Headboard Cringles on Mainsail

[LONG_KEELER]

Why are there so many ?

They vary in number from about one to four.

I have experimented but can't find any noticeable difference.

 

[Martin_J]

Perhaps to do with the positioning of the halyard sheave at the masthead and how much overhang the aft edge of the sheave has.

I thought the aim was for the middle of the cringle to be directly below the aft edge of the sheave in order to get the vertical pull correct (and to prevent the upper slides trying to jam themselves in the slot).

 

[LONG_KEELER]

Perhaps to do with the positioning of the halyard sheave at the masthead and how much overhang the aft edge of the sheave has.

I thought the aim was for the middle of the cringle to be directly below the aft edge of the sheave in order to get the vertical pull correct (and to prevent the upper slides trying to jam themselves in the slot).

Makes sense.

Still puzzled a bit as some holes are directly below another.

 

[Stemar]

Still puzzled a bit as some holes are directly below another.

Pure guess, but the cringles have bits that go through the sail, so maybe they're there to help hold the headboard on the sail

 

[wilkinsonsails]

Some additional holes are for connecting special Headboard sliders .Others along top edge allow better alignment for mast head sheaves as MartinJ said.