The other day I mentioned that the hardest part of a sail on my H260 is motoring in or out my my slip, trying to see over the cabin. I was mistaken. After a beatiful day of sailing on the Great South Bay of Long Island I realized the hardest (and most frustrating) part of a day's sail is trying to drop the main sail and furl it neatly. I just can't seem to get the sail to drop neatly over the boom. There has to be a better way, other than Lazy Jacks and the Dutchman, which require holes in your sail and additional lines on your rigging. I was thinking of possibly using an anchor shackel (one that can rotate 360 degrees) and attach it between the mast and boom. Then, if I can figure a way for the boom to rotate at the topping lift, I can spin the boom as I lower the sail and the main sail will wrap around the boom. The down side with this idea is that the main sail lugs that attach the sail to the mast, will all come out of the mast track. Raising the sail would have to be done on the cabin while feeding the lugs back into the mast track. I know this sounds like a lot of work, but the sail lays perfectly flat. If somebody has a better idea, please let this nautically challenged sailor know. Thanks, Bob Fliegel.
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John Pollitt
Stack Pack from Doyle
Rather than try to explain this sail, I've put the link to the Doyle page down. While it is no doubt an expensive alternative, I thought you might want to hear about it. My H26 came with Lazy Jacks, and as I singlehand, I left them on. Though I am still experimenting with the best way to set them, they have worked well for me so far. The only real problem I have had is occasionally hanging up a batten when raising the sail. For this size boat, they consist of a line on each side of the mast w/pulleys at the end, then running a line from the boom, up to a pulley, back down to the boom, go under to other side, and back up and down to a pulley on the boom, then to a cleat. Not really that complicated, as I set them up, without ever having even seen any before. As to seeing over the cabin roof, I simply stand up when docking. Good luck with whatever you choose. John S/V Icymoon
Rather than try to explain this sail, I've put the link to the Doyle page down. While it is no doubt an expensive alternative, I thought you might want to hear about it. My H26 came with Lazy Jacks, and as I singlehand, I left them on. Though I am still experimenting with the best way to set them, they have worked well for me so far. The only real problem I have had is occasionally hanging up a batten when raising the sail. For this size boat, they consist of a line on each side of the mast w/pulleys at the end, then running a line from the boom, up to a pulley, back down to the boom, go under to other side, and back up and down to a pulley on the boom, then to a cleat. Not really that complicated, as I set them up, without ever having even seen any before. As to seeing over the cabin roof, I simply stand up when docking. Good luck with whatever you choose. John S/V Icymoon
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Tom Wootton
boom roller furling
In addition to the difficulty you mentioned concerning the sail slugs, there are several other complicating factors. Vangs and other boom attachments need to be addressed, the bulk of the slugs (or boltrope) at the luff make it "thicker" than the rest of the sail, and a slight variation in the boom-to-mast angle can cause the sail to jam when rolling up. Practical Sailor reviewed several boom roller furling systems in October 2001 (link below; article requires purchase online). Because of the difficulties, they are all expensive (over six thousand dollars!) and all involve compromises. Until the designs evolve (and decline in price) I'll make do with lazy jacks.
In addition to the difficulty you mentioned concerning the sail slugs, there are several other complicating factors. Vangs and other boom attachments need to be addressed, the bulk of the slugs (or boltrope) at the luff make it "thicker" than the rest of the sail, and a slight variation in the boom-to-mast angle can cause the sail to jam when rolling up. Practical Sailor reviewed several boom roller furling systems in October 2001 (link below; article requires purchase online). Because of the difficulties, they are all expensive (over six thousand dollars!) and all involve compromises. Until the designs evolve (and decline in price) I'll make do with lazy jacks.
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Peter
Lazy jacks or...
...try this technique for flaking the main. Before approaching the dock, I drop my main onto the boom and secure it with two ties to keep it under control. I use webbing ties with the plastic quick-snaps. If the motor dies suddenly I can unsnap the ties and hoist the main in a matter of seconds. Once the boat is secured, I flake the main by starting at the mast to make sure the folds in the luff alternate from one side of the boom to the other. Then I go to the end of the boom and pull the sail flat on the same side as the first fold. I do the same for each fold after that, working forward and securing the flaked sail with sail ties as I go. I use five ties; each is a different color and length (shortest one first) so each tie has the right length for its position on the boom. The last tie is very long and wraps in a figure-eight around the boom and the mast. Peter h23 "Raven"
...try this technique for flaking the main. Before approaching the dock, I drop my main onto the boom and secure it with two ties to keep it under control. I use webbing ties with the plastic quick-snaps. If the motor dies suddenly I can unsnap the ties and hoist the main in a matter of seconds. Once the boat is secured, I flake the main by starting at the mast to make sure the folds in the luff alternate from one side of the boom to the other. Then I go to the end of the boom and pull the sail flat on the same side as the first fold. I do the same for each fold after that, working forward and securing the flaked sail with sail ties as I go. I use five ties; each is a different color and length (shortest one first) so each tie has the right length for its position on the boom. The last tie is very long and wraps in a figure-eight around the boom and the mast. Peter h23 "Raven"
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Calvin
A trick perhaps?
I watched a 260 owner furling his mainsail and I think he had a trick. First he would drop the sail and then working from the end of the boon back to the front he would attach a sail tie at each batten. It seemed to work well for him.
I watched a 260 owner furling his mainsail and I think he had a trick. First he would drop the sail and then working from the end of the boon back to the front he would attach a sail tie at each batten. It seemed to work well for him.
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Frank Sears
Lazy Jacks....
I'm a short guy, and so I can see over the cabin... I sit on two cusions raising me a good 4 inches. I'm looking for a good seat, but haven't found one I like yet... For the furling problem, I home made a set of lazy jacks, using the levers already on the boom. Used 1/4 inch line. Very simple and it works great. I don't even use the reef lines to snug the sail with a reefed main, and if I'm on the second reef point- that's a lot of sail on the boom. Good Luck!
I'm a short guy, and so I can see over the cabin... I sit on two cusions raising me a good 4 inches. I'm looking for a good seat, but haven't found one I like yet... For the furling problem, I home made a set of lazy jacks, using the levers already on the boom. Used 1/4 inch line. Very simple and it works great. I don't even use the reef lines to snug the sail with a reefed main, and if I'm on the second reef point- that's a lot of sail on the boom. Good Luck!
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Crazy Dave Condon
lazy jacks
I have experienced quite abit about this. AS peter mentioned, tie the sail when coming in with two bungees. When flaking the sail to fold it onto the mast, Calvin and Peter are correct about folding the sail onto the boom but also pull it back while folding too. IF you know how to fold correctly, then lazy jacks are really not necessary as the folding techinique is fast and simple. Crazy Dave Condon
I have experienced quite abit about this. AS peter mentioned, tie the sail when coming in with two bungees. When flaking the sail to fold it onto the mast, Calvin and Peter are correct about folding the sail onto the boom but also pull it back while folding too. IF you know how to fold correctly, then lazy jacks are really not necessary as the folding techinique is fast and simple. Crazy Dave Condon
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Gerard
I vote lazy jacks
Like my computer and fax machine, I can't remember what life was like without my lazy jacks. You'll get the hang of raising the sail so it doesn't hang up and when dropping the sail it folds neatly in place. They hold the sail in place when folding and tieing back at the dock. Make sure to get ones (or you can make them) that fold against the mast when not in use and you won't need to modify your sail cover. They definitely keep the deck uncluttered. good luck...
Like my computer and fax machine, I can't remember what life was like without my lazy jacks. You'll get the hang of raising the sail so it doesn't hang up and when dropping the sail it folds neatly in place. They hold the sail in place when folding and tieing back at the dock. Make sure to get ones (or you can make them) that fold against the mast when not in use and you won't need to modify your sail cover. They definitely keep the deck uncluttered. good luck...
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Ron
Sail Jockey From Sailcare.com
When I had my H26 sails cleaned by Sailcare, I bought an accesory called Sail Jockey. They are two elastic cords that attach along the bottom of the boom and have four little plastic hooks along the length of the boom. You pull the hooks around each side of the boom and they hold the sail on the boom. No ties to find or lose, as they are always at the bottom of the boom, out of the way. Worked great for me without going to the Lazy Jacks. Cost is about $20 - check it out at Sailcare.com
When I had my H26 sails cleaned by Sailcare, I bought an accesory called Sail Jockey. They are two elastic cords that attach along the bottom of the boom and have four little plastic hooks along the length of the boom. You pull the hooks around each side of the boom and they hold the sail on the boom. No ties to find or lose, as they are always at the bottom of the boom, out of the way. Worked great for me without going to the Lazy Jacks. Cost is about $20 - check it out at Sailcare.com
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Joe R., SV Skooky 2 - H240
roll the sail
I have a quick, neat way to store the main at the end of a sail. I drop the main with the wind about 10degrees to port. Standing on the port side of the boom which is angling a little to starboard, I collect the dropped sail and start to roll it. It rolls quickly without creasing the sail into a "log roll" hanging under the boom. I then can quickly tie the middle of 3 sail ties, then do the fore and aft ends. --- a quick and easy way to finish the day SINGLE HANDED. No folds or creases into the sail. It unrolls easily when I raise it the next time out. Try it before you spend any money on systems. Joe
I have a quick, neat way to store the main at the end of a sail. I drop the main with the wind about 10degrees to port. Standing on the port side of the boom which is angling a little to starboard, I collect the dropped sail and start to roll it. It rolls quickly without creasing the sail into a "log roll" hanging under the boom. I then can quickly tie the middle of 3 sail ties, then do the fore and aft ends. --- a quick and easy way to finish the day SINGLE HANDED. No folds or creases into the sail. It unrolls easily when I raise it the next time out. Try it before you spend any money on systems. Joe
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Ken Koons
240 sail rolling
We also have one of the "long bungee" Sailjockey type accesories. We roll the sail up and strap it down. It looks pretty good and is easy to do. You're going to put a sail cover over it as well. How neat does it have to be?
We also have one of the "long bungee" Sailjockey type accesories. We roll the sail up and strap it down. It looks pretty good and is easy to do. You're going to put a sail cover over it as well. How neat does it have to be?
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Joe R. Chicago-Hammond
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Ron Mehringer
Rolled Sail???
I don't get it (nothing new). How do you roll a sail. With the sail slugs in the mast track and the bolt rope in the boom, how can you roll the sail? At the end of the season I leave my sail attached to the boom and roll the sail around it, but that's a different story. Ron Mehringer s/v Hydro-Therapy
I don't get it (nothing new). How do you roll a sail. With the sail slugs in the mast track and the bolt rope in the boom, how can you roll the sail? At the end of the season I leave my sail attached to the boom and roll the sail around it, but that's a different story. Ron Mehringer s/v Hydro-Therapy
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Bob Fliegel
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Joe R. Chicago-Hammond
Ron
Ron, That's an excellent question. I had to have it shown to me the first time. With the sail down or nearly so and still attached to both the mast and the boom, the boat should be motoring slightly off the wind (I prefer the wind slightly to port). Let the deflated sail collect below the boom, it will loop back on itself somewhere near the midpoint (the sail is now folded roughly in half.) Grab the sail at this midpoint and role it right back up towards the boom. Use a sail tie at the middle and then either end. I tend to role it loosely (that requires fewer folds). The more you do it easier it gets. And it's probably easier with a smaller main. I find this technique faster and easier than trying to measure out equal folds of sail on either side of the boom. When I get back to the slip I put on the sail cover and we are done for the night. Bob, yeah I think the browser locked up during the up load. I need to find the picture as a smaller file. Joe R. Skooky 2 & Skooky 3
Ron, That's an excellent question. I had to have it shown to me the first time. With the sail down or nearly so and still attached to both the mast and the boom, the boat should be motoring slightly off the wind (I prefer the wind slightly to port). Let the deflated sail collect below the boom, it will loop back on itself somewhere near the midpoint (the sail is now folded roughly in half.) Grab the sail at this midpoint and role it right back up towards the boom. Use a sail tie at the middle and then either end. I tend to role it loosely (that requires fewer folds). The more you do it easier it gets. And it's probably easier with a smaller main. I find this technique faster and easier than trying to measure out equal folds of sail on either side of the boom. When I get back to the slip I put on the sail cover and we are done for the night. Bob, yeah I think the browser locked up during the up load. I need to find the picture as a smaller file. Joe R. Skooky 2 & Skooky 3
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Joe R. Chicago-Hammond
Ken Koons!!!!!!!!
Hey Ken, I used to sail a San Juan 21 on Eagle Creek back in the mid & late 70's. We are up in NW Indiana (near Hammond) and have been sailing a H240 the past 5 season. Just traded for an older Cat 30. (Have mixed emotions - sure loved the Hunter) I had dinner at Ricks boat yard last week and saw all the improvements to Eagle Creek. My 240 would have been a great boat for that pond. Joe
Hey Ken, I used to sail a San Juan 21 on Eagle Creek back in the mid & late 70's. We are up in NW Indiana (near Hammond) and have been sailing a H240 the past 5 season. Just traded for an older Cat 30. (Have mixed emotions - sure loved the Hunter) I had dinner at Ricks boat yard last week and saw all the improvements to Eagle Creek. My 240 would have been a great boat for that pond. Joe
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Ken Koons
Joe R
Eagle Creek is a very nice little pond. I would guesstimate there are 60 sailboats on it now. I always tell guests on the boat that Rick's Boatyard gives 2 for 1 dinner coupons to the boat owner's for providing the "entertainment" for their patrons. Now all I have to do is convince the restaurant!
Eagle Creek is a very nice little pond. I would guesstimate there are 60 sailboats on it now. I always tell guests on the boat that Rick's Boatyard gives 2 for 1 dinner coupons to the boat owner's for providing the "entertainment" for their patrons. Now all I have to do is convince the restaurant!
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Bob Fliegel
Thanks Everyone!
Thanks everyone! I've been given a lot of great ideas that I will put to the test this weekend. Thanks Again!
Thanks everyone! I've been given a lot of great ideas that I will put to the test this weekend. Thanks Again!
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Tom
Home Made Lazy Jacks
I use these home made lazy jacks (see included URL) and it really makes sailing easier including reefing as mentioned in another post. Fair winds, Tom
I use these home made lazy jacks (see included URL) and it really makes sailing easier including reefing as mentioned in another post. Fair winds, Tom
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John Revenboer
Sail Cover
I used my sail cover to make a set of Lazy Jacks. My sail cover stays on the boom and the sail raise right out of the cover and drops again into the cover, all single handed, then I just zip up the cover and the sail is stored.
I used my sail cover to make a set of Lazy Jacks. My sail cover stays on the boom and the sail raise right out of the cover and drops again into the cover, all single handed, then I just zip up the cover and the sail is stored.
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