Hi All,
While going through the gear stowed on my recently purchased NS33, I found a nearly new 4:1 block & tackle setup with snap shackles on both ends and a jam cleat. It was in the starboard lazarette. It’s rigged with about 35’ of 3/8" line. Seems very intentional.
I’m stumped regarding how and when this might be useful on a NS33.
PO said she never used it.
Boat already has fully rigged dinghy davits.
Photo below…
Any thoughts ?
Thanks,
Rob Cohen
s/v SOAVE
NS33 #009
Westport, CT
Perhaps it is a preventer to stop the stern end of the boom from swinging while docked or under power. I have a similar block and tackle setup for my preventer. Mine extends between the bale on the stern end of the boom ( where the upper main sheet block is attached to the boom) down to the stern port corner casting with the chock. The cam cleat end is at bottom end. Before I raise the sail, I disconnect the preventer from the bale and coil it on the quarter deck so it can’t slip overboard.
Ken Dakin
NS 33 #7
Sashay
Kingston ON
I have one I made up to haul things up like bodies people who might have fallen overboard and when I had one, to lift my outboard. I hang it from the bail on the end of my wishbone. It’s way too complicated for the simple use of keeping the wishbone in place.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
It sure likes like a boom vang for a conventional sailboat to me.
Another use for it might be crew overboard rescue, say in conjunction with a device like a Lifesling. One procedure for helping someone who’s unable to climb back into the boat themselves is to circle them until they can get the Lifesling on, pull them close to the boat, shackle one end of a block and tackle like yours to the boom and the other to the Lifesling, then use it to pull the individual up to deck level.
You can see an instructional video that illustrates this at https://48north.com/instructional/tbt-how-to-use-a-lifesling-video/
Skip to about 2:56 in to get to the part which actually shows the block and tackle part.
Intended use as a boom vang or for this purpose would be consistent with the 35’ of line you mentioned. That length seems too short to be used as a jibe preventer for a winged-out sail, and longer than needed for holding the boom fixed athwartships.
I’ve never worried about sail shape enough to use a cunningham, I must blush and confess. How much purchase does one of them need? This looks like more than I’d thought was needed for that.
– Bob
Me Gusta
Nonsuch e26U #233
Thanks All… The 4:1 purchase is about what I’d guess you’d need for a cunningham, as Barbara suggests. I’ll keep an eye out for a stray cunningham hook.
The other possible uses also sound plausible.
My sail is an older Doyle that I plan on using next season… but will need to start shopping for a replacement. Anyone have a great experience a particular sailmaker ?
Thanks,
Rob Cohen
s/v SOAVE
NS33 #009
Westport, CT
I’d be careful using too much power (4:1 ma) on a Cunningham.
I have torn the luff of my sail with too much power.
Pat Furr
Charlotte, VT
NS26C “Bandolero”
The simplicity of our rig is such that it shouldn’t need a cunningham. I’m not sure how you would rig one anyway.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
And I’d be REALLY careful about using a standard-type gybe preventer on a Nonsuch !!!
Ernie A. in Toronto
I’m with Brian. I think it’s an outboard motor tackle.
Paul M
NS30U #211, Sandpiper
Cowichan Bay, B.C.
Maybe connect to end of boom the retrieve person in water with lifesling.
Ward Woodruff
N33#8 Margery
Niantic Bay, CT
Doing a little more brainstorming on possible uses for the block and tackle I found stowed, and got to thinking maybe it could play a role in wishbone inspection / maintenance ?
What is the procedure for lowering the wishbone on a 33 without using a hoist or crane ?
Simple, just use the halyard to lower the forward end down. Then use the topping lift to lower the aft end. Have something to hold it up off the cabin top.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
Simply put, Rob, you place a ladder up against the mast. You end up using the main halyard to slowly lower the boom to the deck/supports. You use the power of the halyard winch to do the dirty/hard work.
The above is minus ALL of the neccesary details that go with the job (that are essential). You do not require a hoist or crane or cherry picker, etc.
Ernie A. in Toronto
Hi Rob,
I agree with those who identify it as a lifting hoist to attach to your wishboom. I carry one on my boats. Useful for retrieving MOB in a Lifesling or lifting an outboard to your pushpit. In these cases, assuming sail is down, suggest attaching halyard to aft end of wishboom for full support of the load and take strain off topping lift. Also I have used this rig on my spare halyard to lift a dinghy from sea onto the coach roof.
Greg Silver
Misty Cat 26C #121
St. Peter’s, Cape Breton
To lower the wishboom on a 33:
Place an extension ladder on the cabin top forward of the forward hatch.
Extend the ladder so the ladder top is between the wishboom and supported by the aft side of the mast.
Tie a bridle to each side of the wishboom aft of the mast.
Connect the halyard to the bridle
Tension the halyard with the halyard winch to take the load off of the boom hangar wires.
Remove the shackles connecting the hangar wires to the wishboom.
Tie the hangar wires to the mast.
Remove the extension ladder.
Lower the boom to deck level with the halyard and its winch.
Deal with the clew end of the wishboom as necessary.
Ward Woodruff
413-847-0620 cell
Rob -
Ward’s instructions are bang-on. The last thing that I would do would be to lower the clew (aft) end of the boom using the topping lift.
Here’s a little diagram to “clarify” the placement of the ladder. Make darn sure that you put a safety tie from the ladder to the mast, at both the bottom end and the top end of the ladder.
Ernie A. in Toronto
Ernie: What’s the problem with using the topping lift?? I’ve done that for the last 20 years on at least 5 or 6 Nonsuches.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
I had to build on of those myself just for loading eight 6V batteries onto White O’morn. I think that is called a Handy Billy, great for lifting almost anything.
Tim in STL
White O’morn NS e26U #216
Harbor Point Yacht Club
West Alton, MO
Is there anyone that recalls the rig that fit into the two holes in the aft casting of the wishboom? It provided for the attachment of the block and tackle being discussed and an easy hookup as well.
Brian Cayer
Spirit~Wind
Deep River, CT