mark_herrington
Hi,
Just purchased a Sonata 8088, first keel boat (after sailing dinghies for a few years). She is located in Largs on the Clyde, Scotland.
Not in the water yet but have a few questions that I am looking for some help on.
1. Mast is up. What tension should the shrouds be?
2. Does anyone have a rigging manual, I doubt it but thought I’d ask anyway!
3. Does anyone know what year she might be, I think she is 1976 but not sure. Is there a list?
I may have a few more questions and hope that’s OK. 
Thanks for any help you can give.
cheers
Mark
peterbooth
Hi Mark,
I also welcome you to the class.
Checking back through my records I believe she is called Tone Def and is hull no 029 which would make 76 or 77. Not that the earlier boats are any different from later ones as long as they are looked after.
Did you manage to get a certificate with her it is worth checking with the previous owner if there is one available.
Mark T has pointed you in the right direction regarding rigging and the class rules can give you all the information on size etc.a copy of these can be obtained from the RYA website technical section. There is a link to that site from this one under Association heading.
If I can be of any further assistance please contact me my details are on this site under contacts.
Kindest Regards.
Peter Booth
Scotland rep.
Firebird GBR 8717N
mark_herrington
Peter/ Mark,
Thanks for your posts.
Mark unfortunately I am not around on Saturday/ Sunday during the day but thanks for the offer to crew, I would have very much liked to having crewed on a Cork 1720 at the Kip Regatta 2 years ago, a great weekend.
Thanks for the point in the direction of the rigging, have found it and will set up according to the recommendations.
Peter, regarding the history, I have paperwork that suggests she was indeed called Tone Def, name was then changed to Artel when she belonged to the Royal Engineers Yacht Club (REYC) on the south Coast of England where she was coded to MCA. There is also paperwork regarding an IRC certificate, is this what you mean? I was going to get a CYCA handicap certificate so I can club race on the Clyde (Fairlie YC- Largs) once I work out all of the controls etc.!!
Regarding condition, the REYC carried out refit in 2005 and she has a new mast, boom and standing and running rigging, full internal refit, external refit (limited) and the survey suggested that she was in pretty good nick for a boat of her age. 9 sails also supplied, 1/2 of which are in good condition (Goachers) but whether they are race fit will have to see!
She will be in the water in the next two weeks and the aim is that we are ready to race ASAP but with a few to full participation in the Largs Regatta. Next year the intension to is do the Scottish Series and a few of the Clyde Regattas as well as FYC club racing.
Thanks again for the advice and the welcome to the Class. Can’t wait to sail her!
kind regards
Mark
Catherine Hartley
Hi Mark
Welcome to the sonata class -its always nice to have new keen people within the class and the scottish fleet is the place to be at the moment!
With regard to certificates there are two things you will need to race your sonata under one design, for example at an area championship, nationals or an event with a sonata class like Cowes, Scottish Series.
1 You should be a member of the sonata association – you can download a form from the website association page – its only a minimal cost
2. A measurement certificate – your boat may have been measured in a previous life – most boats with an 8000 number will have been measured at some time. You can check with the previous owner for an RYA measurement certificate or have your boat measured. There is a list of measurers on the RYA technical website or Martin Hartley (sonata technical rep ) is a class measurer – however you may find someone closer as we are in Cheshire!
Hope you have fun with your sonata – its a great boat and a great class to be part of! 
Best wishes
Catherine Hartley
National Sonata Association Secretary
mark_herrington
Hi,
Thanks for all of your welcomes to the Class and advice.
Just joined the Association and looking into measurement issues.
Sorry to ask another basic question but does anyone have the specifications and length required for the sheets for the main, genoa and spinnaker?
I have a bunch of ropes but not sure which one is which!!
As you will see on a steep learning curve!
thanks again for all your help to date.
Mark
jonpanda GBR 8088N
Mark Taylor
Mark,
Saraband is on her trailer at Kip and I’ll be driving through Largs with her about 7pm Wednesday evening – if you want to arrange a look give me a call on 0797 1114461 and I’ll stop and help / show you.
(Unless of course you are planning to watch Rangers v St Petersburg in which case we can tie up some other time!)
regards
Mark Taylor
Saraband
Gareth Martel
Hey,
Just reading Catherines post above, is Cowes going back to giving the sonata a one design fleet?
Gareth
mark_herrington
Mark,
Thank you so much for stopping off in Fairlie last night. You help and advice has saved me much head scratching. Hopefully I didn’t keep you too long on your way to Kip.
The advice from you and others have been invaluable and hopefully will be on the water next weekend.
Thanks again Mark, very much appreciated.
kind regards
Mark
Mark Taylor
Welcome to the class!
Best tuning guide by far is that done by Steve Goacher which is available on the Sonata Website in the Hints and Tips section. It includes details on how to rake the mast, shroud tensions, mast heel position and basic hints on how to sail the boat.
If by chance you are free this weekend (10th/ 11th May) then its Kip Regatta and there will be a number of Sonatas racing so why not join in……an ideal chance to get blooded in Sonata sailing and also to see how the various boats are set up.
So, Pied Piper and Saraband are certain to be there and there should be a couple of others………………and if your boat isn’t yet on the water and you are still free then I’m actually short of crew on both days so give me a call!
regards
Mark Taylor
Saraband GBR 8314N