RC Conversion -  SB/5 Western Star.

PART 6 - Deck Furniture And Rigging.

Starting with the mast mount, I had already marked the position on the deck before cutting the hatchway out, so using this mark I placed the mount in place and marked through the three screw holes with a pencil to the deck, removing the mount, I drilled narrow guide holes to locate the screws. Replacing the mount and screwing it firm. Using the old deck as a guide, the other brass items were replaced again drilling a guide hole before inserting the brass screw-eyes and washers for the rigging then the mounting screws for the front sheet horse. The rear sheet horse is altered by bending the crossbeam part into an arc backwards about 6mm, this is to aid centralising of the boom adjuster cord when sailing.

Two strips of "D" section dowel were cut at 23" for replacing the side rubbing strips. They were drilled to take mounting pins and then initially painted blue to match the original fitted items. Each one was then fixed to the sides with brass flat headed pins. The rubbing strips were later repainted to the correct for it's era gold colour along with the rudder and keel weight.

Last thing was to make a spring clip for the hatch, this was made from 1mm stainless wire, bent into shape and held in place with a screweye, washer and wooden pad, adjusting the ends until there was a good fit. To seal the hatchway against water, because it fit has close tolerances, vaseline is used as a barrier with just a small amount applied before sailing.

  

 

Rigging.

The sails and rigging were in very good condition, no work was needed and so it was just a case of replacing them back on the hull. A different set up for the boom adjustment is necessary as the tiller is now routed a different way. An extra pair of screweyes was added just in front of the rear sheet horse, through which the boom adjuster cord passes to the hook on the tiller arm. The elastic band which on a normal SB setup attaches to the tiller arm hook is re-routed to the brass ring on the sheet horse and tensioned to bring the brass ring back to centre to aid the boom adjustment. (Detail in photo.)

Conversion complete, now ready for sailing.

Video of first sailing at New Brighton on a very blustery day, 01/09/2022.