Barberhauler question

[MJ]

Don:2 questions:1. What is a barberhauler?2. I have a 1980 Catalina 27 and have no inboard genoa tracks. Is there anything I can rig (short of installing inboard tracks)in order to be able to sheet the genoa more inboard?Thanks.MJ

 

[Don Guillette]

MJ: I have the same problem as my C30 does not have inboard tracks. You get around the lack of inboard track by the use of a Barberhauler or Cross haul. A barberhauler is a short piece of line that I attach to the working jib sheet. I attach the line with a sliding knot similar to what you used to tie up your tent line when you were a Boy Scout. The knot slides nicely and I can position it at any point on the jib sheet. It also come off easily. To pull the sheet inboard, I merely wrap the line around the lazy winch and adjust accordingly. Incidentally, the background of the term Barberhauler is interesting. It is named for two brothers named Barber, who sailed Lightings against Dennis Conners in San Diego. Both brother became dentists and Dennis Conners is one of their patients. By experimenting with this setup you might be able to pick up 1 knot of speed, especially in light wind and chop.

 

[dave]

BarberHauler

I thought it was when my barber gives me a bad haircut I invite him to go sailing then while underway I tie a line to him chuck him overboard and haul him under the boat across the keel and then back up the other side, repeating as necessary. It works better if the keel is covered with barnacles and sea urchins. Also known as keelhauling but the name changes to suit the victim.Dave

 

[Rob Rich]

Tweakers!

I haven't seen this application on a jib, but I can't see why it wouldn't work. Take a standard fairlead-type pully (we'll call this the tweaker)that will accept your jib sheet. Run sheet through tweaker pulley, then through fairlead itself, and back to cockpit. Attach line to tweaker and secure. Secure other end to an inboard section of the coach roof or the mast.The load on the tweaker is only a fraction of what the winches take, so I guess you could even do it on a hand rail, but I would suggest the mast cleat. I can see a handrail breaking in a gust.It is a good idea to make the tweaker line adjustable for changing wind conditions. Quick release is a good idea too. Under way, simply adjust the tweaker line inward to bring the jibsheet as far inboard as necessary. You will need to play with the angles of course. Most guys I have seen leave the line attached to the tweaker pully to speed setup.Like I said, I haven't seen this on a jib, but I have seen it used with great success while racing on J-24's under spinnaker. Best of Luck, and let us know how it turns out. Rob RichC-27 Hull 4221