Holes in the Headboard

[31seahorse]

Hello Oday Members,

This question surely could be answered by other than Oday owners, but since it occurred on a 272LE I'll ask here..........

Why are there two holes in the headboard for attaching the main halyard?

My thought is that using the aft hole might put a bit more pull on the luff of the sail. That would be helpful because the boom travels across the cockpit at head level and requires an alert crew.

Any suggestions on raising the boom would also be interesting. Perhaps it is a matter of the cut of the main.

Phil

 

[TLW]

Some masthead fittings have a protrusion aft with the sheave located there. The aft hole is just to get the best lead angle (straight up). Pulling backward (if you only had the front hole) would bind the sail somewhat as it got near the top.

I assume you have a sheave protruding only slightly from mast extrusion, and would then use the front hole. Basically, whichever gives you the fairest direction of pull.

 

[cbourne200]

I have been told the forward hole in the headboard is for 'normal winds' in the 5-15 range, and that the aft hole is for stronger winds - keeps leading edge of sail closer to the mast. Helps prevent turbulence aft of mast in higher winds...

 

[SailingCal21]

Good question, I've wondered that myself. I've always used the most forward hole. Don't see how the aft hole on the headboard would effect the sail shape, but I'm by no means a sail shaping expert.

I've attached a pic that I took whilst at the mast top, I can see how the halyard placement on the headboard would effect the line of force based on sheave position. In this case the load is from the bosun's chair...but definitely very close to the mast.