plockton18
New member
What am I doing wrong with my topsail?
I pulled the sheet in tight, but it still looks slack. Any theories?
I pulled the sheet in tight, but it still looks slack. Any theories?
Topsail
- Thread starter plockton18
- Start date
dur
Member
The main appears to be okay so it looks as if the tosail needs to go higher but it already seems to be as high as it can go. Is the whole main hoisted a bit higher than normal? i.e the boom is higher than it should be?
Has it ever fitted?
Interested to hear what the more experienced have to say.
BTW Lovely boat. What is she etc?
Has it ever fitted?
Interested to hear what the more experienced have to say.
BTW Lovely boat. What is she etc?
plockton18
New member
Thanks Dur,
Your thoughts coincide with mine. I suspect that I pulled the peak up too much. I have a downhaul for the luff, not sure if I should pull this one after tensioning the throat, or after tensioning the peak. Also, I'm clueless about what to do with the topsail sheet when bearing away - ease it or pull it in?
The boat is a one off, but not meant to be. Built by a company called Clyde Classics in 1993. Their USP was to build wooden boats quickly and (relatively) cheaply in order to provide an affordable alternative to the mass market GRP boats. Sadly, this ideal was not realised. She has a plaque in the cabin which optimistically names her "Clyde Classics No. 1". She was the first, and last.
Your thoughts coincide with mine. I suspect that I pulled the peak up too much. I have a downhaul for the luff, not sure if I should pull this one after tensioning the throat, or after tensioning the peak. Also, I'm clueless about what to do with the topsail sheet when bearing away - ease it or pull it in?
The boat is a one off, but not meant to be. Built by a company called Clyde Classics in 1993. Their USP was to build wooden boats quickly and (relatively) cheaply in order to provide an affordable alternative to the mass market GRP boats. Sadly, this ideal was not realised. She has a plaque in the cabin which optimistically names her "Clyde Classics No. 1". She was the first, and last.
Seagreen
New member
You need to drop the peak down a bit.
Procedure for a topsail should go like this:
1) Peak up the gaff, so you get a crease in the mainsail from the peak of the gaff to the tack.
2) Hoist topsl, making the head of the sail fast first.
3)Pull topsl tack downhaul down hard so the luff of the topsl is tight,
4) Haul out the clew of the topsail to the peak of the gaff as far as it will go. Then the secret ingredient...
5) Ease the peak halyard of the gaff so the crease in the mainsail disappears. The Topsail will be tight as a drum.
However, if you have to lower the peak so much that the leach of the main goes slack before the topsail stretches, then there's a problem; usually a knot's too big or the topsl halyard's jamming in the sheave at the masthead, or another problem of that ilk. If you've checked all that, and the previous owner says "it did that for me as well", the topsail is too long (made too long) from clew to luff and ought to be shortened by a foot or so (I guess from the pictures) This is pricey so investigate all other options first.
Do nothing with the topsail sheet when bearing away, unless you are on a 10 mile long tack. Short tacks, don't touch it. Long tacks, and you have the energy, hoist the topsl on the lee side of the main so that the sail bellies out and is not pressed onto and being chafed by the gaff halyards.
Procedure for a topsail should go like this:
1) Peak up the gaff, so you get a crease in the mainsail from the peak of the gaff to the tack.
2) Hoist topsl, making the head of the sail fast first.
3)Pull topsl tack downhaul down hard so the luff of the topsl is tight,
4) Haul out the clew of the topsail to the peak of the gaff as far as it will go. Then the secret ingredient...
5) Ease the peak halyard of the gaff so the crease in the mainsail disappears. The Topsail will be tight as a drum.
However, if you have to lower the peak so much that the leach of the main goes slack before the topsail stretches, then there's a problem; usually a knot's too big or the topsl halyard's jamming in the sheave at the masthead, or another problem of that ilk. If you've checked all that, and the previous owner says "it did that for me as well", the topsail is too long (made too long) from clew to luff and ought to be shortened by a foot or so (I guess from the pictures) This is pricey so investigate all other options first.
Do nothing with the topsail sheet when bearing away, unless you are on a 10 mile long tack. Short tacks, don't touch it. Long tacks, and you have the energy, hoist the topsl on the lee side of the main so that the sail bellies out and is not pressed onto and being chafed by the gaff halyards.
plockton18
New member
Thanks Seagreen! Also, thanks to Lakesailor and Jenku for their tips on how to post the photo.
I'm optimistic that I won't have to re-cut the sail, as photos of it in previous ownership look OK. Today is p***ing down and flat calm, but forecast looks good for tomorrow, so will try out the advice given then.
Thanks again.
I'm optimistic that I won't have to re-cut the sail, as photos of it in previous ownership look OK. Today is p***ing down and flat calm, but forecast looks good for tomorrow, so will try out the advice given then.
Thanks again.