rigging a Genoa

[wilybill]

Thanks for the responses to my question about reefing the mainsail. (My info on the forum site shows that I have a Mac M, but asctually it's a Mac S.)

I''m now changing the topic to how to rig a Genoa.

I'm sitting here talking about sailing because I had intended to sail today (at Beaufort, North Carolina, USA,) but morning and expected afternoon thundershowers talked me out of it.

I was wondering if the mainsail condition which I described about the boom sagging was the result of something I was doing wrong, or whether it is a common problem (and if so, I wonder why they designed the sail with the holes in the whole place). I had thought that there might be at least three solutions, (1) a topping rig, (2) a kicker, or (3) having a sailmaker put some new holes in at the right height. The topping rig is obviously the least expensive approach. Thanls for helping me see that.

I have more rigging questons:

I have a 150 Genoa which I use a lot, with a less than perfect, jerry-rigged, sheet arrangement. I basically just use some fairalls and cleats near the stern of the boat and it's time to make some improvements. I see all kinds of tracks and cars on line and in the catalogues, and I don't know where to start. So I'm asking for suggestions.

First, has anyone fund a satisfactory way to rig the Genoa without travelng cars, and if so, what's the rigging diagram?

Second, if not, what's the minimum I need in terms of track and car hardware? If someone ot there could give me some parts specifications, I'd apreciate it.

Thanks again.

[mastreb]

Get a pair of EZ Cleats from Bill at Boats-4-Sail and use those. They allow you to control the genoa sheets from the helm without rigging back to the winches and are sufficient for all the but strongest winds on a MacGregor. If you need to go up to the winches you can.

http://www.boats4sail.info/parts-1.html

[seahouse]

X2 on the cleats. I got similar devices, they easily mount on the track along the cockpit, and make sheeting the genny much faster and easier, and less intrusive. I just don't use the winches for the genoa sheets any more.

- B.

[kurz]

Get a pair of EZ Cleats from Bill at Boats-4-Sail and use those. They allow you to control the genoa sheets from the helm without rigging back to the winches and are sufficient for all the but strongest winds on a MacGregor. If you need to go up to the winches you can.

http://www.boats4sail.info/parts-1.html

REALLY godd advice. And buy 3 of them, so you can easily control the genny furler line from the helm! and have fun single handing

[mastreb]

I actually use four, 3rd for the furler as Kurz points out and the 4th to control the daggerboard depth by putting it on the cabin-top starboard track. I change my depth for minimal drag as follows:

Close reach: 100% down
beam reach: 66% down
broad reach: 33% down
running: 0% down.

Just weave in a marker thread on the line to show you where the depths are.

(obviously won't work on Centerboard boats)