Updating

Now that these words are posted, photos will follow soon to show you what a great sailboat we had.  Not that we have that many!  Those we have were taken long before the digital revolution, so sticky albums and boxes of photos will have to be "sorted"...  In the meantime, this might tide you over...

Then it's on to other nautical treasures as we continue to float....

Design Specifics



Compass Designer Smith 1934-2008

Designer.  Claude A. Smith Junior, 4 September 1972,  New Zealand.

Capsize Screening Formula: B/cube root of (Displacement/64) = 11/cube root of (16,676/64) = 11/cube root of 260.5 = 11/6.4 = 1.72.  Note: Result should be less than 2

Displacement Length Ratio.  Equals (long) tons/(.01 x LWL in feet) cubed = 7.43/(.01 x 30.67) cubed = 7.43/.3067 cubed = 7.43/.0288 = 258.  Note: Boats with a D/L ratio of more than about 325 are heavy cruisers. A number between 200 and 325 indi­cates a light- to moderate-displacement cruiser, and less than 200 is very light displacement.

On her Hawkesbury River Mooring

Ballast to Displacement Ratio. B/D = 7304/16676 = 44%

Sail Area to Displacement.  SA/D = sail area divided by displacement (in cubic feet) 2/3 = 577/260.5 squared then cube root of result = 577/cube root of 67860 = 577/40.7 = 14.2.  Sail area is size of mainsail plus size of foretriangle (area bounded by headstay, mast, and deck).  To find dis­placement in cubic feet, divide it by 64, then square number and, finally, find cube root.  A SA/D ratio around 12 indicates an extreme under-rigged heavy cruiser.  A ratio double that one is typical of racing boats, and most modern cruisers fall between the two extremes. You can carry all the sail you want for light air (so long as you can reef quickly). Eg Windjammer main is 234’sq and no1 genoa is 504’sq = 738’sq.  SA/D ratio = 738/260.5 2/3 = 738/40.7 = 18.1

Hull speed = 1.34 times the square root of LWL  = 1.34 x square root of 30.67 = 1.34 x 5.54 = 7.42 knots

This report from the NZ Tradeaboat will fill in any technical gaps that I'm bound to have missed.


On the Hard at Oyster Cove in the wonderful Nelson Bay area

Plans & Build

Main Bulkhead reinforcement

Plans.  We had a complete set of plans included with our initial purchase.

Build.  I would have to say very strong. 

Bulkheads and knees glassed to hull and deck. 

Hull and deck internally joined by fibreglass and bolts approximately 6”/15cm apart through aluminium toerails running full length of gunwales. 

Main bulkhead strengthened with 4x beams of laminated timber glued, bolted and glassed to bulkhead, hull and deck head. 

3x internal substantial horizontal stringers glassed along each side of hull to aft bulkhead. 

Engine beds glassed to hull.



On the Hard at Oyster Cove Marina

Hull

Protection.  4xlayers of epoxy Interprotect rolled on bottom and 3xlayers on topsides before final painting and launching.  Topsides painted in (2xpack) Navy Blue. 

Keel.  Ballast: 3.25 tons/3.32 tonnes 7,304 lbs, 3320 kg.   Encapsulated internal mix of lead ingots and lead shot all bound together with resin and covered with 4x layers glass.  Reinforced with glass-covered ply floors to top of keel and hull.  A deep bilge located after side of keel where an automatic bilge pump is located plus the two manual bilge pumps hoses. Bilge area also coated with 3x coats of epoxy Interprotect.

Mast and Boom.  The mast is T11section, one standard stronger than T10 section, originally recommended by La Mer Spars for the Compass 38. T11 section has same outside dimensions as T10 section but also has two reinforcing ribs extending along length of the section.  Masthead is a welded fitting by Sheerline Spars.  Single spreader rig plus set of diamonds for inner staysail so no need for running backstays.  Boom is T9 section. 2x spinnaker poles, deck mounted.   Mast, boom and spinnaker poles painted white with 2x pot paint, on top of etch primer. 

Steering.  Whitlock wheel steering system via chain and flexible wire pulley system to quadrant mounted on rudder shaft below rear of cockpit.  Accessible through lazarette.  Emergency tiller fits directly to top of rudder shaft should wheel steering system fail.

Rudder.  Skeg-mounted with solid stainless steel shaft.  Pintle and gudgeon fitting at bottom of skeg supporting rudder.  Bronze thru hull fitting where rudder enters bottom of hull and another bronze fitting supporting rudder shaft at top where it enters cockpit.

Canvas Work.  Folding dodger, 2x hatch covers, 7x winch covers, compass cover, mainsail cover (new 2008) and large heavy-duty awning covering cockpit and extending forward to mast.

Self Steering Gear.  We installed a 1990 Fleming Major wind vane servo-pendulum self steering gear.  Heavy duty stainless steel and worth every penny!

Sailing Performance

Sailing Performance.  Windjammer II performed particularly well in stronger winds and was been able to carry small furling jib and two reefs in mainsail when sailing in gale force winds.  With light number one genoa and full mainsail set she also ghosts along quite comfortably in light and fluky breezes. 

Steering is light and well balanced.  Motion is very comfortable without slamming as often found in modern boats when beating to windward. 

Long fin keel also helps for easy steering and avoids any sudden rounding up when hit by sudden gusts. 

All in all, a Compass 38 is a very comfortable sea boat, taking our family safely on cruises from Melbourne to the NSW coast.  When not day sailing on Sydney Harbour or Pitwater, Windjammer II regularly participated in weekly RANSA racing programs and even won overall handicap honours in races on Sydney Harbour.

History.  We purchased Windjammer II as a new hull and deck joined together, with the engine, propeller shaft and propeller installed by the original builder.  Planning and building process overseen by Clem Masters, a very well respected Australian naval-architect and boat builder, in 1981.  His advice on how to finish structural interior of boat was followed meticulously with professional assistance of a naval engineer and two electricians. 

Windjammer II launched in 1989 at Queenscliff, Victoria and various ‘homes’ at Port Stephens, Sydney Harbour in Rushcutters Bay and Dangar Island, on Hawkesbury River. 

From 2001 to 2007 Windjammer II on hard in boatyard at Port Stephens while I worked  overseas.  This opportunity was not wasted as we engaged a professional shipwright to complete a final interior fitout of laminated ply, plus teak and iroko.

Makes and Models.  In Australia known variously as Compass 38, Olympic 38 and Whiteway 38.  Also 40’ version which has similar hull, rig and sail plan however topsides raised lengthening bow and increasing volume of boat plus flush deck fitted.  Compass 38 is known in NZ as Pacific 38. Technical data can be found here.

See how one young couple set up their Compass 38 to cruise the Pacific recently. Their blog is in Dutch but the photos are very inspiring. (Ed. Regrettably, this link is broken.)

Safety & Deck Gear



Main Companionway Ladder

Ground Tackle.  I carried two anchors for our coastal cruising.  They worked well and we never had an issue. They were a CQR and Danforth type – both 35lbs with 30' anchor chain and three strand nylon line.

I also carried on board:

7x life jackets,

2x life buoys mounted in stainless steel brackets on stern pushpit,

1x danbuoy,

1x MOB floating automatic strobe light,

2x torches, 6 volt,

2x buckets, 

1x stainless boarding demountable ladder, folding to well below water level.

2x gateways in lifelines/guard rails, one with fittings for boarding ladder.

1x boat hook.

Good for teaching all sorts of life skills

Life Raft.   6x man Avon, purchased at time of launching.

4x fenders 

Despite having two active young children, I am pleased to say that we never once had a “boy” overboard.  They enjoyed the simple life of beachcombing, snorkeling and fishing. It didn’t take them long to learn how to master the dinghy and its (small) outboard.  Great fun.

Plumbing



Bilge Pump - cockpit operated

Bilge Pumps.  3.  2x diaphragm hand, one operated from cockpit (heavy duty double action type) and one internally under floor next to chart table. 

Auto electric pump in bilge. 

Thru Hull Fittings.  7 for plumbing and one for log.  All thru hull fittings, except for log, bronze fitted with bronze/stainless ball valves. 

Serviced annually.  Plastic log thru hull has screw-in plug.

Engine with panels removed

Fuel Tanks.  2x diesel, fibreglass ply sandwich, mounted under saloon berths - approx 200 litre capacity. 

Fitted with s/s removable inspection plates for cleaning.  Cleaned annually.

Water Tank.  One 100 litre flexible under forward v berth.

Cockpit Drains.  4, 1.5” lead to 2x thru hull fittings, with ball valves.

Electrical



Hatch w Solar Panel behind



Electrics.  We carried 2x heavy duty combined start/stowage batteries under port saloon bunk.  A demountable small rigid solar panel mounted on deck, connected directly to batteries when boat on mooring ensuring batteries always topped-up.



Engine Panel & Control + Bilge Pump



Mast wiring tinned, internal wiring heavy gauge household wiring.    

Switchboard, engine gauges, battery master switch and wiring installed by qualified electrician. 

Hull navigation lights, combined masthead tricolour navigation and anchor light, deck light, steaming light.

 Electronics.  I purchased Navman wind, speed, depth and log instruments to be installed and integrated with chart plotter and/or personal computer.  Never quite got round to it however.

Old VDO wind instruments were still fitted but I did plan to replace them one day with new gear.  VDO impellor log worked well.  Our Euromarine digital 100 metre depth sounder also worked well, transducer located inside hull. 

Fitted a 27mhz radio with antenna. 

Engine, Cockpit & Hatches



Yanmar Engine

Engine.  Powerful Yanmar 3QM30H, 3xcylinder, 33hp raw-water cooled diesel engine.  

Very low hours and runs very well.  Serviced every 150 hours, or more often annually, with filter also replaced every oil change.  3x sacrificial zinc anodes in engine block regularly changed.  Sump underneath engine prevents any spillage entering bilge.

Carried on board a complete and comprehensive service manual. (Where would we be without the internet?) Yanmar dealers generally speak highly of this model.  We never had an issue.



Engine Exhaust Wet Box

Cockpit.  The cockpit and wheel steering makes for a seaworthy layout with mainsheet, engine panel and throttle, and bilge pump all accessible by the helmsman.  The cockpit is also comfortable at anchor or when entertaining. 

A dodger provides protection from the sun and spray when sailing and an awning provides protection when at anchor.  Instrument dials – wind speed and log – mounted on bulkhead. 

Forward Hatch

Hatches.  There are three aluminium opening hatches bolted to the deck above the forward v berth, saloon and head compartment, all aft opening for added seaworthiness. 

The hatches above the forward v berth and the saloon have glass-covered ply surrounds with heavy duty fabric covers for added protection in storm conditions. 

An opening hatch above the lazarette is fitted with a vent for flow-thru ventilation from stem to stern.

Winches and Rope Clutches

Cockpit looking Aft

2x Maxwell28, 2speed self tailing jib sheet on either side of cockpit.

2x Arco44 (aluminium), 2speed self tailing spinnaker on either side of cockpit.  Also large enough to double for genoa or staysail, equivalent to Maxwell 27.

1x Maxwell19 single speed self tailing on starboard side of companionway.

1x  Barlow #15 single speed standard on port side of companionway.

1x Maxwell23, 2speed self tailing on deck adjacent to mast for jib and spinnaker halyards.  Forward location allows one person to physically control headsail when raising and lowering while, at same time, operating the winch and controlling halyard.

Spinlock rope clutches for all halyards and 2x reefing lines.

Rigging & Furling Gear

Single Spreader plus Diamonds

Standing Rigging.  Masthead rig, with forestay, backstay, cap shrouds, forward and aft lower shrouds.  Also baby stay that can be moved forward to another chainplate (bolted to crash bulkhead) to make up an inner-forestay.  All stays 5/16”, 1x19, stainless steel wire, last replaced in 2001.  Baby stay ¼”, jumper stays 3/16''.  Terminals are Sta Lok (the same brand as used on Clipper yachts sailing in round-the-world races) except for fitting on furler which is Norseman.  Both Sta Lok and Norseman fittings can be reused and very user friendly making it possible to replace without any specialist swaging tools.  I carried a complete set of unused ‘cones’ for each fitting so it only requires purchase of new wire to replace standing rigging.  2x heavy duty spinnaker poles mounted on deck.



Cockpit

 Running Rigging.  8xhalyards: 2xjib, 2xspinnaker, 2xspinnaker pole topping lifts and/or staysail halyards, 1xmainsail and boom topping lift/spare main halyard.  2xgenoa sheets.  2x spectra spinnaker sheets/guys.  2x spinnaker downhaul lines.  2x blocks on deck just aft of anchor locker for spinnaker pole downhauls.

Furler.  Harken furling/reefing gear on forestay, foil has twin tracks.  With furling drum removed boat is set up for racing allowing replacement sail to be raised before taking down sail being replaced. 

Harken Furler & Anchor Locker

4x headsails fitted with luff tape provide redundancy in event of damage to other sails and also more flexibility for better performance when racing. 

#2 genoa and #1 jib utilize Spectra strops so upper furling swivel reaches top of mast enabling sails to reef/furl efficiently.



Work Areas & Stowage

Galley.  The galley is at the foot of the companionway stairs on the starboard side opposite the chart table.  There are manual and pressure water taps above a single stainless sink, an ice box with 4” foam insulation and two burner stainless kerosene stove with oven.  Ample stowage in numerous lockers.  Counter tops are laminex.

Chart Table.  A good sized chart table is opposite the galley and can be utilized by the cook as an extra bench top when preparing meals.  A hinged lifting lid allows easy access to the stowage area below.  Below the chart table are four self-latching voluminous drawers.

Roomy Hanging Lockers

Head.  There is a single head cabin aft of the forward v berths to port with a door to give privacy.  An opening aluminium hatch above allows for good ventilation.  Toilet – manual, and a spare electric macerator.  A sink and pressure water system is also installed, plus lockers for stowage. 

The water tap is also a flexible shower head with a hose that stows out of site below the sink.  No shower or electric hot water (which meant the best time for sailing was summer!).

Stowage: Up forward, opposite the head on the starboard side, are three lockers plus two hanging lockers allowing separation of wet and dry clothes.  Numerous lockers in saloon and four opening drawers below chart table. 

The starboard quarter is a stowage area for sails, lines, etc as well as providing excellent access to engine room.