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I have now repaired Catatonic's mast screw. However I am not sure how I should be using it.

Should I disconnect it initially while I tension the jib halyard and shrouds, and then connect it to the mast and dial to the appropriate setting?

In light winds do I set it up to just resist mast bend, or should I actually use it to reduce the natural pre-bend of the mast?

In heavy winds do I use it to put additional bend into the mast, or just slacken it off so that the mast can bend in gusts?

Is it worth winding the screw forward downwind ? Approximately how many revolutions of the wheel would you make between the on and off settings (assuming constant mast rake)?

Is there any risk of overloading the threads on the plastic deck plate or will the mast resistance make it too difficult to dial in excessive load?

Thanks Tim. That   tip will really help me. Right now, I end up fishing around on the floor of the boat for the right bit of jib sheet loop when I should be concentrating on sheeting in the main and hiking out.

Next time I will tie a shorter loop and create a nice big throwing knot.

This forum is certainly helping to accelerate my N12 apprenticeship!

Well, I climbed into the drysuit this morning and had a couple of hours of fun out on the river. Unfortunately there was insufficient wind for a capsize although one or two gusts did result in quite an impressive waterfall effect over the leeward deck. I was fully hiked, but didnt have enough kicker on.

I need to experience a high winds capsize. Once I have done a successful recovery I will be less anxious about capsizing while out on my own.

Gradually mastering roll tacking single handed. Just need to get control of the jib earlier coming out of the tack.

I wish my drysuit did not make me overheat so much. It is supposed to be breathable but with a wicking base layer underneath it I always seem to end up drenched in sweat. I might try using it without the base layer but I suspect that this will feel a bit unpleasant against the skin initially.

It will be interesting to see how effective the suction bailers are. On the river the bailers in my enterprise were useless because you could not get up enough speed  for them to work.

Should I put the bailers down with the boat swamped or wait until I have drained a lot of the water out through the transom flaps? If I am hanging off the transom it is going to be hard to reach forward to push the bailers down.

I like to do quite a bit of single handed sailing on the river. I have done a lot in my old Enterprise. However I am slightly anxious about venturing out in Catatonic in breezy conditions as I have seen how low an AC boat sits after a capsize.
 
I haven't had the pleasure of a N12 capsize yet as I have only sailed in light winds so far.

Would I be right in thinking that in a decent breeze I should be able to get the boat emptied reasonably quickly? I have read a previous thread about draining an AC boat and noted all the good advice. Without the weight of a crew will the boat empty even faster?

I guess it is worth carrying a large bucket in case I have to beach the boat if there isn't enough wind to power up enough on a reach to drain the water out? With the Enterprise I would just bail and sail, as the water level was usually below the top of the centreboard case.

I am probably going to don the drysuit and play in some decent wind at the weekend!

So if I did manage to break the Alpha the only logical option would be to fit a carbon mast! A Tigress with a carbon rig might be quite quick.

I have achieved reasonable control of sideways movement at deck level by packing out each side of the mast slot with thin /light aluminium plant labels. These labels are 20mm wide. Each label is less than 1mm thick so I have got a very snug fit.
 
I suppose it might be better to try and mount them vertically on the mast so as to spread the load over a bigger area. I think for inland sailing the current set up should be OK once I have the mast screw back in place.

Longer term I might fit some lowers. However, I am not sure how easy it would be to adjust a mast screw and lowers together whilst on the water. I could just set the rig up in the dinghy park and leave it alone when sailing.

Tim. Many thanks for the photos. I continue to be amazed at how helpful 12 sailors are!
I am pretty certain the mast must be an Alpha. It has exactly the same rounded profile.
Would I be right in thinking that this is a fairly bendy mast? I am currently trying to repair the mast screw. Just need to find the right threaded rod in stainless steel.

 I think I am going to need the mast screw to maximise power. I am going to be racing with 22 stones + on board.
Once I have done some strong breeze sailing I may try playing with the spreader settings if I need to stiffen the mast.

Thanks johnk. I will double check my measurements and see where the halyards run.

OK. Finally managed to do the mast measuring. The dimensions are approximately 56mm wide by 63mm (front to back).

The video certainly is excellent and the large screen gave it lots of impact. Some of the other classes ran their videos on laptop screens so they were far less impressive.
It was good to meet Team RM and get some good N12 advice.
The display boat gave me some inspiration. I wanted to fit a replacement foredeck cleat for my dangly pole cord. The swivel sheet lead with camcleat on the display boat is a great idea, and after lots of searching on the chandlery stands I managed to find something similar for Catatonic. I think this will be particularly useful when I am sailing single handed.

David
The TYC N12 fleet has recovered from a low point of 2 boats to 5. With a bit of luck this revival will encourage a few more people to base their 12s at TYC. I am hoping that this year a typical Wednesday evening race will include 3 or 4 12s plus of course the Enterprises and Solos. Our first Wednesday evening race is on May 7.
 
You might also enjoy the Lifeboat Week pursuit racing which runs each evening from July 14 to 18.
Hopefully once I have measured the mast we will be able to identify it using johnk's old Proctor catalogue.

Thanks Dave. Everything seems to point towards Proctor. I noticed that Proctor make a blue deck level mast sleeve, and this looks the same as the sleeve on Catatonic.
Ben is really pleased that Catatonic is back at Twickenham. Before the Open meeting here in October he was telling me all about how fast his old 12 was. It was only when Matt turned up at Twickenham with Catatonic that I realised that it was Ben's old boat. I think it must have some kind of homing instinct.
As you may know Pip has just acquired a Tigress, and her other son Chris already races one at TYC, so the 12 class is enjoying a Tigress led revival at Twickenham.

Thanks for the replies. The luff groove is part of the main extrusion so I guess we can rule out Needlespar. I will do some measuring next time I get down to the dinghy park.

I am trying to work out what kind of mast N 3143 Catatonic has (1981 Bob Hoare Tigress). There is no manufacturers name on the mast, but there is a Rowsell & Morrisson sticker. Did Rowsell & Morrisson make masts?
The boom is a Needlespar. so I guess it could be a Needlespar mast. It has an blue external sleeve on the section just below deck level.