Catalina sliding gooseneck recommendation

[yelkenli]

My C27 has the sliding gooseneck shackled at the bottom to a loop screwed into the mast track just underneath.

When I purchased, I noticed the sail did not go all the way to the top. IF the sail was cut correctly, this means I can adjust the sail higher or lower, which is part of the discussion in this thread.

I am assuming I would need to move the screwed loop further down the mast and put in some different lengths of line, different length shackles (not sure what lengths are available), or a block and tackle with a cleat?

Am I on the right track? (apologies for the pun)

What have others done to secure their goosenecks when underway?

 

[dlochner]

Sails do not normally go all the way to the top, they are typically a few inches lower to accommodate splices and knots for the halyard shackle. The splice for the halyard shackles will leave the line fatter and it may not go around the sheave.

A downhaul on the gooseneck will allow you to tension the luff of the mainsail independent of halyard tension. This is similar in function to a cunningham. Rather than different lengths of line use a single block at the gooseneck and a single block with a cam cleat at the bottom to tension or ease the luff.