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528
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USA
181 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/21/2005 : 23:05:08

We have been sailing "Wind Ho" for just under 2 years now(250 WB). I am one who will buy a new toaster and disassemble it before making the first bagel! I know some of you out there are with me on that one. The thing that annoyed me about the general setup, was going forward all the time. Let me preface this by saying my mods are still a work in progress. I set out to make the operation more cockpit friendly. My first change was the topping lift cleat. I moved it to a position near the aft end of the boom. The line exits from its original spot and runs along the boom exterior. It is now easy to lift the end of the boom with left hand and cleat with the right. There have been discussions on the merits of the single line reefing. I have removed the factory setup, since you could only use one reef point at a time with the factory rigging. I apoligize for not having pictures right now, my on the water testing continues. My original idea was to use a reefing hook on the boom. I then decided to try a large snap hook withe jaw removed and the swivel mounted to the factory main tack shackle. This is the one instance of having to go forward, but any reef point can be used with this method, and it is very quick. I read Arlyns thoughts on a better outhaul and decided to look at the guts of the boom. Suffice it to say, the original setup is completely changed now. Greater purchase and simplicity were my end goals. I found that rerouting the outhaul line to the very end of the boom and eliminating the small length of cable as the attach point was the first step. I fix rigged that cable and sheave inside the end of the boom, and used 2 of the three forward sheaves to obtain a 4:1. Again I remounted the outhaul cleat at the end of the boom opposite the topping lift cleat. It exits its original spot and is now controlled from the cockpit. When using one of the 3 reefs, I use the actual outhaul line, run through the choice of clew and attached to bottom of the boom. I am satisfied with all the mechanics at this point. Refining the sail shape is progressing nicely, although I will have to replace the dacron with a lower stretch cordage on the outhaul. I have not had time to try loose footing, as I don't want to change all the variables at once, but am curious if opinions favor that approach. Sorry for the novel, I have been on the boat more than the computer of late.

Edited by - on

britinusa
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5404 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2005 : 08:36:00

I had to keep reading this article...
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">The thing that annoyed me about the general setup, was going forward all the time.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
When the Navy taught me to sail at age 15, it included being able to sail backwards

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528
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USA
181 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2005 : 10:02:44

Sailing backwards....now that sounds like a government program to me!

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Arlyn Stewart
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2980 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2005 : 11:53:45

I'm in agreement with the concept of getting as many controls to one location as possible. For those who wish to do so from the cockpit, the challenge is formidable with often a great many lines led aft thru deck organizers. Your use of the aft end of the boom for the topping lift and outhaul are reasonable alternatives to deck handling.

Years ago, the boom was often used but in recent years, deck handling of all lines gained in popularity perhaps simply because it could be done, especially with so many being intrigued by single line reefing.

There is/was nothing wrong with your boom approach. In fact, it would be the way I'd do it... leaving more deck harware for double line reefing of both reef points, as double line reefing is once again gaining renewed popularity over single line.

As to dropping the wire line from the outhaul, I don't think I'd choose such a path for the following reasons. <ul><li>There is space for a wire line sheave but I don't recall enough space for three rope sheaves on the boom tail axle</li><li>Hauling the reef clews with the outhaul wouldn't give them the proper down vector</li><li>And the biggy, with loose footed main I wouldn't want to think about releasing the outhaul to reconnect it to reef clew</li></ul>

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528
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USA
181 Posts

Response Posted - 05/22/2005 : 19:09:20

Arlyn,

Our thoughts are similar. I tried to envision the downside to all the changes before application. I also abreviated some of the changes in my post. I had to swap the pulleys at the very end of the boom to two wide ones. One for the topping and now the other for outhaul. The narrow pulley now carries the cable as a fixed mount where the outhaul originally exited the boom, and the rope sheave floats inside the boom. I also added one twisted shackle to the bottom and end of the boom, this being the attach point for the outhaul line when under full sail. With reef, I share the shackle with the the main sheet attach point. This eliminates excess line hanging from the trimmed outhaul. Because the points are both behind the clew, the sail is pulled to the boom nicely. In the factory setup, I would run out of outhaul because the clew would come all the way to the sheave under full main. (I would save alot of typing with a couple of pictures.) I realized a loose foot may be a compromise for the reason you stated. As I reread all of this, it sounds much more complicated than in practice. Another part of my approach was to minimize mounting holes in the deck and tripping hazards with large rope cluthches.

Edited by - 528 on 05/22/2005 19:12:21

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.