Has anyone rigged up a way to raise the mainsail without leaving the cockpit? I have an O'day 22 1983 model with a fractional rig.
main halyard
- Thread starter SBARBU
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You should do a search for Ward H's posts: http://forums.oday.sailboatowners.com/search.php?searchid=4599206
I think he led halyards aft on his 25 this past winter.
I personally won't do it. I have a reef hook for the tack, so I need to be at the mast to reef anyway. Prefer to be at the mast for hoisting, or rather, for striking sails. I would not be happy striking from the cockpit. There are many arguments for and against, and it boils down to your personal preference.
Though I will confess, I rigged a swiveling cam cleat for the spinnaker halyard, just above my jib halyard horn cleat. This will allow me easier takedowns than having to go forward to a horn cleat up above the gooseneck. Standing in the companionway, I'll be able to blow the tack line from the aft end of the cabin side, grab the sheet, pop the halyard from the cam cleat, then pull down the asym into the cabin while it's well blanketed by the main. Solo, of course.
I think he led halyards aft on his 25 this past winter.
I personally won't do it. I have a reef hook for the tack, so I need to be at the mast to reef anyway. Prefer to be at the mast for hoisting, or rather, for striking sails. I would not be happy striking from the cockpit. There are many arguments for and against, and it boils down to your personal preference.
Though I will confess, I rigged a swiveling cam cleat for the spinnaker halyard, just above my jib halyard horn cleat. This will allow me easier takedowns than having to go forward to a horn cleat up above the gooseneck. Standing in the companionway, I'll be able to blow the tack line from the aft end of the cabin side, grab the sheet, pop the halyard from the cam cleat, then pull down the asym into the cabin while it's well blanketed by the main. Solo, of course.
I have the main halyard and a single line reef leading back to the cockpit on my 1980 O'Day 22. Its very comforting to be able to quickly set a reef in the main without leaving the cockpit when conditions get rough. A roller furling head sail is also very nice to have when single handing.
Thanks for the reply! I have some mobility and balance issues and worry about going forward in waves when single-handing. I am working on a roller furling jib as well. If you can post pictures of how you have it rigged, or describe it, I would be very appreciative...
I have sort of a "MacGyver" set up on my boat. If I were to do it again, I would start with a Dwyer halyard organizer plate(https://www.dwyermast.com/items.asp...milyID=19&familyName=Halyard+Organizer+Plates). From there, you just need to lead the lines through blocks on the cabin roof to clam cleats near the cockpit.
Here are some photos of what I did this spring.
I like Garhaurer Marine hardware so I used their blocks, organizer and rope clutch.
From what I learned in studying what equipment to use, you could use Harken 150 cam cleats instead of the clutch. The minimum line size for the clutch is 5/16".
As Brian said, I found a lot of people who like the lines to the cockpit and others who would rather go to the mast.
It's a personal choice. Read my "First Sail of the Season! Thanks Guys" thread. While I was not afraid to go forward, I just was not comfortable doing so in all conditions. I may have gotten use to it but I've sailed twice now singlehanded, handling everything from the cockpit. I was much more comfortable and found it was so easy to reef and shake it out I did it several times each trip as wind went up and down. I'm aware that at anytime I may need to go forward for something and will but the less time spent on deck the safer I am.
I went with a two line reef system but others have done well with a single line system, which cuts down on the expense.
Do a google search for "running lines back to cockpit" and you will find several threads and a couple of articles about doing so.
I like Garhaurer Marine hardware so I used their blocks, organizer and rope clutch.
From what I learned in studying what equipment to use, you could use Harken 150 cam cleats instead of the clutch. The minimum line size for the clutch is 5/16".
As Brian said, I found a lot of people who like the lines to the cockpit and others who would rather go to the mast.
It's a personal choice. Read my "First Sail of the Season! Thanks Guys" thread. While I was not afraid to go forward, I just was not comfortable doing so in all conditions. I may have gotten use to it but I've sailed twice now singlehanded, handling everything from the cockpit. I was much more comfortable and found it was so easy to reef and shake it out I did it several times each trip as wind went up and down. I'm aware that at anytime I may need to go forward for something and will but the less time spent on deck the safer I am.
I went with a two line reef system but others have done well with a single line system, which cuts down on the expense.
Do a google search for "running lines back to cockpit" and you will find several threads and a couple of articles about doing so.
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Thanks everyone for all your help! I had not thought about the reefing line(s), but this makes sense too as when it's "time" to reef, it might be very uncomfortable to go forward. Winds on Carlyle, as I have discovered, are extremely variable. Given that I have a 22 the single line reef is probably the best/simplest option