Avon Prindle 15 User manual

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INTRODUCTION

This owner's manual

provided to ease assembly,

maintenance

and

use of your Prindle

Catamaran

. We

believe these instructions portray the simplest methods.

our way the first time

and

learn from

us.

Then, if

you discover a bettermethod, feel free totell us

about

using the

reader

commentform enclosed. You may

see

your idea

appear

the

next edition. We

are

sure you

will

enjoy your Prindle Catamaran

and

hope

that this

manual

will

make your enjoyment easier

come

by.

Make sure

join

the

PrindleCassAssociation-it's

fun and it's FREE to any ownerof a Prindle

Catamaran

residing

the United States. A

$15.00

annual fee

charged for

all

other

areas. You

will

receive

the

Prindle-

letter,

our

Class publication every

other

month. This

newsletter contains feature articles, news

and

results of

regattas, photographs, timely tuning tips, special an-

nouncements

and

contests. As a

member

ofthe Prindle

Class Association you

will

also be entitled to

enter

and

participate

all

of our Class sanctioned regattas.

One

design racing begins at the local fleet level

leading to regional qualifying regattas

and

culminates

with the Annual National Championship Regattas held

a different region

each

year. Even if you are not a

racer, join the PrindleFleet

yourarea.

Our

fleets have

held such fun events as watermelon hunts, hull flying

contests, group cruises, Prindle barge picnics

and

clinics. It's much more fun to

the joy of sailing a

Prindle Catamaran. Ifa fleet does not exist

YQur

area

-start one!

All

you

need

five

enthusiastic owners!

Make sure your dealer

fills

out

and

submits

your

warranty card as this not only validates your warranty,

but

will

also automatically registeryouas a

member

the Prindle Class Association.

you have purchased a

used Prindle

Catamaran

please

send

us your sail

and

hull numbers as well as your complete address. Make

sure to notify us when you move too,

the

Prindleletter

does not get forwarded.

Keep

touch. We love to

hear

from

our

owners!

Surfglas, Inc.

1810

Borchard Avenue

Santa Ana, California

92105

CAUTIONU CAUTION!! CAUTION!!

DANGER!I

EXTREME CAUTION MUST BE

OBSERVED WHEN LAUNCHING

AND

SAILING NEAR OVERHEAD WIRES.

A MAST NEAR A WIRE COULD

BE FATAL!

WARN YOUR FELLOW SAILORSI

CAUTION!! CAUTION!! CAUTION!!

CONTENTS

Page

SECTION I: ASSEMBLY 3

Preparation 3

Crossbars 3

Trampoline 4

Rudder system 7

Castings 7

Tiller Crossbar 7

Tiller extension 8

Rudder blades 8

Rudder lock bolt 8

Adjusting helm 8

Rudder Alignment 9

Operation of rudder system 9

Mast and Rigging 10

Masthead 10

Spreaders

Diamond wires

Mast rotator 12

Masthorn 12

Shrouds

and

trapeze wires 13

Forestay and jib halyard 13

Main halyard

Raising the Mast

Diamond wires 17

Salls

and

Battens 18

Hoisting the mainsail 19

Boom

Outhaul

Mast rotator

Downhaul

Malnsheet and traveler

Jib

sheet

Jam

preventor

Righting line

Tightening

rig

tension

SECTION

: SAILING

Sail Trim

weather

Reaching

Downwind

Downhaul systems

Trapezing

Lacing the harness

Trapeze positioning

launching

Onshore

Offshore

Tacking

Jibing

Balance 32

Righting 32

Reefing

SECTION Ill: AFTER SAILING 35

loosening

rig

lowering

salls 35

Trallerlng

SECTION

IV:

MAINTENANCE 39

Dolphin Striker 39

Battens 40

Foam/fiberglass battens 40

General

intenance Tips 40

Hulls 40

Rudders 40

Sails

SECTION

TUNING FOR PERFORMANCE

Mast Rake

Mast Rotation

Barberhauler

SECTION

:SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Major parts of a boat

Glossary of Terms

Knot Illustrations 44

READER'S COMMENT FORM

PRINDLE CATAMARAN OWNER'S MANUAL

Section

ASSEMBLY

PREPARATION

Tools needed:

large screwdriver

vi pliers

needle-nose pliers

1/2"

offset wrench

combination

1/2"

9/16"

box-end wrench

adjustable wrench

masking or duct

tape

silicone sealant

Your Prindle

Catamaran

comes packaged

two

hull containers,

one

large hardware box

and

one

mast

box.

Place the two hull containers approximately 5 feet

apartwith stapled seams at the

top

ofthe cartons facing

each other. This

will

insure that both hulls

will

be facing

the same direction. .

Open

the hull containers. Leave

the

hulls standing

on the cardboard supports.

Open

the

hardware box

and

familiarize yourself

with

the

major parts of

your

boat.

The

contents of

the

hardware box should include:

boom

battens

rear

crossbar

front crossbar

sails

trampoline

rudder

box

rigging box

tiller crossbar

tiller extension

Open

the

rigging box.

The

contents

will

be listed

the

sheet

enclosed.

CROSSBARS

Remove

rubber

plugs from hulls. Lay both the front

and

rear crossbars

the

hulls with

the

outside edges

even with

the

outside edges of hulls.

The

curf(groove)

on the front crossbarshould face aft

and

the

curf

the

back crossbar should face forward.

attach inside bolts on the front crossbar, insert

5/16"

hex

head

bolt with washer into inboard hole

-3-

crossbar

and

through the bolt hole

the deck. Put

some silicone sealant

your forefinger

and

reach

through the hatch to put

the

sealant

the boltwhere

enters the hull. Attach lock nut

and

flat washer to bolt

inside hull using

1/2"

box-end wrench.

you cannot

reach the bolt, tape the nut to the wrench. Thread nut

snugly

hull.

not tighten until all bolts are snug.

To attach inside bolts

the rear crossbar, insert

one

ofthe

5/16"

flat

head

screws through

the

inboard

hole of the rear crossbar

and

bolt hole in deck pocket.

Put a

flat

washer and lock nut onto the bolt. You may

find that taping the nut washer ontoa wrench

easiest.

Tighten loosely using a screwdriver on top of screw.

To attach outside bolts

both crossbars, insert

5/16"

hex head bolt with washer through crossbar

and

deck. Insert through 6" stainless steel bar which

fits

under the deck. Hand tighten. Repeat procedure

all

outside bolts.

Before tightening down these 8 bolts, make sure

the front crossbar sits

the groove without voids

between

and the deck. Tighten

all

bolts down being

careful

not

overtighten the outside bolts

the

rear

crossbar. Leverage provided

a 6" long wrench

sufficient for proper tightening.

Insert rubber plugs into holes

hulls.

TRAMPOLINE

From the port hull, insert forward

and

rear edges of

trampoline

curls

crossbars.

The

rear edge has two

rows of grommets.

Feed trampoline across boat

alternately pulling

each edge.

-4-

Tie a figure eight knot

the

end

of side lacing line

(1/8"

x 11')

and

begin lacing side of trampoline

beginning at the forward slot. Lace line up through

deck, through forward loop

and

back down through

deck. Proceed aft

and

tie off end. Follow same

procedure for

other

side of trampoline.

Tighten each side

using a pair of pliers

vice

grips. Start tightening from the front

and

move

the

rear. Be sure to get trampoline centered

boat

lining up the grommet nearest the front crossbar with

the center of the mast step. Trim

and

burn excess line.

Save for use later.

Lace up the back of the trampoline with

1/4"

lacing

lines

lOY.!

feet long. Begin

tieing a double overhand

knot

one

end of each line and

thread

through rear

grommets, starting up through the rear outside corner

grommet

each side.

-5-

Stand

the

back of the boat

and

tighten lines

bracingyourfoot against

the

rear crossbarfor leverage.

Pull as tight as possible. Tie off lines

under

trampoline.

Do not trim excess line as this leaves somethingto hold

when retightening tramp.

Completed rear lacing

Cut each of the extra scrap lengths of

1/8"

side lace

line into

pieces. You

will

need

two pieces for single

trapeze

and

4 pieces for double trapeze. Fold line

half

and

lace through block.

Tie the block onto the side trampoline tab using a

square knot. Use tab just forward of hatch for single

trapeze and tabs just forward and aft of hatch for

double trapeze.

Slip tails of line

under

tab to hide

and

keep knot

from loosening. Blocks should stand straight up.

Lead shock cord through block, down through

grommet

hatch,

and

up through grommet

and

block

opposite side of tramp. Secure

end

until needed

later.

Attach a

3/16"

shackle ontoeach jib bridle wire. Be

sure pin handle

facing up

that

does not scratch

trampoline.

Tie

3/16"

x 6' line to

one

of the shackles and lead

the other

end

through

one

set of double grommets at

center of tramp.

Using a truckers hitch, tie the line to the

3/16"

shackle

opposite jib bridle wire. Pull line as tight as

possible

and

tie off using a row of half hitches.

-6-

Attach jib blocks to thimble at

end

of jib bridle wire

(not shackle) using

3/16"

shackle. Be

sure

the

jaws of

cleat face inboard.

Thread

5/16"

x 33' jib

sheet

line

tieing off

one

end

to jib block with a bowline.

Thread

through small jib clew blocks, through cleat

jib

block, across tramp

and

through opposite jib block

opposite direction. Jib

sheet

should be

one

continuous

line.

Hiking straps

trampoline are adjustable for

personal comfort. People with long legs use the

inboard loop. Tie off

onto

a grommet

rear of tramp.

-7-

RUDDER SYSTEM

Open

rudder

box,

should

contain: left & right

rudder

castings with tiller arms

and

complete workings

installed

and

rudder

blades with lock pins attached.

Castings

install

rudder

casting

onto

transom,

make

sure

Prindle insignia

outboard

side.

Remove

cotter key

and

pintel from casting. Line

casting with

gudgeons

transom

and

reinsert pintel

through

gudgeons

and

casting.

Tiller

crossbar

attach tiller crossbar to tiller arms, remove

1/4"

bolt, washer,

and

lock

nut

from

end

of tiller arm. Place

tiller crossbar over tillers with large hole at

end

facing

and

end

cap

pop

rivet facing af

Drop

1/4

" bolt

down through crossbar, putting washer between tiller

crossbar

and

tiller arm. Insert

1/4"

bolt through hole

tiller arm

and

put lock nut on end. Make sure lines

inside tiller go

eitherside of bolt, do not cross them.

Do not put

the

nut

the

bolt

adjuster end of

crossbar until the rudders have been aligned

(in-

structions later).

Tiller

extension

Remove locknut from

end

oftiller extension. Attach

extension to tiller crossbar

and

reattach locknut. Tiller

extension should be able to touch trampoline easily. If

does not, the tiller crossbar has

been

installed

backwards.

Rudder

blades

To instaJi rudder blades into

rudder

castings, untie

ends of downhaul

and

uphaullines

castings but DO

NOT UNLACE. Remove

1/4"

bolt with locknut. Place

rudder blade between casting with lock pin forward.

-8-

Reinsert

1/4"

bolt through casting

and

1/4"

hole

rudder

blade. Replace locknut

and

tighten until

rudder

will

just

fall

by itself. Do not overtighten

this

will

restrict

rudder

movement, too loose

and

rudder

will

sloppy

casting. Thread downhaul

and

uphaullines

into

rudder

blade

and

tie off ends with a figure eight

knot. Make sure the ends

not extend beyond the

edge of blade. Follow

same

procedure

both blades.

Rudder

lock

bolt

The

rudder

lock bolt

the

forward

edge

of each

rudder

blade.

necessary to adjust this bolt

obtain

proper

helm. Making

the

bolt longer produces more

weather helm (heavy steering)

and

shortening

the

bolt

decreases

weather

helm (easier steering).

Adjusting

helm

recommend

the following

method

for adjusting

the rudders before the boat

sailed.

Place

boat

there

clearance to lower rudders

and

lock down. Take a short batten

yardstick

and

lay

the straight edge flush against the transom. Adjust

the

lock bolt so that the forward bottom

edge

the

rudder

about1/2" aft of the forward edge ofthe batten. (Pull

rudder back lightly to pull

out

any slop.)

1/2"

aft

good starting point, further adjustment may be necessary

for personal preference.

Note: As the mast

raked aft, the rudders must be

raked forward to balance helm.

Rudder

alignment

Lock both rudders down. Measure 22"

the

leading edge of rudders

and

mark this measurement.

the same

the trailing edges.

Tum

the rudders so they

are

pointing down the hull

sailing straight ahead.

Measure from the centerline of the front edge of

one rudder blade(22" up) to the centerline of the front

edge of the

other

blade. Do the

same

with the trailing

edges.

-9-

If the distance between the trailing edges

greater

than

that

the

front edges; lengthen the tiller adjuster

by unscrewing

the

distance between

the

front edges

greater

than

that

the

trailing edges;

shorten

the tiller adjuster

by screwing

in.

One

complete

tum

1/16

an inch.

Attach adjuster

end

of tiller crossbar to tiller.

Example: If

the

distance between

the

front edges

75"

and

the

distance between the trailing edges

75W';

unscrew the tiller adjuster 4

5 complete turns

and

measure

again. Keep adjusting until the measurements

are the

same

. You

can

achieve accuracy

to1/32" of

inch but

1/8"

good.

Operation

rudder

system

The

Prindle

rudder

system

designed to be used

underway

and

functions best

under

that condition.

The

aft force of the water facilitates raising

the

rudder

and

when

the

rudder

released the water slows its

fall.

raise the

rudder

, grab handle at

end

of tiller

and

pull until desired height of

rudder

achieved.

• Lock line

jam cleat at

end

of tiller

pulling line

up.

To lower rudder, release uphaulline from jam cleat

and pull ball at

end

of downhaul line until lock bolt

engages spring loaded pin

rudder casting.

operation

the

rudder

pulled up too far, the

head

the

rudder

blade

will

hit

the

washers at the top

the

casting. This could chip your

rudder

blade. To

prevent this, tie a knot

pull down line

about

from

ball. Adjust position of knot

that

the

raised

rudder

stops just short of hitting the washers.

MAST

AND

RIGGING

Masthead

15 & 18: Masthead

assembled before shipping.

16:

assemble your masthead, take

the

main

halyard wire

and

thread eye

end

through aft side of

masthead casting (side with curf). Align sheaves with

holes

masthead

casting and insert clevis pins

through. Insert cotter ring through pin.

Attach main halyard line tail to eye of main halyard

wire with bowline. Tie off main halyard line

and

wire to

the base of

the

mast.

-10

Spreaders

only; The spreader bars

are

installed onto the

mast spreader base with four

3/16"

5/8"

clevis pins

and cotter rings.

The

adjustable length

spreader

bars

are attached to

the

front ofthe

spreader

base plate

and

the shorter bars to the ears near

the

aft edge of

the

mast. Cotter rings should be

the bottom. Connect

spreader tips with six clevis pins

and

cotter rings.

The adjustable forward bar can be lengthened or

shortened to adjust the

amount

of "sweep back" the

spreaders have.

The

more the spreaders are "swept

back", the smoother the mast bend

will

be, even with

-11-

tight diamond wires. However, the more"swept back"

the spreaders

are

the more they

will

get

the way of

the jib while sailing.

There

no "right" or "wrong"

the

amount

"sweep

back" -just personal pre-

ference. Be sure both sides

are

adjusted to the same

length.

To measure

the

amount

"sweep

back"

the

spreaders, lay a batten

yard stick from tip to tip.

Then

measure

the

distance from the curlof

the

mast to

the batten. About

1~"

"sweep back"

considered

normal.

Diamond

wires

only; Attach diamond wires to the tangs

the

sides of the mast.

The

fork fitting

the diamond wire

attached to

the upper fitting on the mast.

DANGER! SPECIAL ATTENTION: Be sure all spread-

fittings

are

securely attached.

The

mast

will

break if

the diamond wires come loose.

The

mast

not

covered

under

warranty for breakage

due

to improper

tuning, assembly

maintenance.

Mast rotator

The

turnbuckle

the diamond wire

attached to

the lower fitting

the mast.

The

two

separate

turnbuckle studs should be started into

the

turnbuckle

at the

same

time.

Place

the

diamond wire

the slot

the

spreader

tip with the nylon roller

above

the spreaders. Using

one

of the

pieces of seizing wire, seize

the

diamond

wires

place so they cannot come loose. You must

wrap the tips with duct, sail,

electrician's

tape

protect your

jib

from chafing.

15 & 18:

The

rotator wishbone

bolted to mast

using

the

upper

bolts fitted through

the

diamond

tang

fittings (no tangs on 15). This fitting can remain

mast permanently.

The

lower bolts

are

used

keep

the wishbone from dropping down

onto

boom.

Masthorn

All boats: Take large

5/16"

shackle

and

thread

rigging

onto

masthorn

this order:

-12-

Trapeze wire

Shroud

Forestay pigtail (forestay of 15)

Shroud

Trapeze wire

Notes:

The

will

have double trapeze wires

one

thimble. When rigging forestay pigtail

onto

masthorn,

the short wire should be towards mast

18,

the

will

have the forestay wire only, no pigtail.

Shrouds

and

trapeze

wires

Attach twist clip to shroud pin

deck with

1/4"

clevis pin. Attach twist clip to

shroud

adjuster using

another

1/4"

clevis pin. To attach shrouds to shroud

adjuster, insert shroud thimble

between shroud

adjuster jaws

and

insert clevis pin through adjuster

and

shroud thimble. Use

one

of the upper holes

the

adjuster. Insert cotter ring.

Tie a trapeze ring to each of the

lines supplied.

Thread

the

line through the thimble at the

end

of the

trapeze wire.

Thread

one

of the plastic height adjusters

onto

the line, wrapping the line

around

at least twice.

The

adjuster allows you to adjust your trapeze height.

Tie the tail of the line to the shock cord with a bowline.

Prindle

single trapeze

Prindle

double trapeze

Forestay

and

jib

halyard

15:

The

forestay

already attached to the mast-

horn

and

there

no jib halyard.

18:

Attach

the

forestay to the long pigtail

(30") with a

1/4"

shackle.

The

ring must face towards

the

masj.-

-13-

The

jib halyard with the brummel hooks

connected

together

lead

through the ring, through the short

pigtail thimble

and

back down through

the

ring. Tie

both ends loosely

near

the

base of

the

mast.

Main halyard

15 & 18:

The

main halyard ring (ring with loop

welded on)

attached to

the

main halyard

tieing the

halyard through

the

welded loop with a small, compact

bowline. Attach the twisted shackle

onto

the ring.

Attach the main halyard ring

and

other

end

of main

halyard

near

the base of the mast to help

keep

out

the way while raising the mast. •

16: Main halyard has already

been

installed

under

"masthead"

section.

RAISING THE MAST

This

photo

shows the mast

step

and

hinge.

Store

hinge

components

as shown when

not

in use.

Hint:

you

may wish to use the split ring from

the

forestay turnbuckle

the

aft pin as

easier to

install.

Before raising the mast the boat should

steady, level ground. If the surface

not level, point

the bows downhill. Lengthen the forestay turnbuckle

that only

3/4"

each

threaded

stud

into

the

barrel. Remove

the

clevis pin. Note that

the

shackle pin

takes

the

place of the pin supplied with the turnbuckle.

Uncoil

and

straighten

out

shrouds, forestay,

and

trapeze wires allowing them to

hang

over

the tiller

crossbar to the ground. Walk

the

mast back until

the

base

just behind

the

mast

step

front crossbar.

Secure

the

hinge to

the

mast base using the pin

prOVided. Attach cotter rings to both

ends

of hinge pin

to prevent

from falling

out

while raising mast.

Before lifting the mast, make

sure

wires

will

not

catch

rudders

other

obstructions

and

that

forestay

clear

and

not

fouled with the shrouds.

CHECK FOR OVERHEAD WIRES BEFORE RAISING

MAST. A MAST WHICH COMES

CONTACT

WITH ELECTRICAL POWERLINES CAN CAUSE

SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

-14-

Prindle

mast

step

hinge

use Prindle

mast

step

hinge

use

-15-

Stand

trampoline

with

one

foot

rear crossbar

steady yourself.

Prindle

mast step hinge in use

-16-

Raise the mast

your shoulder

and

walk forward

with

while extending arms

over

your

head

until the

mast

held

the side shrouds.

can leave

the

forestay turnbuckle pre-set. Tighten

turnbuckle until mast

raked slightly aft ofstraight up.

See

Performance Tuning section for optimum mast

rake suggestion If

the

shrouds are

one

of the top

holes the

rig

will

be a little loose.

After hoisting the mainsail we

will

explain how

tighten

the

rig.

Use a wrench

pliers to tighten the

nuts against the turnbuckle barrel. This

will

help keep

from unturning.

Note: Make sure to tape

the

turnbuckle barrel and nuts

prevent

them from loosening.

Diamond

wires

18: Adjusting the tension of the diamond wires

should

done

with care. Before the sails are hoisted,

but after the mast has been stepped; adjust both

Attach the forestay

the

1/4"

shackle holding

the

diamond wires

the

same

tightness.

one

looser

bow bridle wires together. After this initial rigging you than the

other

your mast

will

bend

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