Up and downing the mainsail (for simpleton)

[pcatterall]

I have been trying to make some small improvements to my Colvic wheelhouse ketch. Partly to aid single handed/novice crew sailing.
Getting to the mast from the wheelhouse is a bit of a fiddle but there is little scope for loads of lines into the wheelhouse.
The new mainsail is fully battened and goes up and down smoothly when haulled from the mast.
I am proposing to fit lazyjacks and to bring the main halliard round the mast winch and back onto a cleat on the wheel house roof so that from the wheel position hatch(standing on seat with foot on wheel!!) I can raise and lower the main (albeit without real tension)
When things are more settled I would stroll forward (just holding the line on the cleat) and set the tension at the mast but tying off onto the wheelhouse cleat. I could drop the main by flicking it off the winch( I have tested that bit)
Is this stupid?? If it worked I supose I should consider a winch on the roof? Any more sensible ideas welcome.

 

[johnalison]

It sounds as is you might reduce friction a bit by passing it through a block at the foot of the mast. There may be a lot of tension when tightened, so the site of your proposed winch needs to be strong enough for this and presumably, a clutch.

 

[pcatterall]

Thanks Kermudjon, I liked going round the winch as it was then ready to take another turn around and tighten up when I could get to the mast, When testing this from the wheelhouse position I could get reasonable tension. Clearly if I go for a winch on the roof then I could just use a pulley at the mast base and, yes, a clutch.
Thanks again.

 

[bobgoode]

Ball bearing blocks will pay dividend by reducing friction considerably. It's amazing how a few blocks cause the friction to build.

 

[Caer Urfa]

I have a Colvic Watson but smaller than yours but like you have to go 'on deck' to hoist the main sail.
I can see wht your suggesting clearly, but also see you clearly going overboard if it gets rough!
If you go to the Colvic Watson owners web site and look in photo's carefully there are one or two neat layouts for running the sheets aft to the cockpit.
I fitted jack stays both side to clip onto ,after nearly going overboard standing ontop of the wheelhouse roof hoisting the sail.
Good Luck
Mike

 

[simonfraser]

having a foot on your wheel sounds like a bad idea to me, even if it is strong enough - it's not very stable especially when you are reefing i.e. it's choppy.

 

[Csail]

Our Atlanta has everything running back to the cockpit but it's still hard work with all the friction.

 

[pcatterall]

Sorry that was humour!! although from this position I can, in theory, steer with my foot/knee or (just) hand. My upper body is wedged in the W/H roof hatch (a very secure position actually) But must watch the boom!!
Regards