More recomendations

Submitted by terryc on Fri, 08/11/2017 - 22:51

Forums:

Hi all. Need to get complete outfit. Of sheets, halyards etc for my mirror. Looking around the only one I can see is "Marlow". Anything as good or better? Also got three books on the mirror mania the mirror book and roy partridge. Brough home mast, boom and gaff. None of the books, for instance, tell you what the two black, sort of coat hooks, at the top of the mast?? Then you go through the numbered items in a diagram, then the word "strop" comes up!! I thought a strop was what my daughter had when I didn't give my daughter any money for a Saturday night out!! Appreciate yr help and advice. Terry

David Cooper

Sun, 08/13/2017 - 18:35

The coat hooks are probably cleats for winding the halyards around once you've got the sails up. If so, they're usually attached to the bottom of the mast rather than the top, so you may have to remove them and refit them to the other end. Alternatively, you could use the mast upside down like the previous owner - it may work better that way in any case because he has likely also fitted the big pulley wheel into the wrong end (the pulley that the gaff is pulled up to). The bottom of the mast should have a square bit at the very end that fits into a square depression in the boat, while the top of the mast has a round section which the loops on the ends of the shrouds and forestay go round, so those are probably at the wrong ends too. Personally, I'd just leave it the way it is and use it upside down.

It might be worth photographing all the pieces you've got and posting the picture(s) at https://www.facebook.com/groups/16537332977/?ref=bookmarks - then people can tell you what you haven't got and can advise you on where best to get them.

terryc

Sat, 08/12/2017 - 23:16

Many thanks Dave, appreciate your help.
TC

David Cooper

Sun, 08/13/2017 - 18:34

I don't know if I have really helped. Are the coat hooks at the end of the mast that has a square section or are they at the opposite end? It's possible that I've made a completely incorrect diagnosis by making assumptions as to what these coat hooks are. That's where photos help, and it's easier to post those at the Facebook group where you'll get lots of helpful replies from people who want to help get you out onto the water as soon as possible.

terryc

Mon, 08/14/2017 - 20:17

Hi Dave, Its me and the way I described it, those coat hooks are at the bottom of the mast. I have been looking on google images and worked a few things out that way. Also found an assortment of really old ropes with blocks on them, think one is the main sheet!! Will go back to ''images'' again !! Have taken the pictures and have ask to join the FB group, waiting for permission!! That's another thing I will have to study a bit, how to put pics on Mirror FB page. Still appreciate your help. Thanks again. TC

David Cooper

Tue, 08/15/2017 - 17:31

There is a way to upload photos here, but you'll get faster feedback at the Facebook page, and uploading photos there is easy as you just have to find a camera icon (either inside or under the box where you type your text in) and click on it, then it lets you search on your machine for the photo. There's a growing community of Mirror sailors being built up now both here and on the Facebook page and every new member is greatly valued, so we're looking forward to seeing you there, and to seeing photos of your boat on the water. There's one big safety warning though that we've learned to keep giving to new members, and that is about the difficulty of climbing back into the boat after a capsize if you're sailing alone - it's wise to practice that initially with help nearby in case you need assistance, and you may find you need to fit a rope at the back end of the boat with a loop in it that you can use as a step for getting back in over the stern. Other things to check are your shroud and forestay fittings on the boat because they can pull out if the wood has rotted or if the fitting has corroded on the hidden side - they should ideally be bolted right through the hull rather than merely being held with screws.

62816inBerlin's picture

62816inBerlin

Thu, 08/17/2017 - 19:55

You shouldn't be put off by the ribbing and joking on the Facebook group re your pictures.
A lot of us are totally unable to imagine that anyone starting out as a total beginner would first acquire the bits and pieces, then the boat and then start learning the ropes. That is a really unusual sequence.
I personally devoured several books on sailing before signing on as crew in regattas (with a lot of theory in my then young brain) to learn the practical applications - some 50+ years ago. A bit of theory helps though and any general book on dinghy sailing (not necessarily Mirror-specific) will help you a great deal.
For examples of how to rig the boat, after consulting the "basic rigging instructions" , just spend an evening browsing through Mirror pictures on Facebook and Mirror-related videos on Youtube. For instance the video of my last year's cruise contains several shots taken on board the boat and some from outside, so you can see how the sheets, halyards etc. are arranged in action.
Best step to take is to find someone who'll take you out once or twice in any dinghy!
Have fun with your boat.
Gernot H.