Good morning all,
Just wanted to introduce ourselves. Over the Easter weekend my wife Clare and I became the custodians of “Tiree” (formerly Sea lark) a 1972 all fibreglass Twister, sail number 2174, currently based at Troon on the Clyde.
We’re just starting to take stock of what we’ve bought, she’s a lovely boat but the survey revealed osmosis on the port side and rudder, as well as worn rudder straps and heel fitting amongst a few hundred other smaller items.
I met Gerard of Lissanna at Troon a few weeks ago and he told me about the wonderful support network here at Twister.org and Peter Mulville has already given us a very warm welcome.
We’ve obviously got quite a bit of work planned for the boat and would love to hear of any other owners experiences of dealing with Osmosis and rudder repairs.
Will look forward to asking you all lots of silly questions (and hopefully meeting many of you) over the future months.
Best regards
David & Clare Hipkiss.
Welcome from us aboard Sea Miste in Cornwall. Osmosis in the rudder seems quite common. Twenty years ago we had ours split into its two halves to see why it was blistering. The fibrous filling was very soggy so we left it hollow and after drying out it was epoxied together again. Now and then a tiny blister or two appears which we dry and fill.
We had a few small osmosis blisters on the hull in 2008 and a number of people suggested simply filling them. In the end we had the hull epoxied and have had no trouble since. We removed all the antifouling this year and the hull is very fair with no signs of blistering. Osmosis can be very severe but in Tyler hulls it seems rare and I have only seen one quite bad case in a Twister. Others will have their own views and experiences but I think the that if you take advice from experienced professionals who have examined the boat you will be able to come to your own view of how to proceed.
Happy Twistering,
cathie and Philip
Hi David & Clare,
How exiting for you both. Surveys on an old boat will always pick up quite a list of items to address. Id not let them concern you both too much. All you can do is work your way through the list. I own Helix and as yet ive not had a survey, when I do I suspect ill have a never ending list, all of which will be relevant. Hope you both get on the water as soon as you can.
Best Wishes.
Stephen
Helix
I asked David for more details of the osmosis. Because this is the public forum I think it appropriate to record that the osmosis was, according to the surveyor, 'not serious.' Interestingly only one side was affected. The boat had been lying afloat for several years with one side facing south It's suggested that local warming, caused by the sun, facilitated the condition. I'd agree with this.
Peter
Many thanks for the warm welcome Cathie, Phillip, Stephen and of course Peter.
Work has begun on Tiree and we're hoping to have her ready for the school's summer holidays so we can take our 2 boys sailing in the Clyde for a few weeks, just a matter of being pragmatic and only doing the essentials for now and leaving the Osmosis etc for when Tiree is hauled out for the winter.
In the meantime, I'll be busy asking lots of questions on here as I work through the list!
Best regards
David & Clare 
Hi David & Clare,
Hope you have a great time with Tiree this summer ( when we get one).
We became owners of Alope last August and have been doing a fair bit over the winter to her, just relaunched her last Friday and was down in Troon Monday- Wednesday this week.
Of course we did notice Tiree up on stands at the top of the marina.
Would be great to have meet up of the local twisters, I’m sure there are at least 4 in the Clyde area.
We are up at the gareloch, hope to see you out on the water.
Alll the best
Robert & Jen
Alope
Many thanks Michael/Norma, and Robert/Jen - Great to hear there are more Twisters up here!
I think a meet up of owners is a great idea, I'm hoping to be sailing in the Clyde for most of July so maybe one of the weekends towards the end of the month? I've also met Gerard and Henrietta, owners of Lissanna also at Troon and I've been told that another Twister owner has just joined the Troon Crusing Club, but have not met them yet.
Shame I missed you Robert and Jen - I'm planning on having Tiree back in the water in around 10 days time so hopefully will see you all soon.
Best
David & Clare
Hello David and Clare,
I had a similar problem identified with my Twister "Charlie" which is based up the road in Ardrossan. I decided to bight the bullet and had a full osmosisis job conducted over winter 17 / 18 over at Sterlings in Port Bannatyne. They re- coared the rudder which was full of brown mush at the same time . Not the cheapest option but very competitive and good service. Seemed to me to be the only way of satisfying the insurers.
Tiree is certainly well fitted out for serious passage making. I actually tried to buy the Sea Feather off her from the previous owner - no luck !
I'm often out and about the Clyde on Charlie and just back from my first jaunt round the Mull since I bought her . Would be great to hook up with some other local Twister owners .
All the best
Les Wilson
"Charlie " Ardrossan
Thyou
Les Wilson said
Hello David and Clare,I had a similar problem identified with my Twister "Charlie" which is based up the road in Ardrossan. I decided to bight the bullet and had a full osmosisis job conducted over winter 17 / 18 over at Sterlings in Port Bannatyne. They re- coared the rudder which was full of brown mush at the same time . Not the cheapest option but very competitive and good service. Seemed to me to be the only way of satisfying the insurers.
Tiree is certainly well fitted out for serious passage making. I actually tried to buy the Sea Feather off her from the previous owner - no luck !
I'm often out and about the Clyde on Charlie and just back from my first jaunt round the Mull since I bought her . Would be great to hook up with some other local Twister owners .
All the best
Les Wilson
"Charlie " Ardrossan
Thanks for your message Les, great to hear there is yet another Twister on the Clyde!
Interesting to hear of your experience with osmosis treatment; we have briefly spoken to the folks at Port Bannatyne in preparation for our works this winter, from your comments, I'm guessing you were pleased with the results of the work Sterling did and would recommend them?
Interesting to hear of your negotiations with Lachlan - Tiree is full of all sorts of new gadgets for me to learn, the sea feather being at the top of the list!
I'm planning on sailing around the Clyde with my two sons for most of July, I'm sure we will pop into Ardrossan at some point and will keep an eye out for Charlie, would be great to meet up.
Best regards
David.
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