rod to wire rigging – Have Wind Will Travel

#73: Raising the New Rig — Part 2

July 29, 2016anniedike

Here comes the Hotstepper! And here comes the hi-mods. Watch as we step the mast and install mechanical fittings (hi-mods) on each of the stays and shrouds to complete the final phase of replacing our original 1985 rod rigging with uniform 5/16 stainless steel wire.

Now that the stick is back up, we’ll splash on the Tube next week and then finally … get our boat out on the water. Say what? She floats?! Hell yes she does! You’ll be seeing a lot more of this soon. : )

If you’re enjoying the videos, books or other HaveWindWillTravel content, please consider becoming a Patron. We’ll be giving away our 6-day Bareboat Charter certification course to one lucky Patron in just a couple of weeks! Get inspired and GET ON BOARD!

#72: Raising the New Rig — Part 1

July 22, 2016anniedike

Three months in the yard and we are finally (in video time) ready to raise the new rig. Watch as we assemble the shrouds and stays, put our first hi-mod mechanical fitting on the forestay and complete all of the leg-work in order to (finally!) step the mast and raise the new wire rig.

If you’re digging the videos, be sure to subscribe on YouTube, give our video a thumbs-up and join our Give the Gift of Cruising campaign on Patreon in time to be eligible for our Bareboat Charter course giveaway. Get inspired and get on board!

#70: Turnbuckles, Tangs, Taps … Oh My

July 1, 2016June 20, 2016anniedike

If any of you have re-rigged your own boat, you know — there are so many crucial, critical pieces that must all fit together and offer fair leads for each shroud and stay. In short, a LOT of work goes into a re-rig. Watch as we match, mount and make sense of the new fittings for the rod-to-wire re-rig.

As an aside, I am sitting as I write this in a little cafe in the Azores pondering this amazing journey I have undertaken, the incredible sights, sounds (yes, plenty that I am looking forward to merely trying to describe to you) and sensations I have experienced along the way. Thanks to all of my friends, family and Patrons for your continued support and encouragement. I hope you have enjoyed the journey vicariously!

Phillip and I also want to wish you all a fantastic Fourth of July weekend with family and friends. Shoot fireworks, sing and dance, clap and shout and be grateful for this incredible country we live in that allows us amazing opportunities to travel, work, create and prosper!

#61: Machined Blocks and a Magic Bilge Box

April 11, 2016anniedike

Why is there always a part of the rigging that does not fit? Why?! Watch as we battle more custom machining woes on the tie rod rigging, finish up the bottom job after a minor Annie meltdown, and reveal how we plan to fix the clogged weep hole in the mast step that started this whole mess!

And … we’ve got BIG news coming soon kids. I am going on a once-in-a-lifetime passage! I’m working on an awesome announcement video about it which will publish soon, but a sneak peak awaits in a “Patrons Only” post up on Patreon now. Join Patreon to join me on this awesome adventure!

#60: 5/16 Wire and the Angle of the Dangle

April 4, 2016anniedike

Okay, let’s go with wire. 5/16 all around. Now what? A thousand necessary modifications and little pieces that must all fit together is what. Not to mention the almighty Angle of the Dangle! Fun stuff re-engineering the rigging here kids. I get to try my hand at being a mathematician, a physician and, oh, a coal miner’s daughter. Enjoy!

In other news, we had a fan-TAS-tic time out on the hook for the first time. We didn’t our main sail on and a few other things not quite put back together, but she was ready enough to camp out on for the night, so we had to go! It felt incredible to be back on our boat in the water!

Now that we won’t be spending as much time in the shipyard, I will have more time to focus on putting together more awesome HaveWindWillTravel content for you all. I need to get an interview done this week to include in my next Gift of Cruising announcement video so that will come out soon! Very exciting. And, I’m planning to do another boat tour for you on Friday. The goal is to publish content that entertains, educates, inspires and helps bring more people to the water. If we’re hitting the mark, let us know!

#58: Corrosion You Cannot See

March 28, 2016anniedike

Not if it’s hidden behind the rigging. Lesson learned here: If you’re going to re-rig, pull and inspect all of the pieces. You’ll be shocked at what we found. Bonus lesson: Lookout for that hammer. He packs a mean punch. Thanks to the boys at Perdido Sailor, Inc. as always, for sharing their time, tools and boat repair smarts. Enjoy!

All goes well (knock on teak) we are set to splash tomorrow. That’s right. “Tomorrow, tomorrow!” Sing it with me … you know you want to.

My next goal after that is to get my next Gift of Cruising prize lined up and announced on the website. You can be a part of it! If you’re enjoying the show, please give a little. It helps us keep sharing our journey and help more people who want to cruise. Thank you!

#51: The Rod to Wire Riddle

February 29, 2016anniedike

Lots of decisions to make here on the rigging kids. Going from rod to wire is going to take a lot of modifications on the upper fittings and the forestay … don’t even get me started. And, taping? More taping? YES! We prepped the boat up once again for the fiberglass repair as Video Annie gets ready to clock in at the yard.