26D Lines and Rigging Setup - Please check.

[Snowbird One]

Hello everyone! First post here! I have so many questions. But what I'll start with is my rigging setup and how the lines are supposed to run.

Little bit about my experience: Not much! I did own my own Laser sailboat when I was about 19 years old. So I know the basics of handling a sailboat. Don't know my terminology all that well, but I'll learn as I go along. I have no other sailing experience. i.e..: no multi-sail experience. Heck, my Laser didn't even have a halyard for the main, it went over the mast like a sock. So no shrouds or anything, either.

Little bit about my boat: Just bought this 1989 26D less than a week ago. First time with multi sails, etc. Bought the boat off a guy who had no real knowledge of the boat (he traded his truck for the boat); so I couldn't get any info from him on how to set it up. It appears that it was set up for single handing, and it also has a homemade gin-pole with a boat winch on it. The boat is in ok to good condition, but there are some things that I have some questions and concerns about.

Several photos I've taken: http://happycamperrentals.ca/brads_slideshows/MacG26/index.htm

I was hoping you guys could look through the pictures and point out anything you think is wrong. A number of things that I think are wrong (but please correct me if they're fine) are:

The spreaders have what I can only describe as 'dog-leash' clasps.
The gin-pole is bolted on (I'm going to make it removable)
The clips on the boom-vang are substandard.

But I also have questions on whether lines are being run correctly, and what is that pulley attached to the bottom of the mast?

Thank you for your time. I am so excited to get my first sailboat in the water!

 

[Snowbird One]

Now, if I understand correctly this is the mainsail control sheet:

and I've got it set up like this:

Am I correct in assuming the snap hook (terminology?) attaching it to the boom is insufficient? Or will it be ok?
What I don't understand is why that snap hook was how it was in pictures 001 to 004 when I got it? I had to change it to the other end of that block to get it to attach the way it is in pictures 017 to 020.

 

[Snowbird One]

And then we have this:

I am assuming this is the boom vang, correct? or do I have the two mixed up? Should this be the mainsheet control, and the other one be for the boom vang?

I can tell you that the one in this set of pictures does not operate well, it tends to get jammed, and those 'twisty clevises thingies' (please pardon my terminology) on each end of the block cause it to lie sideways, not vertically, when attached.

 

[justsomeguy]

Yes, much too much reliance on snaphooks. They're not built to handle the expected loads.

 

[Snowbird One]

Should I be worried about this?

This is the end of the spreader for the shroud lines running to the top of the mast.

Is it safe to sail like this? Or is my mast going to fall down?

If I should replace them, should I just get the components locally, or should I just order it from BW Yahcts? Why would the PO use those when he had the old components?

 

[justsomeguy]

No, it's not safe to sail with your spreaders able to float around like that.

And I can't explain a previous owner's sense of "what works".

 

[Snowbird One]

Ok, thank you for those replies, Guy. Guess I'll be spending some more money.

Or can I re-use those original components for the spreaders?

 

[MrBill_FLL]

agree with someguy. use the spreader clamps you have. or buy new.
-That is not safe at all.

(check the treads of the bases if cracked or cross threaded replace. same for screws. blue lock-tight might be in order here.)

the vang and boom sheets are better but I would replace with sailing shackles or stronger clips.

 

[Snowbird One]

the vang and boom sheets are better but I would replace with sailing shackles or stronger clips.

Please bear with me… you're referring to the snap hooks I was questioning, correct?

 

[MrBill_FLL]

I'm not an expert on all the rigging terminology.. either.

this is what I have on my main.
http://www.westmarine.com/ronstan--snap-shackles--P002_060_001_002

and this is what I have for the vang
http://www.westmarine.com/wichard--stainless-steel-snap-hooks--P002_060_002_005

you could just use a shackle, but they are slower / pain to install.

maybe someone knows the load rating needed for either. I don't.

better yet try here:

http://shop.macgregorowners.com/search.php?kw=snap+shackle

http://shop.macgregorowners.com/prod.php?14497

 

[Snowbird One]

Ok, went to a fairly large marine supply store here, today, and got a clean bill of health for the clamps. He also provided me with a larger spring clip to clip the boom vang onto the mast step pin. But he also felt that the spring clips in the pictures should be plenty strong enough for the forces the boom should see. I'll replace them with better items in due course but it feels like there's been a waterfall of money going out of my wallet in the last week.

Can someone please tell me what the line (rope) is coming out the port side of the boom? I just ran it back to the cleat you see because it kept it out of the way of the cockpit.

Also, what is the pulley for that is attached at the base of the mast on the starboard side?

 

[mattutley]

Looks like its in pretty good shape.

 

[justsomeguy]

Ok, went to a fairly large marine supply store here, today, and got a clean bill of health for the clamps. He also provided me with a larger spring clip to clip the boom vang onto the mast step pin. But he also felt that the spring clips in the pictures should be plenty strong enough for the forces the boom should see. I'll replace them with better items in due course but it feels like there's been a waterfall of money going out of my wallet in the last week.

May one ask where you're located? If you were in Tucson, I'd make the time to visit and confab. There just may be a few sailors in your area who'd like to help you out.

As to that waterfall of money, welcome to sailboat ownership!

Can someone please tell me what the line (rope) is coming out the port side of the boom? I just ran it back to the cleat you see because it kept it out of the way of the cockpit.

Also, what is the pulley for that is attached at the base of the mast on the starboard side?

The pulley at the starboard mast base was likely used to lead the main halyard back to the cabintop.
No idea about the line exiting the boom, sorry.

Dang, this picture-heavy thread takes forever to load with my connection.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

the line on the boom looks like an outhaul.

I have a block on the stb side of my boom and mine goes thru the grommet (clew) of the sail, thru the stb block and forward to a cleat on the boom.


B -reak
O -ut
A -nother
T -housand

welcome to boating!

 

[Snowbird One]

Sorry about the pictures. I've adjusted them, so now they should load faster.

Ahhh, yes, that would seem to be the outhaul. The cleat is just to the bottom left (blurry) in the picture. So I would have 2:1 advantage.

 

[willsnow]

we actually have the same boat, down to the year... i havnt seen many with the steel cockpit coaming rails and dagger board.
line at the end of the boom is certainly your outhaul (line to pull the sail back tight to the end of the boom)
the shackle that others are suggesting you use for your main sheet and boom vang is often called a pelican shackle

as to the previous owner's rigging: i think a lot of us have had to improvise something somewhere on our boats/rigging... he probably did the quickest fix he had and ultimately forgot to replace it with the correct hardware. or he was trying to cut corners money-wise. stainless steel is never cheap, but nothing is more suited to the marine environment.

 

[finding41]

The lines going to your mast are all wrong.
The Port side: That cheek block on the deck too far ahead. It should be ware the patched holes are further back.
The backwards turning block should be on the mast bottom and is for the jib. (Like the other side.)
The Starboard side : The DB cheek block is set up wrong. It should be 90* to the DB. The turning block at the bottom of the mast is for a halourd (Probably the main or jib.)
The black things are for a bicycle seat.... (What were they used on...?)
The traveller... Interesting. I've never seen that set up. I think that car is for the genoa control on ether side of the cabin top.
The clam cleat on the Starboard side to the L of the winch is for the DB control line. The one in hte middle is for the jib sheet and the main sail halyard and the broken one on the R is for the jib sheet. Replace it.
I'll look closer when I have more time.

 

[finding41]

Welcome to the forum!
A mad man rigged your boat!
The lines going to your mast are all wrong.
The Port side: That cheek block on the deck too far ahead. It should be ware the patched holes are further back.
The backwards turning block should be on the mast bottom and is for the jib. (Like the other side.)
The Starboard side : The DB cheek block is set up in the wrong one. It should be 90* to the DB. The turning block at the bottom of the mast is for a halourd (Probably the main.) Other cheek block.
The black things are for a bicycle seat.... (What were they used on...?)
The traveller... Interesting. I've never seen that set up. I think that car is for the genoa control on ether side of the cabin top.
The clam cleat on the Starboard side to the L of the winch is for the DB control line. The one in the middle is for the jib sheet and the main sail halyard and the broken one on the R is for the jib sheet. Replace it.
I'll look closer when I have more time.
There is a pintal pin used to hold the mast foot down....
If there is hardware anywhere on the boat that is not Stainless Steel.... Get rid of it!
I would pull it down to the local marina and ask some of the guys on sail boats what they think. And to show you there set up.
Sailors are nice people. They will usually help.
Good luck!

 

[Snowbird One]

The lines going to your mast are all wrong.

The black things are for a bicycle seat.... (What were they used on...?)

Yes, this morning it dawned on me! "Those things are from a bicycle!" Though I was thinking kickstand, at first. But, yeah, I'm sure you're right - bicycle seat. I'm guessing it was one of the ways he was trying to attach the upper shrouds to the spreaders. I have NO IDEA why he used those dog leash clips on the spreaders when the stock 'clamp thingies' appear to be perfectly serviceable (minus 2 screws - which I've got coming on Monday).

The traveller... Interesting. I've never seen that set up.

What? I don't get it. I thought that traveller is how they show it in the manual. Or are you saying that it normally just goes to a fixed point and doesn't 'travel'? I have seen discussion of guys using travellers in this location (though, granted, I'd prefer it at the stern, out of the way). Other than that, what is wrong with it?

I think that car is for the genoa control on ether side of the cabin top.

I'll look closer when I have more time.

I'll respond more thoroughly when I have more time!

 

[Snowbird One]

Welcome to the forum!
A mad man rigged your boat!
The lines going to your mast are all wrong.

Thank you for the kind welcome!

In the spirit of full disclosure the way the lines are running was simply my guess at how it should work. So I guess I'm partially the mad man! I've corrected a few of the things you've mentioned as I've gone along, and will look to the others in time.

There is a pintal pin used to hold the mast foot down….

I've tried to look online to see what the pintal pin is. Google suggested "pintle" pin. Either way, I don't know what that is. I have a hitch pin holding the mast to the plate on the deck - if that's what you mean. I'm not sure if that's what you would call the "step" or what. My question is, what are you saying in that comment? Were you making a statement, or were you asking a question? If you were making a statement, is what I have bad? Is there supposed to be a second pin forward of that pin? Please clarify, as I'm quite confused.

Oh, and to whomever asked before… I'm just outside Vancouver, British Columbia.