Thanks, Bill, that all makes a lot of sense. I also drysail, but had not thought of leaving the sail on all season. It's certainly quicker getting into the water if the sail's already on the boom. I can't leave the boom mounted since I have mid-boom sheeting and keep the boat covered when not in the water. I'll have to practice flaking and tieing. Rick M17 #633 Lynne L On Wednesday, April 4, 2012, Bill Wickett <billwick@gmail.com> wrote:
Rick,
Easy answer - don't detach the outhaul or the mainsail, all season long. If you rig everytime you sail, leave your main on the boom, flaked and tied. Stow it in the cabin like that. One less thing to do when rigging or tearing down. We mostly drysail from yard, launching each time, and leave the boat completely rigged including a sailcover over the main,and the jib of the day in a sail bag at the bow. When we do travel, we leave the main on the boom.
Put the sail on the boom, run the outhaul line through the clew, with a figure 8 knot through the padeye. If you do want to take off the sail each time, you will have to look for a small snap hook. Small enough to pull through the clew cringle (eye). Or tie in a knot each time.
My loose footed main has a 3" long metalslug at the clew in the sail groove. It slides pretty well with a yearly waxing. If I didn't have that, guess I would have a strap through the clew cringle and around the boom.
When we do stow the boom with sail, we leave the topping lift attached, until the boom is in the cabin. Makes it a very easy job for the Admiral. One end is supported. Julie lifts the gooseneck out, steps down into the cabin and guides the boom in. Then she detaches the topping lift. She hooks it up first thing when we start rigging again.
Bill Wickett Makin' Time M17 #622
On Wed, Apr 4, 2012 at 4:07 PM, Rick Davies <jdavies104@gmail.com> wrote:
Bill,
In the Harken 4:1 external, how is the clew connected? In the diagram both ends of the line are dead-ended - one end to the eyestrap and the other to the moving block. It appears to pass through the clew cringle. But then the clew would not be detachable. What obvious point am I missing?
Rick M-17 #633 Lynne L
On Tuesday, April 3, 2012, Bill Wickett <billwick@gmail.com> wrote:
Not to hard to make an outhaul. Can be as simple as a cheek block and a cleat. The block would be at the aft end of the boom, to turn the outhaul line so it can be cleated farther up the boom. We have an 1-1/8" diameter block there. Mounted as far aft as possible, just beside the groove. I think it is a Harken #092 Bullet Block. Could also use a slightly larger diameter 1 1/2" Harken #132. Both use #10 machine screws. You will have to drill the boom 2 x and then tap the hole. You can get a #10 tap at auto parts store. Mount a 3" horn cleat or a small cam cleat about 12" forward from that. Again, drill and tap for the screws. Bed the hardware with Lifecaulk, or 4200.
If you want to have a bit more mechanical advantage 4:1, use a second single block on a second line from a small padeye to the cleat.
Hard to write it out. Go here to see the picture http://www.harken.com/rigtips/Outhaul.php
Even cruising, having the control of the foot makes a difference. Doesn't take much tweaking to get more power.
Bill Wickett Makin' Time M17 #622
On Tue, Apr 3, 2012 at 3:42 PM, Jeffrey Johnston <frjeff@gmail.com> wrote:
As I am ready to order new sails for My Monty 15, I have been reading everything I can about sail configuration for this boat and listening to much advice herein. Many indicate that I should go with a loose footed main (presumably, giving far better sail shape control).
However, I have recently read somewhere that it takes some modification/additions to the outhaul to effectively use the loose footed style. I believe the reference was to some sort of block arrangement to give greater purchase when tightening the foot.
My rig is the old standard with a track/slot boom for the bolt rope. The outhaul has no block set-up, just a straight pull and tie off line.
So, if I choose the loose foot, what mods am I facing to make it all work properly and efficiently ??.
I don't race, I cruise, primarily recreational day sailing. I enjoy tweaking a bit more out of any sailboat, but do not care to make extensive mods to my rig if the attached foot arrangement is adequate for my sailing style and the loose foot only adds an imperceptible improvement to performance.
What say all of you experts? I thank you all again for any advice offered!
*Jeff Johnston+* Molōn labe!