Hoisting Mainsail is touogh!!

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Oley Olsen

Just acwquired a 1997 Hunter 340 in very nice shape. It has the full roach main (two full and two half battens) with lazy jacks. Problem being while hoisting, well into the wind, it is finickey getting the battens past the Lazy jack's sheets, then it beomes heavy ginding it up to the peak. We used silicon spray on the dogs, four wrops around the winch drum and ahave purchase a Harken Speed winch handle, all of which helps, bu not a soluction for my 115 lb wife, who usualy does the hoisting. Outside of a he obvious ,expensive power winch, or about as costly Harken Batcar system, does nanyone have any suggestions as to ease this problem? Thanks, Jacki
 
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Miles

Shouldn't be that hard...

I usually just haul the main up on my 340, rarely need to use the winch at all. The battens to tend to hang up on the lazy jacks though, you might have to watch the main closely as it flutters and quickly haul up so the batten gets above the lazy jack. Really helps to be directly into the wind. You also want to be sure the vang and the main sheet are free to run when you're hoisting otherwise the last couple feet are very hard and you WILL need a winch. Also be sure the two reefing lines are free to run and there isn't too much friction. Mclube "Sailcote" helps the track, use frequently. If it's really so hard to hoist that you're thinking of an electric winch you better stop and check everything before something rips/breaks, it really shouldn't be THAT hard. Good Luck!
 
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Scott

AT THE MAST

YOU SHOULD HAVE HER TRY HOISTING IT WHILE STANDING AT THE MAST WHERE THE HALYARD COMES OUT AND YOU TAILING IT THROUGH THE ROPE CLUTCH. IT MAKES RAISING IT MUCH EASIER.
 
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Bob Knott

Look up Strong Track in archives

Strong track worked like magic for our 380. Try it, it's great! Bob Knott H380
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Be sure that your vang is free.

Oley: As Miles pointed out, make sure that you release your vang. Also open the sheet stopper all the way, unit you get the sail nearly to the top. Be sure that your track is clean, spray the track and the slugs with McLube. The problem with the lazy jacks is some that you have to live with unless you modify the system.
 
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Pete

Hoisting main

Oley, in addition to the other comments, particularly ensuring that both and vang and the reefing lines are loose, you may need to check the sheave at the mast head. In my case, the sheave was plastic, and was badly worn. Switching to a metal ball-bearing type solved the problem Good luck Pete S/V KAILANI
 
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Colin

Bainbridge sail slides

My sailmaker installed some new style sail slides just where the full lenght battens are. They were from a company called Bainbridge and have a slot for the mast track to fit into. These have been a tremendous help on my 335 where it impossible to hoist the mainsail without one person on the winch another at the base of the mast sweating the halyard.
 
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Alan

Tell me about it....

Where were you 3 months ago. In a fit of aggrevation I posted the similar complaint. I hoist and my wife keeps us into the wind. However with sail and battens getting hooked on the lazy jacks we were headed for divorce court and quite frankly since I was so disgusted I'd let her keep the boat in the settlement. BUT..... someone suggested moving the lazy jacks to the mast and hold them close w/bungee cord. and it works like a charm. I bring them back when lowering. It can be a hassle but at least I can raise and lower it singlehandedly as well as my wife.
 
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