MacGregorSailors.com

Message for Oskar... Try YACHTGROT Fremantle or one of the BCF [ boating/Camping/Fishing] stores. I robbed mine off my VIVACITY...I might even have it sold tonight...the potential young buyer does not realise what a bargain he is getting...Puggsy

Thanks Puggsy.

I tried both of those places before, plus Whitworths, Bias Boating and Boating Hardware. The last was the only place I could find that had any form of hifield lever, but it was a lightweight thing designed for a sailing skiff. I kept getting told that the only place that used to make heavier duty versions had stopped doing so.

So I ended up going the internet-order route from Westmarine in the US. Freight was expensive but the service was QUICK!! It was here in a few days!

Now I just have to decide whether to raise the hound or shorten the forestay, furler and jib ...
That project might have to wait a while because lately the weather has been too good to miss

Hi Puggsy, Oskar,

I had the same problem with locating a suitable hifield lever. At the moment I do the adjusting with a turnbuckle, as I have raised the genoa about 200mm to get it over the bow sprit.

I have ordered a proper lever from http://www.westmarine.com/1/1/12703-lev ... n-c-s.html

It should be arriving early next week

Is this the same one you ordered?
Dirk

Hi Dirk
I got the large sized

Quick Release Shroud Lever - Large JOHNSON, C.S. 14-205 246167 In Stock $73.49 USD $73.49 USD
Subtotal: $73.49 USD
Tax: $0.00 USD
Shipping: $42.15 USD
Total: $115.64 USD

Its a solid looking piece of hardware

(This post might be doubled up, I tried an earlier post that didnt seem to work)

Hi Oskar,

Yes, that is the one I ordered too. It should make life a lot easier connecting and disconnecting the furler

Thank you for doing this research. This is a mod that is right at the top of my list. I take it I would just drill new holes in the mast 200cm above the existing holes for the top of my Genny? While pinning the forestay to the chainplate while the boat is on the trailer is a reasonable job, doing it on the water is near impossible. Many launch ramps around here are inland of Pacific Coast Highway reducing my options.

Oskar

I also ordered one from US from Mauri Pro Sailing. Their freight was cheaper than Westmarine.

I fitted mine to the backstay on the X and it works great

No more struggling to fit the furler/ forestay

Allan

David M. To raise the furler to accommodate the hifield lever, I fitted ANOTHER hound further up the mast. It was about 20 cm higher. The hound only required ONE single hole drilled in the mast...crosswise...
for a single bolt and locknut. A big advantage is that with the furler/ HOUND higher up the mast, it DOES NOT hang over the bow as much when the mast is lowered. eliminating the need for an extra support...as per the mods page.
Puggsy

Here is the placement of the upper hound before transferring the furler to it...

Thanks Puggsy! I do appreciate the help! I will swing by the factory for a spare hound and can knock this upgrade off in much less than an hour by the looks of it. Now I just have to figure out what 20cm is in the colonies and I'm set!

8 inches

Thanks for the pic Puggsy.
And after reading about your 25 knot jib-only run up the Harvey Estuary it seems that the rigging will withstand the raised hound okay. So that's what I'll do with mine.

I have found the quick release levers at several places, but where do you find a jib hound?
( I want to install it above the original) for a M26?

WHile talking about hifield levers and attaching the furler, I tried to get a replacement pit last week from Anchor marine in Melbourne. I took the old one in and they could not match it.
They thought it must be a metric pin. They asked what sort of boat it came off - and when i told them it was an American boat - they could not believe that an american boat would have a metric pin.

It was the pin that came with the supplier furler - and i do not have a set of verniers to measure it with now. What size do other people have?

Simon, which pin are talking about? If you have time next week when in Melbourne we can have a look at mine. I have several pins that have been replaced and might suit.

I might have the new hifield lever by then too.

Happy New Year everyone. Another great sailing day in West Oz today.

Rockman:

If you are referring to the pin that connects the furler to the tang at the bow, I was able to match it a Boating Hardware Prosail in O'Connor West Aust so they should be able to match it in a good yachting hardware shop in Melbourne. I'm fairly sure its 6mm. I'm also fairly sure I've read somewhere on this forum that 6mm is what is used on the US 26M's as well.

I've since replaced the original split ring pin with a 6mm captive shackle (so I can't drop the bits) and its a snug fit. I have yet to fit the Hifield Lever.