If i had a 'one piece of string adjustment' on my boat what controls would be altered. I guess shrouds, lowers, jib luff tension. But which way do they go. Do you pull to get the shouds down (more mast rake)or do you pull on to get the mast more upright?

There are actually two strings - one to pull the rake forwards and one to pull the rake backwards. The kicker is also adjusted in the mix.

Its an impressive system which cannot be retrofitted to older boats as the anchorage points are strengthened in the molding process. This was not a consideration for the earlier FPR boats. 

If you are new to the class, and dont have this capability already, I wouldnt worry about it. Just set the rake for the conditions on the day and go sailing.

And the Puller is adjusted too, which is useful if you forget to set the rake beore you go on the run.

You could say its 4 strings, 2 port and 2 on starboard :-)

So it's not for me, i'll adjust my rake and off i go. Lets hope i can grow into a 'four piece of string boat' one day. :-) Thanks

We are getting our new "one string" in a couple of weeks, can't wait.  We keep our current Merlin (the beautiful 3600) next to the 505 world champion at Hayling who is as keen as mustard to see the new one when it arrives so he can see the the one string system. We might even persuade him to sail it one day.....if he's lucky.

In the Spring Class mag, Chris Martin set out how a partial conversion could be achieved. He has done is on his Winder 3602 and he believes that this is a significant improvement on the orginal system. Maybe worth a look.

I have enough with one string in my hand (mainsheet) and five strings on the thwart jib tension, mast ram, cunningham, outhall and kicker. my dilemma is when I have learnt to sail it well do I move up to a newer boat or by that time I may be in the vintage wing!

Dear Minx - knowing the aforesaid 505 men as I do, don't for lawd's sake let them fiddle with the new boat and the one string affair!  If you'd seen their 505s and 14s in the past, they have taken bimbling (&bodging!) to new levels!!  Lovely boys, though, do lots for chaaridy...

I like the sound of some bimbling and it obiously works wonders for your results so bimble on....

I'm certain that the whole lot *could* be retrofitted, whether or not it's worth it is another matter entirely.

Acheiving a partial conversion is very, very easy and costs £30 in fittings.

It is actually one continuous piece of string; It just emerges in 4 places.

The one/two string adds new fun to the game.  My crew used it all the time at Tenby.  Kept me upright(ish)
 
steve

Could anyone please direct me to a diagram describing this one string system in detail?  I would like to evaluate whether the system is viable for the I14 I sail on.

Cheers