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the
Wayfarer Institute of Technology

(last updated: 12 May 2024)

Uncle Al's Corner: Hi, gang! As CWA Class Coach, I get requests for W rigging information, for copies of the May 1990 Whiffle (in which Mike McNamara, the 1992 Wayfarer World champion, goes through everything you need to know to make your Wayfarer go fast), Rules-related stuff and so on. Therefore, I have decided to put such educational stuff on line.
There is now so much material that people have contributed, that I've decided to try to reorganize the W.I.T. by subject matter - as you will note below. I hope this makes it easier for you to find what you are looking for.
Please feel free to request any other stuff and I'll try to post/find it for you.

Uncle Al (W3854)

to the left of each item, in green, is the date (YY/MM/DD) it was posted or most recently updated, e.g. 2007.04.06 = April 6, 2007

Maintenance, Repair, Reference

Racing-related Skills

Cruising & Daysailing Skills

2019.08.10: Buoyancy/Self-Rescue: the Abbott Mk III
2008.02.19: Racing Basics for Beginners 2004.03.27: Dinghy Cruising with Phillips

2021.07.31: Class Rules & 2003.01.30: Constitution

2022.07.13: Wayfarer Rigging Tips

2007.03.18: Dick Harrington extols/explains W cruising

2017.01.25: Boat Preparation & Repair

2023.06.20: Racing Rules of Sailing

2010.11.13: Cockpit layout for a Cruising Wayfarer

2018.08.15: Restoration of Wayfarer; wood Kit Manual

2018.03.06: Boat Handling & Performance

2010.11.13: Ken Jensen's Wayfarer anchor winch

2020.06.14: everything about rudders & centreboards

2007.12.03: Racing Weather, Strategy & Tactics

2011.03.07: Boat Tents & Sleeping Aboard

2019.12.28: board, rudder, insignia drawings

2012.12.05: General Racing Skills

2009.03.05: the boom crutch

2020.11.21: towing your W: trailer & accessories

2012.11.27: Tuning, Sail Shape/Trim and Care

2020.07.15: Shorten sail: Reef; W trysail; small jib size

2004.12.12: Standing Rigging: Shrouds & Forestay

2007.01.22: Al's Pearls: misc. photo-based sailing tips

2001.07.02: thoughts on rigging for sailing solo

2019.03.17: using wire halyards in the gold mast

2012.04.16: An estimated Wayfarer PHRF rating

2011.11.07: Motor Matters

2009.06.19: Bailer Maintenance and Repair: Bilge Pump

2011.04.08: Uncle Al's 1990 W Coaching tapes/DVDs

2005.01.17: Oars for your Wayfarer

20140429: A brief discourse on toe (hiking) straps

Useful Sailing Skills of All Kinds

2005.09.20: miscellaneous tips from Uncle Al

2011.05.13: floorboards talk

2019.07.05: That Sinking Feeling - Horrors of No Buoyancy

2007.01.05: placing jib leads for performance & comfort

2007.11.02: bridle for use on a hoist

2023.08.03: Safe, Competent Sailing

2013.06.06: misc. Chesapeake Bay PDF chart booklets

2008.04.16: Dave Hansman's pre-season check list

2023.08.03: Self-rescue: Helping Yourself and Others

2008.02.29: Sailing and Seamanship
2019.08.28: Mast Repair

2020.09.29: Masthead Buoyancy

2010.10.28: Tensioning the Rope Jib Halyard by Dick H.

2013.06.06 maintenance of hatch seals

2020.07.01: for the less experienced

2013.01.10: build a folding lounge chair for your W
2020.11.15: Mk IV only: rubrail fix; centreboards 2014.01.20: Which compass should I use? 2020.05.12: end sand-stuck boards with the Parry SNappy
2022.12.12: Must see: Jonathan Daniel's Wanderer

2024.05.12: cushions: soothing your seat on longer sails

Miscellaneous

2006.12.10: Things to check on a used Wayfarer
2007.10.15: "dry" dock your Wayfarer with ease and style 2006.11.12: Andrew Haill: Mark III modifications
2021.02.22: Wayfarers by the numbers: Age Synopsis 2009.05.04: lighting the night-time Wayfarer

2009.05.04: an expert talks sailor's weather & lightning

2004.03.28: The Beaufort Scale

2001.10.13: The Art of Coarse Sailing Beaufort Scale  :)

2001.12.08: thoughts and opinions about lightning

2020.07.01: New Wayfarer Owners' info

2011.05.04: The Ultimate PWC Repellent - humour  :)
2020.50.12: the International Wayfarer Songbook