June 2024 Maintenance update from Barnsie aka Mr Seavolution (EUR Class Supplier)
Afternoon All, just a quick one. The B14 over the years has been taken from a fragile skiff of yesteryear to a robust reliable all weather charging beast. However, what is now happening, or appears to be, is that people have got very confident with the kit and are not doing regular inspections of the parts. So what you need to do to start with is check the following:
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Shroud mounts. These on most B14s are eye straps and M6 bolts ( they are designed as the failure point rather than trashing the hull if the hull loads are exceeded, which can happen in a major load passing through the kit, but if sailed in normal conditions say 30 knots you will be fine for Ovi and Seavolution hulls). Check the eye straps around the edge of the bolts for fatigue cracks and the bolts if slightly turned up on the inner edge, remove and replace (Seavolution carry many in stock)
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Bow ring, for the same reason as above, fatigue can after much use and abuse start to get hairline weld cracks. If this is the case, gently tap off with a mallet (not hammer) and when fitting the replacement either fit with a little epoxy or gelcoat (Seavolution carry rings in stock)
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Mast step, check the kicker loading pins that the alloy holes have not corroded. If so move one hole. If the pin is bent, replace and buy the SS sleeve to help contain the load from Seavolution
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Mast gate, if the gate starts moving, remove, reseat using the black acetal under collar as the guide to placing and epoxy the holes as the bolts are replaced and make sure you put washers on the underside and where possible penny washers
As a guide, if using the B14 weekly, then I would check several times a year, or if sailed at a regatta in strong winds and fully testing the kit, check post the event. I would replace the bolts and eyestraps every 3 years max. if used regularly even if no fatique especially the bolts and bow ring only if wear shown of when 5 or more years old.
The whole process to replace bow ring and eye straps will only take between 1 - 2 hours and is inexpensive and gives you peace of mind.
Do these checks on a regular basis and you should be fine and save yourself a lot of grief if one anchoring fittings was to fail. Seavolution carry the parts and can PM us via my FB account to get the parts.