I like to raise my main by jumping the halyard at the mast while someone pulls it in around the main winch on the cabin top (usually my 9 yo kid). The main is up in less than 2min, and then I only need a couple of turns on the winch
I would love to do this on even when I am on my own instead of hoisting from the cockpit which takes forever.
I am curious if anyone has experimented with any mast systems that enable them to:
Jump the halyard and somehow temporarily attach it at the foot of the mast
Go back to the cockpit and pull all the line in
Crank the final few inches on the main
The one idea I’ve had was to attach a cam cleat on the mast inline the the halyard exit.
Any ideas, pictures or thoughts would be super welcome!
And one final idea, which is a lateral cleat. I can imagine installing it offset from the halyard path, so that once one pulls the line through it comes undone from the clear.
I have read all the posts about hoisting the main with interest but the specs. for the Winchrite on Chancy are as follows.
78 years old. 188 lbs. Quadrouple Bypass and two new hips (recommended).
This old crock raises the sail to within about 6’ by hand, to within 1’ on the winch in high and singing tight in low.
I haven’t timed it but I doubt if it takes more than 2 minutes.
I am told that strength exercise is very important at my age and this is a good strength workout that gives me great pleasure.
My only concern is the wear on the gelcoat when hauling by hand. I could stand on the cockpit seat but prefer to be in the cockpit. If anyone has a good solution to this please let me know.
Don’t drill and tap holes in the mast for the cleat. I believe Hinterhoeller advised against making holes for 7 to 10 ft above deck as this is where forces on the mast are greatest under load. Figure out a way to mount the cleat with big gear clamps underlain by neoprene belt for galvanic isolation and grip.
I think this is what you may be looking for. It is a inverted cam cleat. When at the mast the cam cleat holds the halyard as you raise the sail. Back at the cockpit a pull on the line releases the cam cleat. It is very easy to make and no holes are drilled in the mast.
Hope this helps. (the tape measure is shown to give you an idea of its size)
Robin: This has been discussed at length before on the discussion list. Go to the INA website and look it up. I have a clutch on my halyard so It’s real simple when I’ve another person on board. Leave the clutch on and take up the slack.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
This works very well. It is upside down in the photo. No holes in the mast. There is a strip of rubber between it and the mast. The gear clamp passes under the sail track just below where the first mast track screw is.
Raising the sail by jumping the halyard is much faster and easier than winching it up. However when single handed the pile of halyard on the deck tends to get tangled or snagged somewhere forward when you are back in the cockpit.
Great subject. I know I am going to get some flak over my take on the matter but here goes.
The Nonsuch was so very well designed taking in consideration both comfort and SAFETY. Having the ability to handle all sail activities from the cockpit tremendously adds to the safety factor. No one is allowed on the deck of my boat, for any reason, other than emergencies or if they are connected to appropriate harnesses, etc.. To have crew forward, on deck, unnecessarily takes away a safety factor already built into the Nonsuch design. To raise the sail at the mast while boating alone is dramatically challenging the safety factor. I really question the wisdom of that.
There are a number of things available to make the sail go up easier such as the fast track, electric winch, WinchRite, and others.
I understand that some use the at mast method but I recommend that method should be reviewed.
I’m with Butch on this. I’ve been using the Winchrite all season and had no problems or dangers whatsoever. It paid for itself on the first raising of the sail. I did get it at a boat show for $650, but it’s worth the $850 they’re asking for it IMHO.
While I would not want to use an electric winch because of foretold dangers, the battery-operated, rechargeable winch-assist is a delight to use at all times. It takes all of the awkwardness out of having to heave the sail manually from the cockpit or send anyone up onto the deck for any reason.
Sailing solo, the task is achieved without any danger. Both hands are on the Winchrite, so you’re not going to be able to get any fingers stuck in anything. If you let it go for any reason it stops turning. Of course, you have to look at the sail as it’s going up to make sure nothing gets hung up, but because it stops immediately by letting go there’s not much danger. When you’re done using it it stows away nicely. One does need a self-tailing winch to use it.
Even compared to the rechargeable drill versions we see on this group, it’s a lot more ergonomic considering all the torque on the unit, and the slower speed for final halyard tightening is a plus.
-My fingers are nowhere near the winch.
-One hand on the drill while the other steers the boat to windward
-I can immediately feel any catch or hang up
-About 30 seconds to fully raise and tighten the sail (switching to low speed for the last foot)
-I can move it to the sheet winch where it makes easy work of sheeting a full sail
-When I bought mine it was much less expensive than Winchrite
….. Bob and I can have a separate argument about ergonomics….
