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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Jib take-down line

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tbosch
Navigator

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163 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/19/2009 : 11:44:48

Has anyone rigged a jib take-down line? I'm thinking of a line that is fixed to the end of the jib halyard. It would be led through a block at the bow tang and then to the cockpit. I'm trying to eliminate a trip to the bow when taking sails down. More than once I've been on my knees trying to pull the sail down in choppy seas and have left the deck. Not a comfortable feeling! Scary and painful. I think a take-down line might allow me to pull the sail down and secure it temporarily. A tight take-down line and a tight jib sheet would keep the sail reasonably secure until conditions permitted a tidier solution.

Obiously a furler would be the ultimate solution. But for now I'm content with my hank on sails. Except for the bumpy bow rides!

Who's done this? Does it work? What size line do you think would be best? 1/4 inch seems too big. Is 5/32 too small? If it's small enough I'd like to lead the line inside the hanks. But I also want to be able to handle the line. Maybe 2 lines spliced together...

Todd
1980 C25 SR/FK "Dora"

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2009 : 12:34:22

We had this on our C22 and it was helpful. Today's high-tech lines are very strong so you can go thin. This line will not have a lot of stress on it. Here is a link to a web site that has a diagram and description:

[url="http://johnellsworth.com/writing/nautical/sail_alone/sail_alone.html"]Single Handing Tips[/url]

Eventually we got a furler.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 05/19/2009 12:43:17

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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3758 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2009 : 13:30:20

I used a downhaul on my previous boat to stay off the bow. As noted, a small line of 3/16 -1/4 is sufficient even with sta-set; attach the line to the halyard and weave it between the hanks to a block at the stemhead and what ever you need to run it aft. I have seen sailors put the line in the hanks, but the potential for chafe, friction, and jams goes up.

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Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2009 : 13:52:34

Don't, please, do not, attach the downhaul line to the halyard shackle, because it will twist that shackle and the halyard and you won't be able to get the sail down. Attach it to the next hank or even two down from the top. We used a small snap shackle (a swivel baby snap), very small, hooked into the loop that the closed piston makes around the forestay, not the body of the hank, and right onto the piston. As I recall, I bought a one sized bigger hank for the top hank to allow the snap to fit, worked great for 12 years.

We did not run the downhaul line through the other hanks. It is NOT necessary and can cause additional binding when raising and dropping the sail. The downhaul line can be kept tight, so if it falls off a little when you're sailing, who cares.

To drop the sail, sail on port tack and then heave to. When you release the halyard and pull the downhaul line the sail will flake right on deck, almost perfectly folded, because of the position and direction of the hanks with the wind over the starboard side pushing the jib to port and onto the foredeck. Keep the jib sheet over on the starboard side holding the sail back winded until you have the jib down on deck.

I did this every time I sailed, and all I had to do when I came in, or even before while motoring in to our dock, was to roll up the sail and stick it in the bag, pre-folded as it were!

Edited by - Stu Jackson C34 on 05/19/2009 21:44:52

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2009 : 20:22:06

Stu's right--if you attach it at the halyard, it will pull the head of the sail sideways, binding the top hank (below it) and making it harder to pull the sail down. I used a tiny shackle to make it to the topmost hank (on a different boat--my C-25 had a roller). I ran the line through just a couple of the hanks, to keep it in place under sail. I used a tiny line--don't remember just what--there's no need for any strength, stretch resistance, or anything else. BTW, I called it the "dousing line" to differentiate from the downhaul.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 05/19/2009 20:25:48

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2009 : 06:02:07

I have mine tied to the shackle but run the line through the first hank. Seems to work well. If you have the old style bronze piston hanks instead of the newer Wichard ones, there won't be much room for the line and the forestay, so keep it thin at that point. I'm using 3/16 line, I think. Small swivel blocks at the stanchion bases work well for bringing the line aft. A PO mounted the cleat on the outside wall of the coaming at the front of the cockpit. Paracord works great, too. It's strong, lightweight, and very inexpensive.

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tbosch
Navigator

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163 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2009 : 10:20:32

Thanks for all of the responses! All had great feedback and advice. There is nothing like benefiting from someone else's trial and error!

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2009 : 11:57:14

I realize I only too often go to the foredeck to stow the doused hank-on jib after dealing with the main and find that the jib has crept up the forestay and is starting to sail the boat again.

I'm going to rig up one of these lines, too. I already have the block on the stem fitting for an adjustable tack line for my gennaker. So it's a little thing, except when it becomes a BIG DEAL.

...I'm ready to motor to the marina, but the boat keeps sailing when the wind picks up!

Thanks for the tips.

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Unsinkable2
Captain

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USA
273 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2009 : 14:36:35

Good question - and great advice! I've been toying with the idea of rigging a jib downhaul. I'd like a furler, but the economy being what it is, I need to do the less expensive version...

I have had some wild rides on the bow lately, it's been a windy spring on our lake and it seems that I end each evening straddling the bow, clutching on for dear life with one hand and dropping the jib with the other. The excitement is great, but in those waves I'm sure I'd end up swimming back to shore if I went over because a rescue would be more challenging to my crew than I'm probably worth :)

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