KREW2
Well-Known Member
I say this because, it is only the last few feet when you say it gets tight. This is when the point of friction on the two ropes will converge.
Hoisting the main
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I say this because, it is only the last few feet when you say it gets tight. This is when the point of friction on the two ropes will converge.
Simondjuk
Well-Known Member
I can haul the main to between about a foot and six inches of the masthead by hand, from the cockpit, through the coachroof mounted jammer on our 40 foot boat. The creases in the sail and the fact I'm starting to take the weight of the boom off the topping lift (since I don't want to have to adjust it every time I sail) defeat me from getting it right to the top, but then I'm going to need to winch in a bit of halyard tension anyway, so making a few revolutions before that happens isn't an extra step in the process. Well maintained blocks, deck organisers and sheave boxes are the key.
If, as rather uncharitably has been suggested might be the case, you're trying to hoist against a boom held down by the mainsheet or vang, then you need to get right back to basics.
If, as rather uncharitably has been suggested might be the case, you're trying to hoist against a boom held down by the mainsheet or vang, then you need to get right back to basics.
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onesea
Well-Known Member
If secured on a cleat I used to take a turn or 2 extra round the cleat (over all the exisiting securing), before dropping the main so the weight came on the topping lift before dropping the sail. Then taking it off again when sail is back up (also kept boom at nice height when sail was down).
If on clutches, I would just put a mark on the topping lift so you know its back tot he right place. Each to there own, its what works for you...
Simondjuk
Well-Known Member
The topping lift is made off at the mast, everything else led aft. This means I have no reason to go forward when hoisting or dropping, so am not inclined to do so just to adjust that one line. Instead I have it set so that it is just slack with the main sheeted in hard, and goes tight when the sail is dropped at the perfect point where everything is clear of the sprayhood and there is enough angle on the boom to encourage water to run out of the lazybag/sail.
To prevent the topping lift flailing around when the mainsheet is eased, and the boom higher, I have a piece of shockcord between the boom end and a point about 18 inches above the on the topping lift, which pulls the slack into a neat little loop near the clew of the sail. When the tension is on the topping lift, the shockcord stretches to allow the topping lift to take the strain.
It's all carefully thought through you know.
