Adding a weight to mainsail head to aid dropping.

[fredrussell]

My main drops very nicely, apart from the last two metres or so. To avoid the faff of going up there to pull last bit of sail down I wondered about attaching a weight to head board. Wouldn’t take much I would have thought - perhaps a kilo or so - not a huge amount in the great scheme of things?

Bonkers idea?

 

[Stemar]

I had the same problem. A light downhaul sorted it. On a 24 footer, it was 3mm cord, as that's what I had, but 4 or 5mm would be easier to handle. Also has the advantage that the wind can't get hold of the sail between pull it down and tidying up.

 

[Neeves]

Bonkers idea

Yes - Bonkers idea.

If pulling down the last metre or so is a faff, find a new pastime.

Many people try to keep weight away from the top, even middle of the mast.



Jonathan

 

[RJJ]

Yes - Bonkers idea.

If pulling down the last metre or so is a faff, find a new pastime.

Many people try to keep weight away from the top, even middle of the mast.



Jonathan

You can also buy a long pole with a hook. I forget what they are called but they are for boats.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

I like the idea.

How about a rectangular fishing weight (if they exist) taped to the headboard.

 

[pandos]

More silicone/ptfe on the slides....maybe on the halyard if it runs through a clutch...

 

[fredrussell]

Slides are ptfe’ed up! Sail drops like a good’un - it’s just the last bit. Downhaul line adds complexity- would rather avoid that.

 

[fredrussell]

If pulling down the last metre or so is a faff, find a new pastime.

Bit rude, but hey ho.
If boat is pitching around, any reason to avoid a trip to the mast is a good thing surely? Especially if you’re singlehanded.

 

[Boathook]

Bit rude, but hey ho.
If boat is pitching around, any reason to avoid a trip to the mast is a good thing surely? Especially if you’re singlehanded.

If the boat is pitching around the haliard will be also and will keep trying to raise the main a bit. Either accept the last 2 odd metres being up or go to mast and secure which will only take seconds.

 

[johnalison]

Bit rude, but hey ho.
If boat is pitching around, any reason to avoid a trip to the mast is a good thing surely? Especially if you’re singlehanded.

I do see your point. My main comes down pretty well but sometimes the last few feet are slow. I too will avoid going to the mast, at least until in sheltered water, and it is a good idea to avoid the windage from the remaining sail as far as possible. I don't have a solution, but I usually find that left alone the last few feet will shake themselves down eventually, and if there is not enough wind to do this it isn't going to matter much.

 

[JimC]

Bit rude, but hey ho.
If boat is pitching around, any reason to avoid a trip to the mast is a good thing surely? Especially if you’re singlehanded.

Agree about the rudeness. I had the same problem as the OP and solved it by fitting a Tides Marine sail track. Easy to fit and now the sail now drops smoothly straight down all the way. Easy to fit and no extra string etc.

Vdeo here

 

[wingcommander]

Not seen the tides marine system close up, however video gives the impression the additional weight of the metal sliders are what causes the easy drop . So may as well add a weight to the existing sail to achieve same results.. I may be wrong though ..

 

[JimC]

Not seen the tides marine system close up, however video gives the impression the additional weight of the metal sliders are what causes the easy drop . So may as well add a weight to the existing sail to achieve same results.. I may be wrong though ..

The sliders are heavier than typical plastic ones but the difference is trivial compared to the weight of the sail which, if the friction was low enough, would be sufficient to bring it all the way down. With the TM slides running in the special plastic track it is low enough. The sail is easier to hoist too and in that case the weight of the slides is working against you, but again it's trivial compared to the reduced friction.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

A smooth running track will solve it. I have to brake our main with the halyard on the way down, it's virtually in freefall, owing to the low friction of the track and cars.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

If you are dropping the main then you are at the point of entering the marina or have picked up your buoy so what is the problem of leaving the last few feet until you are secured if the idea of going forward doesn't appeal.
Yes it's a bonkers idea.

 

[WindyWindyWindy]

Adding a track must surely add a kg aloft though.

I have a similar problem, I was thinking of trying a small sandbag to try out the weight.

 

[fredrussell]

Well, bonkers it may be, but I’ll try it and report back.

 

[KompetentKrew]

It just seems "wrong" to me to add additional unnecessary weight at the top of the mast.

It's only 1kg, but in a righting situation 1kg at the top of the mast could be equivalent to several kilos (or many?) lower in the boat.

 

[wilkinsonsails]

Probably won’t make a great deal of difference to stiff new sail ,as the spring of the flakes will prevent it from folding well
On the other hand a very tired floppy old one might behave .
The Tides track let’s me drop both main and miz in seconds .Provided we are head to wind the sails fall easily into the Sailcovers
.I don’t have to do anything .It’s wonderful.
.Spend too long sail wrangling at work to have to do it when sailing as well..

 

[thinwater]

Yes - Bonkers idea.

If pulling down the last metre or so is a faff, find a new pastime.

Many people try to keep weight away from the top, even middle of the mast.



Jonathan

Stripping halyard covers. Eliminating shackles. Dyneema standing rigging. Carbon masts. High tech fabrics.

It's just some friction, waiting to be eliminated.