Genoa sheet angle vs. lifelines

[Bob30]

This is the 1st time I have had a boat with inboard Genoa tracks. Unless the sail angle is very close hauled, the lifelines (doubles) are constantly interfering with the angle on the sheets. At one point, the sheet got hung up on a stanchion. Is there any specific way of dealing with this, without the use of a second sheet that threads between the 2 lifelines?

Any thoughts would be welcome. Thanks!

 

[Stu Jackson]

If you have a deck sweeper genoa, that will happen unless you run separate sheets to the outboard track if you have one inbord track.

What we have are only inboard tracks, but we have (only) a 110 jib and it is placed very high off the deck, deliberately, with our ProFurl furler, so we have no interference.

If you can raise the tack of the jib it might help.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Bob,

I checked your profile to see what year boat you have but didn't see a year make.
I have the toerail track which extends back to almost the last drain scupper. Using 3 different sails was never a problem. What I didn't like with this outside track was not getting an optimal shape.

So I installed the interior track. the pic will show where I located my curved track (not straight like on the later designed Cat 30). The attached pic is for comparing your track location relative to mine. Note my ginney sheet running thru the lifelines. From full deployment to shortening furling points, I have not had any problems with lifeline interference. Of course I move my cars for shorter sail sets. I would try moving you cars to different locations to see what works best for you.

Your note about hanging up on your stanchion, I thought about a couple of reasons based on my earlier experience. You should never unfurl the head buy just letting the furling line run out free. I am lucky as I have extra winches(as shown in the pic) where I make a wrap for my furling line before the unfurl begins. This friction better controls the speed of the unfurling while at the same time, allows me to start cranking up on my sheet while the sail is unfurling. This way, I control both lines from flapping and also the sail. Maybe this method will work for you. Hope this helps pal.

CR

 

[The Garbone]

Good stuff here. Nice setup with the middle track CR.

I myself have yet to sail my C30 as it has been on the hard since purchase.

Does anyone use the house top tracks? I was thinking of running my sheets through a block on the lower track and then up to second block on top of the house allowing myself to release the outer block when going to weather. Am I off base with this?

 

[Anonymous 121765]

TG,

First of all....congratz on your new boat man.

The cabin top tracks on my boat were used for a deck attached blade-like club sail & for use with a spinnaker and/or drifter of which worked great. Now that I don't race anymore(unless I find myself on the same tack as another boat), I don't use the top track much. I found that a 155 ginney didn't work well with the club sail. The ginney, had a wind choke effect on the club because of it's blanketing size. The other thing I didn't like was that my fin keel/rudder was abit undersized to use with a full asymmetrical spinnaker/drifter. It always had a propensity of wanting to round up in winds of over 10 KTS broad reach.

I dunno, running your sheets thru the top track, yea it can work but, you now have a high angled line interfering with your egress toward the bow on the windward side. Also, on the lee side, you now have a slack line across the lee deck which could be a slipping/tripping point. This is the area most people go o'board in. But, it's your choice to see what you prefer in your sailing routine. Different strokes for different folks. There is NEVER only one right approach.

Luckily, we are all made uniquely different. It may prove to be WHAT works for you.

CR

 

[mortyd]

i have a 91 - no idea what you have - but are your running you sheet through the turning block and back again? if not, do so.

 

[Bob30]

Beautiful boat!

Great deck layout and a beautiful boat! Mine is a 1987, the first of the T cockpits. All I have is inboard tracks, and it is very difficult to get decent sail shape with them. The stanchions are on the toe rail, which makes a toe rail track pretty tough; I may put on a short track between the stanchions with a snatch block to solve the problem.

Thanks again for your assistance.

Bob,

I checked your profile to see what year boat you have but didn't see a year make.
I have the toerail track which extends back to almost the last drain scupper. Using 3 different sails was never a problem. What I didn't like with this outside track was not getting an optimal shape.

So I installed the interior track. the pic will show where I located my curved track (not straight like on the later designed Cat 30). The attached pic is for comparing your track location relative to mine. Note my ginney sheet running thru the lifelines. From full deployment to shortening furling points, I have not had any problems with lifeline interference. Of course I move my cars for shorter sail sets. I would try moving you cars to different locations to see what works best for you.

Your note about hanging up on your stanchion, I thought about a couple of reasons based on my earlier experience. You should never unfurl the head buy just letting the furling line run out free. I am lucky as I have extra winches(as shown in the pic) where I make a wrap for my furling line before the unfurl begins. This friction better controls the speed of the unfurling while at the same time, allows me to start cranking up on my sheet while the sail is unfurling. This way, I control both lines from flapping and also the sail. Maybe this method will work for you. Hope this helps pal.

CR

 

[mortyd]

?

 

[Cayennita]

I use a 130% sheeted to the cabin top and then inside the toe rail blocks and to the coamming winches. This frees the cabin top winches for halyards, etc. The inside track has snap blocks for quick release. the genoa sheet is led between the upper and lowers. Very tight angle. It works well and easy to use.

 

[mortyd]

Re: Beautiful boat!

what do you call a decent sail shape? there are lots of mkii's newer than yours with the same inboard track only and i can't remember another complaining of this problem. are you confident the problem is not with your sail itself? sail another mkii to see the difference, if any.