On my 1976 Catalina 27, I want to be able to raise the mainsail from the safety of the cockpit. From my reading, it looks like I need a standing block at the base of the mast leading out to a deck organizer and then back to the cockpit. I may also need a small winch on the deck and either a cleat or a clutch also. I would appreciate any suggestions and/or pictures to help me. Many thanks.
Leading Halyards back to cockpit
- Thread starter Aladave
- Start date
Just make sure you angle your clutch or cleat for less than a 10 degree swing toward the winch you are using.
Thanks for the great advice. One more: At the base of the mast, there is nothing to attach a block to. So, I figure I have to use a standing block
I have 6 blocks at the base of the mast. Organizers at both sides, clutches and winches. 2 genoa halyards and Staysail halyard on the port side. Main, reef, and spare on port side. Everything ked aft. Harken Traveler in front of the wheel. Do a lot of single sailing and akso racing.
Since there is nothing to attach a block to at the base of the mast, would it will be OK to drill holes in the deck to place a standing block near the base of the mast? What kind of backing plate should you advise?
If that's OK, I will then proceed with an organizer, clutch, and maybe a winch on the deck. Thank you
If that's OK, I will then proceed with an organizer, clutch, and maybe a winch on the deck. Thank you
Here's some old pics from my boat about 15 years ago and is similar to the factory set up from the 70's.... there's new winches, cleats and hardware now... but if you're on a budget I would set it up like this... yes, you can add a stand up block at the mast. an organizer then back to the winch.. If you're just going to set up the mainsail halyard it is customary to lead it to the starboard side... the headsail halyards would go down the port side. My suggestion is to mount the winch as far aft as you can .... the cleat or clutch will be a foot or so in front. In the picture the winch is a bit too far forward.. When I re organized I move the winch aft and installed clutches.... My suggestion for a halyard winch, depending on you budget is a size 14 to 18... Self tailing if you can afford it... two speeds are rare now in the small sizes... so if you need more power invest in a 10" palm grip winch handle.
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If you're only running one line back on each side, a simple cheek block will do to turn it aft instead of an "organizer."
If you have roller furling, don't bother to run the jib halyard aft.
If you have roller furling, don't bother to run the jib halyard aft.
+1
My jib halyard was run to the cockpit. I realized the trailing end just added clutter in the cockpit so now I coil it and hang it from a cleat on the mast.
Stu, I have been thinking about doing just this since I want to run my downhaul and vang lines back for trimming and I never change the jib halyard setting. I get that someday I might wish to tune the job halyard tension for better sail trim but I have far more work on the other trim options at the moment. I do not have a cleat on the mast on the correct side now, any advice on cleat installation on the mast when it is up? Do I need to get it down to fasten nuts and washers inside it?
Dan
Jib halyard tension is a great sail control to help set headsail draft position, even with a furler.
I wanted to say the same thing. Even though it's a Hood furler, I'm pleased that my Hunter has a halyard led back as opposed to my old fixed tension CDI furler on the Mac.
If you are mounting any hardware on the mast, just drill and tap. The fastenings are in shear instead of tension. I prefer everything aft since I race my boat, we play with the halyard constantly.