I have an '89 Hunter 27 that has the mainsheet bridle and cleat situated on the top of the cabin. I am interested in the ability to single-hand the boat occasionally and would like to run the mainsheet parallel with the roller furling lines and aft for easy access at the helm. It seems like it would be an easy thing to attach any necessary blocks and fairleads low on the stanchions, as the leads for furling system do. Does this seem like a bad idea given the increased load the mainsheet represents compared to that of the furling lines?
Re-routing Mainsheet H27
- Thread starter DHembree
- Start date
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,428
Hi.
Is this what your rig looks like?
And you find it too far to reach the mainsheet for solo sailing?
Th hunter manual shows two designs. On the mid boom design, the other is an end boom design.
Then you could move the traveler into the cockpit and change the mainsheet rig from the mid boom option to a standard end boom option.
Only problem is, I suspect that would cramp your style in the cockpit.
Is this what your rig looks like?
And you find it too far to reach the mainsheet for solo sailing?
Th hunter manual shows two designs. On the mid boom design, the other is an end boom design.
Then you could move the traveler into the cockpit and change the mainsheet rig from the mid boom option to a standard end boom option.
Only problem is, I suspect that would cramp your style in the cockpit.
There is no traveler car, but a bridle that straddles the companionway with the cleat shown. Now, I have very limited experience sailing a boat like this one, as it is a recent purchase, but I have a fair amount of time sailing dinghies and am quite used to having the mainsheet instantly available. I have a plan that would make that fairly easy. The main concern is the ability of the stanchions to support the load of the mainsheet.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,428
I grew up sailing dinghies and small boats. I understand your experience of having the main sheet in your hand. Racing with the sheet helps to steer the boat and keep the boat upright in puffs.
There is a transition regarding the need to hold the main sheet on keelboats. There is a question regarding the size of the boat and how you want to sail. Cruising on a bigger boat is not a constant trim control activity. One needs to set the basic direction and trim, then let the boat go and do its thing.
This is so true when solo sailing. I find I move about the cockpit, sometimes behind the helm and other times in front, tending to trim or just stretching, taking in the view.
When racing this is not the case. Racing means a crew. We each have tasks to accomplish and stay on top of the boat.
The need to control the mainsheet from behind the helm is not necessary.
We each have our own styles of sailing. Whatever you decide, be sure you have as few turns to the sheet (each time the mainsheet lead changes direction, this is considered a "turn") as possible. Be careful making your rigging cross the path you take to move about the boat (i.e., lines crossing from the center of the boat to the side of the boat across your access to walk up the side of the boat). Limiting the turns minimizes friction. Friction makes the control of a sheet sloppy or problematic.
If I were to adopt changing the main sheet design, I'd choose a single point in front of the helm. This will move the control to a single point at the end of the boom. Far simpler and more responsive to sail trimming. Sure, It may be at your feet in the cockpit. But the main sheet block could be on a soft shackle or snap shackle and the boom plus mainsheet rig moved to the side when relaxing in the cockpit at anchor. It would be like the standard design in the original rigging image above.
There is a transition regarding the need to hold the main sheet on keelboats. There is a question regarding the size of the boat and how you want to sail. Cruising on a bigger boat is not a constant trim control activity. One needs to set the basic direction and trim, then let the boat go and do its thing.
This is so true when solo sailing. I find I move about the cockpit, sometimes behind the helm and other times in front, tending to trim or just stretching, taking in the view.
When racing this is not the case. Racing means a crew. We each have tasks to accomplish and stay on top of the boat.
The need to control the mainsheet from behind the helm is not necessary.
We each have our own styles of sailing. Whatever you decide, be sure you have as few turns to the sheet (each time the mainsheet lead changes direction, this is considered a "turn") as possible. Be careful making your rigging cross the path you take to move about the boat (i.e., lines crossing from the center of the boat to the side of the boat across your access to walk up the side of the boat). Limiting the turns minimizes friction. Friction makes the control of a sheet sloppy or problematic.
If I were to adopt changing the main sheet design, I'd choose a single point in front of the helm. This will move the control to a single point at the end of the boom. Far simpler and more responsive to sail trimming. Sure, It may be at your feet in the cockpit. But the main sheet block could be on a soft shackle or snap shackle and the boom plus mainsheet rig moved to the side when relaxing in the cockpit at anchor. It would be like the standard design in the original rigging image above.
I would suggest end of boom sheeting if this is at all ,possible. Our '77 h27 is sheeted from the end of the boom to a traveler behind at the stern end of the cockpit. If you have a tiller this is ideal. if you have a wheel to steer, there may be clearance issues. Other advantages of boom end are half the force is needed to trim the main, and there are no bending forces on the boom from the mainsheet.
The issue with running the line back along the stanchions is very high tension where the sheet joins, then leaves the stanchions. The could result in leaks at the stanchions involved.
The issue with running the line back along the stanchions is very high tension where the sheet joins, then leaves the stanchions. The could result in leaks at the stanchions involved.
