Heavy Mainsails

Posted by pwhitmac (pwhitmac@…>)

I’ve noticed from time to time the subject of raising the mains of
various model Freedoms comes up, and the use and discussions of
various cordless drills, etc. Has anyone ever tried to solve the
problem by dead ending the halyard at the masthead, and using a two
part tackle hoist. It would seem to be a rather easy fix and the
only cost would be the headboard block, and a longer halyard. Has
anybody tried this? I’m going to try it on my Hoyt32, and see how it
works. I know it sure worked well on the big old gaff schooner I
used to sail on!

Posted by mike_c_f35ck (mike_c_f35ck@…>)

Strangely enough nobody has thought of this before, so it seems.
A drawback would be that you have to stow one third more rope in the
cockpit, and perhaps you cannot hoist your sail to the very top of
the mast because of the extra block. Perhaps I’m going to try this
out.

mike

— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “pwhitmac” <pwhitmac@y…>
wrote:

I’ve noticed from time to time the subject of raising the mains of
various model Freedoms comes up, and the use and discussions of
various cordless drills, etc. Has anyone ever tried to solve the
problem by dead ending the halyard at the masthead, and using a two
part tackle hoist. It would seem to be a rather easy fix and the
only cost would be the headboard block, and a longer halyard. Has
anybody tried this? I’m going to try it on my Hoyt32, and see how
it
works. I know it sure worked well on the big old gaff schooner I
used to sail on!

Posted by William A. Cormack (wacormack@…>)

It seems to me that dead ending the halyard at the masthead and using the
additional block, etc. does not solve the problem.

I can hoist the main on my F-36 to about 3/4 of the way up using the high
speed ratio on the winch then have to switch to the low speed to get it to
the top. The point of using the drill is to not have to do all the work
which will leave you hot and sweaty on a warm day. You still have to raise
the same amount of weight the same distance which equals the same amount of
work.

The suggested method (dead ending, etc) gives you mechanical advantage the
whole way up so you crank for twice the time but do the same amount of work.

Bill
Sailing F-36 #46 “Hard Earned”
Out of New Bedford Yacht Club, Padanaram, MA


William A. Cormack, CPA
Principal and Chief Financial Officer
Whelan Associates, LLC, a Corporate Real Estate Service firm
Bourne Counting House at One Merrill’s Wharf
New Bedford, MA 02740
Voice: 508-984-4100, Fax: 508-984-4101, Cell 508-254-5828
MailTo:wacormack@…
----- Original Message -----
From: “mike_c_f35ck” <mike_c_f35ck@…>
To: <freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 9:19 AM
Subject: [freedomyachts2003] Re: Heavy Mainsails

\

Strangely enough nobody has thought of this before, so it seems.
A drawback would be that you have to stow one third more rope in the
cockpit, and perhaps you cannot hoist your sail to the very top of
the mast because of the extra block. Perhaps I’m going to try this
out.

mike

— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “pwhitmac” <pwhitmac@y…>
wrote:

I’ve noticed from time to time the subject of raising the mains of
various model Freedoms comes up, and the use and discussions of
various cordless drills, etc. Has anyone ever tried to solve the
problem by dead ending the halyard at the masthead, and using a two
part tackle hoist. It would seem to be a rather easy fix and the
only cost would be the headboard block, and a longer halyard. Has
anybody tried this? I’m going to try it on my Hoyt32, and see how
it
works. I know it sure worked well on the big old gaff schooner I
used to sail on!

Yahoo! Groups Links

Posted by ajlorman (ajlorman@…>)

Actually, Nonsuch sailors, who also have a large mainsail to hoist,
have thought of this before. I believe the web site of the
International Nonsuch Association has directions on how to rig it.

Al Lorman


— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “mike_c_f35ck”
<mike_c_f35ck@y…> wrote:

Strangely enough nobody has thought of this before, so it seems.
A drawback would be that you have to stow one third more rope in
the
cockpit, and perhaps you cannot hoist your sail to the very top of
the mast because of the extra block. Perhaps I’m going to try this
out.

mike

— In freedomyachts2003@yahoogroups.com, “pwhitmac”
<pwhitmac@y…>
wrote:

I’ve noticed from time to time the subject of raising the mains
of
various model Freedoms comes up, and the use and discussions of
various cordless drills, etc. Has anyone ever tried to solve the
problem by dead ending the halyard at the masthead, and using a
two
part tackle hoist. It would seem to be a rather easy fix and the
only cost would be the headboard block, and a longer halyard. Has
anybody tried this? I’m going to try it on my Hoyt32, and see how
it
works. I know it sure worked well on the big old gaff schooner I
used to sail on!

Posted by George E. Herchenroether (g.herk@…>)

We formerly owned a Nonsuch 33 and now own a Freedom 45. On both boats we added the Strong track and glides. On both boats the hoisting and dousing of sail became a smooth, fast job. Can’t overrecommend the track…and not that expensive.

Herk and Milly
GLORY

George HerchenroetherCommunity Volunteer401.847.2028g.herk@…

"Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change theworld. Indeed, it’s the only thing that has."Margaret Mead

Posted by Sward (swardfullsail@…>)
Is that a brand name-Strong? I didn’t find it in a search. How does changing the track work with the integrity of the carbon fiber mast?

Thank you for the responses on the rpm’s.

Sward
s/v Dream On"George E. Herchenroether" <g.herk@…> wrote:

We formerly owned a Nonsuch 33 and now own a Freedom 45. On both boats we added the Strong track and glides. On both boats the hoisting and dousing of sail became a smooth, fast job. Can’t overrecommend the track…and not that expensive.

Herk and Milly
GLORY

George HerchenroetherCommunity Volunteer401.847.2028g.herk@…

"Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change theworld. Indeed, it’s the only thing that has."Margaret Mead

Posted by George E. Herchenroether (g.herk@…>)

TidesMarine.com is maker of Strong Track. My unit was $1275. The old track remains. The Strong track slides over it and is secured at a few points on it length. Thurston in Bristol, RI installed mine. I just added a new main from North and simply transferred the glides to it. Run don’t walk.

Herk

George HerchenroetherCommunity Volunteer401.847.2028g.herk@…

"Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change theworld. Indeed, it’s the only thing that has."Margaret Mead

Posted by macks011 (macks04@…>)

I can manhaul my mainsail to the top with moderate strain. I nearly
gave my self a hernia the first times though until I was set
straight by the sail maker. I haven’t seen any one mention it and
maybe its too obvious, but not only do you have to ease the main
sheet fully, but you have to throw the vang, out haul, reef and
cunningham. In addition, use the largest diameter turning block at
the base of the mast, (3" or better). Sail kote all tracks and
slides and replace the masthead sheave with a roller bearing. Plant
your kiester on the coaming, brace yourself against the cabin
bulkhead and use the strength in your legs. P.S. The Milwaukee works
too.

Posted by Brien (brienb@…>)

I just returned from the Transat 2004 ceremonies in Boston and have had a couple
of up-
close glances at these impressive machines with gigantic sails sailed solo
across the
Atlantic. Nearly all that I saw had a block at the sail head with dead ending of
the main
halyard at the masthead. These guys (and gals) go through numerous sail changes
and
reefings in a 24 hour period during their 8-14 day voyage.

While I don’t have trouble with my F38 main, I suspect these world class racers
know
something. If I were re-rigging and was having trouble despite battcars,
modified slides,
sail kote, etc., I’d give it a try.

Brien