Nicholson 38 Owners Group | Van | Activity https://nicholson38.org/members/van/activity/ Activity feed for Van. Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:16:54 +0000 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-US 30 hourly 2 6a0596f68ef26dbcee8f3cc9a3b1fd60 Van replied to the topic Running Backstays on mainmast for babystay in the forum Running Rigging https://nicholson38.org/forums/topic/running-backstays-on-mainmast-for-babystay/#post-27331 Wed, 01 Feb 2023 10:32:54 +0000 Just an odd thought here, what if you simply moved the top attachment up to the recommended 5% from the top, and get a longer inner stay? I see you have mechanical terminal fittings which can be reused, so you would just need to buy a new longer wire, and maybe some new cones for the fittings.

Probably a lot easier and cheaper than making two…Read more

]]> 4b5e004019d9e820fc4e6f4eae5397a3 Van replied to the topic Mathway Steering backlash in the forum Steering and Rudder https://nicholson38.org/forums/topic/mathway-steering-backlash/#post-27315 Tue, 29 Nov 2022 05:40:42 +0000 Well, after much trials and tribulations, we finally resolved the backlash issue in our steering.  In doing so, as you can see above, we pulled out the gear box, flushed it with solvent, filled it with good oil, reinstalled it, and found the problem did not go away.  We then realized there was slop in the rudder post – the upper part, above the c…Read more

]]> 3a7f6c086a895a303111d3d13d5f3844 Van replied to the topic Mast rake and pre-bend in the forum Standing Rigging https://nicholson38.org/forums/topic/mast-rake-and-pre-bend/#post-27295 Wed, 14 Sep 2022 07:46:05 +0000 Rainshadow is 1974 also with the gold anodized spars. The original Nic 38 manual does not comment on rig tuning.

Because the mast is pretty stiff, I typically introduce some aft rake, but not much.  I would guess 3-4 inches at the top of the mast based on just looking up the mast from the deck to view the bend (which I estimate is 1%).  Most of t…Read more

]]> 2cdf3d3e5500f9f223106713c1c69162 Van replied to the topic Steering/Rudder problems (and a sagging aft deck!!) in the forum Steering and Rudder https://nicholson38.org/forums/topic/steering-rudder-problems-and-a-sagging-aft-deck/#post-27196 Sun, 31 Jul 2022 09:08:03 +0000 One more idea!  As you have your rudder out, I recommend that you put a 1/2 inch hole in it, in the trailing edge near the point at which it is widest (or furthest aft). In the event of a catastrophic steering failure (gear box crumbles to dust, etc) you will be able to run a line, with stopper knots through this hole, and be able to steer from…Read more

]]> af388d2ec3d0c24ed36154cf1db70958 Van replied to the topic Steering/Rudder problems (and a sagging aft deck!!) in the forum Steering and Rudder https://nicholson38.org/forums/topic/steering-rudder-problems-and-a-sagging-aft-deck/#post-27195 Sun, 31 Jul 2022 08:50:31 +0000 Oh, one more thing, we drilled several small holes in the “hinge” and the first few looked great – after a very thin layer of pink dezincified bronze, the deeper metal was clean bronze.  But the fourth hole was pink all the way down – very happy we tried multiple locations.  We replaced the hinge.

The shoe was fine in all the test holes we m…Read more

]]> 3e91e0c8b79fbeaacfe9e98aab5657e6 Van replied to the topic Steering/Rudder problems (and a sagging aft deck!!) in the forum Steering and Rudder https://nicholson38.org/forums/topic/steering-rudder-problems-and-a-sagging-aft-deck/#post-27194 Sun, 31 Jul 2022 08:38:36 +0000 Yes, the collar was probably plain steel, as it was on Rainshadow.  Dang, how did C&N decide to use such a poor material?  It saved them a few shillings I guess.  Or, maybe they realized it would be easier in 2022 to cut off a mild steel collar than a stainless one?  Genius or cheap, take your pick!

In any case, you’ll need to have a new cou…Read more

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