Latest News
Merrymaid Spars – back on board.
Published: Monday 2nd November 2009
For the last couple of months the 100’ Camper and Nicholson Cutter ‘Merrymaid’ has been berthed at Southampton Yacht Services and has undergone some modification work following her 20,000 mile cruise of South America.
Although he rig would work well in light Mediterranean airs,
for large ocean crossings with less predictive conditions it was decided to
shorten the topmast and run with a more modest topsail with the option of a
full topsail on a new jack yard. With some repair work and a few modifications
to the boom the spars were shipped back to Collars for the work to be carried
out.
Sawing 12' off a perfectly good 44' topmast took some
precision in order that the forestay and cap shrouds could be re-used, as well
as hitting the internal solid section. To make it work perfectly 180mm had to
be trimmed off the base, the fid hole raised and a small 750mm stub mast added
to the top to carry the service sheave. All went as planned an 
after some sea
trials she will be back across the Atlantic to continue her world cruise.
The full story is covered in our October newsletter available to download or by requesting a hard copy through the office.
