posted 10-11-2006 02:56 PM               

The first item I am offering is shrouds (stays) which are NOT historically correct, but are offered at a fraction of the price of the more accurate pieces.

These shoruds are made of the highest quality 1/8" 7x19 stainless steel. The loops are Nicopressed on one end with tan neoprene tubing or rubberized black tape double layered over the wire in the loop to keep the wire from biting the mast. They are supplied extra long for ease of fitting. I am using a set on my boat and they are great.
They are made by the largest sailboat rigger in Detroit. They are available for both Marconi and Gaff rigs. The price - all three for $99.00 - shipping included.

posted 10-15-2006 10:57 AM               

After seeing the beautiful boat that you made and after supplying the Bronze fittings for it I am suprised that you would even want to supply such an inferior priduct as the stays with Nicopress fittings. The tape on the loops of the stays will wear through quickly and will also deteriorate in the sun. The wire rope will then cut into the soft wood of the spar. In addition rain water (acid rain) will penetrate the Nicopress fittings and in time cause the wire rope and the fitting to corrode. Once this happens the fitting will weaken and on a windy day will fail. I have seen it happen too many times.

It was my impression of the Haven Forum that the purpose was to encourage builders to build the best boats possible not the cheapest. That is why I was the first and only sponsor of the Forum for many years and why I pay $600.00 a year to sponsor it.

My own personal boat has the traditional spliced Herreshoff stays. They are original equipment from Sept. of 1920. Yes they cost more to make but are still working fine. If my stays had been made the way that you offer my boat would be on her third or fourth set by now which would have cost a great deal more than doing it right the first time. I have yet to have a stay or splice fail. I have known of many Nicopress fittings to fail. In addition to the cost of replacing the stay the owner had to pay additional money to repair or replace other things damaged when the stay failed. Why are you suggesting to the Forum readers that they purchase an inferior product that will, over time fail, and when it does could cause serious injury and great expense?

posted 10-15-2006 06:58 PM               

Moving on, I am very pleased to announce that I have negotiated a deal with Wally Cross of Quantum sails on making "Official HavenBuilder Sails" for us. You can learn about Wally at:
http://www.quantumsails.com/international/news/item.asp?DID=150

I have Quantum sails on my Haven, and they are superb. The price for mainsail, either Marconi or Gaff is $990.00 The Jib is $339.00. Both ordered together are $1,299.00. Specify Tanbark or white.

posted 10-18-2006 07:22 PM               

The savings that you estimate by using the less expensive stays will be depleted very quickly ten years down the road when a Nicopress fitting lets go on a windy day, your mast breaks and dumps your whole rig over the side. You have already broken your mast once and had to repair it, therefore you know how much load a mast can be under.

In addition the lay of the unserved and unleathered wire rope will cut into the soft wood of the spar. In time rain water will get into the wood and cause rot. If you have to replace your mast, sails, and standing rigging ten years down the road because you saved a few dollars now - are your really ahead. Now figure how much the medical bills will be for you and the crew members that are hurt when the mast breaks.

I have never been able to put a price on personal safety. I have seen too many Nicopress fittings fail under load on a windy day to be able to put any faith in them at all.

My advice to any builder would be to not be in a rush. Take a little longer, save up any additional money that it will take to do it right and therefore end up with a good boat that you can trust and that will bring you home in one piece every time.