Singlehanding - Best method to drop the main

[daydreamerbob]

Crewmates:

What is the simplest and most efficient way to get the main down without going topside? I do not have a downhaul - i do not think...and the sail slugs do not just fall when the halyard is let go. I saw some one put weight on the top of the sail? I do not think I am opposed to an downhaul - am I

DDB

[Moe]

Having the vang tight will prevent the sail and slugs from falling when you loosen the halyard. So will having the mainsheet tight. Having a topping lift, boomkicker, or rigid vang to lift the boom and take the pressure off the slugs will help.

[Mike Ford]

Motor strait into wind, flake and bungee sail, run back to steer as needed.

[Wind Chime]

Also:

I make sure my mast sail track is clean so the slugs slide easily, and use a touch of graphite dry lube on the slugs, makes them fall smooth and fast.

[hmb-barry]

Without a downhaul, have found that the main only drops down when you do not want it to or expect it to.

A downhaul is fairly easy and simple to setup. It can be as trivial as hanging a block (with a piece of line or shackle) from the starboard (right) cleat on the mast; with the downhaul line attachment on the second sail-slide from the top slide. Though I found it best to use a dedicated downhaul sail-slide between the halyard attachment and first slide. (I have a slide on the headsail grommet). Do not attach the downhaul to the halyard or its grommet on the headboard - it will bind the whole setup.

It might be a good idea to sort out what you actually have for running rigging and other things - some dealers install unique and interesting items as do PO's (previous owners).
It's usually fun to find a "Oh - that's what this is / for"

Barry L.
HUNERZ
Half Moon Bay, CA

[c130king]

If you have your main halyard run aft to the cockpit it is pretty simple to modify it for adding a downhaul.

My halyard/downhaul is probably 75' long. One end is tied to the top of the headboard (the halyard) from there it goes to the block at the top of the mast, then down the mast to the block at the bottom of the mast, then through a couple of turning blocks to the cockpit through a jam cleat with a "top" on it to keep the line in place (but it will still run)...

From there the line bends back and runs through turning blocks back to the base of the mast and then up to where the other end is tied to the bottom of the headboard (actually around the top most sail slug).

Thus by pulling the line one way it works as a halyard and by pulling the other direction it works as a downhaul.

And I have lazy jacks to catch the sail. It all works great. Makes singlehanding a breeze. I never have to leave the cockpit.

Genoa is on a furler.

Jim

[atzserv]

Jim,

I have beem considering the idea of a downhaul as you discribed.

Does the downhaul side of this loop go back up thru blocks on the same side as the halyard portion or on the other side of the sail? Just trying to figure if snagging might occur if the downhaul portion is on the same side of the sail as the halyard portion??

Thanks,

Gary

[c130king]

Gary,

Same side. the block at the base of the mast and the block that is about 15" straight outboard from there, to turn the line back to the cockpit, are both double blocks....one side for halyard, one side for downhaul. There is a small fairlead about halfway back from the turning blocks to the cockpit to help control the line.

The system in on the starboard side, along with the dagger board line and furling line. Port side is single-line reefing.

I will look to see if I have any pics of this set-up.

I have to admit my halyard/downhaul occassionally snags on the end of the bolt that holds the forestay hound (at least I think that is the bolt). If that happens (let's say 10-15% of the time...I try to be very careful before I start hauling so it doesn't happen too much) then I have to go up to the mast and pull the line away from the mast and try to flip it off.

I need to shorten that bolt or cover the end with something smooth so the line doesn't hang up. Or maybe rig some sort of fairlead halfway up the mast to control that line.

But I think it is great especially when combined with the LJ system. I rarely leave the cockpit.

Jim

EDIT: Found Pic



Blue line to starboard of hatch is the halyard/downhaul. The loop in the cockpit is about 2' long. The turning block just in front of my Dad's right hand is a double block...same for the one that is hard to see just to the left of that (at the base of the mast...but not connected to the mast).

This line was my "limit" when trailering with the boom and main still on the mast. I could only pull the mast as far forward as the excess line would allow as it was still rigged. I don't do this anymore...I take the boom and main off and store in the cabin. All lines are removed from the mast as well. I hope I can get mast up storage again at my next duty location.

[atzserv]

Jim,

Thanks for the detail on how you have this setup, it goes a long way helping me to understand how it works. My slides do drop the main fairly well but I wanted a little more for that quick need that may arise. I know what you mean about the bolts on the hounds grabbing the halyard line. Hopefully someone here has a fancy fix.

Gary

[RickJ]

Whenever I get a line hung up on a bolt it's always on the extra length of bolt protruding through the nut. Where I spotted this early I turned the bolt round while the mast was down, so the bolt head was on the troublesome side - a line's fairly unlikely to catch on that.

If there could be trouble on either side you can of course cut the bolt down to size when it's in place. A lot of bolts on the Macs are longer than necessary, I guess the factory just use standard sizes and don't cut to fit to avoid extra cost. If you cut just proud of the nut, then use a file to lightly chamfer the cut edge there should be no problem subsequently removing and replacing the nut. It should greatly reduce the chance of things snagging.

I have my eye on one or two that will get this treatment next time I drop the mast.

Cheers, Rick

[bubba]

We have 3 reef points and quick reef lines to the cockpit end of the boom, with reef line pockets , it is a little more work but as far as sail control some type of qitck reefing is the best.

[goddardw]

I "Heave To" then the Main is Wind Shaded by the Back Winded Jib. Release the Vang and loosen the main sheet. I use a toping lift to hold up the boom. Now the main should drop. I use a sail slug to keep the sail bunched on the mast. When Hove to the boat is very steady with little rolling even in rough windy seas.