Single Handing - Dropping the Main

[cephius (Dave)]

My boat doesn't have an autopilot. I added a break to the helm just because I am almost always single handed. I follow the same procedure.

Set the motor just above rudder speed.
Furl the jib.
Put the bow to the wind.
Break the helm down.
Release the main halyard. ( I keep my slides in very good shape The main fully drops with no other aid. )
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I then go forward to tie the main to the boom. The time on deck is very minimum.

 

[Dalliance]

Re: Sail not sliding down smoothly

It might sound silly, but I've been using dish washing liquid to lubricate the sail track. Otherwise I seem to have the same problem. The spray silicon stuff is difficult to apply evenly and effectly without going up the mast, but a tablespoon of dish washing liquid applied with a syringe as far up the track as I can reach from the deck, and a couple drops on top of each sail slide, does the trick. I reapply it every couple weeks and/or after heavy rains.

 

[sinnettc]

I have a new mylar main (came with the boat) that uses a bolt rope. No way it's coming down without help - heck I can't even get it UP the mast without help!

 

[oldiesrocker2001]

I often have what appears to be a friction problem with the main not dropping down fully in even the lightest winds. While my daysailer is not equipped with as large a main as most of the posts already, I have found that even after switching to slugs I have to reach up quite a bit to pull it down enough to tie it up - it's nearly impossible for the Admiral to get the main down all the way. I have the halyards in a rope clutch but it runs freely and they're smaller diameter than what came with the boat. I'll have to try Dalliance's dish soap for next season and if that fails, a downhaul(one more line to secure/free on setup or breakdown). When it was still a boltrope system, I tried silicone spray(dri lube) and even the old woodworker's trick of a dry soap bar - neither of which helped the original system very much.

 

[kenn]

Dalliance, that's the second recommendation I've read for putting dish soap in the mast slot. Gonna try it.

We had slides sewn onto the bolt-rope this year, and a fellow Sandpiper owner fabricated for us a stainless steel slot extender that keeps the slides captive when the main comes down. Finally we ran the main halyard back to the cockpit. It's super-easy to raise and lower the mains'l now.

 

[sand sailor]

i usually drop the main from the cockpit (external slides work really well ) bungee it to the boom and sail into the dock with the jib and i can control speed by raising or lowering it till i make final aproach. i sail out the same way. getting pretty good at it

 

[Scotian]

I single sail a lot and use the very old system of HEAVE TO when taking down main. Have lazy jacks so that may help.
I firm up the boom with main sheet and boom lift off to one side. Starboard in my case. Then release the main halyard and this starts the sail dropping. At same time start to come across so that jib changes sides and set the rudder to start heave to process.
Best to watch a you tube video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rABv...DD75B242&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=33

There are many other sites just search you tube for heave to (not heave too).
No motor, No auto helm. Just safety line and PFD. Boat is hardly moving anyway.

 

[BobM]

Seasensical Videos on Youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rABv...DD75B242&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=33

Boy, these little video cartoons are awesome. I watched a half dozen and he went through things it took me years to learn in two minute lessons perfect for the most attention span challenged beginner. I need to spend more time on Youtube this winter.

 

[druid_guest]

I've been single-handing for over 25 years on a 22, 25, 36 and now a 28. Dropping the main is a BIT of a PITA, but you only need to be heading upwind to DROP it, not to stow it on the boom. I've never been a fan of lazy jacks, etc - too many lines to possibly tangle. I do have the main halyard routed to the cockpit (and jiffy reefing so I can set reefs from the cockpit).

Most of the time I trip the halyard, let the sail drop as far as it will, then let the boat coast into the wind as I go forward and pull it down the rest of the way, making sure the flakes go on alternate sides. Then, even if the boat is now broadside to the wind, I can stow the sail on the boom. And with the sail down and engine in neutral, the boat doesn't go far.

Otto is definitely an advantage, though! But if you're concerned about going overboard (as you should be!), forget about a PFD - that just ensures it will take longer for you to die. Make or buy a decent harness and WEAR IT. It will keep you on (or at least attached to) your boat.

druid - used Otto while dousing the spinnaker in 25 knots last week...
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