Running lines to Cockpit and other ideas to make sailing easier

[Highlander]

how I inserted the outhaul into the boom



with lots of patience

J

here,s the link
viewtopic.php?p=272670#p272670

[Sheppie62]

I think it might work.

[Sheppie62]

My boom is quite a bit lower with the new loose foot sail (changed from bolt rope to slugs type sail) I also do not have a topping lift or a boom kicker, is this necessary for this new kind of sail? I looked into adjusting backstay, but it’s adjusted all the way out. Only thing I can think of is to add a few links on the tack part of the sail and hope it will go up that much more.

[Jimmyt]

My boom is quite a bit lower with the new loose foot sail (changed from bolt rope to slugs type sail) I also do not have a topping lift or a boom kicker, is this necessary for this new kind of sail? I looked into adjusting backstay, but it’s adjusted all the way out. Only thing I can think of is to add a few links on the tack part of the sail and hope it will go up that much more.

If you bought the correct main sail, the only way the boom can be raised is if you have room at the top to raise the sail further up the mast. This will require raising your boom attachment point (and boom). Since you have a loose footed main, your idea of simply raising the tack may be ok - if you have room at the top and don't mind seeing the boom at an angle. You'll have to see how this idea impacts your single line reefing setup also.

You will want to be able to get the sail almost flat, in certain conditions, so you don't just raise the aft end of the boom for head clearance; as sail shape will go to crap on you.

Your backstay adjustment shouldn't be used for head clearance under the boom either. You should set your mast rake near vertical, per the manual, and then adjust the backstay for the appropriate mast bend (see manual). Raking the mast forward to get boom clearance can result in lee helm, which I would consider undesirable (actually dangerous).

The boom kicker or topping lift are used to keep the boom supported during reefing, dropping the sail, or supporting the boom tent. They are not typical sail shape devices - except in very light air and only by pretty serious sail-shape freaks. There are combination devices that combine boomkicker and vang functions. A vang is used to pull down on the boom for sail shape adjustments - usually when the boom is at large angles to the boat centerline - not over the traveler.

[Sheppie62]

Thanks Jimmy for your input! I put a 2” metal clip between the tack and the tack attachment bolt. And was able to raise sail up higher with the halyard. Raised the boom to an acceptable height. Took it sailing for several hours worked great! Bottom of sail had a slight wrinkle in it from the 2” metal clip being pulled a bit backwards. After sailing for a while I noticed the leading edge of the sail was a little loose, I think it may have stretched a bit. I will remove clip tomorrow see if it works in original position. Sail picture is downwind on a broad reach.

[Jimmyt]

Looking good Captain!

[NiceAft]

Really nice.

If I have a choice of looking at this


Or

This chilly picture


I choose the former.

Spring will come.

[Sheppie62]

Yes San Diego has great weather (but crowded), where I live 1hour 15mins north inland (riverside county) it gets up to 118 degrees in the summer (I’m only 28 miles from ocean!). So your snow covered picture looks good to me, especially when the fires start.

[NiceAft]

“ especially when the fires start.”
That was two nights ago.

[Sheppie62]

Which lines do I run to the cockpit? I’m a little confused by this, I have a roller furling and line back to cockpit. Center board also. I would like the halyard and downhaul back as well looped. Can I bring reef line back, or do I keep that on the boom? Outhaul stays on boom also? Can I bring a line back for a spinnaker in the future? What do you guys recommend? Also do you use clutches, cleats, etc..?
 
 
 
 

[rsvpasap]

Lines to the cockpit: 

- Mainsail halyard
- Mainsail downhaul
- Mainsail single line reefing
- Headsail furler
- Keel/centerboard
- Boom preventers if you have them. 
 
 
 

[Starscream]

Lines to the cockpit: 

- Mainsail halyard
- Mainsail downhaul
- Mainsail single line reefing
- Headsail furler
- Keel/centerboard
- Boom preventers if you have them. 

 

This is a great setup.

We have the halyard and downhaul led back to the cockpit, and I can raise and dowse the main by myself (with autopilot) without leaving the cockpit.  Strapping the sail to the boom requires standing on the companionway ladder with one foot on the aft dinette seat.  That sounds a bit tricky, but I can wedge myself quite securely and velcro-strap the sail to the boom with both hands free, even with the dodger in place.  The front window of the dodger zips open, and with the companionway hatch slid forward I can reach the sail and boom.

Now I can single-hand without ever leaving the cockpit.  Well, that is, until I lose a jibsheet in high winds and waves, but that's a whole other story.

My next "easier" project is to fix the topping lift.  My topping lift is a line led from the top of the mast to the end of the boom.  Right now, I have two snap-shackles on the topping lift; one for normal sailing to keep the lift loose, but in place while the sail supports the boom, and another, higher up, to support the boom above the dodger when dousing the sail.  The higher snap-shackle can be a pain to attach and release, and I'd prefer a pulley system.  That might mean mounting a block on top of the mast and running the topping lift down the mast and back to the cockpit through a jammer, or maybe I can rig something simpler and easier right on the tail end of the boom.

A couple of years ago we "upgraded" to the BWYachts centerboard line, but that line is sooooo slippery when wet that the cam-cleat doesn't hold it and the keel will drop when we least expect it.  I might try replacing the cam-cleat with a new one, or I may add a small dock-cleat to the bulkhead, or I may change the line again.  TBD.  (By the way I love BWYachts and everyone who works there and every product I have ever bought from them, EXCEPT that darn centerboard line.)

 

[Sheppie62]

Starsream wrote: My next "easier" project is to fix the topping lift.  My topping lift is a line led from the top of the mast to the end of the boom.  Right now, I have two snap-shackles on the topping lift; one for normal sailing to keep the lift loose, but in place while the sail supports the boom, and another, higher up, to support the boom above the dodger when dousing the sail.  The higher snap-shackle can be a pain to attach and release, and I'd prefer a pulley system.  That might mean mounting a block on top of the mast and running the topping lift down the mast and back to the cockpit through a jammer, or maybe I can rig something simpler and easier right on the tail end of the boom.
 
first how do you use the qoute thing?  I forgot about the topping lift line, I only have the backstay clip, and what is the benefit of a topping lift line over the backstay clip or boom kicker/boom vang? This sailing stuff is really confusing! But I am learning thanks to you guys helping! 

[topcat0399]

Starsream wrote: My next "easier" project is to fix the topping lift. My topping lift is a line led from the top of the mast to the end of the boom. Right now, I have two snap-shackles on the topping lift; one for normal sailing to keep the lift loose, but in place while the sail supports the boom, and another, higher up, to support the boom above the dodger when dousing the sail. The higher snap-shackle can be a pain to attach and release, and I'd prefer a pulley system. That might mean mounting a block on top of the mast and running the topping lift down the mast and back to the cockpit through a jammer, or maybe I can rig something simpler and easier right on the tail end of the boom.

first how do you use the qoute thing? I forgot about the topping lift line, I only have the backstay clip, and what is the benefit of a topping lift line over the backstay clip or boom kicker/boom vang? This sailing stuff is really confusing! But I am learning thanks to you guys helping!

I once had a downhaul for the main sail rigged to the cockpit, got rid of it, easier just to grab the sail leech and yank her down if need be.

Topping lift: Lots of ways to do it, depends on what you want it to do.

Mine runs: boom end/mast head/mast foot turning block/cabin front turning block/rear cabin cam cleat (can be run to a winch).

This allows me to pull the boom end up as far as I like any where in its swing arc (useful sometimes).
It also allows me to use the boom as a crane if/when the need arises.
I also occasionally use it going downwind for sail trimming.

The "pig tail" hanging from the back stay serves a different function and should never be connected when the sail is lofted.
Its like a parking place for the boom is all and makes the boom safe as a hand hold.

If your main sail isn't holding your boom up at the proper height with nothing else holding the boom, the problem is likely your main sail.

[Dougiestyle]

I had a backstay clip on my Mac 22 and this is what happened to me. When I raised the main sail (while I was on the deck, lines not led to cockpit) the boom was still clipped to the backstay the wind caught the sail and the boat started heeling. I immediately got to the fiddle block line in the cockpit to release the boom but the main sail did not release due to it still being clipped to the backstay. The boat started heeling hard and all I could do was turn with the rudder until I could get it unhooked. I now have a topping lift for my single hook. I like starscreams double hook or adding a block at the top of the mast. With a topping lift the boom will swing out and prevent this type of situation.