Over the years I have gotten more an more spartan in my boating habits. Rather than have lots of extra ropes and ties I try to make use of what is already on the boat. When I trailer my M15 I use the aft docking lines to secure the back end to the trailer; the tail end of the port line is used to keep the still attached motor from spinning. The fore docking lines are wrapped around the downed mast to hold it down. The stays, still connected except for the disconnected forestay, are coiled and secured with the tail end of the main uphaul via half hitches around the mast. The only special ties I use are two bungee balls to secure the rolled main to the boom and a short length of line that is secured to one aft cleat, wrapped around the mast, and secured to the other aft cleat, in order to secure the mast to the boat. I have a friend with a Compac '16 who can't stand to see me trailer my boat. I let him pull his boat up the ramp and start tying things down before I even think of getting off the lake. He is still trying to secure his mast and boom with all sorts of blocks and ties when I am pulling out of the parking lot with my well secured M15. Brian Ripley '88 M15 Roseville, CA --- LUDLOWD2@aol.com wrote:
RE Mast Ties: I leave the shrouds connected and use "bungie balls". They come from Walmart in a package with 6 or 8 for a few bucks. A doubled bungie makes a loop with a plastic ball on one end. Great for locking the forestay, halyards, etc to the mast, I put one around the mast every few feet. quick to get off. Ruffus had used them when he delivered the boat last year and recommended them. I also use the bungie balls to restrain the jib when its down and to hold the furled main to the boom. I did find some short (10"??) velcro straps at Lowes that have a slit in one end. Wrap the velcro strap around the mast then slip the end through the slit and press it down til it sticks. I also use the plastic wire (cable) ties to lock down the fast-pins on the forestay and rudder. They have to be cut off at the end of each trip but I've got a lot of them. If I was trailering a long way, I'd use them to hold the stays to the mast. Don
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