S2 7.9 Meter Class Association

I was able to pull the board with a chain hoist under a big mahogany tree, but you probably don't have one of those available either. Typically I only (re)paint the bottom 18 inches of the board. Since she sits on her mooring with board up, there's never much growth any higher up on the board. Jim K...

Not allowed on my boat. Drink faster.

Jim Kloss
s/v Ambivalence
S2 7.9 #8

No experience with the winch handle device, but my boat came with a small electric winch mounted under the centerboard cover with a 2:1 tackle to the board. Now dismantled but it worked very well and would be much less expensive (under $200, I'd think). Only downside is that the board could not be c...

If you have relatively inexpensive access to a crane, pull the board out. No telling what you might find higher up. I've done it both ways.

Jim Kloss
s/v Ambivalence
S2 7.9 #8

Does anybody have a diagram for the Morse single lever remote control used with the yanmar engine in 1982 -- or even which model it is? The neutral button / pull out is sticking badly. Blindly spraying McLube at it isn't helping. I'd like some guidance before trying to take it apart for lubrication....

I have one. (from the Minnetonka fleet). Shipping it back from the Virgin Islands is a problem. Came down inside a bicycle case.

Jim Kloss
s/v Ambivalence
S2 7.9 #8

Glad to hear you're happy with the boat. I think the loops were the original design; my boat, #8, has them. Biggest advantage: you don't have to lift an outboard over the stern rail. Disadvantage: safety? Some rules require a full stern lifeline. I added lifeline stanchions to the stern and braced t...

Need to rewire my 30 year old boat; getting big voltage drops on the long wire runs (bow lights, etc). A bit sytmied by getting sufficient access to the wiring block & back of the switch panel in the head. (Fat fingers & clumsy). Any hints on how to go about this? Jim Kloss s/v Ambivalence S...

Yes, there are obstacles, including the rod between spreaders. Trick that has worked best for me is using about 2 feet of monofilament fishing line with split shot sinkers spaced about every 6" to feed a line down. If it hangs up, the weight of the subsequent sinkers pulls it free. I've heard t...

I believe that the term "Grand Slam" can be applied to all 7.9s because it was a reference to the stable of racing models -- 6.7, 7.9 & 9.1 -- and not to any variation among 7.9s.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.


Jim Kloss
s/v Ambivalence
S2 7.9 #8

Yes, with all the high tech line available now you can get plenty of strength and lighter weight in smaller diameter line. Tough on gloves and more expensive though. We usually have enough wind so line weight really isn't an issue and we may go back up to 5/16 or even 3/8 for Ambivalence's next set....

I added a belt of heavier fiberglass cloth around the break point. It's below the cheek plates but above the water line so it didn't affect fit or hydrodynamics. I now also pull the rudder completely out of the water to prevent dragging across the bottom at my shallow mooring. Jim Kloss s/v Ambivale...

It's even less fun with an inboard just to windward of a reef. Anchors held until we were rescued. Going to see if I can learn to steer by dragging a drogue.

Jim Kloss
s/v Ambivalence
S2 7.9 #8

Successfully installed a rebuilt engine in Ambivalence (hull #8) but the alternator isn't charging. It checks out OK on a test bench, and I'm told that it is probably not getting a "charge" signal from the ignition switch. The old alternator had three posts and a two conductor plug. Posts ...

Anyone know the specs and/or supplier for a replacement cutless bearing for my 1982 7.9 with a Yanmar 1gm engine? It's a 3/4" shaft.

Jim Kloss
s/v Ambivalence
S2 7.9 #8