Tricing Line

[Poignard]

Gaff mainsails were sometimes rigged with a tricing line to the tack. Does anyone have this fitted to their boat? If so, under what circumstances do you use it?

 

[mickandbee]

We don't but have scandalised the main if we need to slow down approaching x for whatever reason. Think the tricing line does the same thing (in the opposite direction....)but also gives a better view forward. But you probably knew that

 

[Porthandbuoy]

I thought tricing lines were used on spritsail rigs, as in Thames barges, to sort of haul the sail in towards the mast. Or are they called brails?

 

[Mirelle]

Don't have one fitted, as we have roller reefing.

Last boat (loose footed sail with points reefing) did have one.

Used to adjust (reduce!) speed in confined places and to allow you to see under the sail in confined places. Not really worth the trouble, but terribly Old Gafferish.

 

[mrswigglestick]

I've got one, and I found it jolly handy one day when I was out by myself. It got a bit gusty, and I would have reefed, except I was fairly sure that if I carried on I'd get away from the gusts. I triced up hard instead, and she was nicely balanced and not pressed. Once in more settled wind I just let go the tricing line, a lot easier singlehanded than scandalising. Not a solution perhaps as having the sail area up high in a bit of wind isn't so good, but an easy temporary fix.

 

[Poignard]

Supplementary questions, if you don't mind.
1. Do you have, or need, a downhaul to get the tack down to the gooseneck again?
2. Is your mainsail on a track or hoops?
3. How is the tack normally attached to the boom/gooseneck fitting? Presumably you have some means of quickly letting it go when needed?