with new rg58x. Before the AIS range was 15nm. With new antenna and coax, leaving Porto Santo I was able to see the AIS traffic at Finistere and up the Iberian coast! Vhf range is now equally impressive.
Messi & Paoloni Ultraflex 10 (or 7) are also both a vrey good choice for coax - Ultraflex 10 will give you double the radiated power over RG8X
@@SailLife I would not worry too much. Athena has about 15m mast height, and if we give the other 'vessel' an antenna height of 100m, it will just clear the curvature of the ocean at 60km. 10W, after 60km free space loss, is -73dBm or 50uV, a great signal. Another way to put it: 10W is Plenty. Earth's curvature cuts you off first.
@@SailLife Ground plane may also be of importance, depending on antenna wavelength. I'd suggest checking vswr with the mast down. Yes, you will see some imbalance... a 1.2:1 ratio might be seen there. Good enough. Don't skimp on a lightning arrestor at the base of the mast. Will save your gear from getting fried.