Hello,

My wife and I are new owners of the Fairweather Mariner 39, ex "Raven" and recently "Odyssey". We renamed it to "Kolea", Hawaiian for the Pacific Golden Plover.

The boat is in San Carlos, Mexico, while we are in Portland, OR. We spent a week there in October for survey and sea trials. The plan is to drive down in February with a car full of boat gear for updates and some cruising. 

There is much to learn. Hopefully FWM 39 owners can help answer a few questions here.

1) Cutter or sloop? The boat is rigged with a forestay and hank-on staysail. Does the boat sail well as a sloop in most weather? Or, is the staysail an advantage in heavy weather?  Has anyone re-rigged with a Solent stay? The headstay has a roller furler with a 120% Genoa.

2) Main reefing seems quite stiff. It appears to have the Isomat in-boom shuttle system. Any advice on servicing, reducing friction, or otherwise improving the main reefing system? 

2) Is there a standard pedestal model on the FWM 39? It is an Edson system. The steering is very stiff and likely needs TLC at the pedestal head, maybe new needle bearings, etc.

Any advice would be most appreciated.

Thank you,

Randall Webster