I really love my new (used) 260 but there is one thing about the design that really irks me - the absence of cam cleats for the jib sheets. This makes it virtually impossible to sail it single handed, or at least to sail it effectively. I am having them added, but can anyone give me any insight on why they are not standard equipment. Is there so subtle design problem with the boat that make it dangerous to be single handed so the design engineers effectively crippled it?
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M
Mike
M
Mark
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John Kagan
Cam Cleat Risers
I had cam cleats standard also on my 2002 H260. I added risers to make them more useful. They are only useful in light winds as it is hard to release them in higher winds. With the risers it is much easier to use them but occasionally they will catch when I am using the winch. I have single handed the H260 and have seen them single handed on many occasions. There is no design issue.
I had cam cleats standard also on my 2002 H260. I added risers to make them more useful. They are only useful in light winds as it is hard to release them in higher winds. With the risers it is much easier to use them but occasionally they will catch when I am using the winch. I have single handed the H260 and have seen them single handed on many occasions. There is no design issue.
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alan
Rope clutches are better than cam cleats...
...I have used both. In light air you could tie off the sheets to the stern cleats. The sheets can also be tied off to the standard jam cleats and used normally. alan
...I have used both. In light air you could tie off the sheets to the stern cleats. The sheets can also be tied off to the standard jam cleats and used normally. alan
C
Calvin
OK
I guess that cam cleats are now standard on the 260, but there were not on my 99. I take it for the replys that there are many people out there who are more agile than I.
I guess that cam cleats are now standard on the 260, but there were not on my 99. I take it for the replys that there are many people out there who are more agile than I.
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Michael Stephens
Clam cleats
My 99' 260 came with aluminum clam cleats standard. I immediatley changed these to Harken cam cleats. They work great.
My 99' 260 came with aluminum clam cleats standard. I immediatley changed these to Harken cam cleats. They work great.
F
Frank Sears
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Scott Blahnik
Auto Pilot?
I don't see how to singlehand without one. How would you keep the boat into the wind to raise the mailsail? For that matter, how do you raise a main at all single handed? One hand feeding and the other pulling? I could sail a lot more if I could solo. Scott S/V Hello Dolly
I don't see how to singlehand without one. How would you keep the boat into the wind to raise the mailsail? For that matter, how do you raise a main at all single handed? One hand feeding and the other pulling? I could sail a lot more if I could solo. Scott S/V Hello Dolly
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Michael Bell
If you don’t want to opt for the auto-pilot…
I’ve found that a tiller tamer is enough for me to get forward and return in time. But I’ve gone though the gauntlet of installations that make single handling easier. Lazy jacks, the jam cleats you spoke of for the jib sheets, a solid vang to eliminate the topping lift, reefing lines brought back to the cockpit. All easy (and not so expensive) additions that make sailing more comfortable – even if your not alone.
I’ve found that a tiller tamer is enough for me to get forward and return in time. But I’ve gone though the gauntlet of installations that make single handling easier. Lazy jacks, the jam cleats you spoke of for the jib sheets, a solid vang to eliminate the topping lift, reefing lines brought back to the cockpit. All easy (and not so expensive) additions that make sailing more comfortable – even if your not alone.
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John Pollitt
Singlehanding...
I always singlehand my H26. I don't know about the 260, but my mast came with a small metal piece to put in the sailtrack to keep the slides in when you lower it. I raise my main from the cockpit. For an auto-pilot, all I have is a tiller tamer. After 30 some years off the water, I find my boat to be easy to singlehand. The biggest problem I have had is not in the mechanics, but in getting to know the boat and having confidence in it's ablities. I know it will do more than I have asked of it so far, but I'm out there to enjoy myself, not push it to the edge. Stick with it Calvin..and Scott, I'm sure with time and experience, you'll wonder why it seemed so hard at first. John S/V Icymoon
I always singlehand my H26. I don't know about the 260, but my mast came with a small metal piece to put in the sailtrack to keep the slides in when you lower it. I raise my main from the cockpit. For an auto-pilot, all I have is a tiller tamer. After 30 some years off the water, I find my boat to be easy to singlehand. The biggest problem I have had is not in the mechanics, but in getting to know the boat and having confidence in it's ablities. I know it will do more than I have asked of it so far, but I'm out there to enjoy myself, not push it to the edge. Stick with it Calvin..and Scott, I'm sure with time and experience, you'll wonder why it seemed so hard at first. John S/V Icymoon
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Ron Mehringer
Autopilot...you bet!
An autopilot is the single best thing I ever added to my H26. It's not perfect, but it makes sailing singlehanded MUCH easier. Even with a crew aboard I find sailing with it much more enjoyable. I'm going to try putting PX cleats in for my jib sheets next year. They can be released or engaged by pulling up or down on the line. Ron Mehringer s/v Hydro-Therapy
An autopilot is the single best thing I ever added to my H26. It's not perfect, but it makes sailing singlehanded MUCH easier. Even with a crew aboard I find sailing with it much more enjoyable. I'm going to try putting PX cleats in for my jib sheets next year. They can be released or engaged by pulling up or down on the line. Ron Mehringer s/v Hydro-Therapy
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Tom
Clam cleats, Jam cleats std on my '99
I have the h260 '99 and it came with clam cleats and jam cleats std. I take 1 or 2 turns around the winch and a turn around the jam cleat. Holds well and quick release. I tend to use the clam cleats only when I need the winch to tighten a halyard, otherwise the red keep off clips are up to prevent an accidental catch while tacking. The 260 is easy to singlehand, just takes a little extra planning ahead and a tiller tamer or wheel brake helps a lot. An autopilot is even better. I have the Simrad wheel pilot and it makes single handing easy. Even with crew, we usually let the pilot steer while we sit back and enjoy the ride or tweak the sails. One trick I have learned is to get the main sheet attach off the cockpit floor so I can reach it while at the wheel. To accomplish this I made a loop of polyester line about 12 inches long when folded (start with about 24 inches of line). Detach the main sheet block from the cockpit u bolt, then put one end of the folded loop through the u bolt and then attach the main sheet block through both ends of the loop. This provides a 12 inch long, 4 part extension to raise the main sheet about 1 foot off the floor. Then you can reach it with out having to bend so far down. Fair winds... Tom
I have the h260 '99 and it came with clam cleats and jam cleats std. I take 1 or 2 turns around the winch and a turn around the jam cleat. Holds well and quick release. I tend to use the clam cleats only when I need the winch to tighten a halyard, otherwise the red keep off clips are up to prevent an accidental catch while tacking. The 260 is easy to singlehand, just takes a little extra planning ahead and a tiller tamer or wheel brake helps a lot. An autopilot is even better. I have the Simrad wheel pilot and it makes single handing easy. Even with crew, we usually let the pilot steer while we sit back and enjoy the ride or tweak the sails. One trick I have learned is to get the main sheet attach off the cockpit floor so I can reach it while at the wheel. To accomplish this I made a loop of polyester line about 12 inches long when folded (start with about 24 inches of line). Detach the main sheet block from the cockpit u bolt, then put one end of the folded loop through the u bolt and then attach the main sheet block through both ends of the loop. This provides a 12 inch long, 4 part extension to raise the main sheet about 1 foot off the floor. Then you can reach it with out having to bend so far down. Fair winds... Tom
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