I have been using a fixed length line on my outhaul. I do all my draft adjustment with the choker. I cant really see a reason for an adjustable outhaul except to avoid the mizzen boom interfering with the main leech in rare light wind tacking situation?
Your thoughts about the material for the fixed outhaul. I picked up a twenty feet of a low stretch modern material but am not sure the knot strength issue means anything or not for my application. Make a soft shackle? Thoughts?
I have converted my WB boom outhaul from the original design; blocks on starboard side and fixed boom lash (choker). To a system I am told is simular to a Nonsuch, where the blocks are removed from the SB side of the wishbone the clew of the sail is fixed to the boom and the fixed choker is replaced with a choker that is adjustable from the cockpit using clutch and winch. I have used the setup since early August and have much better control of sail shape. The only problem I have encountered is in order to lower the sails I need to slack off on the outhaul. This allows the boom end to drop, reducing the clearance above the helmperson’s head. The solution is to tighten the topping lift prior to easing the outhaul.
It sounds like you and I are using a similar system though I have track and slides. I have had a short piece of line at the clew to the rear of the boom. A fixed outhaul. I am replacing the line as It is a unknown age or material. I have the chokers on the non winch side. So far have not needed a winch to adjust.
I find I just use a shorter helmsmen when dropping the sail and it eliminates the concern for having forgotten to tighten the topping lift. Still complaints.
But I have accepted responsibility on my vessel for world famine and war. A topping lift error, nothing.
Photos:
Hi Mike
That’s a very neat solution! I don’t have tracks. New sails will be attached by parrells, so the chocker needs to also slide up and down to adjust and reef the sail. With the setup I can see in your picture, how do you prevent the boom to move/swing sideways and bang against the mast?
…a back-of-the-envelope diagram of the rigging would be very useful… :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Many thanks!!
Rafael