Now that the mast is up, I can see where all my rigging goes. I understand the main and jib halyards. But I have a halyard that runs up to a block just under the mast (anchoring) light and another small diameter halyard that runs all the way to the top of the mast. What are these for? I've graduated from a 16' daysailor to a 19 footer now to my H23, but I've never had more than a jib and main. Please help me understand what I have. Thanks! Mike M
H23 Running Rigging
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Topping lift?
I'm not familiar with your boat, but it sound like a topping lift. That is a line connected to the end of the boom that keeps the boom up when the sail is down. It could also be used for trim under certain conditions.
I'm not familiar with your boat, but it sound like a topping lift. That is a line connected to the end of the boom that keeps the boom up when the sail is down. It could also be used for trim under certain conditions.
rigging
Concentrate on the boom: you should have 3 lines running through it. The small diameter line should be the topping lift (holds up the end of the boom when your sail isn't up). This is tied off at the masthead, runs to a sheave at the aft end of the boom, and through the boom to the jam cleat at the mast end. (I assume this is the "small-diameter halyard" you are seeing.) On our boat, the middle line is the outhaul: it should have a shackle at the aft end, and it has a block/tackle inside the boom. So you can identify it definitively by moving it back and forth and noting that it doesn't move 1-1 at both ends. The final line is the jiffy reefing line. When you bend on the sail, you run this from the aft end of the boom up through the reefing cringle on the leech of the sail and down to a small bail under the boom, where you tie it off with a stopper. Once you've figured out those 3 lines, the only other running rigging you should have would be 1) the main halyard. Exits the mast at a sheave at the bottom of the mast on stbd side. 2) maybe a jib halyard (if you don't have roller furling) Ours isn't rigged, so I don't recall where the exit point is. (With our rf, there is a little sheave at the top of the rf rig and a small diameter "halyard" which runs inside the foil.) 3) maybe a spinnaker halyard. We don't have one, so I don't recall this, either. This is all on a 1991 H23. Good luck!
Concentrate on the boom: you should have 3 lines running through it. The small diameter line should be the topping lift (holds up the end of the boom when your sail isn't up). This is tied off at the masthead, runs to a sheave at the aft end of the boom, and through the boom to the jam cleat at the mast end. (I assume this is the "small-diameter halyard" you are seeing.) On our boat, the middle line is the outhaul: it should have a shackle at the aft end, and it has a block/tackle inside the boom. So you can identify it definitively by moving it back and forth and noting that it doesn't move 1-1 at both ends. The final line is the jiffy reefing line. When you bend on the sail, you run this from the aft end of the boom up through the reefing cringle on the leech of the sail and down to a small bail under the boom, where you tie it off with a stopper. Once you've figured out those 3 lines, the only other running rigging you should have would be 1) the main halyard. Exits the mast at a sheave at the bottom of the mast on stbd side. 2) maybe a jib halyard (if you don't have roller furling) Ours isn't rigged, so I don't recall where the exit point is. (With our rf, there is a little sheave at the top of the rf rig and a small diameter "halyard" which runs inside the foil.) 3) maybe a spinnaker halyard. We don't have one, so I don't recall this, either. This is all on a 1991 H23. Good luck!
It depends on your mast and step
Hi Mike: Congrats on the new boat. Depending on the year, available equioment and purchaser choice, your H23 could have one of several different masts and steps. All masts came from the factory with a winch on the starboard side. The most common masts are Kenyon and Z-Spar. The Kenyon is stiffer, heavier and a constant section all the way up, while the Z-Spar is lighter, more flexible and tapered at the top. There are also several different mast bases with matching steps. All of the bases and steps had hinges so you can raise the mast and pin it in place. On the Z-Spar mast the mainsail halyard exits over a sheave on the starboard side of the base. You pull UP on the mainsail halyard to raise the sail. It sounds goofy, but it's very effective and quite safe. You can wedge your shoulders inside the inner shroud, leaving both hands free to handle the lines. The main halyard cleats off below the winch. The jib halyard exits the starboard side of the mast above the winch. It has a cleat above the winch. Some H23's have a third halyard for a spinnaker. Like the main halyard, it exits the mast at the base. The upper end exits the mast just ABOVE the forestay. The jib halyard exits just below the forestay. The topping lift is fixed at the rear of the masthead (there's no sheave). It goes in the leftmost sheave at the end of the boom and forward to the rope clutch at the gooseneck. Pulling on the topping lift at the mast will raise the end of the boom. All the lines needed to raise, lower and reef the sails are at the mast. Some people think it's a bad idea to leave the cockpit to do these things, but IMO it's a pretty safe place to work. All the lines are on the starboard side so the boom and sails will be blow off to port when you're out of the cockpit. The boat will be on starboard tack, as well as being constrained in its ability to maneuver, so technically you will have the right of way. That being said, you shouldn't dawdle at the mast either. With a little practice you should be able to raise, lower or reef the mainsin under a minute. Like anything else, you have to work at it for a bit, but once you get the hang of it you'll find it's pretty easy. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
Hi Mike: Congrats on the new boat. Depending on the year, available equioment and purchaser choice, your H23 could have one of several different masts and steps. All masts came from the factory with a winch on the starboard side. The most common masts are Kenyon and Z-Spar. The Kenyon is stiffer, heavier and a constant section all the way up, while the Z-Spar is lighter, more flexible and tapered at the top. There are also several different mast bases with matching steps. All of the bases and steps had hinges so you can raise the mast and pin it in place. On the Z-Spar mast the mainsail halyard exits over a sheave on the starboard side of the base. You pull UP on the mainsail halyard to raise the sail. It sounds goofy, but it's very effective and quite safe. You can wedge your shoulders inside the inner shroud, leaving both hands free to handle the lines. The main halyard cleats off below the winch. The jib halyard exits the starboard side of the mast above the winch. It has a cleat above the winch. Some H23's have a third halyard for a spinnaker. Like the main halyard, it exits the mast at the base. The upper end exits the mast just ABOVE the forestay. The jib halyard exits just below the forestay. The topping lift is fixed at the rear of the masthead (there's no sheave). It goes in the leftmost sheave at the end of the boom and forward to the rope clutch at the gooseneck. Pulling on the topping lift at the mast will raise the end of the boom. All the lines needed to raise, lower and reef the sails are at the mast. Some people think it's a bad idea to leave the cockpit to do these things, but IMO it's a pretty safe place to work. All the lines are on the starboard side so the boom and sails will be blow off to port when you're out of the cockpit. The boat will be on starboard tack, as well as being constrained in its ability to maneuver, so technically you will have the right of way. That being said, you shouldn't dawdle at the mast either. With a little practice you should be able to raise, lower or reef the mainsin under a minute. Like anything else, you have to work at it for a bit, but once you get the hang of it you'll find it's pretty easy. Good luck. Peter H23 "Raven"
Francespar
Peter, Just as a contribution to your knowledge base of the h23, my '87 has a Francespar mast. The main halyard exits about 10 feet (I'm guessing from memory) above the cabin on the port side and you pull down to raise the mainsail. I don't believe this mast came with a winch. I don't have one and don't see any evidence one was there. Just cleats port and starboard for the main and jib halyards. There is a winch (Maxwell 14) atop the cabin on the port side that I suspect was for the main halyard, which is led there by a couple of fixed blocks. Mac
Peter, Just as a contribution to your knowledge base of the h23, my '87 has a Francespar mast. The main halyard exits about 10 feet (I'm guessing from memory) above the cabin on the port side and you pull down to raise the mainsail. I don't believe this mast came with a winch. I don't have one and don't see any evidence one was there. Just cleats port and starboard for the main and jib halyards. There is a winch (Maxwell 14) atop the cabin on the port side that I suspect was for the main halyard, which is led there by a couple of fixed blocks. Mac
spreader/mainsail problem
when i am on a run specifically, the mainsail hits the spreader enough that i worry about it tearing. The hunter 23 i have 1986 does not have a boom vang, nor rigging for it. HAs anyone had this problem or know a solution to remedy the mainsail preventing it from hitting the spreader when on a run?? Thanks for your help.. Can email privately if you wish at glaser149@aol.com......thanks.
when i am on a run specifically, the mainsail hits the spreader enough that i worry about it tearing. The hunter 23 i have 1986 does not have a boom vang, nor rigging for it. HAs anyone had this problem or know a solution to remedy the mainsail preventing it from hitting the spreader when on a run?? Thanks for your help.. Can email privately if you wish at glaser149@aol.com......thanks.
Solutions to spreader/mainsail problem
Don't ease the boom so far out. The boat will sail fine with the main just off the spreader. If you're sailinmg deep enough to sail wing and wing, the angled main will deflect the airfow onto the jib and keep it full. Rather than sailing downwind on a dead run, sail on broad reaches and gybe back and forth. The gain in boatspeed due to the higher apparent wind will make up for the additional distance sailed. Put patches of sail repair tape on both sides of the the sail where it touches the spreaders. Don't worry about it, You probably won't be sailing long enough on a run for wear to be an issue. Once the sail lays on the spreader it really doesn't move that much. I hope this helps. Peter H23 "Raven"
Don't ease the boom so far out. The boat will sail fine with the main just off the spreader. If you're sailinmg deep enough to sail wing and wing, the angled main will deflect the airfow onto the jib and keep it full. Rather than sailing downwind on a dead run, sail on broad reaches and gybe back and forth. The gain in boatspeed due to the higher apparent wind will make up for the additional distance sailed. Put patches of sail repair tape on both sides of the the sail where it touches the spreaders. Don't worry about it, You probably won't be sailing long enough on a run for wear to be an issue. Once the sail lays on the spreader it really doesn't move that much. I hope this helps. Peter H23 "Raven"
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