Fixing point mainsail lap in Hunter 27

[Jan van der Klooster]

I'm from Holland (the Netherlands) and just bought a new Hunter 27.
I'm not used to a steering wheel and I want to sail alone sometimes.
In windgusts I want to control the mainsail. This is not possible now: the lockjaw is before the steering wheel and right on the floor of the cockpit. I have no traveller because of the lack of space in the cockpit.
I want to change the fixing-point of the mainsail lap: I want to
bring it behind the steering-console. So I want to keep the pulleys
at the actuel fixingpoint and replace the lockjaw to a point
somewhere behind the steering console. I ask the Hunterowners-
site to advice me how to do it and where to place the lockjaw . Who can give me an advice how to do this?

Thanks !

Jan van der Klooster

 

[Don12364]

Hi Jan,
I have sailed my H376 in Dutch inland waters many times and very much enjoyed the country and your friendly people. Everyone speaks such good English.
Though I am not familiar with the H27, you have used terminology not familiar to me and, as I don't speak Dutch, perhaps I could translate so other H27 owners can reply.
I read 'Lockjaw' = cleat or jam cleat and 'Mainsail Lap' = Mainsheet tail.

I understand you want to leave the mainsheet pulley(s) where they are on the cockpit floor but bring the free end of the sheet, i.e the tail, to where it can be handled by the helmsman so that he can release it in the gusts.
I imagine you will also want it to be where your crew can also reach it for when you are crewed. In this case you might like to think about using both ends of the sheet by leaving the existing jam cleat where it is and bringing the other end of the sheet to a second jam cleat near to the helmsman, possibly along the cockpit floor but clear of the pedestal to between the helmsman's feet.
I hope this helps!