Running Lines Aft

[Darrel Richards]

Have a 1988 Hunter 23. Would like to run outhaul topping lift and main halyard line into the cockpit. Main concern are the jaws in the boom currently used for locking the outhaul and topping lift line. Is it a good idea to remove the jaws and replace with blocks to run the line to the deck then aft? Is there an easy replacementof blocks to fit where the jaws originally were? Any hints or ideas would be appreciated. Love my h23, fun to race, just want to make it faster.Don't we all?

 

[mike43067]

runnin aft

Not sure that this upgrade would make your boat any faster, but sure more convenient. I've considered leading these in-boom lines back myself but I think I'd run them back to mid boom. Seems like running them from the boom down to the deck would give you problems when the boom swings from side to side. I'll be watching the thread to see what others have to say.

 

[Rick webb]

Topping Lift

For the topping lift an easy and inexpensive fix is to mount a cheek block at the end of the boom and a cleat a convienient distance foward. I did this on my 23.5 it is much easier than going to the foward end of the boom to adjust(I just balance the boom on my head stand on my toes and tie it off havent wacked myself since) and it makes the boom way easier to remove.

 

[Jay Hill]

All together now...

Just writing to confirm what both Mike and Rick said. Outhaul is an adjustment that needs to remain the same while sailing if you want to race her. With the boom moving athwartships with each tack the only way to ensure identical tension is if you bring the outhaul down to the exact middle of the mast where the boomvang is conveniently installed. You can use the suggestion of running it back down the bottom side of the boom to a place where it can be reached from the cockpit except when running. Outhaul is the ONLY line I don't have led aft on my boat. So, for now I am leaving it where it is, but if I had a suggestion it would be to run it to the aft end of the boom through a cam cleat and put a heaving knot on the end of the line to make it easy to grab and pull.The topping lift with the cheek block on the aft end of the boom is a great way to go. The cleat is only inches away and can be released easily.

 

[Greg Stebbins]

DUck under the vang

Ok, I installed my vang on a mast bail mounted across the thickest part of the mast and about 7 inches up from the mast foot. This allows a tunnel to run the internal boom lines down to the deck and a space under to start them on the course back to the cockpit. It's not easy. Halyards, outhaul to the left and cunningham, topping lift right. Leave the reef line as is sense you'll be at the goose neck anyway.You might consider a simple $400.00 auto pilot as an option. It'll mind the tiller for short periods and you avoid the cockpit rats nest syndrome.

 

[Steve Lucas]

What about the jaws

I would like to run lines aft also but what about the boom"jaws"? Can small blocks be substituted? Clutches/cleats on the cabin top? Steve