Raising the main on the 140 solo

[Richard Armstrong]

Any tips on raising the mainsail on the 140 while sailing solo? I haven't figured out how to hold the boat into the wind while I'm raising the main. I have a 2hp motor that works great but I need some advice on how to keep the rudder locked straight. Any comments will be appreciated.

 

[Hayden Jones]

Try a tiller tamer

I single hand my Hunter 23.5 all the time. I prep everything before leaving the dock. Release all but one sail tie, connect the main halyard, release all the lines to avoid binding. The I motor out, bring her into the wind, lock the tiller, release the last sail tie and raise the main. It takes about 5 to 10 seconds. I tie off the main halyard, return to the tiller, kill the motor and release the tiller tamer. Works like a charm.HaydenPS... It took more than a few times to get it right but now it works well, even in heavy weather.

 

[Michael Stuart]

Bungie it

For my 170 I use some bungie cord. Make 3 loops. One at each end, and one in the center. Loop ends around the aft cleats and the center on the tiller. Takes a bit of work to get the correct length and tension, but it works OK. Useful when raising or lowering mast, when at a dock to keep the tiller out of harm's way, or when you need to do something while motoring. Cheap, too. Hope you boat has aft cleats!

 

[Charles Champagne]

Raising Mainsail

I sail a H-140 (JY14) and always raise my mainsail before I shove off. From the beach just point the bow into the wind and raise away. From a dock it is just a matter of pointing the bow as close to the wind as possible and make sure the mainsheet is free. As you and I know the H-140 does not have any cleats to tie a tiller to. So I took it upon myself to install a couple of small Pad Eyes, one on each side about 18" from the stern. You will find it necessary to support them with a wooden dowel or conduit on the underside of the rail. Now I can easily tie off the tiller when I want to. Charlie

 

[Bobby McCullough]

Attach the clew last

When I received my "training drive", they showed me how to attach the tack and then raise the main. It'll flap and can hurt if the clew line hits but that will at least let you get it raised. It also avoids any unwanted rake in your mast. As for the tiller, I'm going to try one of the other suggestions. My rudder is a replacement and digs in the water when fully up.