Single Hand Rigging
Space is limited. I rigged my boat to single hand with the objective of not mounting anything on the pop top. I removed the hand rails, which is not a problem, bacause one can use the lines for hand holds when he or she goes forward. I mounted a large and a small Harkin cleat on both sides of the pop-top. They are off-set. I started off with both halyards, cunningham, and a reef line ran aft. I have since changed the reef line to an outhaul (helps when I am chasing our Fleet Commodore around the race course). My reefing is back to traditional lines tide to the boom and mast. I have reefed once since changing my lines and it wasn't a problem. Another thing that makes this easier is a topping lift and a mast stop below my boom to keep it from dropping when a lower my main halyard. This works fairly well; I can cut the main sheet, release my main halyard to a marked point, stand inside the cabin and pull the reef-clew line then take a quick trip on deck to secure tack, while under sail with the jib only. Also I mounted a cleat on the side of my pop-top to secure a downhaul line for my jib. I am still working out the best way to downhaul the jib from the cockpit. To do this you will need to turn your lines at the mast base, on deck perpendicular to the mast, with cleats on top of the cabin. Any line will work for a topping lift; I used a cheap light weight line from a hardware store. I made my mast stop by tapping a screw in a 3/8 aluminum rod (Old Hobie Rudder Pin). It did cost around $250 to $300 for hardware and line. The money spent is well-worth it, when it comes to the safety advantage. I have my boat at the house, getting it ready to go on a week cruise in Florida with Fleet 77. If you want I could shoot a couple pictures of my mounting hardware and email them to you. I have one cleat that I wish was moved slightly, but it stays; I do not want to drill any more holes to move it. I did fill the holes from my hand rails with a white epoxy. If you would like pictures, drop me an email: david.williams@abilenetx.com