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Catalina 25 Specific Forum

What's This Line Called?

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Rich G
Navigator

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226 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/28/2008 : 00:22:10

I recently ran the main halyard back to the cockpit. I'm a bit worried that the sail will not drop completely under its own weight as I would sometimes have to have someone at the mast puling the main down. I was planning on running a line from the top of the sail back to the cockpit to help dowse the sail if needed? What would that line be called?

Rich

Cerberus
Hull #4695
1984 SR/FK No Pop-Top

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2008 : 06:26:04

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Rich G
 I was planning on running a line from the top of the sail back to the cockpit to help dowse the sail if needed? What would that line be called?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Dousing line. Although some might also refer to it as a downhaul.

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cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2008 : 07:58:59

Rich, we have had great success using Sailkote. I spray it on the lugs and in the track a few times during the season. The main comes down without hardly any use of the dousing line.

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2008 : 08:35:55

If you spray the slugs with lube on a regular basis the main will come down quite nicely on it's own unless there is presure on the sail (you're not luffing). In my experience, inexpensive 'silicone spray' from the hardware store works quite well. Make sure you don't get it on stuff that you don't want to be slippery.

Do you have lazyjacks installed? Unless you have them you probably don't want to dump the main from the cockpit without having anyone 'handling' it and tying it off.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2008 : 10:24:41

I found that the dousing line shouldn't be attached at the headboard (very top of the sail)--it should be attached at the uppermost slug. If you attach it to the headboard (with the halyard), it tends to pull the head sideways and bind the upper slug.

Before hoisting the main, I'd drop the dousing line coil into the cabin and shake it loose to make sure it would run free as the sail went up.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 05/28/2008 10:26:35

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2008 : 11:00:20

Just curious, how many people are using a dousing line on their mainsail? I hadn't thought about using one since I normally go to the mast and pull it down/tie it off. I could see how it might be helpful in rough water, but what about strapping the sail up?

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cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2008 : 11:02:32

We have one.

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dlucier
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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/28/2008 : 11:47:26

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Davy J
 Just curious, how many people are using a dousing line on their mainsail?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

If I had lazy jacks, I might have a dousing line, but since I still raise/lower the main at the mast, it kind of defeats the purpose of a dousing line. I normally drop the main while still sailing under genoa, then flake and put the sail cover on before I reach the marina bouys.

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Rich G
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226 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2008 : 21:22:41

Thanks for all your responses. I do have lazy jacks, otherwise it seems like it would be quite messy. I also coated the inside of the sail track with Sail Coat before my mast was stepped. I'll be sure to coat the sail slugs too before I rig the main the first time.

Damn work has me too busy to g sailing yet this season!

AAAAaarrrgghh!!!!!

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2008 : 23:52:49

I've never had a problem getting either sail down.
I tried using a downhaul on my jib when I first single handed, but now don't bother with it.

If you have all plastic sail slugs, they will not slide as well as the slugs with the metal (wire) component. I switched all mine over to metal ones last year and the first thing I noticed was how much easier raising and lower the sail was.
I use biodegradable soap on my sail slugs. Works like a charm.

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 02:08:35

I have lazy jacks and raise and lower main sail from the cockpit using the winch and then locking off with the rope clutch. But sometimes is does stick. I may need to lub but I am gonna check out Dave B suggestion re attaching at the slug rather than the headboard.
Steve A

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2008 : 21:23:20

When using a downhaul on my jib, I ran my downhaul line through the top five hanks. This came from a tip gleaned here and it definitely works better than running the halyard through the top hank only.
I don't know if this applies to the main but may be worth a try if you have issues.
Let us know how it works!

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