jib downhaul question

[paphman]

We have a Catalina 22 and I am thinking about rigging a downhaul for the jib. My question is can I simply tie the end of the line to the halyard or do I need to run it up through the hanks as well? Thanks

Dale

 

[LooseDiamond]

I would like input on this as well. I have seen them run it through the hanks, then to a turning block at the forestay, then back.

 

[adirondackbob]

I installed a simple jib downhaul on my Oday 23. I did not run the downhaul (which is quarter-inch braided line) through the hanks because I didn't want to run the risk of having them bind up on the headstay while hoisting or dowsing the sail. I splashed the boat this past weekend, and the downhaul worked perfectly in some fairly stiff winds.

I am considering trying a Gerr downhaul setup. You can find some discussion about it at http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=428455.

Bob

 

[Pink Flamingo]

We have a Catalina 22 and I am thinking about rigging a downhaul for the jib. My question is can I simply tie the end of the line to the halyard or do I need to run it up through the hanks as well? Thanks

Dale

Tie to the halyard,through the hanks,through a turning block and back to a cleat at the mast or cockpit.

 

[novelman17130]

I have been tieing the downhaul line to the halyard for many years and have never had any problems. But if you want to be super cautious run the line through the top clip also and then to the halyard.
Novelman

 

[Rick Webb]

I've Had One on my 23.5 for Years

A block on the pulpit and the line goes through the hanks, it all stays a little neater that way

 

[Napa Ed]

I run from the cockpit, outside stantions to a block at the stem and up to the second from top hank; outside the other hanks. Sometimes the jib comes down on it's own before I pull on the downhaul and lines in all the hanks get pinched and not useful. I tried going to the halyard but my headsail drops better if the line is attached to the second from the top hank piston. If attached to halyard, the head flops down and binds the topmost piston.

 

[Timo42]

My crew won't run the downhaul through the hanks, I keep it tight so it doesn't flap around; 1/8" line, a small block at the forestay and a couple fairleads running back to a cleat is the whole system, almost idiotproof, but we try

 

[catsailor]

Consider making the halyard and downhaul into one continuous line.

We have a Catalina 22 and I am thinking about rigging a downhaul for the jib. My question is can I simply tie the end of the line to the halyard or do I need to run it up through the hanks as well? Thanks

Dale

A lot less to coil, and nearly automatic, if you get the length right.

I have threaded it through on alternating sides of the the hanks, and I have also forgotten. It is neater on alternating sides and has never jammed, but as they say, both work. I would not go through the hanks; just clip the hanks on alternating sides of the line.

27' Stiletto.

 

[Napa Ed]

I have threaded it through on alternating sides of the the hanks,
27' Stiletto.

Doh! So obvious!
I'm going to try that.

 

[patsheridan]

great discussion guys - thanks

 

[Joe]

Rigging a jib downhaul is a simple, inexpensive and extremely functional addition to any sailboat with hank on headsails.
I have tried it a number of ways, and tying it to the top second hank with a buntline hitch works best for me. I use 1/8 inch good quality polyester double braid. I don't waste time threading it through the other hanks, it isn't necessary and you avoid the bind up possibility.

Besides making it easier to drop , the downhaul also keeps the sail under control while it's on the deck if you have to motor some distance before you hoist.

Finally, I rigged the Gerr downhaul-reef set up and was disappointed with it. It may be okay for a 22 footer like yours but on my 27 the sail became too cumbersome as it bunched up and the control line would get folded up in it.... lots of friction through the rings on the forestay also.

 

[Ross in Tampa]

I have a question too. I have everything that I need to install the down haul. I have tree micro blocks to handle the sheet and have a jam cleat installed in the cockpit (previous owner).

Question is, did you mount micro blocks to a stainless ring at the mid point on the forestay. I would like to hear about that.

 

[Rick Webb]

Block on Bow Rail

I found a long D shackle kinda like one of these:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...L=true&storeNum=2&subdeptNum=323&classNum=326

put it around the middle railwith the block at the end

 

[Brian M H23]

I use a small D shackle around the forestay with my downhaul line tied to it. The sail gets hanked on below the shackle. Works great for me!

 

[Nicky17000]

I use a thin braided line similar to that used in window blinds. I've put a small block at the tack of the jib and usually I pass the line through the hanks and tie with the halyard shakle.
I found it very useful becouse I can drop the jib from the cockpit and keep it down until I have the boat safely moored.

 

[sinnettc]

I'd like to be able to drop mine from the cockpit but I've got a Tuff Luff foil. Anybody know if a downhaul will work with a foil?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[Dick Westwood]

Just one hank, not all. And take a look at the Gerr system.

In my experience the best way to rig a headsail downhaul is:

Use a very light line. 1/8" or 3/16" for a boat your size. You don't need more. Length is: length of your forestay plus the length from the forestay to the middle of your cockpit.

Tie one end of your downstay line to the head of your jib (use a bowline if you're going to be changing headsails; a buntline hitch if you just use the one jib)
Pass the line through one or (maximum) two hanks on the way down the forestay (there'll be too much friction if you do more: the forestay may jam)
Turn the line back through a block you've installed at the base of your forestay
Then run it back to your cockpit, where you'll want some means to cleat it off

Once you've purchased the line and the forestay-base block, you can experiment with different ways of rigging it. You don't have to stay with my suggestion. (Though I think you'll end up with it anyway!)

As an alternative: there is also something called a Gerr downhaul. This claims to:
1. Roll your jib into a ball on the foredeck when you drop it, thus eliminating "jib overboard"
2. Give you the alternative of dousing the jib, not dropping it: ie pulling it into the forestay so you lose power.
I've tried it and don't recommend it: too much friction in the system, so you have to pull like crazy for it to work. But, if you're interested, here's a link:
http://www.widgetsailor.com/myboat/downhaul/jline.html

The basic system I've described is a piece of cake. You'll love it.

 

[Joe]

I'd like to be able to drop mine from the cockpit but I've got a Tuff Luff foil. Anybody know if a downhaul will work with a foil?

Thanks,

Chris

Since the sail isn't hanked on, how do you plan to keep the sail on the foredeck after you drop it? With a foil, you'd need to pull the sail down from the bottom, otherwise it'd kink up.

 

[bffatcat]

Jib Downhaul

Most of the Ideas on this thread will work fine. I dont recommend running the downhaul line
through the hanks. Its going to bind up. One other thing I used a jib downhaul for years on
a 23 footer I owned a long time ago. Unfortunately it didnt work on my current 26 footer.
I dont understand why: maybe the sail cloth was to heavy it just kept binding up. I had to bite the bullet and get roller furl. I dont think a jib downhaul will work like its supposed to on boats over 24'