Notes to Self - New Owner Things to Remember

[Wind Chime]

Xsailor,

For what it is worth, here is something that works very well for us ...

When laying out your design for the running rigging to go aft to the cockpit, think about adding a mainsail downhaul.

This is a line that attaches to the head (top) of your mainsail, and gets pulled up the mast when you raise the mainsail. When it is time to bring down the mainsail, sometimes gravity does not do it so well or so fast. You can just pull this line in, and she comes right down everytime (almost ).

All lines led aft is great, but not if you need to leave the cockpit to pull down a sticky main in high wind and waves. I do a lot of solo sailing, and this is a must for me. I can spend the whole day sailing and not leave the cockpit once.

[tangentair]

Note to self - hide new gear, yesterday I bought some line and blocks to add the rotating mast adjuster mod. while I try this weekend to tune my rigging. And my son just called to say thanks - he and grandpa used it to rig his boat and they are all set to go this weekend. Could I haul it to the lake for them? I am reminded of that scene in Out of Africa:
Farah says -
Msabu's bleeding. She does not have this ox.
This lion is hungry. He does not have this ox.
This wagon is heavy. It doesn't have this ox.
God is happy, msabu. He plays with us.

I make my plans and sometimes I think that I make Her very happy.

[xsailor]

Thanks. Will check that out today.

x sailor,your about where i was last september

Unfortunetely the mods page is down,there are a lot of photos on there that show the lines lead aft.

The centerboard line is routed through the shiney pole next to the dinette table,as KHE if you can replace the line with the boat on the trailer,the black plastic bits at the bottom of the pole come off,they are known to be attached by double sided tape,if you can acess the top of the centerboard from there then it should be easy to replace the line,remember to mark the new line at the jammer/cleat with a piece of tape or someting similar,this lets you know how much board is down,epecially usefull when you want a couple of inches down in the marina for manouvering.

im still working on leading my lines aft,my problem is that when i get to my boat,i want to sail and not work on her,ill wait until winter when the boat is in the back yard

[tangentair]

Add to notes to self - don't sit on slippery cushion in gusting winds without seat belt. Went out yesterday afternoon after wasteing a perfectily beautiful morning. The only wind was in the rain cells that blew through, winds 2-3 knots gusting to 30 (or so it seemed) so we had several knockdowns. Son loved it, wife hated it, I spent most of the time trying to chase the cells (no thunder just light rain) and not get caught in a cross wind.

[xsailor]

My new rigging is supposed to arrive tomorrow and I have one sheet that is still in decent shape. I will see about using it for a downhaul. A great idea that I would not have thought of. Thanks.

Xsailor,

For what it is worth, here is something that works very well for us ...

When laying out your design for the running rigging to go aft to the cockpit, think about adding a mainsail downhaul.

This is a line that attaches to the head (top) of your mainsail, and gets pulled up the mast when you raise the mainsail. When it is time to bring down the mainsail, sometimes gravity does not do it so well or so fast. You can just pull this line in, and she comes right down everytime (almost ).

All lines led aft is great, but not if you need to leave the cockpit to pull down a sticky main in high wind and waves. I do a lot of solo sailing, and this is a must for me. I can spend the whole day sailing and not leave the cockpit once.

[hart]

I was wondering why the main wasn't sheeting out. After a few minutes I realized I hadn't taken the pigtail off. Add another item to the list.

[RICH RUYACK]

I think I win for stupidest mistake, DO NOT TAKE THE MAST HINDGE PLATE BOLT OFF BEFORE LOWERING MAST. Why i did it ,i dont know ,too tired, too rushed, mast came crashing down just missed my friends childs head, luckily no injuries to persons or boat.

[Kelly Hanson East]

Ill top that one, to make you feel better.

Dont step off your boat at dock, with Grandma and two 5 year olds on board, leaving it in gear with the engine running.

[daydreamerbob]

Oceans - or Gulfs at least - are less forgiving than lakes - currents and tides and waves and weather really make a difference. Bravery, Courage, Determination, persistence, are generally good qualities in life - on the water they are deadly for the inexperienced boater.

[daydreamerbob]

In oceanic conditions - the time to wear pfd's is before they are needed - not when you are screaming at kids from 26 feet that they are stupid for not wearing their pfds - while waves splash over the bow.

[daydreamerbob]

The conditions between a bay (especially via a narrow pass) and open water (even the gulf of mexico) can be very dangerous ad unpredictable. Shallow water (15 feet and less) coupled with a narrow pass (a few hundred yards max) coupled with the pass is the only way to fill and empty channel of the bay - result in an unbelievable transition. Bernoulli knew something about all these variables and he was right - know what you are in for before going out - failure to prepare is preparing to fail according to John Wooden - and bad luck is what happens to those that are unprepared according to lou holtz. i now agree with both.

[daydreamerbob]

The best GPS and depth finder in the world is no substitute for a chart - even the free ones at west marine provide enough information that peace of mind and enjoyment can be obtained for even the greenest of sailors

[daydreamerbob]

Spreaders are commodities

Ample supplies of nuts, bolts, and shackles are proven blood pressure reducers

[daydreamerbob]

Before placing a deposit on a "far away" slip - make sure you have the skill and equipment to to secure your boat there - four telephone poles sticking out of the water and forming a rectangle 40 X 20 - with only a stern or bow entry point - is a very difficult place for seaman greenback to learn how to park a 8 X 26 foot boat - "Ocean Style" especially if all his lines are for lake fun

[puggsy]

We all make silly mistakes...sometimes I think someone should not let us out..."there"
Puggsy ...Its been nearly constant rain here for a week and I need to see the sea...