GP14 Sailing Forums Forum Spinnaker launch deck holes

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    • #19891
      steve13003
      Participant

      Has anyone given any thought about cutting holes in the decks for spinnaker storage / launching as now allowed by the class rules and shown in the January newsletter?  Setting out the holes as described in the rules should not be a problem but how to trim the edges of the hole in the fibre glass decks and is any strengthening under the deck?

      The photos in the newsletter show a moulded trim edging to the holes, where can such a trim be purchased?  My boat is an SP Boats SP1 boat sail number 14179.  Any ideas before I start cutting!!

      Thanks Steve

       

       

    • #19893
      Oliver Shaw
      Moderator

      Have fun!

      I choose not to go down that route;    but wouldn’t life be boring if we were all the same!

      But you are undoubtedly asking very relevant and pertinent questions.

       

      Oliver

    • #19902
      Chris Hearn
      Keymaster

      The modification is based on approved changes submitted by class-recognised boat builders, including appropriate strengthening etc.. I don’t believe we have any plans to provide structural information for “home” modifications, so any changes would of course be at your own risk to the boat.

      Anyone else have comments?

       

    • #19906
      Oliver Shaw
      Moderator

      That raises an interesting point;    for wooden boats the fundamental requirement is that the boat be built according to the plans,  and then features such as these holes are specifically permitted by the rules.

      For plastic boats,  the fundamental requirement is that the boat be built by a licensed builder in accordance with the licence agreement,  and the builder’s design will have been agreed with the Association in accordance with the Rules  –  which for new build do now permit these holes.   But it is not clear whether,  or how,  compliance can be achieved for existing plastic boats,  since once such holes are cut the boat will have been modified,  and so will fall outside the licence agreement.

      One for the clubroom lawyers,  perhaps?? !!

       

      Oliver

       

    • #19907
      steve13003
      Participant

      Some interesting thoughts, not going to cut any hole until some clear instructions and plans available.would be rather strange for a change to the rules that can not be applied retrospectively to older boats.  This would be a first where old boats could not be kept up to date.  The pictures we saw in the January news letter were of a glass boat, which builder had made the modes and was it a new build with a modified deck moulding?  As the pictures showed what appeared to be an after fitted moulding trimming the openings I feel that some more details need to be published – Spring Mainsail?

      Steve

    • #19908
      Oliver Shaw
      Moderator

      The person you really need to ask is David Rowlands,  Chairman of the Technical & Rules Committee.    Email via the Office.

       

      Oliver

    • #19936
      steve13003
      Participant

      I will wait for the Spring Mainsail to see if any details given if not I will contact David

    • #20050
      steve13003
      Participant

      Hi I was pleased to receive my Spring Mainsail as always a good read for all GP owners. But I was hoping to see more details about the rule change which allows for deck holes for spinnaker storage and launching.
      My questions are:

      Can the hopes be cut into decks of existing boats? Both glass and wood?

      What stiffening is needed under the decks in this high stress area?

      Will there be revised drawings issued and a requirement for a measurement check and and endorsement on the boats certificate? As is required when modifying the mast step in series 1 boats.

      The idea looks good but I would like to see more information and detail about the changes needed to the construction to accommodate the holes

       

       

    • #20051
      Oliver Shaw
      Moderator

      I suspect that it is a case of the Class Rules specifying what is permitted,  but not specifying a detailed design.   Exactly the same situation applies to transom scuppers,  holes for through-deck sheeting;   and similarly (what is required,  rather than permitted) in the case of floorboards (in boats where they are relevant),  reserve buoyancy (ditto),   etc.

      It is then up to you to decide precisely how to realise these permitted holes if you decide to cut them.   You may of course decide that it is too difficult to realise them,  with adequately sound engineering,  on your particular boat.

      One reason for not producing a specific design is that there are so many different constructional details between the many different models of GP14.   What a current builder has devised,   on a particular current model,  might well not work on an older boat by a different builder.

      However you say that your boat is an SP Boats one,  and they are still building,  so it might be worth an email to them:   info@spboats.co.uk.   I have just looked at their website a few minutes ago,  and there is no mention there of this as a standard retrofit modification,   but if anyone is able to do it at all they are probably the best starting point.

       

      Oliver

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