This is a general forum for all sailmfg topics. http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/list.php?1 Sat, 10 Oct 2026 13:52:23 +0200 Phorum 5.2.7 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1153,1514#msg-1514 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1153,1514#msg-1514 LindseyDood sailmfg Thu, 12 Aug 2021 15:38:57 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,228,1512#msg-1512 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,228,1512#msg-1512 Thanks!
Doug]]> gdeecee sailmfg Tue, 26 Jan 2021 23:45:22 +0100 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1471,1511#msg-1511 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1471,1511#msg-1511 Paul sailmfg Wed, 17 Jun 2020 05:02:15 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1471,1510#msg-1510 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1471,1510#msg-1510 Erik sailmfg Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:46:34 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1509,1509#msg-1509 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1509,1509#msg-1509 orked on a boat before so I’m looking for some help compiling resources for future restorers!

I intend to document and post photos of the process as much as possible.
There are a few shallow cracks in the hull and topside along with some more serious cracks on the deck by the centerboard. I need to replace the port holes, the auto bailer, repair the sidewalk and replace a few cleats/jams especially the toe hold ones, and probably repaint it.

I’m aware that epoxy and fiberglass are involved in the repair process but I’m not sure how exactly to start repairing the cracks/stripped cleat holes.
I would appreciate any resources that future restorers and I can use to learn!]]> Erik sailmfg Tue, 16 Jun 2020 18:41:11 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1497,1508#msg-1508 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1497,1508#msg-1508
I'm trying to remember if I ever saw a boat without one of those collars. I cannot recall ever seeing one. But maybe they did have some that way. Maybe the earlier boats?

What is the serial number of your boat (etched in the stern, or on a tag affixed just inside the cockpit. Or -- what is your sail number (although sails have changed hands...)

Have any photos?]]> Paul sailmfg Fri, 12 Jun 2020 23:31:29 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1481,1507#msg-1507 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1481,1507#msg-1507 [www.sailmfg.com]]]> Rockdoc sailmfg Fri, 12 Jun 2020 22:09:17 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1481,1506#msg-1506 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1481,1506#msg-1506 www.sailmfg.com]

Spinnaker]]> Rockdoc sailmfg Fri, 12 Jun 2020 22:07:52 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1497,1505#msg-1505 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1497,1505#msg-1505
One more very important question: My boat has no main step collar -- and there are no holes or markings at all where one might have been. Did any of these boats NOT have this collar?? The mast is snug when stepped and all seems fine, but the lack of a collar is a concern.....]]> Porrick sailmfg Fri, 12 Jun 2020 22:02:53 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1481,1504#msg-1504 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1481,1504#msg-1504 Rockdoc sailmfg Fri, 12 Jun 2020 21:46:23 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1481,1503#msg-1503 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1481,1503#msg-1503 I sort of forgot about this post. Pulled out one of the spinnakers for the bandit. I have pictures, perhaps Paul you could let me know how to get them to you. The measurements are approximate (used the measure tool on iPad) so I would first round them off a bit. Secondly not sure about the terminology for the parts of a spinnaker. Not sure if there is a luff, leach or tack to speak of but what I measured across the bottom sort of like the "foot" was 10' 11" so about 11 feet, the measurements along the edges up to the peak was 15' 5" and the distance from the peak of the sail to the middle of the foot was 14' 6".]]> Rockdoc sailmfg Fri, 12 Jun 2020 21:40:11 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1497,1502#msg-1502 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1497,1502#msg-1502
You could sail your boat that way if you have a one piece mast. But not the two piece mast as it does not have enough strength and will snap in two unless the wind is light..

There are two important things that the jib gives: the sail and the three stays (one being the jib). It you don't have a jib, make sure you use a stay attached to the handle on the front of the boat.]]> Paul sailmfg Wed, 10 Jun 2020 18:18:49 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1497,1501#msg-1501 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1497,1501#msg-1501
Cheers!]]> Porrick sailmfg Wed, 10 Jun 2020 16:36:35 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1497,1500#msg-1500 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1497,1500#msg-1500
I recall people just screwing in hardware to replace the jam cleats and it worked just fine. I'd give that a try and not worry about the thru-bolts. It should hold.

The bailer was a holt-alien.

I've not seen a rudder to buy, but there are a number of bad sidewinders out there. Maybe you can find a second one real cheap for parts. Don't go eBay - people as $600 for a really trashed boat. Crazy.

I remember giving away a sidewinder years ago. Now I wish I had some more for you guys.

Glad you are restoring your boats!]]> Paul sailmfg Wed, 10 Jun 2020 05:01:40 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1497,1499#msg-1499 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1497,1499#msg-1499
Anyway if you look through the forums history there are a few people who posted updates as they rebuilt theirs and should have plenty of tips, I think a custom centerboard and rudder are pretty common these days to just have them machine cut and then hand tool the edges.
The only way I know of (and I have zero experience so idk what I’m saying really) to get to the center board slot is to remove the top side of the boat from the hull, there are photos I’ve seen somewhere in this forum of someone doing that.]]> Erik sailmfg Wed, 10 Jun 2020 03:52:41 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1472,1498#msg-1498 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1472,1498#msg-1498
Thanks,

Pat]]> Porrick sailmfg Tue, 09 Jun 2020 16:03:50 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1497,1497#msg-1497 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1497,1497#msg-1497
Thanks for the add. I am a recreational daysailor/cruiser (and very occasional casual racer) -- mostly in Casco Bay and coastal Maine. I had a J-24 for many years (actually cruised with my young family in it), and now I own a Cape Dory 26. But last weekend --in a fit of COVID-closure desperation, I bought an early Sidewinder and trailer in sailable, but rough shape. Hull and deck look decent -- no soft spots or bog issues. All the parts are there -- though some are homemade and most others are badly worn, so it's going to need some work and a bunch of replacement stuff. I will be sailing this in Maryland/Viriginia bay/river/lakes mostly. Not sure how much time/effort I am going to spend restoring it or trying to make it look beautiful, but I want to make it a solid, fun, go-fast boat, so I'm looking for info on rigging options, repairs and parts / substitutes. Thats said, I am curious if anyone is actually doing significant restorations on these...

Regarding replacements, I have a few rough, home brew items I want to replace with either originals or decent substitutes. Specifically, someone fabricated both replacement centerboard and rudder/tiller out of heavy plate steel (with raised grips on one side!). While both of these work, the rudder is a real monstrosity, does not kick up, and weighs a ton). I am wondering if any replacements/substitutions are available? Note the hull attachment is original and solid, but the rest. Any advice on this would be much appreciated..

Also need to replace most of the jib setup -- one of the stays is fraying in the middle (I will make/have made these and may change the chainplate arrangement as well -- it seems super flimsy) and it looks like the furler blew up at some point (the guts are missing) so i need recommendations on an appropriate replacement (or used one). Twill also replace the rest of the running rigging as it is really old.

I guess that's it to start. am missing a few pieces of hardware. The self-bailer is gone-- sealed and roughly plated over. Not sure I care. The foredeck jam cleat (for the furler sheet I presume) is missing and the one on the centerboard casing is shattered. I notice that both these seem to be thru-bolted and, while I think I can get to the back of the deck cleat, the centerboard one is enclosed in the hull. Any advice on how to deal with this?

Anything major I shaped look for as Iget this stuff taken care of and get it in the water?

Thanks very much on advance for any help/info!

Pat]]> Porrick sailmfg Tue, 09 Jun 2020 16:01:27 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1472,1496#msg-1496 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1472,1496#msg-1496 Thanks for sharing!]]> Erik sailmfg Tue, 09 Jun 2020 06:40:26 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1489,1495#msg-1495 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1489,1495#msg-1495 I definitely want to do whatever I’ve got to in order to get this old boat back into perfect sailing shape and all this info is invaluable!
I washed out the inside of the hull today, there was about 20 pounds of acorns, leaves, twigs and dirt and crap but mixed in with that was a whole bunch of insulation/foam pieces. So it seems likely that the insulation could need to be redone? I was unaware that there was insulation inside the hull at all! Do you have any resources that I could learn how to redo that kind of stuff from? And how can I be sure the inner hull is dry before sailing?

I am definitely going to do a bunch of practice capsizing before I put the mast/sails back on and bring her to deeper waters. I definitely want to make sure I don’t end up needing a power boat to drag me to a lift again.]]> Erik sailmfg Tue, 09 Jun 2020 05:14:38 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1489,1494#msg-1494 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1489,1494#msg-1494 Paul sailmfg Tue, 09 Jun 2020 02:50:50 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1489,1493#msg-1493 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1489,1493#msg-1493
Important: Point the boat into the wind and release the main sheet.

Pull the centerboard fully out because it may have slipped in a bit. Put you feel on the gunwale that is in the water and try pulling down on the board and pushing with your feet to pivot the boat upright. If that does not work you need to get up on the centerboard, but at the tip and not hear the hull.

This is something you can practice in shallow water. Make sure it is deep enough so that the centerboard can be fully extended and at least three feet deeper than that (so in case you get caught under the centerboard when the boat uprights you won't get hurt. Do it without any sails on to get a feel for it. At this point you can stand to get on the board. It is much harder when the wind is blowing and the sails are full, that is why you need to point the boat into the wind. Otherwise you will never right it.

If fact, I would start with about two or three feet of water and no centerboard. Put the boat on its side and make sure it floats and does not take on water. See how fast or slowly it sinks down. It could be that the insulation inside the hull is worn out, gone or waterlogged. Always make sure the inside is dry before sailing.]]> Paul sailmfg Tue, 09 Jun 2020 02:49:48 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1489,1492#msg-1492 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1489,1492#msg-1492
I definitely had the "coffee can" style covers! So I guess i'll look for some other port-holes at the local marine store. Do you happen to know if theres a standardized size i should be looking for that will be a replacement?

Thank you for all the info! I'm definitely keen to figure out why it sank instead of floating and letting me right it, since i was immediately on the centerboard like I've seen in the videos. I'm not sure how to troubleshoot the boat without risking putting it back on the lakebed again and I don't know if next time there will be as helpful of people with a boat lift that I can use nearby!
The centerboard bracket sounds like a good idea but do they allow for the centerboard to be removed for trailering?]]> Erik sailmfg Tue, 09 Jun 2020 00:16:38 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1489,1491#msg-1491 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1489,1491#msg-1491
Depending on the year of your sidewinder you either have the covers that press over the rings or ones that screw in. I'm assuming you have the earlier style that press over the rings. I call those coffee can covers. If those are what you have, you won't find any covers the same size at best I have ever been able to find. So you will have to put in new portholes. It is not hard, and in the end you have a better setup because the new ones will certainly be screw in.

Losing the centerboard is a whole other matter. Maybe a local diving club will retrieve it for you. It is worth asking. I knew someone once who waited until his lake was drained and walked around and eventually found his board. Not too many of us are on lakes that are regularly drained.

It is critical, and too late for you now, that the centerboard be well fastened with a line. But normally it is fastened because the line is how you pull up and hold the centerboard to a raised position. But that line has to have a knot in it so it does not pull through the cleat! I'm guessing yours did not have a knot?

I knew someone (the same guy referenced above) who made special brackets out of aluminum that slid down into the slots where the plastic pivot goes. After inserting the centerboard he screwed the brackets into the metal framing around the centerboard slot. His centerboard was never going to fall out ever again. I had a copy of those brackets once but they are long gone so I cannot post a picture.

Righting a capsized sidewinder is easy if the centerboard is still in. Just swim around and climb up on it and the boat rights itself. Experienced people could swing their leg over the side of the boat as it capsized and be riding on top of the boat as it was on its side. Then they would just step onto the centerboard and swing themselves back into the boat as it came up. It's actually easier that you think - I've done it.

I hope you can get your boat back in the water soon. When on land, turn it on its side and see if water is getting in at the seams. I do not know a way to fix that problem if that is what is happening. But even if it were coming in from the seams, it would come in rather slowly.]]> Paul sailmfg Mon, 08 Jun 2020 23:59:54 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1489,1490#msg-1490 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1489,1490#msg-1490 Erik sailmfg Mon, 08 Jun 2020 22:20:55 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1489,1489#msg-1489 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1489,1489#msg-1489 apparently both of the porthole covers came off when it capsized and the hull just completely filled with water. Two power boats pulled me to a boat lift and helped me bail it and towed me back to the launch.

Once it was off the lakebed I saw both of the porthole covers had gone missing and are now somewhere underwater. So now I guess I need to get new porthole covers at least, and likely just new portholes entirely.

My understanding is that the boat should be able to be capsized for a decent amount of time without actually sinking, right?

Anyone have experience righting capsized sidewinders?]]> Erik sailmfg Mon, 08 Jun 2020 21:41:14 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1481,1488#msg-1488 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1481,1488#msg-1488 Paul sailmfg Tue, 12 May 2020 00:20:20 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1481,1487#msg-1487 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1481,1487#msg-1487 erikb sailmfg Mon, 11 May 2020 21:12:45 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1481,1486#msg-1486 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1481,1486#msg-1486 Rockdoc sailmfg Sat, 09 May 2020 22:38:39 +0200 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1484,1485#msg-1485 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1484,1485#msg-1485 Paul sailmfg Mon, 24 Feb 2020 20:40:49 +0100 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1484,1484#msg-1484 http://www.sailmfg.com/phorum/read.php?1,1484,1484#msg-1484 Admiral Hornblower sailmfg Mon, 24 Feb 2020 15:14:58 +0100