Installing a 2nd set of genoa tracks

[daleyellin]

We had a week of sunny skies and temps in the mid-60's that have started the "spring boat project" juices going.

I'm looking to configure my genoa rigging to make "single handing" my 222 easier. I'm looking at mounting a second set of genoa tracks, and small winches that could be easily reached, and controlled from the cockpit. I've seen the pictures of the modification Joe Alves (rip) made on his 222, Trinkka, and I could easily copy that. But I'd like some comments/discussion on the best track placement location to make things easily reachable, adjustable, and providing the best angle for trimming the genoa shape.

I'm have 1"x39" tracks, and, for starters, plan on using "pin stop" track cars.

I've attached a couple of pictures of potential track location options. I'd appreciate thought/views, and anything I may be missing in the project.

 

[Brian S]

AWWWWWW CRAP! I had a nice reply started, and then my damn web browser crashed and lost everything I had already typed. This totally sucks.

OK, so track position is all about sail trim, not single handing ease.

Inboard position lessens sheeting angle, and improves pointing. Outboard, say down the side deck, improves reaching at the expense of pointing. Sheet angle is the angle between centerline, and a line drawn from stemhead to fairlead position. So, moving genoa tracks to the side decks will impact pointing ability to some extent.

Fore and aft position of the jib sheet fairlead is important to trim. Forward allows more power, with increased draft in the foot, and a tighter leech with less twist up the sail. Aft is for depowering, with a pull from further behind flattening the lower part of the sail, and allowing more twist higher up.

I believe the standard sailplan of the 222 is a 135% genoa, with fairlead tracks on the eyebrows of the house. I'm also assuming the track goes far enough forward to accommodate a reefed genoa.

So, unless you are now using a 150% or 155%, which would be a big, light air sail for a 222, then you don't need to move side deck track aft of the house. Honestly, I don't know that i'd run such a big headsail unless you only ever get light wind. However, if you intend to reef your 135% down more than a 110%, say maybe to a 90% storm hankie, it's possible that the track on the house doesn't go far enough forward to accommodate reefing that deeply. In that case, perhaps side deck tracks that go forward could improve trim when reefed deeply.

So, what you may have is a situation where you're looking to bring the winches aft along the coaming, to make them easier to access when singlehanded. The problem there is the lead from fairlead to the winch, with the winch raised up off the deck. This could possibly be mitigated to an extent with higher standoff blocks on the track for fairleads.

I also know that the 222 (and my 192) have long cockpits for maximum living area. I find that having an adjustable tiller extension is a requirement for my boat, allowing me to sit more forward. Also, I don't want to sit aft, sinking the stern. This allows me to have easier access to the jib sheets coming off the back of the house. Another thing I find useful is the Wavefront Marine Tiller Clutch on my tiller. It allows me hands-free control from time to time. I admit it would not be as useful trying to tack and wrap a winch mounted on the back of the house.

I hope some of these thoughts help you.

 

[daleyellin]

Brian -- As always, a very detailed response. I understand the trim duties of the tracks and car positions. I think that, perhaps, I wasn't clear in my primary goal with this project. Your first answer sentence caught my eye and give me that impression:"OK, so track position is all about sail trim, not single handing ease". My goal is "single handling ease", and the ability to make track car adjustments pretty much from the helm position. Also, in my case, "single handling" does not mean I'll be the only person on the boat. In most cases my wife will be with me, but she isn't necessarily capable of assisting in timing the sails, etc.

My genoa pretty much matches your notes at 130-135%. Tracks are on the cabin top "eyebrows", and I do have a tiller extender (though I usually I usually sit closer to the tiller).

To all forum members, any thoughts/ideas with these parameters would be appreciated. Such as, does the winch position, in the picture, look ok, or should it be further forward, fairleads ahead of the winch on the same level, etc.

Thanks,

Dale

 

[Brian S]

Dale, I'm sorry, I don't see how track position would improve single-hand-ability, as you stated in your original post.

However, you could improve singlehanded ease by replacing the pin-stop track with a remotely controlled track. This is usually a 3 part purchase attached forward of the car. The control line can be led aft and controlled from the cockpit. Pulling moves the car forward. When uncleared, the pull on the sheet moves the car aft.

With a pin track car, you are only ever able to change the car position at the actual car. Since I think you are planning to keep the 135% genoa, as long as you get decent trim from the length and position of the eyebrow tracks, keeping that position and changing to a remote car system on a side deck track might do the trick.

I'm sorry, I don't know as much about lead angles into the winch itself. Perhaps you could find some info regarding that on Lewmar's or Andersen's site. I don't know if mounting it on the coaming would be too high or not based on side deck cars.

Hope this helps!

 

[Jackdaw]

just a thought...

Try and find a mounting location where a turning block can bend the active sheet between the current genoa track, and a new winch in the cockpit on the windward side.

This will allow you to:
1) use your current rack which is a good position
2) trim the genoa form the high side (cross sheeting)
3) trim near the helm

Both our boats have this setup, beyond shorthanded its a total boon when the breeze is up and you don't want the trimmer weight lowside.

Not a perfect example but you get the idea.

 

[Brian S]

Jackdaw, what do you think of making the existing eyebrow tracks into remote controlled tracks, based on Dale's photos?

 

[Jackdaw]

Jackdaw, what do you think of making the existing eyebrow tracks into remote controlled tracks, based on Dale's photos?

Well, I'm a fan of remote adjustable genoa cars on ANY boat. They change that from a setting to an active sail control. We constantly adjust ours. That being said, they don't really make shorthanded sailing any easier. But if you ever consider it, two things to think about.

Ease of upgrade. If you can use your existing car and track it's a no-brainer. Some line and blocks and you are sorted. The 222 looks harder because i don't think the car can be modified. Sometimes you can, you get a U loop of SS welded to the front to attach the blocks to. Also the track can be an issue. Ideally your car has bearings so it can slide under load. I'm not sure you could pull that one due to the friction generated.

Headsail shape. The headsails that by far get the biggest gain from this are deck sweeping low-clew genoas and blade jibs. By this I mean sailing to windward you trim the clew to within a foot of the car. This very short run of sheet from the car to the sail magnifies changes in the sheeting angle and car position. Often just an inch or two of car position makes a huge difference in sail shape. The effect is much less noticeable with sails with high clews.

With that in mind, I'd look at it.