I am considering purchasing a Hunter 260 WB. I just was on one at the Sail Expo in St. Petersburg. Since it was on land and the main sheet was not attached it was difficult to get a sense of how that would impact cockpit seating. The attachment point seemed to be in about the middle of the cockpit floor. I would be interested to hear from some current owners if this is an issue. Overall the space in the cockpit looked quite ample.
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Main Sheet
Tim, we bought a 1 year old 260 last week and spent this past weekend sailing her. I didn't find the mainsheet to be in the way at all while sailing. With the sails down, motoring, anchor etc, we attach the mainsheet to the stern rail so it is out of the cockpit.
Tim, we bought a 1 year old 260 last week and spent this past weekend sailing her. I didn't find the mainsheet to be in the way at all while sailing. With the sails down, motoring, anchor etc, we attach the mainsheet to the stern rail so it is out of the cockpit.
Main Sheet
I have had my 260 for about 5 months. I have done alot of sailing on her this summer and because I live in the south, am still sailing. I had to move the attachment to the boom forward to clear my bimini but as far as where it connects to the floor of cockpit, it has never been a problem. It has been a dream to sail singlehanded. I also enjoy all the compliments I get just sitting in my slip. Seems like everybody that walks by has a positive comment about her.
I have had my 260 for about 5 months. I have done alot of sailing on her this summer and because I live in the south, am still sailing. I had to move the attachment to the boom forward to clear my bimini but as far as where it connects to the floor of cockpit, it has never been a problem. It has been a dream to sail singlehanded. I also enjoy all the compliments I get just sitting in my slip. Seems like everybody that walks by has a positive comment about her.
H260 Mainsheet Attachment
I also have been experimenting with the mainsheet attachment. I have a wheel, so that may be something to consider. I found the Shaefer cleat difficult to cleat and uncleat. I raised the block up about 18 inches with a short piece of line. That was an improvement, but in light winds it was still difficult to adjust. I also experimented with the attachment to the boom and found that placement on the aft or center position did not seem to make any difference in sail trim (I could be wrong here). I like the aft position best. The biggest improvement came from swapping out the Shaefer cleat with a spinlock cleat. I can now adjust it with just a quick flick of the mainsheet. I am interested in others comments.
I also have been experimenting with the mainsheet attachment. I have a wheel, so that may be something to consider. I found the Shaefer cleat difficult to cleat and uncleat. I raised the block up about 18 inches with a short piece of line. That was an improvement, but in light winds it was still difficult to adjust. I also experimented with the attachment to the boom and found that placement on the aft or center position did not seem to make any difference in sail trim (I could be wrong here). I like the aft position best. The biggest improvement came from swapping out the Shaefer cleat with a spinlock cleat. I can now adjust it with just a quick flick of the mainsheet. I am interested in others comments.
Me too, on George's suggestion
I replaced my jib horn cleats with powercleats, and later when George said the powercleat replacement on the mainsheet was great too, I did the same. However, I didn't switch it until after pulling the boat out for the winter. So far, I've only tested it between the legs of my kitchen table. *yks For me, the motivation of having the powercleat on the mainsheet is that it releases easily under load. I should be able to do it with the flick of one wrist, and never have to push down on the sheet with one foot as I sometimes have to do with the cam cleat. That is, pushing down with on the sheet with a foot between the cam cleat and my hand while holding the sheet tight.
I replaced my jib horn cleats with powercleats, and later when George said the powercleat replacement on the mainsheet was great too, I did the same. However, I didn't switch it until after pulling the boat out for the winter. So far, I've only tested it between the legs of my kitchen table. *yks For me, the motivation of having the powercleat on the mainsheet is that it releases easily under load. I should be able to do it with the flick of one wrist, and never have to push down on the sheet with one foot as I sometimes have to do with the cam cleat. That is, pushing down with on the sheet with a foot between the cam cleat and my hand while holding the sheet tight.
powercleats
They just release with a flick of the wrist? I've seen them, but never used them. Will have to try those on the jib sheets. Previous owner replaced the horns with cam cleats, but they are a major pain to release especially under load. In a decent wind, sheeted in tight, my wife is not strong enough to pull the sheet in and wip it out of the cams at the same time. I was thinking of putting spacers under the cleats to see it that will help, but if the powercleats are a better solution, I will just replace them all together. I did notice that under light wind, the mainsheet is hard to cleat. It is as if there is not enough tension to pull the sheet into the cam. I was wondering if there is a way to adjust the tension on the cams? On my last boat you could adjust the angle of the sheet which made a huge difference. I didn't spend any time looking at it yet.
They just release with a flick of the wrist? I've seen them, but never used them. Will have to try those on the jib sheets. Previous owner replaced the horns with cam cleats, but they are a major pain to release especially under load. In a decent wind, sheeted in tight, my wife is not strong enough to pull the sheet in and wip it out of the cams at the same time. I was thinking of putting spacers under the cleats to see it that will help, but if the powercleats are a better solution, I will just replace them all together. I did notice that under light wind, the mainsheet is hard to cleat. It is as if there is not enough tension to pull the sheet into the cam. I was wondering if there is a way to adjust the tension on the cams? On my last boat you could adjust the angle of the sheet which made a huge difference. I didn't spend any time looking at it yet.
George, which Spinlock for Mainsheet?
George, Which Spinlock Powercleat did you use for the Main Sheet? In the West Marine catalogue, I see the PX Powercleats, the PXB Powercleats, and the PX Powercleats Swivel Bases. I've attached the link to the WM site. Am I even looking at the correct kind of cleats? They don't look like they would work to me. Am I missing something? Thanks for your help.
George, Which Spinlock Powercleat did you use for the Main Sheet? In the West Marine catalogue, I see the PX Powercleats, the PXB Powercleats, and the PX Powercleats Swivel Bases. I've attached the link to the WM site. Am I even looking at the correct kind of cleats? They don't look like they would work to me. Am I missing something? Thanks for your help.
Karen - PXB0812
It's the PXB0812 that you want. Says "Cleats for mainsheet block" right on the package.
It's the PXB0812 that you want. Says "Cleats for mainsheet block" right on the package.
Spinlock Power Cleats
There is quite a bit of info on the Spinlock Powercleats in the archives. For the Record, this is what you need: For the mainsheet: SPNPXB0812; Spinlock PX Powercleat, Single, w/Block adapter, 5/16 to 1/2in. Item Price: $41.95 For the jib sheet: SPNPX08121; Spinlock PX Powercleat, Single, 5/16 to 7/16in. Quantity: 2. Item Price: $29.95 Sailnet.com had the best price, but I'd still shop around. Both Powercleats work as advertised, but since you can't use the winch to tighten the jibsheets, you have to wear gloves. For singlehanding it helps to lengthen the jibshees to 30 feet each side. The wedges are optional but I think they work better with them. The mainsheet Spinlock mod also is a great improvement. No more tugging and pulling to get the mainsheet cleated.
There is quite a bit of info on the Spinlock Powercleats in the archives. For the Record, this is what you need: For the mainsheet: SPNPXB0812; Spinlock PX Powercleat, Single, w/Block adapter, 5/16 to 1/2in. Item Price: $41.95 For the jib sheet: SPNPX08121; Spinlock PX Powercleat, Single, 5/16 to 7/16in. Quantity: 2. Item Price: $29.95 Sailnet.com had the best price, but I'd still shop around. Both Powercleats work as advertised, but since you can't use the winch to tighten the jibsheets, you have to wear gloves. For singlehanding it helps to lengthen the jibshees to 30 feet each side. The wedges are optional but I think they work better with them. The mainsheet Spinlock mod also is a great improvement. No more tugging and pulling to get the mainsheet cleated.
What about...
Now I'm curious, particularly with the jib sheets... I run my jib sheets through swivel blocks on the deck (that are about even with the mast) and then back to the cockpit with a couple turns around the winch on each side (which are self-tailing) - that was the only 'cleat' I used all last year. I never had a sheet slip and the winches made it easy to trim, even in heavy winds. But now I'm wondering if I should be doing something a little more 'secure' -- thoughts anyone? Also, if anyone has a picture of how they used the spinlock on the mainsheet I'd really like to see it (the descriptions are good, but for me a picture is golden.
) Dave Crowley s/v Wind Dreamer
Now I'm curious, particularly with the jib sheets... I run my jib sheets through swivel blocks on the deck (that are about even with the mast) and then back to the cockpit with a couple turns around the winch on each side (which are self-tailing) - that was the only 'cleat' I used all last year. I never had a sheet slip and the winches made it easy to trim, even in heavy winds. But now I'm wondering if I should be doing something a little more 'secure' -- thoughts anyone? Also, if anyone has a picture of how they used the spinlock on the mainsheet I'd really like to see it (the descriptions are good, but for me a picture is golden.
) Dave Crowley s/v Wind DreamerFound a couple of pictures
http://store.catsailor.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jrrrpndqg http://www.thechandleryonline.com/product.asp?dept_id=1722&pf_id=151_HSPPXB0812
http://store.catsailor.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jrrrpndqg http://www.thechandleryonline.com/product.asp?dept_id=1722&pf_id=151_HSPPXB0812
Spinlock Power Clean and Jib sheets
The spinlock powercleats work great if you do much single hand sailing. If you always have someone on the winches there is no real great advantage that I can see. In fact there is a disadvantage because you can't use the winches to muscle the jib in higher winds - you have to head up. My guess is that most of us don't have self tailing/locking winches. The spinlock for the mainsheet looks exactly the same. It replaces the mainsheet cleat jaws and there is a adapter that insures the spinlock power cleat stays horizontal at all times. You just flick the line up and down to engage and release.
The spinlock powercleats work great if you do much single hand sailing. If you always have someone on the winches there is no real great advantage that I can see. In fact there is a disadvantage because you can't use the winches to muscle the jib in higher winds - you have to head up. My guess is that most of us don't have self tailing/locking winches. The spinlock for the mainsheet looks exactly the same. It replaces the mainsheet cleat jaws and there is a adapter that insures the spinlock power cleat stays horizontal at all times. You just flick the line up and down to engage and release.
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