Hello, I am looking for information about setting my 26m up for solo. e.g. bringing main halyard sheet back to cockpit- block positioning-sail slugs/ which type work the best- attachment to existing main sail rope. Also any good tips on lowering sails when sailing solo. Any info would be great, thank you. Terry
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A little smaller boat
but I have a Mac 25 that I have rigged for solo. Two methods work well, but I'll try to be quick. I used halyard lifts that created a 90 degree angle next to the mast and directed them (to port) to a triple deck organizer at a 45 degree angle then back to the cockpit and a double clutch. I have a cleat with a line run to a series of blocks to pull down the jib an lock it when I need to do that since I do not use a furler. Just relaese the lever on the blocks and it should drop the main and jib(but I find the jib needs motivation). The main usually falls pretty good if you lube the channels well enough. It will depend on the length of your current halyards as to whether or not you need to buy longer lines, weaving might work but knots might be out of the question. Lay it out first before you start drilling into your deck. I asked a sailor I respect for his opinion on my layout. Most sailors are more than happy to help out and also have many great ideas from experience. Walk around the marina and notice there are as many configurations as there are boats. If you make a mistake, West Marine has some good deck putty to seal the old holes and try again. Good luck and happy sailing.
but I have a Mac 25 that I have rigged for solo. Two methods work well, but I'll try to be quick. I used halyard lifts that created a 90 degree angle next to the mast and directed them (to port) to a triple deck organizer at a 45 degree angle then back to the cockpit and a double clutch. I have a cleat with a line run to a series of blocks to pull down the jib an lock it when I need to do that since I do not use a furler. Just relaese the lever on the blocks and it should drop the main and jib(but I find the jib needs motivation). The main usually falls pretty good if you lube the channels well enough. It will depend on the length of your current halyards as to whether or not you need to buy longer lines, weaving might work but knots might be out of the question. Lay it out first before you start drilling into your deck. I asked a sailor I respect for his opinion on my layout. Most sailors are more than happy to help out and also have many great ideas from experience. Walk around the marina and notice there are as many configurations as there are boats. If you make a mistake, West Marine has some good deck putty to seal the old holes and try again. Good luck and happy sailing.
rotating mast - new 26m
I think the new model 26m w/ rotating mast will present a new challenge. what I think might help, would be a line to wire halyard, where the wire turns at the top of a sheve, and then there is a 'ball' crimped into the wire, and a fork to hold the ball on the mast. the idea is to load the halyard tension to the sail, but release the line tension, so the mast can rotate. -I think this might have been on my old hobie 16.... then there is the reefing issue...
I think the new model 26m w/ rotating mast will present a new challenge. what I think might help, would be a line to wire halyard, where the wire turns at the top of a sheve, and then there is a 'ball' crimped into the wire, and a fork to hold the ball on the mast. the idea is to load the halyard tension to the sail, but release the line tension, so the mast can rotate. -I think this might have been on my old hobie 16.... then there is the reefing issue...
Would like to know the specs
on the rotation of the mast. Wire does sound like a much better option and it is a reasonable upgrade. As long as the halyard lifts did not interfere with the rotation of the mast it should not be a problem. I would not want to mount anything to the mast itself but that is a judgement call.
on the rotation of the mast. Wire does sound like a much better option and it is a reasonable upgrade. As long as the halyard lifts did not interfere with the rotation of the mast it should not be a problem. I would not want to mount anything to the mast itself but that is a judgement call.
how I did mine
Hi Terry I attached a stainless strap about two inches long (made from a Home depot hinge) with two 3/8" holes to my mast base with a 4" bolt. Round the corners so it can rotate. I then attached a block with a shackle to it. next an identical block to the starboard stanchion base. Finally, a good rope clutch just ahead of the starboard winch. My halyard runs straight down thru the mast-step block, then across to the stanchion (a deck organizer would be a better choice eventually), through the rope clutch, and usually 3 times around the winch? The angle of leverage is so long , (30'across 3") that it has no effect on the rotation of the mast. Sometimes I have to run up on deck, and pull the halyard out, then take up the slack with the other hand. Works Great for 3 years now.
Hi Terry I attached a stainless strap about two inches long (made from a Home depot hinge) with two 3/8" holes to my mast base with a 4" bolt. Round the corners so it can rotate. I then attached a block with a shackle to it. next an identical block to the starboard stanchion base. Finally, a good rope clutch just ahead of the starboard winch. My halyard runs straight down thru the mast-step block, then across to the stanchion (a deck organizer would be a better choice eventually), through the rope clutch, and usually 3 times around the winch? The angle of leverage is so long , (30'across 3") that it has no effect on the rotation of the mast. Sometimes I have to run up on deck, and pull the halyard out, then take up the slack with the other hand. Works Great for 3 years now.
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