Putting the sails on?

[CaptainBob]

Hi,

I'm launching in a few days and was hoping to rig my sails today - but it's blowing a bit... I'm guessing it's a pretty bad idea to try to rig sails when you're on land and the wind is going some? Or is there a technique to it?

I guess the main is OK cos I can let the boom swing out - but what about the genoa? Mine's a pretty old roller reefing type. I can foresee problems if a gust hits at an inappropriate moment.

I'm a total newb so apologies if any of the above sounds dumb. No answer is too basic here.

Thanks,

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

I'd never put the sails back on while ashore... especially in a breeze.... asking for trouble IMHO.... wait until she's afloat again...

 

[TiggerToo]

yes, wait until you are afloat: the less windage the better whilst up onteh hard

 

[jwilson]

I think you will find that most boatyards specifically forbid it. Also your insurance might be very unwilling to pay out for a near-total loss after your boat fell over and knocked down five others.

In a settled weather flat-calm day it is in practice fairly safe, but with any sign of wind, even from ahead it's a really bad idea.

 

[flaming]

In this direction lies chaos. Don't do it!

 

[lw395]

Don't!
If the main can be put on the boom without unrolling it, fine.
Leave the genoa until you're in the water, in the lee of something. Or at least head to wind, preferbly both.

That gust will hit when its 2/3 up, the sail will catch on everything etc. Not worth it unless its flat calm.
Hope that helps.

 

[CaptainBob]

Ooh blimey! Glad I asked!

Tis a bit of a bugger because I've never put the sails on so have never been able to test them since I bought it... so I'll be launching for the first time, with a bit of a journey ahead of me the same day, without having found any problems there may be waiting for me... but it sounds like I don't have a choice really. I guess I can motor all the way if I have to.

Thanks for the replies!

 

[Lakesailor]

If you can attach yourself to a vacant swinging mooring it's easier as you will swing head-to-wind by default.

(Don't forget to make sure your furling line is loaded on the furling gear drum before you put the genoa on. )

 

[flaming]

[ QUOTE ]
If you can attach yourself to a vacant swinging mooring it's easier as you will swing head-to-wind by default.


[/ QUOTE ]

Only with no tide oh Lake confined one!

 

[Lakesailor]

Good point. Well put.

Still, go to be better than beam on to the wind on a jetty.

 

[flaming]

[ QUOTE ]
Good point. Well put.

Still, go to be better than stern to the wind on a jetty.

[/ QUOTE ]

Which would mean that if you just turned the boat around you'd be head to wind....

 

[doug748]

Provided you are sensible about it there will be no problem giving it a go on the hard. It will be one less job to fuss with whilst afloat. Having said that , this weekend is perhaps not the one to try, tho it may settle down later. Of course, don't hoist the genoa in any big breeze or from aft and it goes without saying that the boat is propped up well. I normally launch and come ashore with the genoa rigged then if the engine plays up you have some hope of propulsion. (Learnt the hard way with dodgy outboards).

 

[Lakesailor]

I was ahead of you there. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Anyway clever bugger. We get slack water all day but you get a few hours per day................

 

[savageseadog]

Put some wheels on the keel and presto! you have a land yacht.

 

[pcatterall]

Congratulations gentlemen!! for the first time ever....complete agreement!!

 

[Moonshiners]

Give your self a day to put them on on the water - rather than planning a - an hour to put on the sails and then a quick sail to the anchor for lunch...

Give yourself the whole day to put your sails up and get them rigged the way you are happy with. If your done in a couple hours great, but nothing worse then pressure to go out when your only half done! Bare in mind if it's the first time you've put them on you may find yourself replacing some worn rigging/sheets... So wait until your on the water and take your time...

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Agree with Moonshiners.... as nice as it might seem to 'get out there', getting the boat 'ready for sea' after a period ashore isn't an hours work.... and taking your time to work out where everything goes is well worth while... it can easily take an hour to get the genny on the furler if the track is a bit tight, and you wouldn't want to be rushing here....

 

[pheonix]

don't you mean BEND on the sails
/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Leighb]

If you are tide rode, you could try take the mooring from aft so still head to wind?

Mind you, you might end up beam on and sailing all round the mooring, so perhaps better not /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[William_H]

With my little boat there is no way the main sail can be hoisted or dropped unless the boat is head to wind. The idea that the boom can swing out is just not correct. It is the angle of the cloth to the mast track that causes the drag which denies the raising of the sail.
I use a bolt rope into the mast track which is worse but sliders are nearly as bad.
So bend on the sails while head to wind either on a swing mooring (no tide flow) or while motoring.
I agree completely that you must give yourself time to rig the boat and tidy up everything before a voyage.

good luck with the new boat. Just remember sailing is all about Crisis Management. olewill