Hi everyone, I am new here and have a question. My recently purchased 2001 H320 has a very hard to raise main, the last few feet requires heroic grinding on the slow speed of the winch. I figured this was just the old track clean/lube situation, but that didn't help much. I think I figured out what is wrong, my headboard is tied to the metal slug with a piece of cord (and probably in the wrong place). This can't be right, can anyone tell me what this connection should be? Hopefully I can get the photo posted.. Thanks much, Gary
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Gary, our P42 is tied that way, too...
We had the same problem when we first purchased our boat three years ago. I could only get about ten feet by hand and the rest was a hard grind to the head. Then I cleaned the mast track and sprayed dry lubricant (from WM) on the track and slugs. Huge difference! I can now raise the main by hand except for the last six inches by winch. Terry
We had the same problem when we first purchased our boat three years ago. I could only get about ten feet by hand and the rest was a hard grind to the head. Then I cleaned the mast track and sprayed dry lubricant (from WM) on the track and slugs. Huge difference! I can now raise the main by hand except for the last six inches by winch. Terry
Gary, something to check
Gary, I have seen this problem persistently. The easiest solution one of my friends found out was that the reefing lines were causing the drag. As they exit the boom, pull them out manually and don't let the main do the job. There is enough tension to inhibit the raising of the main from the reef lines.
Gary, I have seen this problem persistently. The easiest solution one of my friends found out was that the reefing lines were causing the drag. As they exit the boom, pull them out manually and don't let the main do the job. There is enough tension to inhibit the raising of the main from the reef lines.
Vang
Another thought... three actually: 1. Make certain that the reefing line is eased. 2. Ease the vang if you have one - that makes a huge difference... 3. Ease the main sheet. With the main sheet or vang hauling your boom down it puts quite a load on the leech of the sail. A huge load really.
Another thought... three actually: 1. Make certain that the reefing line is eased. 2. Ease the vang if you have one - that makes a huge difference... 3. Ease the main sheet. With the main sheet or vang hauling your boom down it puts quite a load on the leech of the sail. A huge load really.
Thanks Guys
Thanks for the ideas guys. They all sound good, and I will re-check that I am doing all of them. Yes, the reefing lines do hang things, and pulling them looser couldn't hurt. Getting lube (I like silcon spray) all the way to the top without going aloft will take a few hoistings. BUT, I still don't like the way the headboard attaches. There is a "slot" at the very top opposite the halyard cringle(?). I am thinking a web or plastic attachement here would prevent the halyard from "twisting" the slug which causes it to bind. Gary
Thanks for the ideas guys. They all sound good, and I will re-check that I am doing all of them. Yes, the reefing lines do hang things, and pulling them looser couldn't hurt. Getting lube (I like silcon spray) all the way to the top without going aloft will take a few hoistings. BUT, I still don't like the way the headboard attaches. There is a "slot" at the very top opposite the halyard cringle(?). I am thinking a web or plastic attachement here would prevent the halyard from "twisting" the slug which causes it to bind. Gary
On my 320 (2000)
I think that the connection is via the slot at the top, the connection is more of a cloth ribbon than the line you show in yours. Could be that the original owner added this after the fact. Regards. Bruce Neon Moon
I think that the connection is via the slot at the top, the connection is more of a cloth ribbon than the line you show in yours. Could be that the original owner added this after the fact. Regards. Bruce Neon Moon
topping lift
Make sure your topping lift is raised a few inches thus raising the boom. With a high roach sail you may be stretching the sail form by trying to raise the last few feet. This is what was happening on my hunter 290.
Make sure your topping lift is raised a few inches thus raising the boom. With a high roach sail you may be stretching the sail form by trying to raise the last few feet. This is what was happening on my hunter 290.
MORE Thanks
Bruce, thanks, I was pretty sure mine is wrong. My boat came out of a charter fleet, the original web connection probably broke one day(the "slot" is kind of sharp on the edge) and they jury rigged it.. and after that everyone just thought it was hard to raise. We went for a test sail with the owner, he didn't think anything of it. Errant, YES, I see how that would help. My last(only) boat was an Olson 30 with NO topping lift (and boltrope) so this one is different. I THOUGHT you had to slack the topping lift! I guess you need to do that after the sail is up... I will try it your way. This is a great forum!!
Gary
Bruce, thanks, I was pretty sure mine is wrong. My boat came out of a charter fleet, the original web connection probably broke one day(the "slot" is kind of sharp on the edge) and they jury rigged it.. and after that everyone just thought it was hard to raise. We went for a test sail with the owner, he didn't think anything of it. Errant, YES, I see how that would help. My last(only) boat was an Olson 30 with NO topping lift (and boltrope) so this one is different. I THOUGHT you had to slack the topping lift! I guess you need to do that after the sail is up... I will try it your way. This is a great forum!!
Gary- Status