Jib Sheets Hung Up on Mast Light Plug

Dec 29, 2014
48
Oday 272 Kentucky Dam Marina
Hey All, I'm the proud owner of a 1987 Oday 272 that I bought in January. So far I love the boat, with one exception: the anchor light and antenna plugs are located about 6 inches in front of the mast and my jib sheets are constantly getting hung up on them. I've taped them down as far as I can, yet the jib sheets still pull the mast light plug out if the sheets come around too hard on a tack. Anyone else ever have this problem? Thanks!
 
Jul 4, 2015
436
Hunter 34 Menominee, MI; Sturgeon Bay WI
Had same w/ my Hunter 34; incredibly annoying. Have tried various things but only thing that works is when the sail luffs and the sheets are whipping around to split second pull them in as they come free. Is almost fun to catch them just right. Would however be interested in more elegant solution that doesn't rely on sheets whipping and snapping like crazy. Ilan



Hey All, I'm the proud owner of a 1987 Oday 272 that I bought in January. So far I love the boat, with one exception: the anchor light and antenna plugs are located about 6 inches in front of the mast and my jib sheets are constantly getting hung up on them. I've taped them down as far as I can, yet the jib sheets still pull the mast light plug out if the sheets come around too hard on a tack. Anyone else ever have this problem? Thanks!
 

Joe

.
Jun 1, 2004
8,318
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
Tie a length of bungee cord from the mast down to the deck, at a 45 deg angle to keep the sheets off the deck and plugs in that area.... you might screw a small eye strap to the deck and one to the front of the mast as anchor points, and put a clip on one end of the cord so you can remove it easily when needed.

Another version, depending on the problem, is to rig the elastic cord to protect the sides... I did this on my Nacra to keep the sheets out of the ball mounted mast step... but if your obstacle is in front.. a single line should do the trick.
 
Aug 2, 2005
1,155
Pearson 33-2 & Typhoon 18 Seneca Lake
Hello Iriegal,

We have the same problem on our 272. I have used the corrugated type of tubing that is used to cover the cables for outboard motor connections. What we used was white and about a 2 inch ID with a split to put the wire inside. Two limits to its usefulness: I needed tape to keep the tubing from coming off the wires and the tubing deteriorated quickly in the Florida sun.

I like the solution shown by TomG and attributed to another Precision owner. Very inventive gentlemen!
 
Dec 29, 2014
48
Oday 272 Kentucky Dam Marina
Won't the jib sheets still get hung up on the tubing/cord/cables?
 
Dec 29, 2014
48
Oday 272 Kentucky Dam Marina
Thank You, Skipper - That's exactly what I had in mind but I didn't know where to find one. The dimensions are even correct. Rockin...
 
Jan 6, 2010
1,520
IR,

I can only add this.

When I am tacking, when releasing the sheet on the loaded winch & as my bow turns across wind, I simply control both lines. As the sail luffs, I allow easy panning out & at the same time, I take-up on what side the sail will be on but I never allow my sheets to slacken uncontrollably. keep a balanced & thus a line control maneuver.

This way, you have full control of both of your sheets & no slack lines whipping & fouling uncontrollably. I call it "taming the Sheets".

Three or four times practicing this timing/tensioning ritual & you'll see it's a piece of cake. It's all about controlling the tension & slack lines equally.

CR
 
Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
IR,

I can only add this.

When I am tacking, when releasing the sheet on the loaded winch & as my bow turns across wind, I simply control both lines. As the sail luffs, I allow easy panning out & at the same time, I take-up on what side the sail will be on but I never allow my sheets to slacken uncontrollably. keep a balanced & thus a line control maneuver.

This way, you have full control of both of your sheets & no slack lines whipping & fouling uncontrollably. I call it "taming the Sheets".

Three or four times practicing this timing/tensioning ritual & you'll see it's a piece of cake. It's all about controlling the tension & slack lines equally.

CR
that sounds like neck reining a horse
 
Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
Woods,

Maybe my description needs some work but, if you control your running lines, things go smoother & less breaks.

CR
lol i was amazed at how much it paralleled neck reining a horse ...it's all good ron...i guess some horse sense comes in to play on most everything we do
 
Jan 6, 2010
1,520
Stu,

You are correct.

I also do my bed sheets & corner folds military style. I can do the bounce test & the quarter goes 6" high.

CR