Welsh National

Topper Squad

Boat Optimisation

2016 – 2017 Welsh National Topper Squad

3-MonthlyBoatChecklist

Hull Ok Check Repair

Tightenallscrews(travellingworksscrewsloose) Checknowaterinsidehull Checkmastcupforwear Checkratchetonmainsheetworkswell Checkblockontravellerrunsfreely(tightenshackle) Checkelastictensionontoestraps Checktoestrapforwear

Rigging Ok Check Repair

Kicker–checkforwearonrope Kicker–checkallblocksareworkingproperly Kicker–checkcarabinerclipcloses Downhaul–checkforropewear Downhaul–checkallblocksareworkingproperly Downhaul–checkcarabinerclipsclose Outhaul–checkforropewear Outhaul–checkallblocksareworking Outhaul–checkcarabinerclipcloses/bobblefixingissecure Outhaul–checkelastictension Outhaul–checkalldyneemaknots/fixingsaresecure Mainsheet–checkforropewear Traveller–checkforsignsofwear Traveller–checkthecleatsholdswell Traveller–checkplasticeyesforwear(theygoquickly)

Foils Ok Check Repair

Checkforscratchesordamage Tightenrudderbolt(don’tovertighten) Makesurepintlesfitsnugly(replaceplasticbushesifnecessary)

ChecktillerextensionUJforwear/splits Checktillerforstressunderload

2016 – 2017 Welsh National Topper Squad

Spars Ok Check Repair

Uppermast–checkstraight Uppermast–checkrivetholesforsignsoffatigue/stress Uppermast–checkmastcrane(old)forwear&roughedges Lowermast–checkwebbingstrapforwear(goesquickly) Lowermast–checkrivetholesforsignsoffatigue Boom–checkwebbingstrapforsignsofwear Boom–checkallrivetsforsignsofwearandfatigue Boom–checkallblocksrunfreewhenunderload Boom–checkgooseneckfordeformationandsignsofwear Boom–checkboomendfitting(bendingorsignsofwear) Boom–checkalldyneematiesforwear,fatigueandsecure Boom–checkmetalclewhooknotbent(tapedupifnotusing)

Boom–checkclewstrapVelcrocleanandnotfraying

Sail Ok Check Repair

Checktopwebbingstrapforwear(lookinlufftube&stitching)

Checkleechandfootlinesareintactandrightlength Checktelltalesaren’tfrayed/missing Checkhalyardloopisn’tfrayedorworn

Back-Ups

What? Notes Ok?Topmast-webbingtypeonnewsails) Newsailshaveatendencytowear–stitching.

Lowermast–webbingstrapbackup

Needstostoptheringfromrising–backupneedstotiedownbelowdeckorthroughp-clip).Ifreplacing,fitstrongerwhitewebbing.

Boom–backupendblock Needstogothroughtheouthaulaswellastheblocktostoptheblockbeingpulledforwards.

Boom–webbingstrap Dyneemalineloopedaroundboomandrivet TillerextensionUJ ChooseaUJwithabackupropeinsideit Traveller–(notneededifcheckedregularly)

Pieceofdyneematiedlooselybetweentravellereyes/block(bewareknotscatchingtheblock)

2016 – 2017 Welsh National Topper Squad

TopMastWebbing

Useakevlar/dyneemaropeandbobbletoputaloopthroughtheeye,aroundtheaftmastliponthetopmastfittingandbackontothebobble.Makesuretheropesitssecurelyunderthewebbingstrapforsecurity.

KickerWebbingLoopsaroundandrivetedthroughp-clip;orloopedthroughmetalringandmastthenloopsbackaroundmastbeneathmastgate.

Boombackups

2016 – 2017 Welsh National Topper Squad

TillerextensionjointLookforauniversaljoint(UJ)witharopereinforcementinsideit.IfyoucanseesplitsorcracksinthesideoftheUJthenitwillbreaksoon–replaceitstraightaway.

SailwebbingThenewstylewebbingsailsareanimprovementbutarestillhavingafewproblems.Thestitchingistendingtowearveryeasilyontheinsideofthesailsleeve–thestitchinggoesandthewebbingthensuddenlypopsandthesailcomesdown.Sailscanlegallyhavetheirstitchingreinforcedoncetherearesignsofwear(brokenstitches).Youshouldcheckanewsailaftereverysailuntilitshowssignsofwear(onebrokenstitchisenough–don’twaitforanymore).Takethesailtoasail-makeroryoucandoarepairathomeusingwhippingtwineNo.2andasailmakersneedle.

EssentialSpares

Sparekicker(thiswilldoubleupasasparedownhaulaswell).Anoldv-cleatstyleoneisfineasit’sonlytheretokeepyousailingfortheday.

Sparegooseneck(ifusingtheoldstyle).

Carabinerclip

Sparebung

Self-baileremergencyrepairplates

Youcanmakethisrelativelyeasily.Taketwobitsofplasticandjointhemtogetherwithalengthofelastic.Ifthebailerbreaksandthechutedropsthrough,pushthebottomplasticcardthroughthebailer(sothatitisunderthehull)androtateitsothatitcoversthebailerhole.Pulltheelastictighttopullthetwocardstogetherandfixthetoponeinplacebypullingthelowerknotthroughandintothev-shapenotch.