Appreciate some discussion / posts already on subject of mounting main sheet on arch vs cabin top. Have 2004 33 with traditional cabin top arrangement. Thinking of arch mounted controls as detailed by various owners on modifications page. All looks fine but wary of ability to trim main in heavier airs without winch assistance. Has anyone any actual experience how effective modification is in all conditions. Input greatly appreciated.
Arch mounted mainsheet
- Thread starter lbd
- Start date
Type in "double-ended mainsheet rigging" in the search or follow the link below to see how this is done with photos.
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=867455&highlight=double ended mainsheet
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=867455&highlight=double ended mainsheet
Mainsheet
The Hunter factory mounted the mainsheet to the traveller assembly on top of the stainless steel arch on my 2000 H340. As noted in the photos, the mainsheet is led to the mast and then back to the cockpit where it is trimmed using a #40 cabin topped winch shared with several other lines via a triple rope clutch. My set-up seems simpler than those in the above posts with arch mounted controls. The cabin top winch is, however, out of reach from the helm and needs the assistance of another crew.
The Hunter factory mounted the mainsheet to the traveller assembly on top of the stainless steel arch on my 2000 H340. As noted in the photos, the mainsheet is led to the mast and then back to the cockpit where it is trimmed using a #40 cabin topped winch shared with several other lines via a triple rope clutch. My set-up seems simpler than those in the above posts with arch mounted controls. The cabin top winch is, however, out of reach from the helm and needs the assistance of another crew.
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What a surprise to see my old post and pictures in the search shown in the second message!
I have had the double ended main sheet on each side of the arch for a couple of years now and it works great. I am a fair weather sailor and don't go out in storms so I have not had to use the winch.
For retrofitting on a 33 I think the main thing is welding brackets on the arch for the line clutch gripping the two ends of the main sheet. I had these ordered with the boat when new.
You can put a pulley down at the level of the jib winches so that you can direct the main sheet through one of the jib winches if you have to. Because you have both ends of the main sheet, you can always use the jib winch on the windward side to haul in the main.
I have found it enough just pulling the main sheet towards me above the clutch and the pull through the clutch.
As Scott mentioned, it is great to have everything at the helm without having to climb over people to get to the cabin roof.
It is also great to be able to move the traveller while keeping the main sheet constant.
Hunter's factory double ended main sheet configuration with one end on the cabin roof does not allow winching at the arch and cannot move traveller without disturbing main sheet and therefore sail shape.
I am actually surprised that there are not more complains about this.
I have had the double ended main sheet on each side of the arch for a couple of years now and it works great. I am a fair weather sailor and don't go out in storms so I have not had to use the winch.
For retrofitting on a 33 I think the main thing is welding brackets on the arch for the line clutch gripping the two ends of the main sheet. I had these ordered with the boat when new.
You can put a pulley down at the level of the jib winches so that you can direct the main sheet through one of the jib winches if you have to. Because you have both ends of the main sheet, you can always use the jib winch on the windward side to haul in the main.
I have found it enough just pulling the main sheet towards me above the clutch and the pull through the clutch.
As Scott mentioned, it is great to have everything at the helm without having to climb over people to get to the cabin roof.
It is also great to be able to move the traveller while keeping the main sheet constant.
Hunter's factory double ended main sheet configuration with one end on the cabin roof does not allow winching at the arch and cannot move traveller without disturbing main sheet and therefore sail shape.
I am actually surprised that there are not more complains about this.
Thanks all for replies. Much appreciated. OliverHg note in owners mods your traveller layout with 2 stand up blocks on traveller. My 33 has only one. Did Harken / Hunter specify 2 were required? Also note boom appears low but suspect when sail unfurled/hoisted boom rises providing clearance? Thanks again for input.
I ordered the boat with the two pulleys in the car. I gave the dealer the Harken part numbers and the drawing and they supplied as specified.
The boom is low and just enough to pull the leach tight.
I was tempted to cut a srip off the bottom of the main sail when I first go the boat because I unfurl the main to where I want it and the clew would be too high making it impossible to get a tight leach because the boom is as low as it can go.
For some reason that I don't understand, I found that if I unfurl the main all the way out, the clew will drop lower because the tight outhaul pulls it down. Then when I loosen the outhaul to form the draft that I want in the main sail, the clew stays low and the leach remains tight.
Problem solved and I did not cut the main sail.
The boom is low and just enough to pull the leach tight.
I was tempted to cut a srip off the bottom of the main sail when I first go the boat because I unfurl the main to where I want it and the clew would be too high making it impossible to get a tight leach because the boom is as low as it can go.
For some reason that I don't understand, I found that if I unfurl the main all the way out, the clew will drop lower because the tight outhaul pulls it down. Then when I loosen the outhaul to form the draft that I want in the main sail, the clew stays low and the leach remains tight.
Problem solved and I did not cut the main sail.