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Hi all! We will be replacing our main this winter and I was thinking of going loose footed. But, the outhaul on our boat is nothing more than a cleat with a short line. Has anyone ever refitted a more adjustable outhaul? I was considering running one on a block at the end of the boom, then to a cleat on the bottom with a much longer line that would be easier to adjust.

Any thoughts?

That's the way to do it, with the exception of putting an eye strap on the opposite side as the block. Tie the end of the outhaul to the eye strap, go through the clew, around the block then to the cleat. this will add an extra purchase to the setup and make it easier to pull tight.

Does anyone know why the outhaul line is so long (about 4 feet)? I assume it is for reefing.

for reefing

THE CUSCUS wrote:That's the way to do it, with the exception of putting an eye strap on the opposite side as the block. Tie the end of the outhaul to the eye strap, go through the clew, around the block then to the cleat. this will add an extra purchase to the setup and make it easier to pull tight.

Wow!

Love your backstay mod!

G

[quote="AlaskaMC"]Hi all! We will be replacing our main this winter and I was thinking of going loose footed. But, the outhaul on our boat is nothing more than a cleat with a short line. Has anyone ever refitted a more adjustable outhaul? I was considering running one on a block at the end of the boom, then to a cleat on the bottom with a much longer line that would be easier to adjust.

A loose footed main has very little resistance to trimming and you don't need allot of purchase. A short line around a turning block on the boom end to a small cleat does the job.

Bob

"Does anyone know why the outhaul line is so long (about 4 feet)? I assume it is for reefing "

The outhaul has nothing to do with reefing (at least on my boat). The outhaul is long, so it reaches to the midle of the boom in case you want to adjust it when on a point of sail with the boom out over the side ( it keeps the cleat over the cockpit and keeps you from hanging out over the side ).

Thanks Beene, it does work well.

Thanks! That is exactly what I wanted to see. Should be easy to do compared to most projects. That is a very nice backstay setup! One problem I realize now reading the other posts is part of the problem. Someone cut off most of our outhaul and it is only about a foot long! We were planning on replacing it and decided it would be the time to update/upgrade it. How far forward did you place the cleat or are you using the stock position?

THE CUSCUS wrote:"Does anyone know why the outhaul line is so long (about 4 feet)? I assume it is for reefing "

The outhaul has nothing to do with reefing (at least on my boat). The outhaul is long, so it reaches to the midle of the boom in case you want to adjust it when on a point of sail with the boom out over the side ( it keeps the cleat over the cockpit and keeps you from hanging out over the side ).

Thanks Beene, it does work well.

Wait! Where is your cleat? Mine is almost on the end of the boom making it unusable with the boom out.

I'd say my outhaul cleat is close to mid boom. Swing your boom out like you would be running dead down wind, and place your clet so that you can easily get to it while safely in the cockpit ( or at least on the boat). I'll try and get a better picture of my boom this weekend.

THE CUSCUS wrote:I'd say my outhaul cleat is close to mid boom. Swing your boom out like you would be running dead down wind, and place your clet so that you can easily get to it while safely in the cockpit ( or at least on the boat). I'll try and get a better picture of my boom this weekend.

Thanks! I would love to see a pic when you get a chance. Your boat is becoming a model that I may be copying a lot! Hope you don't mind.

Also, I saw your videos from the Keys and they were great.

Here you go Alaska.

You are the man! Thanks. Even with measurements no less. We looked on our boom and no holes showing anyone ever moved it. How odd!