single handing

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J

John

Has any one ran there lines to the cockpit on a 26 it looks too tight to do this...any suggestions ?
 
Jun 2, 2004
1,438
Oday 25 pittsburgh
This is how Don Evans did it on his 25.

http://album.sailboatowners.com/detail?photo=371 r.w.landau
 
Aug 21, 2006
78
- - -
Good question

We're looking to do the same thing. We probably don't have the budget to do it this year, but we've started mapping out how to do it. So far, we're thinking of attaching two blocks near the base of the mast (on the mast, not the deck). Then using a deck organizer to redirect the halyards aft. We're not sure if we would split the halyards so one would run along each side of the companionway or keep them together. As you said, it is pretty tight. Anyway, we are then planning on using rope clutches to finish the job. I know that's pretty general info, but it's our plan at this point. The price of longer halyards, blocks, deck organizers and rope clutches adds up. It's an expensive convenience. Maybe next year...
 
J

Jon

Running lines aft on an O'Day 222

Has anyone done same on a 222? It's even tighter clearance than on the 25 or 26.
 

chuckd

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Sep 1, 2006
33
Oday 222 Sale Creek Marina
Jon - 222

Jon - I just ran my halyards aft on my 222. I'll take a picture or two and post it later this week. I ran them both (main and spinnaker) down the starboard side. Basically there is a double turning block at the base of the mast. That leads to a stacked block (2 blocks on top of each other) just forward of the companionway slide support. Then straight back to a double mini jammer. the mini jammer is made by Spinlock. It is much cheaper than a double rope clutch and does the job quite well. The 222's sails are not big enough to require a rope clutch. and the loads are well within the tolerances for the mini jammer, which works pretty much like a rope clutch. I moved my winches off the cabin top, down to the coming, but replaced the one on the starboard side of the cabin top with a small winch, just to raise the halyards. The set up works great, and being able to hoist the main from the cockpit is one of the best things I've done to the boat. Not to mention it is much easier to control the halyard tension with the winch. I included a link to the mini jammers, and I'll post some pics possibly later tonight.
 

chuckd

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Sep 1, 2006
33
Oday 222 Sale Creek Marina
Jon - 222

Jon - I just ran my halyards aft on my 222. I'll take a picture or two and post it later this week. I ran them both (main and spinnaker) down the starboard side. Basically there is a double turning block at the base of the mast. That leads to a stacked block (2 blocks on top of each other) just forward of the companionway slide support. Then straight back to a double mini jammer. the mini jammer is made by Spinlock. It is much cheaper than a double rope clutch and does the job quite well. The 222's sails are not big enough to require a rope clutch. and the loads are well within the tolerances for the mini jammer, which works pretty much like a rope clutch. I moved my winches off the cabin top, down to the coming, but replaced the one on the starboard side of the cabin top with a small winch, just to raise the halyards. The set up works great, and being able to hoist the main from the cockpit is one of the best things I've done to the boat. Not to mention it is much easier to control the halyard tension with the winch. I included a link to the mini jammers, and I'll post some pics possibly later tonight.
 
Jan 24, 2005
4,881
Oday 222 Dighton, Ma.
I'm wondering if leading the halyards to the cockpit for single handling is all that advantageous if in fact you are by yourself, and you need to reef your Mainsail , or shake out a reef. Wouldn't it be better to use an autopilot, and do everything right at the mast? Don't get me wrong. I can understand the concern that one might have of slipping and falling overboard, and I think a lot about that myself when I'm standing at my mast reefing my sail while the boat is sailing. So, I take extra precautions when I do it. If you sail a boat that has Gennie winches on the cabin as the 222s have, it would be far better to install the winches and tracks on the combing where they can be more accessible for single handing. I've thought about having my halyards lead into the cockpit via sheaves and cheek blocks to rope clutches, but frankly I don't see the advantage to it, where I'm always single handling. For example; I anchor under sail a lot, so it's easier for me to come up into the wind and go forward and let my anchor down, get out adequate scope, and then, tend to my Mainsail, lower and cover it with the sail cover etc. When I'm ready to weigh anchor, I raise my Mainsail and get my anchor up and walk back to the helm. In any case, all my activity is near my mast and bow which is a very short walk. Anyway for me,--single handling my boat really boils down to three things; using an autopilot, having the Gennie winches accessible, and a good roller furler. My thinking could be flawed though, and I could be wrong about these things.
 
D

Dave K.

My main halyard is led aft

As usual, Joe's years of sailing experience are evident in his messages. Don't think that because the halyard is led aft that you won't have to leave the safety of the cockpit. My main halyard was led aft by the previous owner and, while it is very convenient for raising the sail, the increased friction from the extra turns and hardware makes it harder to get the main back down. When reefing, I have found it is more convenient to use the original horn cleat on the mast than the new gear on the cabin top. Overall, I would say that leading the halyard back is an improvement but it is not a panacea for single-handing. Some sort of tiller control (perhaps something more sophisticated than wrapping the stern mooring line around the tiller and cleating it on the other side, which is what I've been doing) is probably more useful to the solo sailor.
 

chuckd

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Sep 1, 2006
33
Oday 222 Sale Creek Marina
reefing

I would agree that just because your halyard is led aft doesn't mean you will never go forward. Obviously you will always need to go forward for something (anchor, sheets that are caught on cleats), but I go forward now a lot less than I used to. I can raise my main and unfurl my jib from the cockpit. I can reef my main from the cockpit, and I can lower my main and re-furl my jib. Do I still go forward? Yeah, almost everytime I'm out (still haven't found an auto bumper hanger) and you are still going to have to flake the sail, but if i really need to (and i hope I never do) I can drop my main from the cockpit. My 222 did not come with a winch on the mast. This made raising the main a pain ( you go forward pointing into the wind get the sail halfway up, do a coupe of 360s, wrestle with the halyard some more and maybe get your tension close before just living with it where it is). I also find it nice to be able to easily adjust the halyard tension. This is something I never did before my lines were led aft, now I might make this adjustment a couple times while I'm out. I only sail on the inland lake in TN, so an auto pilot is a bit much (usually less than 10 minutes between tacks). I just find it a nice convience. Is it necessary? No, but I like it. Chuck D
 
Jun 2, 2004
1,438
Oday 25 pittsburgh
The head ache about lines aft if you are single

handing is that you cannot control things from the mast, you have to go forward to do jobs but have to go aft to make things work. There are few things more frustrating than a boat set up for lines to the cockpit for singlehanding. When a sail fouls in anyway, you have to go forward to free it. The problem is that the controls for the line is in the cockpit. I do my main by going forward and I have a furling jib. Sailing is sailing. You want it easy... buy a powerboat. Just my thoughts r.w.landau
 
D

Dave K.

Chuck D, how did you set up your reefing?

My boat has a hook on the gooseneck pivot that the tack cringle has to slip over. The clew cringle control is on the boom and could be done from the cockpit, but I can't reach the gooseneck from there. How did you set up your boat so you could reef from the cockpit? Also, do you use a sail-gate or a track stop to keep the slugs from getting away?
 

chuckd

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Sep 1, 2006
33
Oday 222 Sale Creek Marina
Dave K

I rigged a line that goes up through the reef cringle on the tack and then back down and along the boom up and through the cringle on the luff end of the sail and back down to the boom. This allows me to bring both points down with one line. I have the hook too, but I don't use it. I just raise the boom slightly and pull the line down, cleat it off (I added a cleat and 2 blocks to the boom). I then tighten the halyard and pull the boom back down. I got the idea from another boat that did not have the hook. It does not run down to the cabin top and back, like most single line systems. It is all self comtained on the boom. The tack cringle could be about an inch more forwad (this could be done by attaching the end of the line to the mast instead of the boom, but it is close enough. My sail track has a gate (a piece of metal that is only attached on one end) built into the sail track that keeps the lugs from coming out, but makes it easy to put them in. This came on the boat when I got it. Hope this helps. - Chuck D
 
Jan 24, 2005
4,881
Oday 222 Dighton, Ma.
Halyards

ChuckD, I had no idea that you didn't have a winch on your mast. I thought that all the 222s came with them. I can see now why you went to the halyard set up in the cockpit. I guess it's all in what you get used to, and personal preferences plays a roll in it to. For me though,--having the winch on the mast allows me to get the tension needed by getting three wraps around it and putting my weight into it, and snubbing it off. I don't think I've ever used my winch handle for anything. Also while I'm standing at the mast I need to take up on the out haul and let off on the topping lift, and all the control lines are at the goose neck. I try to take care of my sails, and whenever I anchor anywhere, even if it's a short duration of 20 minutes, I furl my sail and let off my out haul, and throw the cover on the sail. There are times when I anchor near an island out on the bay to take my dog over in the Kayak to curb her. I may only be there for a half hour, and get back and sail off again. So I'm constantly near my mast for these things, but it's all in what you get used to, and it becomes a routine that you don't even have to think about while you're doing it. As for the autopilot; I wouldn't sail without it. It's like having an extra person on board to steer your boat. It frees me up to go below and heat up water to make coffee, or cook a couple of hot dogs on the grill down there, while the boat is sailing along. Years ago, I was sailing my boat in the West Passage of Narragansett Bay with my late First Mate Ziggy Pit bull, and we were at the Northern end near Patience Island sailing South. I think that we were the only boat out there that day, save a lobster boat or two, and I made a clam Chowder from scratch while keeping a sharp lookout for obstacles. The chowder was ready by the time we reached the "T" dock at the Southern tip of Prudence Island. If I had to choose between the autopilot and a GPS, it's going to be the autopilot, hands down.
 
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