Search found 283 matches

by Bob McGovern
Sun Aug 13, 2017 11:11 pm
Forum: Hull and Deck
Topic: Hatch cover fix or replacement
Replies: 10
Views: 43002

Re: Hatch cover fix or replacement

So progress has been made on the foredeck hatch. There is still some hardware to attach & final cleanup & paint, but in case anyone is contemplating this job, here is what I did with our hatch. I started by laying up some reinforcement on the back: two layers of butted 1708 biaxial tape (wit...
by Bob McGovern
Sun Jul 02, 2017 2:22 am
Forum: Accomodation
Topic: dangerous materials
Replies: 2
Views: 13129

Re: dangerous materials

Any residual chemicals from the urethane foam core (possibly isocyanates?) or tthe plywood (small traces of formaldehyde) should have outgassed years ago. Our engine compartment was lined with fiberglass rather than asbestos. I'd say the biggest environmental danger on the Ballad is the same as any ...
by Bob McGovern
Wed Jun 21, 2017 4:02 pm
Forum: Accomodation
Topic: An (almost) double berth in the saloon.
Replies: 3
Views: 16793

Re: An (almost) double berth in the saloon.

Mark and Nicholas: Both really nice designs & executions! Many ways to approach the double berth question; we're presently scheming to use the two brass table leg sockets in the bilge to hold up a central 'spine' board, then 3/8" semi-rigid panel material inside the main cushions themselves...
by Bob McGovern
Sun Jun 04, 2017 5:25 pm
Forum: Rig and Sails
Topic: Adding a stack pack / eliminating the roller furling boom
Replies: 1
Views: 11682

Re: Adding a stack pack / eliminating the roller furling boom

Hi Gabriel. Roller furling booms have gone out of fashion as better Jiffy Reefing options came into use. Slides are easy to put on a sail (either at home or by a sail shop) and should probably space about 27" apart on the Ballad. Our mast has a very large flare in the mast slot just above the b...
by Bob McGovern
Sat May 13, 2017 11:08 pm
Forum: Hull and Deck
Topic: Concerns about the Ballad
Replies: 5
Views: 25237

Re: Concerns about the Ballad

All boats (even new ones) have design & construction issues, and all 40-year-old boats have age and wear issues. The Ballad's are mostly few and known. The mast truss affects some Ballads, but not all. It is not dangerous unless the truss fails, and that can be prevented; a bad truss may be a de...
by Bob McGovern
Mon Jan 02, 2017 5:45 pm
Forum: Electrical
Topic: Depth/Speed transducer location questions.
Replies: 6
Views: 24920

Re: Depth/Speed transducer location questions.

Our speed paddlewheel is under the port settee, just about center of the keel and fairly tight up against the bench face. https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5563/15075575270_cb20d83be5_o.jpg The depth transducer, less affected by turbulence, went thru on the stbd side, under the galley sink. I'm planning...
by Bob McGovern
Fri Dec 23, 2016 11:16 pm
Forum: Hull and Deck
Topic: Mast step truss, inevitably:(
Replies: 154
Views: 592496

Re: Mast step truss, inevitably:(

Hi all - I've been reading up on this mast step / truss issue. It was something I was concerned with and a little suspect of when buying the boat recently (1973, #64 I believe). But she was a great deal and I really love the boat :) All signs point to this needing to be done this winter. There was ...
by Bob McGovern
Sat Dec 17, 2016 9:19 pm
Forum: Hull and Deck
Topic: Hatch cover fix or replacement
Replies: 10
Views: 43002

Re: Hatch cover fix or replacement

Hi Krystin. That translucent hatch style was fashionable in the 70s. It's basically just standard chopper gun polyester layup with the gel coat left off the central part. Hence the nicotine yellow color, and also a certain amount of crispiness due to UV getting at the resins. Ours was painted over a...
by Bob McGovern
Sat Nov 26, 2016 9:39 pm
Forum: Welcome to the Ballad Exchange
Topic: Ballad price new?
Replies: 5
Views: 20794

Re: Ballad price new?

Hi Tom. To confirm, Yachting Monthly 's review puts the Ballad's UK 'standard price' at £6570 (afloat Harwich), with a YM 'Index price' of £7203. That was in 1973, so that would represent +/- £61000 in today's money according to: http://www.moneysorter.co.uk/calculator_inflation2.html#calculator Che...
by Bob McGovern
Wed Sep 07, 2016 4:48 pm
Forum: Cruising
Topic: Out for a Sail
Replies: 3
Views: 17327

Re: Out for a Sail

Do you fly your nylon drifter on its own luff? I'm trying to decide if a 2:1 halyard is needed; might forego all that extra hardware & line aloft & use a 2:1 or 3:1 tack strop instead? I just love how small & light a nylon light air sail packs down, & how well it stands up in a swell...