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(@rkooy)
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09/03/2022 5:07 pm
| Reply #13 - Aug 15th, 2009 at 9:24pm |
A welcome from me too, Peter. Good to see another 34 in Qld. We were sailing through Bundaberg a few weeks ago - on our way back from the Keppels we spent a few days in the Mid-town Marina. From the photo it looks like Astrid is anchored in the river somewhere, although I didn't see you there.
We'll look you up on our return next year - I'm sure she'll look vastly improved!
Cheers,
Chris Jackson
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(@rkooy)
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Joined: 7 years ago
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09/03/2022 5:08 pm
| Reply #14 - Aug 16th, 2009 at 12:50pm |
Thanks Chris. You did not see her because she was anchored in the back of Bum's Bay, out of sight, out of mind.
I can assure you that when you do see her you will not believe it is the same boat as in the above photo. She will be unmissable as an item of admiration, desire and envy. With a name that translates to "Divine Beauty", how could one do anything less than live up to it??
The purchase price was reasonable enough to allow for a new mast and rig and possibly a new mains'l without over capitalising. However, as I am totally besotted with her, it is fortunate that my partner in the boat is an expert stores and supply man who will no doubt keep the spending within the bounds of financial reality.
My background is marine engineering with the attitude that engineering excellence is paramount and hang the expence. This attitude extends to mast, rigging and sails as on a vessel of this type they constsitute a marine engine.
The diesel engine fitted is the original Yanmar SM/2QM15, directly above the keel with the propellor just behind the keel. I believe this is a very intelligent design factor and I do not have the egotism or brains to suggest that Olin Stephens got it wrong. We will stick to the original configureation.
Fortunately the boat came with a photo copy of the engine manual. In that I noted that the engine is square, ie bore and stroke are equal, 75mm x 75mm, giving a cubic displacement of 663cc and a 15hp rating which will allegedly drive the vessel at hull speed. Sounds good to me.
A square engine should give a good balance in a yacht between torque and horsepower with a minimal amount of vibration. The only improvement on that could be a three cylider engine and a Kubota would have to be the choice, there being that many of them around. However, hand starting is not an option with a Kubota, whereas it is standard with Yanmars of this sort of horsepower. Yanmar has my vote.
Is there anybody that can help me with the history of this boat?? Cheers Peter.
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(@rkooy)
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Joined: 7 years ago
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09/03/2022 5:08 pm
| Reply #15 - Aug 16th, 2009 at 7:24pm |
Peter:
Welcome aboard. Can't help you with the specific history of your vessel, but in case you are not aware the hull molding would probably have been laid up by Aquafibre in Rackheath England. The first UK built production boats were laid up in 1969, with initial production by Michael Winfield and Partners, who folded shop and sold out to Aquafibre. I'm not sure exactly when this sale took place. Aquafibre was in business until only 5 months ago or so. I recently established contact with one of the former managing directors of Aquafibre who managed to find some records on Calliope Girl and it turns out she is two years younger than I had been led to believe when I bought her (she's a 1971).
If yours is marked like mine, you should have a small aluminum plate glassed into the inside of the starboard cockpit locker with a hull number on it. It is difficult to tell from the number what vintage the boat is, though. For example, mine is 4546/078, and the 078 represents the production run (although apparently mine is the 78th hull and the 79th deck -- perhaps they lost a deck along the way?). My understanding is that 48 boats were laid up in 1969 alone, so they must have slowed down after the first year if mine is from mid-1971.
If you don't have any luck finding records locally, pm me and I'll send you contact info for the gentleman at Aquafibre. His responsiveness has been great at times and not so good at others.
Incidentally, the original drawings allowed for an optional engine location of a shaft drive installed under the companionway. During my repower of Calliope Girl we ended up installing a saildrive back there and moving the battery banks forward to balance everything out, and I think she is sitting nicely on her lines. If you are facing a repower (not clear if you are or are not from your post) it is something worth considering. With the engine out of the salon it really opens up that space.
Best,
MD
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(@rkooy)
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Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 839
Topic starter
09/03/2022 5:09 pm
| Reply #16 - Aug 16th, 2009 at 11:53pm |
Thanks MD. You mentioned the builders plate in an earlier post. I have had a look for it but found nothing obvious yet. Where is your plate located? On the hull or on a bulkhead in the locker??
I think the existing engine has plenty of life left in it so I believe we will give it a really good service and try it out before going to any major engine expences.
Is there a plan of the original rig (single spreader with 4 lowers) on the forum or association site somewhere?
Thanks for your help. All very much appreciated. Cheers Peter. |
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(@rkooy)
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Joined: 7 years ago
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09/03/2022 5:09 pm
| Reply #17 - Aug 17th, 2009 at 4:14pm |
Dear Peter, I would like to welcome you and Astrid to the S&S 34 family. Unfortunately the Association has no record of any non-Swarbrick boats, so any information you can supply is welcome. What you say makes sense as Swarbricks were only just starting production in 1970, and it is quite possible some were imported from the UK privately at around this time.
I have the original plans from S&S, there are some copyright issues re posting them, I keep meaning to ask their permission but haven't got around to it yet. For $55 per sheet they will post them over to you, they make interesting viewing. I can give you the list of sheets available and advise which are the most useful if you like, as some aren't worth it (showing minor details of old rigs etc). Bruce at S&S would also be happy to advise. The rig has changed only modestly over the years, the "tall" 2 spreader rig (which is on the website as part of the new boat plans) is actually only slightly taller, but the 2 spreaders allows for a lighter mast for a given strength. Morning Cloud used a taller rig for their Sydney-Hobart win. However, if you are not racing the shorter rig is cheaper and simpler, although not as tunable. Keel mounted is 35% stronger than deck mounted for a given section. The speed difference is relatively small except perhaps in light breezes.
All other things being equal the engine is probably best amidships, although as Michael says it does take up a bit of room. Our new boat with it under the cockpit sits slightly stern heavy (perhaps that should be bow light as she is a bit lighter than the old boats) but still sails very well and perfectly balanced. She probably would be just about right with forward tanks full and some sails and an anchor in the bow. However with an engine under the cockpit you do need a sail drive, which brings it's own compromises. Your arrangement is probably mechanically better although not so space efficient.
Col Barling did a great job of refitting Morning Magic and would be very helpful, his website is www.gryph.com.au and would be worth a look.
The Associaion is very mindful that we are here for all owners, not just those in WA so please feel free to contact me if necessary. I could also ask some of our older members if they know anything about privately imported boats.
Regards, Simon Torvaldsen, Webmaster
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(@rkooy)
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Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 839
Topic starter
09/03/2022 5:10 pm
| Reply #18 - Aug 17th, 2009 at 7:45pm |
Thanks Simon, There really is a wealth of information on this forum. It is a little depressing for me to read Col Barling's story of his refit as it makes me realise how much work I have ahead of me.   .
Never mind, we will get there. Our intention is coastal cruising on the Queensland coast, possibly the odd trip to Sydney and occasional fun races. We are also very much of the K.I.S.S. principle attitude. I have had enough to do with marine toilets over the years and with current legislation re holding tanks etc I am intending to have the larger porta potti with a spare bottom tank.
I would very much appreciate it if you would send me the list of drawings from S&S and your advices on which ones will be most relevant for me. With my navy and small commercial ship's engineering background I am fairly OK with the hull, mechanical and electrical side of things.
The rigging plan and the sail plan i think would be of most use for us.
I have rigging experience as well having rerigged a Peterson 42 (Envy II) that I once owned. However that was just a reconditioning of existing gear. With Astrid I have to start from scratch as the mast and boom that came with her are not original. I believe they came off a catermaran and the mast is only 36ft. Detuning her by fitting a shorter rig would be just plain criminal.
My options are to sleeve and extend that stick or get another one that is long enough. So what I really need is a detailed rigging plan for this vintage of boat. Despite the newer double spreader rigs etc, Astrid was a fast boat in her original configureation with a deck stepped mast, single spreaders and four lowers.
Sticking to original specs I believe is our most logical and economical option. I am considering a removeable inner forestay with spectra runners and it's halliard doubling as the spinnaker pole topper. I am also thinking the main and headsail winches should go on the mast and the reefing winch on the boom as most of the sailing will be short handed.
Can anybody tell me if the 34 derives significant benefit from a stays'l in a cruising situation?? A friend has this set up on his Adams 31 with his head sail being a yankee.
Mast step pic attached.
Cheers Peter.
 Astrid_012_Small.jpg (Attachment deleted)
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(@rkooy)
Member Admin
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 839
Topic starter
09/03/2022 5:10 pm
| Reply #19 - Aug 17th, 2009 at 7:56pm |
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Hi All, I must be missing something here but can anybody tell me what the plate between the cap and forward lower stay chain plates is for??
Astrid_016_Small.jpg (Attachment deleted)
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(@rkooy)
Member Admin
Joined: 7 years ago
Posts: 839
Topic starter
09/03/2022 5:10 pm
| Reply #20 - Aug 17th, 2009 at 9:10pm |
Peter:
The hull number on Calliope Girl is glassed into the bulkhead that runs fore and aft inside the starboard cockpit locker. If you stick your head down in there while kneeling in the cockpit, and look towards where your knees are, that is where you will find it (assuming it exists on Astrid and is in the same location).
I have a copy of the original sail arrangement in pdf form that I can email you. It shows the single spreader rig but with forward lowers as opposed to a baby stay. It's also a bit hard to read compared to the documents that S&S would send you (which would likely be full size prints). The folks at S&S were very helpful to me in connection with Calliope Girl's refit.
Best,
MD |
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