Shrouds question

Thank you for clearing up those points.In my mind it does raise the matter of whether you appreciate what a lot of work is involved in all those alterations and whether perhaps a different boat would be a better starting point.Good luck with your choice.

 

no thank you, I'm set for this one

 

babystay: prevents mastpump together with the checkstays. Checkstays alone would pull mast backwards - risk of inverting.
Outboard vs. diesel: rtw-ed both: 100:1 for the diesel! Never an outboard, if it canbe avoided
cutting mast: I don't think I would: can always reef, but not increase sailarea for light conditions, & this is when sailing is most fun: in light winds & flat water (at least for me)

 

because of construction and reliability or position?

 

For me, because it has the shaft already, and probably a folding propeller, why not fit the electric motor inside driving the shaft? If positioning is inconvenient you could use a belt or chain. The hydro generation sounds problematic, and a lot of people would be interested if you make progress with this. Vevor have two cheap wind generators that they mention suit marine usage, but I have not used one yet.
Search wind generators | VEVOR AU https://m.vevor.com.au/s/wind-generators

 

mainly

reliability, but also because of fuel consumption, noise, comparatively low thrust. If mounted at the stern: will come out of the water in anything of a chop, alternately over-revving & drowned. If in a well: complicated construction (do you really want to fit a well in the First? This is going to be a major project!) If your diesel now is in a central position (above the keel): that is the best place for it: weight central, perfect access for maintenance.
I know the First Class Europe only from what I read about her, but to me seems that Finot designed a boat "all of a piece", very coherent & very good for it's purpose, not to speak of very elegant lines! It would not be my first choice for a circumnavigation (particularly at 68!), but even for that purpose I don't think it would be the worst choice for somebody half my age!
& as everybody worries about the need for "rail meat" to get sail carrying ability: if you REALLY want to burden yourself with an "interior reconstruction project" you could fit ballast tanks. 2 x 200l each side would be equivalent to 5-6 people on the rail.
what I would do : service the Volvo, check rudder & bearings, check structural integrity of the keel attachment, new running rigging, maybe a barrier coat under water (depends on hull moisture), check electric & gas installation, mount a windvane, a solar panel & AIS, get good anchor gear - & off to the South Seas!
(a yes, I forgot: a new toilet for the lady!The FCE has the THREE IMPORTANT features lacking in all present affordable boats:
Tiller steering
shaft drive
in line spreaders
really the only negative feature for me would be the age (all components, portlights, hatches,...are very old), & this can be compensated by a low price.
That the boat is very "racy" would not worry me.

 

Yes, i am buying it do try every experiment i can think of

imo the only drawbacks are gasoline stench and yes, reliability, idk what to do about the first one but second will be coped with by dringing a spare one for the dinghy.

yes, i understand that, but its just soo inconvenient, i mean, if you are planning to rebuild it from the ground up every time you get to marina-okay, but isnt diesel marine engine associated with low maintenance

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Yes, and it was done olready to a good bit of success

this is one of the most concerning thing to me, but speaking with the owner who actually did that because bolts seemed bit rusty on the top- actual meat of the bolts was in almost new condition so encapsulation is probably okay

you are looking at the wrong boat, it has everything from your list.

 

i dont see why, you just got to have a controller that supports this feature, same thing as regen on cars but less current

 

3/4 Fractional
MainSail = 2 x Jib
Luff rope for main
Swept back spreaders

This is a superb rig for its versatility to adapt to different courses and different winds and for its comfort-functionality.

buuuut ... the sailboat can't be too big or too heavy, i don't know how far it can be scaled, it's not a rig for a 10 Ton sailboat, but maybe 1-4

In fact i don't like big sailboats because for me a sailboat starts with the rig.

 

ih, the one im going to buy is 10m

 

It should be noted that Slocum on his old barge set the wind at "two points" (= 22 degrees) from the stern (= 158 = 180-22).

A modern sailboat would normally have a downwind wind between 120 and 140 degrees.

Sailing this way is more comfortable and beautiful and safe.

In my sailing area i see the dinosaurs suffering downwind on an absurd course with an absurd rigging, and i pass them zig-zagging downwind.

 

The funny thing about this bizarre story is that on the one hand, the modern sloop was born (1930-) with fractional rigging and, on the other hand, the large mainsail and manageable headsails have a clear functional resemblance to the sailboats of the 19th century.

 

I wonder if it's "perfect" for planning hulls as well

 

Yes, of course

The question is up to what ratio "displacement / length".

Probably if the sailboat is very light then this rig could even be carried on very large sailboats in length.

 

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