MacGregorSailors.com

Sailboat racing is not racing. Trying to beat .51 cal tracer rounds out of a hot LZ is racing.

Bill,

You’re alive

It’s good see your post, even if it makes you look like an old man reminiscing.

I hope all is well.

Ray

P.S. I now return this thread to its original topic.

All is well.
I am now 75 (going on 16)

Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL wrote:Sailboat racing is not racing. Trying to beat .51 cal tracer rounds out of a hot LZ is racing.

Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL wrote:Sailboat racing is not racing. Trying to beat .51 cal tracer rounds out of a hot LZ is racing.

Well, thanks to guys like you I did not have to experience that - we all thank you for your service.

For those who don’t know him, Bill is the inventor of “Bill’s E-Z Cleats”. I, and many others, have a pair on our Mac’s.

Now, on the subject of that boat sinking, I would love to read a report of what the owner said when told that his boat sank. Did the captain flee the country, and seek sanctuary somewhere.

Ray

Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL wrote:All is well.
I am now 75 (going on 16)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7MDrUG4cws

Enjoy

J

NiceAft wrote:For those who don’t know him, Bill is the inventor of “Bill’s E-Z Cleats”. I, and many others, have a pair on our Mac’s.

Best mod evar!

Don't know how I ever single-handed without em.

NiceAft wrote:Now, on the subject of that boat sinking, I would love to read a report of what the owner said when told that his boat sank. Did the captain flee the country, and seek sanctuary somewhere.

Ray

Apparently, he was a good sport about it.

The skipper is still at the club. Haven't heard any update.

There was some trash talk directed at the other skipper by an unknown (to me) third party. Mean stuff, apparently.

I suspect it is on the matter of his highly aggressive reputation while racing. I think there was some sort of stand-on vessel defense, but I can't be sure.

Actually, I'm having a little trouble with mine (easy cleats) - don't get me wrong, they work great when I am sitting behind the helm, but they are not too good for pulling in my huge genoa when I am sitting near the cabin, (which is where I like to sit when the auto pilot is on because from there I can get to the traveler, the mainsheet, and the radio all from one spot. The easy cleat might work better with a spring block instead of an eye - not sure - it's something I have been investigating.

BOAT,

I don’t believe the cleat was designed to be used from that position. Obviously Bill can answer that question better than anyone. It’s ideal for a solo sailor sitting in the captains seat.

Rat

NiceAft wrote:BOAT,

I don’t believe the cleat was designed to be used from that position. Obviously Bill can answer that question better than anyone. It’s ideal for a solo sailor sitting in the captains seat.

Ray

Yup. They work great from the helm seat.

If you insist on sailing in front of the helm seat, couldn't you just put a block on the track.



Like the one that was used on the small jib on the foredeck.

--Russ

RussMT wrote: If you insist on sailing in front of the helm seat, couldn't you just put a block on the track.



Like the one that was used on the small jib on the foredeck.

--Russ

I prefer to sail before the helm and this pic is what I use. Occasionally, the block dislodges itself from the track. I have not yet tried the E-Z Cleats.

I use such a block for the Genoa Sheet before it enters either EZ-Cleat.

Ray

P.S. Bill, can you give us a correct spelling? EZ-Cleat, E-Z Cleat

Well BOAT, you are right. If you don't sit on the helmseat the ez-cleats are not the way to go.

So if I dont want so sit on the helm I take the genoa sheets out of the ez-cleats and work factory style over the winches. This act take just some seconds to change.

But for single hand sailing - BEST THING EVER - the ez-cleats

Hi BOAT - Head into the wind slightly to take tension off of the sheet. Sheet in. head back out. Repeat if necessary.
I never remove my sheets from my EZ Cleats, except when I'm switching from jib to Genoa, or back. I remove the unloaded side first, so that I would be on the high side. Tack. Remove the other unloaded side, so that, again, I would be on the high side.
I have a snaps-shackle at the for'd end of my sheets that I use for my jib and Genoa sails .
You can move my/your EZ Cleat for'd/aft on the track to where it works best for you.
My Genoa sheet goes directly aft to my EZ Cleat.
My jib sheet goes thru the block on my cabin top.
How 'bout them Brewers!
~ Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL