This is the sheeting arrangement i have been using this year, giving an uncluttered copit. http://www.merlinrocket.co.uk/gallery/view_photo.asp?folder=gallery/open_meetings/holy_loch&file=polaris2007_pic25.jpg |
Weighs considerably less than a hoop with its associated controls! |
How do you stop catching your tiller extension on it during the tack ? |
You mean you have never sailed a transom mail boat, it goes infront of you whic means you change hands before the tack not during or after. |
I can see a lot of the benefits, but transom mains absolutely cripple my back (Twisting). Don't think I'll be swapping! |
As important as Dave's rear main arrangement is, the most notable feature of this photo is the glimpse of sunshine seen at Holy Loch!! |
Yes It was a fine Days sail, Sun Wind and shorts, Pitty the OD wasn't up to it!. |
So does 2:1 on the outboard end give comparable sheet loads to a centre 4:1 mainsheet? (I was after a practical answer, not a mathmatical one.) |
I would say 1.yes 2.no |
point 2 |
I am sure that Barnsie will comment on the pros & cons of the straight from boom sheeting as the B14 has this arrangement. Keeps the centre of the boat VERY clean, massive potential weight saving (if you haven't all got enough correctors anyway), but you really don't want to let go of the sheet. It is also problematical if you want to do a helm hoist of the kite as you don't have a cleat - but does anyone still do this? |
I helm haul the spinny in 578. Tiller clamped between the knees and foot on the sheet. Trouble is my head is down in the boat as is the crew's who is fishing around under the fore deck unclipping the pole so at a crowded mark ramming becomes a real possibility. I could increase the string and go modern but that would take away the fun/panic/charm of old boat sailing. |
I think most people do a help hoist still if possible. |
Certainly for us single pole oldies the helm hoists - the crew is too busy sorting the pole! |
There is another safty feature with helm pulling up the kite on a windy day, with centre main its in the jammer, with tail main its under your foot. |
With centre main on a windy day, or on a reach, it is usually better to leave the crew to do the spinnaker hoisting whilst the helm concentrates on steering and driving the boat - and keeping it flat! |
I agree Mike on a windy day, the crew does it, as you want the pole on before the kite goes up, but on puffy days, I will still pull the kite up and down for a speedier job. |
I think you sail at an inland venue ;-), or do a lot of swimming in anything over a F2. |
Just to put a name to the face ;-) |
Also, being an ex-GP14 helm, I am used to teh helm hoist, but being a Merlin crew for my daughter for a few years, I can assure you that the crew can get the kite up quicker than the helm and not risk the helm losing control, assuming the crew works hard enough. Liam, any comments, does Mr Warren Snr hoist? |
Going back to DaveF's original post - I find it very interesting that in the photos of the Inlands at Blithfield, there are very few = none of the boats with centre main travellers with the boom on the centreline. Is this a combination of upright rig and travellers too narrow? http://www.blithfield.org.uk/multimedia/gallery/index.php?g2_itemId=2148 |
Winner looks pretty central to me http://www.blithfield.org.uk/multimedia/gallery/index.php?g2_itemId=2177 |
Alan you must have the 3d pam image, as you can't tell from this angle. |