This problem is relevant to anyone that has in-mast furling, but is especially relevant to the larger boats; e.g. size 41 and upwards.
The largest problem that I found with the in-mast furling is the leech line tension.
The standard UK sails have a crummy little plastic cleat on them, which you are supposed to adjust the leech lines with. And herein lies the problem.
If you leave your leech line totally snugged up, it will stretch, and need continual adjustment. When the leech line is loose, the back of the sail flaps a lot, and looses shape. It looks pretty awful. As well, an over-tensioned leech line gives you a funny curl on the sail, which is also less than efficient.
Ideally, what you want to do is snug up the leech line once the sail is unfurled, and then loosen it off just before furling.
The problem is that this is all but impossible to do... especially on the larger boats where there is no way, short of standing on somebody's shoulders that you can do this. So, everyone does what you shouldn't. Tie it up real tight and leave it.
Of course, what you really want to do is adjust the line once the sail is powered up, which of means that you are on a heel. Not an easy feat.
So, here is a really neato solution that will take about 1/2 hour to install, and cost $15. As well, you can adjust the leech line in 30 seconds, and let it off in 5 seconds... all without buying a pair of stilts.
So, here's how simple it all is.
To install this cleat, you need to CAREFULLY drill and tap a couple (depending on the cleat) of 8-32 threads in the aluminum outhaul clew bracket. Take your time and make sure to keep clear of the pulley. You might have to cut down the screws so that their ends are flush with the inside cheek face. You don't want the screws protruding through the back, as they can mess up the outhalll. Put a small bit of Blue (NOT RED) Loctite on the screws, and they will go nowhere.
Then put a large bowline loop on the end of your leech line. Big enough to easlly put you finger through, but more importantly, easy enough to catch with a very simple Hunter Model 1000 leech line snagger; otherwise known as a short lengh of coat hanger with a hook at the end.
You will love this system, it works perfecly, and allows you to adjust the leech tension effortlessly.
The largest problem that I found with the in-mast furling is the leech line tension.
The standard UK sails have a crummy little plastic cleat on them, which you are supposed to adjust the leech lines with. And herein lies the problem.
If you leave your leech line totally snugged up, it will stretch, and need continual adjustment. When the leech line is loose, the back of the sail flaps a lot, and looses shape. It looks pretty awful. As well, an over-tensioned leech line gives you a funny curl on the sail, which is also less than efficient.
Ideally, what you want to do is snug up the leech line once the sail is unfurled, and then loosen it off just before furling.
The problem is that this is all but impossible to do... especially on the larger boats where there is no way, short of standing on somebody's shoulders that you can do this. So, everyone does what you shouldn't. Tie it up real tight and leave it.
Of course, what you really want to do is adjust the line once the sail is powered up, which of means that you are on a heel. Not an easy feat.
So, here is a really neato solution that will take about 1/2 hour to install, and cost $15. As well, you can adjust the leech line in 30 seconds, and let it off in 5 seconds... all without buying a pair of stilts.
So, here's how simple it all is.
To install this cleat, you need to CAREFULLY drill and tap a couple (depending on the cleat) of 8-32 threads in the aluminum outhaul clew bracket. Take your time and make sure to keep clear of the pulley. You might have to cut down the screws so that their ends are flush with the inside cheek face. You don't want the screws protruding through the back, as they can mess up the outhalll. Put a small bit of Blue (NOT RED) Loctite on the screws, and they will go nowhere.
Then put a large bowline loop on the end of your leech line. Big enough to easlly put you finger through, but more importantly, easy enough to catch with a very simple Hunter Model 1000 leech line snagger; otherwise known as a short lengh of coat hanger with a hook at the end.
You will love this system, it works perfecly, and allows you to adjust the leech tension effortlessly.
