Outhaul improvement

[l'escargot]

If you want just a basic system, instead of tying the line off on the clew again, run it through the eye and tie it off at the end of the boom. It will give some extra purchase without extra fittings.

 

[Lakesailor]

Job done. (Don't look Seajet. It's on a Jag 22 with another in the background. Eeeek")

 

[jag22]

Excellent work, that sail looks like its set really well. Looks like a huge improvement!

 

[William_H]

Nice photo Phil as always. It is interesting the design of the boom on your boat. It is much longer than necessary but this is to join up with the end of boom sheeting on the horse over the transom. I have to say I live in fear of someone wearing my boom in the side of the head. We had one death a few years back from just that but a bigger boat. I occasionally take beginners out sailing and it is to me quite terrifying trying to teach the gybe. Twice now I have nearly lost students one crumpled into the cockpit after being hit on the head and another simply went overboard after being hit.
So it my desire to have the boom as short as possible with no protruding fittings to make a hit on the head worse. I tend to perch right at the back where I am completely clear of the boom when a beginner is helming. As already mentioned I feel a lot happier with the light weight boom.
Just a few more thoughts on booms on small boats. One last word is "keep your head down" olewill

 

[Seajet]

Ball bearing blocks could have been used, a fraction of that size, still more powerful - ie less friction - and a helluva a lot neater, but I find it's rare for cruising boats to have a working adjustable clew outhaul at all, at least the set-up shown should work, once the spare end is unravelled...

Olewill, I once took part in a search in the Solent for a woman who had been knocked overboard ( and probably unconscious ) by the boom.

It was a windy day with white horses on the waves, and she was wearing trendy white waterproofs - a pet hate of mine for just this reason, doesn't take much imagination does it ?

There were probably a dozen sailing boats searching, long before the lifeboat or helicopter could get there ( we were responding to the VHF call ) - we couldn't find her and she died; a danbuoy may well have saved her as well as sensible bright waterproofs.

 

[Daydream believer]

Personally i do not like adjustments at the end of the boom or in boom gear for that matter.
In boom cannot be easily repaired under way & boom end fittings are difficult to adjust under way because you have to catch the boom end & on bigger boats stand on the seats of a rolling boat to catch the boom & adjust
I prefer to lead the line to near the gooseneck & a small block & tackle to tension.
This way the adjustment can be done at the mast. I agree one has to still go on deck to do this but i have had a situation where my wife was hung over the side whilst trying to catch the boom end
With a small tackle on the boom a line could easily be extended aft along the deck
The sail in the picture does not need such large ropes & blocks

 

[Seajet]

Personally i do not like adjustments at the end of the boom or in boom gear for that matter.
In boom cannot be easily repaired under way & boom end fittings are difficult to adjust under way because you have to catch the boom end & on bigger boats stand on the seats of a rolling boat to catch the boom & adjust
I prefer to lead the line to near the gooseneck & a small block & tackle to tension.
This way the adjustment can be done at the mast. I agree one has to still go on deck to do this but i have had a situation where my wife was hung over the side whilst trying to catch the boom end
With a small tackle on the boom a line could easily be extended aft along the deck
The sail in the picture does not need such large ropes & blocks

I was thinking the setup shown is indeed led forward to the gooseneck at least ?

I agree boom end adjustment is a pain, my outhaul is led aft on deck, using ball bearing blocks and much smaller neater kit.

The kit shown would do a 30' boat, if led somewhere handy.

 

[Lakesailor]

Hi, I would like to create a basic outhaul tensioner because what I have at the moment is non-existent.

Fantastic. Where are the make-do-and-mend sailors that used to populate these islands? This search for the Rolls Royce solution is becoming pretty wearisome on these forums.

BTW, It's not my boat.

The sail is not the correct sail for the boat, but it does get in the way of the wind so has some value, despite being a bit short in the foot.
That block is far better than a smaller block because it was to hand, and cost nothing.
The line is perfect because it was an offcut, and cost nothing. The outhaul will probably not be moved from the beginning of the season to the end.
(even if it were to be adjusted the boom end is easily reached from within the cockpit on this boat. Which is what this thread was about)


Where is the post from someone saying. "Aye, that'll do the trick."

Should we have separate forum for Practical Solutions To Simple Problems?
(L'escargot seems to be on the same plane as me. Nice to agree on something now and again)


BTW -- If the YBW Forums ever decide to enter a team for Scrapheap Challenge..........well............it doesn't bear thinking about.

 

[testmonkey]

Fantastic. Where are the make-do-and-mend sailors that used to populate these islands? This search for the Rolls Royce solution is becoming pretty wearisome on these forums.

That block is far better than a smaller block because it was to hand, and cost nothing.
The line is perfect because it was an offcut, and cost nothing. The outhaul will probably not be moved from the beginning of the season to the end.
(even if it were to be adjusted the boom end is easily reached from within the cockpit on this boat. Which is what this thread was about)

With those parts at hand, and no additional cost you could still improve it by placing the block at boom end, tie a knot to the sail, route to the block and rest of the line towards the gooseneck. If that free line is long enough tie fast at the mast. If not long enough and any fitting is found on the boom, like vang attachment, tie it there. This way control is closer to the mast and safer to adjust. Even if that wouldn't matter less rope and weight at boom end.

A further improvement could be to add a short strop of line or wire between boom end and mainsheet top block, no need to have it any higher than what's required for max tightness between top and bottom block. Instead of blocks and n ropes only thin strop goes down from boom end. This way less windage and weight, less weight means less impact strength in accidental jibe hitting you in head. Probably 50cm of uncovered dyneema can be found in scrap yard, splicing that is super easy.

 

[Lakesailor]

Weight? How much does a metre of line weigh? How much does a plastic block weigh?
It isn't likely to be adjusted when sailing.

 

[testmonkey]

if the outhaul is not adjusted when sailing then there really is no benefit in having that block there. The ring on the sail has probably same amount of friction as that block. I'd consider using that block for some other use, could be useful for doubling the purchase on vang?

The mainsheet block could still go lower, adding a short strop between boom and mainsheet block is a good idea, just like in this picture, but probably could be even longer. This will let you cut a length of free rope from mainsheet maybe to be used somewhere else.

Weight in this scenario only matters in accidental jibe, the less weight the less it hurts...

 

[Lakesailor]

The ring on the sail has probably same amount of friction as that block.

Bartons will delighted to learn that.

I'd consider using that block for some other use, could be useful for doubling the purchase on vang?

The OP had a new kicking strap with plenty of purchase. I don't quite understand why you are dreaming up uses for equipment which has found a home and is doing a splendid job.

Is it a hobby?

I really am beginning to find these forums very negative.

 

[jag22]

For me - a novice sailor and boat owner, it's about making small improvements and learning as I go. What I have at the end of the boom is now a bit better organised than this time last year. Lots of other improvements have been made, and hopefully will continue to do so.

I was pleased that I could use the block that I found in the bottom of a Locker with an off cut from the kicker. No doubt it's far from perfect but maybe this time next year I will have learnt what need to be tweaked.

Old boat, limited funds, having a bit of fun being on the water. No plans to do the Fastnet Race in this!

 

[testmonkey]

well OP's original question was asking for how to improve the setup - was just trying to give suggestions to help, probably no good but at least was trying. Sorry for that.

 

[Lakesailor]

I see your point.

However going back to just using the clew ring would be retrograde.

The kicking strap hadn't been mentioned.

 

[l'escargot]

...However going back to just using the clew ring would be retrograde...

Not necessarily - if he threaded it through and took the extra turn, he would have a bit more purchase and that would be an improvement...

Anyway, how often does the average lazy cruising sailor adjust the clew tension in a season - don't most just tie it off and leave it? I know that's what I did before I had furling mains.

Now there's a thought, wouldn't he be better off forgetting all these half hearted attempts at improving what he's got and just install a furling main? He could then adjust the clew tension from the cockpit using the outhaul...

 

[William_H]

That bottom photo of my boat is a bit embarrassing or at least old style. I have new boom now. Gone are the reefing blocks on the side of the boom designed to bury into a skull. Also if you look closely you will see that I extended the boom to get the turning block far enough aft of the clew. I have always used the eyelet as a block to give 2 purchase to the outhaul.
The current arrangement for outhaul is just 2 purchase made by the clew eyelet through a turning block in the top of the boom, through the boom to another turning block in the under side of the boom down to a deck turning block then to a winch. On a 21fter.
Funny just yesterday I asked a crew to tighten the outhaul. No no too much was the cry as it is easily possible to put a lot of tension on the outhaul. I use spectra for this rope and it does get stiff and hard to ease. Lovely sail yesterday pity I did the wrong course. My excuse "old and silly" olewill

 

[Seajet]

Fantastic. Where are the make-do-and-mend sailors that used to populate these islands? This search for the Rolls Royce solution is becoming pretty wearisome on these forums.

BTW, It's not my boat.

The sail is not the correct sail for the boat, but it does get in the way of the wind so has some value, despite being a bit short in the foot.
That block is far better than a smaller block because it was to hand, and cost nothing.
The line is perfect because it was an offcut, and cost nothing. The outhaul will probably not be moved from the beginning of the season to the end.
(even if it were to be adjusted the boom end is easily reached from within the cockpit on this boat. Which is what this thread was about)


Where is the post from someone saying. "Aye, that'll do the trick."

Should we have separate forum for Practical Solutions To Simple Problems?
(L'escargot seems to be on the same plane as me. Nice to agree on something now and again)


BTW -- If the YBW Forums ever decide to enter a team for Scrapheap Challenge..........well............it doesn't bear thinking about.

Personally I regard ' make do and mend ' great for temporary fixes, unless I'm lucky enough to have the right kit already spare.

If something is only going to be fitted once in probably the lifetime of the boat, I fit the right kit, the best I can.