I have a Hunter 260 and am having problems raising the sail to the top. The track is clear, went up in a Bosun chair and could not find anything wrong, however the sail sticks approx. 12-18" from top. This is a 2001 model. Any suggestions?
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John Allison
Try This
A number of us have a similar problem which is, quite often, attributed to either a boom vang which is too tight or the main sheet which is also to tight. What this does is pull down the outer edge of the boom making the leech of the sail the limiting factor rather than the luff. The trick is to make the luff the limiting factor which is accomplished by loosening either the vang, the main sheet or both. If your track is clear, this would be the most likely restraint.
A number of us have a similar problem which is, quite often, attributed to either a boom vang which is too tight or the main sheet which is also to tight. What this does is pull down the outer edge of the boom making the leech of the sail the limiting factor rather than the luff. The trick is to make the luff the limiting factor which is accomplished by loosening either the vang, the main sheet or both. If your track is clear, this would be the most likely restraint.
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Joel
I agree with John
I don't sail on a 260 but on one of the larger boats that I crew on (a Norlin 34) we just have a procedure for raising the main that goes something like "Release the Vang - Release the Cunningham - Loosen the Main Sheets - Raise the Main". One it all the way up, we re tighten / adjust the or he controls as necessary. On boats without a vang but with a topping lift, you may need to use the topping lift to raise the end of the boom to ease the main all the way up.
I don't sail on a 260 but on one of the larger boats that I crew on (a Norlin 34) we just have a procedure for raising the main that goes something like "Release the Vang - Release the Cunningham - Loosen the Main Sheets - Raise the Main". One it all the way up, we re tighten / adjust the or he controls as necessary. On boats without a vang but with a topping lift, you may need to use the topping lift to raise the end of the boom to ease the main all the way up.
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Mark
Yes Joel yet another point to watch out for
Both of previouse comments cover the lot except for one. I saw a guy once pull up the main and the halyard was wrapped around the topping lift so yes she wouldn't go to the top. I am interested in how you got to the top of the mast????
Both of previouse comments cover the lot except for one. I saw a guy once pull up the main and the halyard was wrapped around the topping lift so yes she wouldn't go to the top. I am interested in how you got to the top of the mast????
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Frank Ladd
too small for a bosun's chair!
I don't think your boat is designed for you to go up the mast. I'd definately avoid that. When you need to work on the mast just lower it with the mast raising system it is easy. Then, you can even work on the very top of the mast from a ladder.
I don't think your boat is designed for you to go up the mast. I'd definately avoid that. When you need to work on the mast just lower it with the mast raising system it is easy. Then, you can even work on the very top of the mast from a ladder.
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Mark
I'm with you Frank
You wouldn't get me up a mast of a 260. I wonder how many other sailors have gone to the top on their 260??
You wouldn't get me up a mast of a 260. I wonder how many other sailors have gone to the top on their 260??
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crazy dave
bosuns chair
If you were a light wieght maybe but with the mast rasing system, drop the mast. I once pulled a stunt and went up a light weight mast in a bosuns chair. I weigh 240. First, think of the strain of someone trying to winch my fat behunkus up. His eyeballs are falling out to say the least. On the saftey issue, I did just that once and learned a valuable lesson. The mast broke and I feel several slips over. I was carted off by ambulance. Therefore, if you want to be crazy like me, go up the mast in a bosun chair and no one will gaurantee your saftey. Drop the mast and that is an order matey. Most of the times the halyard is fouled. If not, then lube the sail slides or slugs as I call them that suckers. Sometimes too much rake can cause that. The first response is also to be a part of this that the mainsheet needs to be loose along with the boom vang. If you still have problems, then dropping the mast is the suggestion and take a look at the sheave to see if it is ok. Still having problems, then get back on the foru,m. Crazy Dave Condon
If you were a light wieght maybe but with the mast rasing system, drop the mast. I once pulled a stunt and went up a light weight mast in a bosuns chair. I weigh 240. First, think of the strain of someone trying to winch my fat behunkus up. His eyeballs are falling out to say the least. On the saftey issue, I did just that once and learned a valuable lesson. The mast broke and I feel several slips over. I was carted off by ambulance. Therefore, if you want to be crazy like me, go up the mast in a bosun chair and no one will gaurantee your saftey. Drop the mast and that is an order matey. Most of the times the halyard is fouled. If not, then lube the sail slides or slugs as I call them that suckers. Sometimes too much rake can cause that. The first response is also to be a part of this that the mainsheet needs to be loose along with the boom vang. If you still have problems, then dropping the mast is the suggestion and take a look at the sheave to see if it is ok. Still having problems, then get back on the foru,m. Crazy Dave Condon
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Gerard
another option...
...to get up to the top of the mast is to use a gin pole, if one's available. We happen to have two at our club and I find having someone send me up to the top of the mast on the gin pole easier than droppping the mast. The problem with working at the top of the mast when you drop it is that the top hangs too far over the stern so you need to haul the boat too.
...to get up to the top of the mast is to use a gin pole, if one's available. We happen to have two at our club and I find having someone send me up to the top of the mast on the gin pole easier than droppping the mast. The problem with working at the top of the mast when you drop it is that the top hangs too far over the stern so you need to haul the boat too.
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Marcel
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Gerard
using a gin pole...
Not the thing that we as trailer sailors have come to know as a gin pole, the pipe that sticks in the front of the mast. The real gin pole, which is a crane, usually about 50 feet. They have a winch at the base, operated either electronically or manually, and are used to step the masts of large sailboats. Most marinas and yacht clubs catering to sailboats have them.
Not the thing that we as trailer sailors have come to know as a gin pole, the pipe that sticks in the front of the mast. The real gin pole, which is a crane, usually about 50 feet. They have a winch at the base, operated either electronically or manually, and are used to step the masts of large sailboats. Most marinas and yacht clubs catering to sailboats have them.
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Marcel
Got it
On Lake Mead, even though our largest marina has over 200 sailboats, we have to bring in an outside contractor to step and unstep masts. I've helped on 3 boats, and we either hired a Hydrocrane or used an oversized cherry picker with the basket. Must be nice to have a crane on site.
On Lake Mead, even though our largest marina has over 200 sailboats, we have to bring in an outside contractor to step and unstep masts. I've helped on 3 boats, and we either hired a Hydrocrane or used an oversized cherry picker with the basket. Must be nice to have a crane on site.
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alan
Stupid questine but is it possible your luff is...
...cut too short? When I got a used 26 3 1/2 years ago I had the same problem to a lesser extent due to a shrunken bolt rope. alan
...cut too short? When I got a used 26 3 1/2 years ago I had the same problem to a lesser extent due to a shrunken bolt rope. alan
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