Working on making my Catalina 27 more solo friendly. Present project is to run a line to lower the main sail from the cockpit. Not sure what this is called, not even sure if it is necessary but felt a positive assurance was needed. Do remember when I was looking at mast gates I ran across someones solution to this problem but I can't find it and have been unsuccessful in uncovering anything with search. My idea was to attach a ring to each sail slug and have a light line running through these rings. How do the rest of you solo sailer get the main down with out leaving the cockpit? I have Witch lazyjacks (elastic bungie cord type), am I still going to have to go forward to put them in postion. I am working on the theory that you do not sail with lazyjacks as they would damage the sails.
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Lazyjacks Not Likely To Damage Sails
They may dirty them but, properly adjusted, will not hurt them. There are lots of boats sailing with them. If your mainsail track and slugs are clean and lubed with Sailcoat, the sail should fall right down. You should not need a downhaul as you describe. I did once install a downhaul on a hanked-on genoa on one boat. The genny just didn't want to come down in any wind. It worked OK. Rick D.
They may dirty them but, properly adjusted, will not hurt them. There are lots of boats sailing with them. If your mainsail track and slugs are clean and lubed with Sailcoat, the sail should fall right down. You should not need a downhaul as you describe. I did once install a downhaul on a hanked-on genoa on one boat. The genny just didn't want to come down in any wind. It worked OK. Rick D.
Autohelm.
I installed an autohelm(Simrad WP30) a few years ago. That made me rethink running lines to the cockpit. All my lines terminate at the mast presently. I have all the pieces/parts to run the lines back but I really like a clean deck. My lazyjacks retract to the mast so I have to go forward for those anyway. And my main drops like a rock, I keep the sailtrack clean and lubed. So what to do?
I installed an autohelm(Simrad WP30) a few years ago. That made me rethink running lines to the cockpit. All my lines terminate at the mast presently. I have all the pieces/parts to run the lines back but I really like a clean deck. My lazyjacks retract to the mast so I have to go forward for those anyway. And my main drops like a rock, I keep the sailtrack clean and lubed. So what to do?
Jacks and lube
I sail with my lazy jacks deployed unless I'm racing - in which case I pretend the windage matters. (It doesn't unless you sail better than I do...) Shouldn't harm the sail. If I were doing a passage I might stow the jacks to avoid chafe but otherwise I'd not worry about it. I agree with the other guys about sailcote. Clean the slot and lubricate it and the slugs. Then don't forget to hold onto the halyard or you'll lose it. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
I sail with my lazy jacks deployed unless I'm racing - in which case I pretend the windage matters. (It doesn't unless you sail better than I do...) Shouldn't harm the sail. If I were doing a passage I might stow the jacks to avoid chafe but otherwise I'd not worry about it. I agree with the other guys about sailcote. Clean the slot and lubricate it and the slugs. Then don't forget to hold onto the halyard or you'll lose it. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
"downhaul"
Your right, Run a small line to the top slug. Put a spring block on the deck below the boom next to the mast. Run the line through the block back to the cockpit routing it thru whatever blocks you need for a shipshape deck. I'm not sure you need to attach each slug to the line. How you clean up your now doused sail is another story.
Your right, Run a small line to the top slug. Put a spring block on the deck below the boom next to the mast. Run the line through the block back to the cockpit routing it thru whatever blocks you need for a shipshape deck. I'm not sure you need to attach each slug to the line. How you clean up your now doused sail is another story.
Opposite problem
My problem sailing solo was raising the main at the mast and running back to winch it before it all fell down. Solved it by installing a jam cleat on the side of the mast, the only holes I've ever drilled in my Hunter 29.5. Also the best thing I ever got for the boat. To drop the main, you can tighten your cunningham and watch the thing plummet because of the tension. Better to outfit yourself at all times with a harness, lifejacket, tether and jackline (down the middle of the boat) to ensure your own safety. Then you'll feel more confident up at the mast for the 60 seconds it takes to pull the main down. Just don't step on the sail or you'll slip badly.
My problem sailing solo was raising the main at the mast and running back to winch it before it all fell down. Solved it by installing a jam cleat on the side of the mast, the only holes I've ever drilled in my Hunter 29.5. Also the best thing I ever got for the boat. To drop the main, you can tighten your cunningham and watch the thing plummet because of the tension. Better to outfit yourself at all times with a harness, lifejacket, tether and jackline (down the middle of the boat) to ensure your own safety. Then you'll feel more confident up at the mast for the 60 seconds it takes to pull the main down. Just don't step on the sail or you'll slip badly.
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