Organizing lines in the cockpit

[hoaglandr]

Went sailing today. This is about the 3rd time I've had the sails up and today I tried sailing down wind. Mostly I have been sailing into the wind before today.

I'm finding that I have lines all over the cockpit and it is playing havoc with my need for organization. I've got both the genoa sheets, the main halyard, the furler line, and the main sheet all getting tangled around my feet. Any suggestions for keeping the cockpit ship shape?

I also discovered today that I need to move the traveler from side to side in order to avoid interfering with the genoa sheet and the winch. This will also keep the traveler from rubbing against the safety line (I think). I also noticed that with the boom extended out to the side that the main presses against the shrouds, deforming the sail. Is this typical? Do I need to bring the sail in?

Having fun but I still have a lot to learn!

Russell

[K9Kampers]

To keep the cockpit organized, I coil the lines whenever I use them, unless I'm solo and making a lot of short tacks. My RF line is of smaller diameter than the others and when the genny is flying, there's not much length left to worry about. Partial or furled up the RFm line gets coiled and tucked behind the seat cushion. Genny lines always casually coiled after each tack and laid on the seat cushion per side. Mainsheet same - coiled and laid on floor in front of helm.

If you want to go one step further, you could always use color-braided lines...red-braid for port genny line & green-braid for starbd genny line.

[hart]

Lines are nasty evil creatures that do their best to spoil your good time. Given a moment's free time they will tangle up in themselves like serpents, wrap themselves tightly to each other looking like something from the Karma Sutra, or even attempt to strangle a stray coke can or winch handle left loose on the cockpit sole. It is incumbent upon you as a captain to put a stop to such shenanigans.

Okay, so I'm no poet. I'll coil the jib sheets and place them on the winches when possible, or loose coil and leave on the seat when singlehanding. The main sheet has a spot I keep it on the pedestal. But I've decided my wife is going to sew some line bags for me, I'll attach one to the pedestal for the mainsheet and one on each bulkhead for the jib sheets with snaps. Now if I can only convince her that she's going to make them.

[vizwhiz]

This was great...I needed to hear some of this...was working on the boat today (getting really close!!) and was thinking the same thing...what do I do with all these lines?? Is there going to be room to sit? I'll add that there will be a boom vang line for me on the port side...

[c130king]

I have two horn cleats on the port side of the companionway and three on the starboard side. This gives me a place to secure/store my halyard, furling line, dagger board line (starboard side) and reefing line (port side).



As for the Genoa sheets I use the Cam Cleats to control my Genoa sheets...I don't use the winches.



For the working sheet I let the line lay on the seat. For the lazy sheet I will coil it up and hang it off the aft cleats.

Normally the main sheet will also sit on the seat if I am using it a lot.

Just another option.

Cheers,
Jim

[jschrade]

As mentioned earlier, the Genoa furler halyard doesn't leave much to hide once it's let out. We drop the Main Sheet Halyard through the sliding hatch handle into the cabin.

In the cockpit, coil the Main sheet up and drop it on the floor of the cockpit and typically I hand it over the shifter handle on the pedestal for a quick grab, if needed as I am relaxing. The Genoa sheets are each coiled and laid out on the cockpit seats on each side. This keeps it all nice and neat with nothing messing our favored back rests forward in the cabin.


Jim

[hoaglandr]

Thanks for all the input!

The admiral made line bags and they are tied off on the stanchions. This helps when I'm not sailing!

I think I need to back off on using the genoa for now and just work with the main sail. This will give me fewer lines to deal with while the admiral gets more comfortable and I get more organized. Once she is comfortable with the main we will try again! We'll keep practicing!

Russell

[Paul S]

I made sheet bags for our Mac. they work well.

This one is for the mainsheet. i have similar ones that mount on the lifelines for the genny sheets. I have (and can) make them for others for the cost of the material+shipping. They are made out of sunbrella and phiphertex. I now make the mainsheet bag using dual-lock instead of velcro (which can't take the heat). They are right-sized for the mac. Most commercial ones I have found are too expensive or too big.

[phoenixtoohot]

I got tired of the rat's nest of lines, especially after bringing all lines aft.

So first I made some hooks with rope loops attached to hang all my lines from. Much like these from Ronstan and available at WestMarine, except I just got some 3M adhesive hooks from Home Depot and made the loops out of 1/4 inch nylon and sewed the ends together:


Then I coiled the five lines in my cockpit and hung them from the loops:



On the left side are: Jib Furl line, Main Reefing Line, and Topping lift. Right side are the Main Sheet, and the main halyard loop. I just coil the jib sheets up and lay them on top of the winches.

Then I got my lablemaker and made labels for the various lines and control points. The picture below is of the right side and not that good, but you get the idea:



I find that my guests appreciate seeing different lines and controls lableled. It makes it a lot easier when I have someone not familar with sailing, to enable them to help me with the sailing chores. Also, I have a Man Overboard Pocedure laminated in the cockpit. and it helps to go over the procedures with people when they can see and identify the variouis control points.

[dlandersson]

Nice.

Now drop over and do the same for my boat.

[ualpow]

Has anybody tried suction cup type things on their boat? I saw these http://www.basspro.com/Suction-Cup-TieD ... 033/118463and thought I might use them in the cabin. This post got me thinking that they might work for line stowage also. Even if they fall off occasionally I will get an idea of where I want to attach something more permanent.

[Québec 1]

The hooks that Phoenix ...above ...uses are the best. I got mine at the hardware store (2 for 5 bucks I think) and they have lasted years. Also they come off easily, when you want them to come off, and leave no residue glue on the bulkheads.
Q1

[Catigale]

On the main halyard, the cleverest solution is Colonel Kings continuous loop combination up/down halyard with zero cockpit spaghetti. He owns the patent on it, so send him a Jackson if you implement it.

[c130king]

On the main halyard, the cleverest solution is Colonel Kings continuous loop combination up/down halyard with zero cockpit spaghetti. He owns the patent on it, so send him a Jackson if you implement it.

Two Jacksons...

inflation...what can I say...



Last year I posted my pictures of my horn cleats at the front of the cockpit...boat came from Original Owner with 2 bolted directly to the fiberglass on each side. That wasn't enough for all my lines led aft so this Spring I built two "cleat mounts" (one with three and one with four horn cleats) and mounted them. They work well for me. This way I can coil and hang my left over bit of halyard (line closest to hatch on starboard), dagger board, spinnaker halyard, spinnaker tack line (next three on starboard) and on Port (single line reef closest to hatch and then furling line). My Genoa sheets and Main sheets do sit on the floor or loosely coiled on the seats while sailing. When motoring I coil these lines and hang them from the cleats as well.







Cheers,
Jim
Sailing on König
Sailing on König YouTube Channel

[phoenixtoohot]

The hooks that Phoenix ...above ...uses are the best.

Here are the 3M hooks. They go on in seconds and can be removed easily if necessary. Just add the nylon, rope hanger loops, and you are all set.



Also, a nice, easy and inexpensive way to hang your coiled dock lines to the life lines. I like the middle one, "Cord Wrap with Swivel Snap". They are available from West Marine for $1.99 each.