Mainsail lashing

[David Hudson]

Dennis

As an old I14 sailor, (front end). the Cutter fits my requirements spot on and is too small for my daughter to party.

The change in mind set is however quite difficult. Memories of fitting out mahogany hulls are still my happiest.
To paraphrase the Boomtown Rats " I don't like plastic": but modern techniques certainly produce light and stiff
if not pretty hulls.

I had considered alternatives to lacing; (super on corsets); but not leading edge: back to worry beads.

My approach to the Tololoshe fit out? A big learning curve. The sad thing is that the youngsters of today have all
the clever fittings ready made. Gone are the days of browsing a chandlers and taking three fittings to produce one
functional bit of kit.

Currently my problem is fitting an efficient boom vang. I don't want to fanny about with topping lifts but
I have tried solid boom vangs and can't find the space. Any (polite) suggestions.

Sorry about the weather: came in when Bob and Norma delivered.

Photos will follow.

David

[Dennis]

Hello David

I have never considered a boom vang. I have not found the need for one (except for preventing the boom fouling the top of the spray hood when going about). I do see how difficult it would be to fit one with the gooseneck being so close to the cabin top.

Perhaps you may consider raising the height of the boom, others have done this, but not perhaps for this reason.

Cheers

Dennis

[David Hudson]

Hi Dennis

I'm not keen on changes sail plans. But I take on board your suggestion and will start a new topic to seek advice.

As to the boom vang, I'm going to stay with the HM kit for the time being.

I am actively following up worry beads for the mainsail luff. Have you made any progress?

David

[Dennis]

Hello David

With regard to the parrel beads, I just need to calculate how many I need before I buy. I have not yet established how many sets I need. Merlin appears to have 3 and Adept (Yahoo forum) has four.

I am still hoping that someone else with experience (of parrel beads on a capecutter) will join the discussion.

Cheers

Dennis

[David Hudson]

Dennis

My first inclination would be to "bead" every lacing point.
My mainsail is in the forecastle, Jim lad.

I'll follow your progress and then imitate if you don't mind.

David

[oak]

Every lacing point has a set of beads.I think I left them off the first reef last year.
has anyone just tried cord without the beads? not a huge amount of friction.
Jack

[oak]

ref your query on vangs David,have you seen the american idea of using twin plastic tubes to support the boom still keeping the existing tackle.

when the tackle is tightened the tubes bend upwards.quite neat and something for you to dig around to find three items to get one to fit
I find the topping lift/lazy jacks very useful for gathering the mainsail in

Jack

[David Hudson]

Thank you Jack, I'll follow that up.

David

[Dennis]

Hello David and Jack

I am still mulling over the number of sets of beads that I need.

My mainsail is currently not available, it is away being cleaned after becoming stained with mildew during its first season of use.

However I have looked at photos and I have concluded that I have five lacing points and two reefing cringles on my sail.

David, I assume yours will be the same, also being a Hyde sail.

Jack, how many lacing points do you have? You seem to imply that you also use the reefing points for the parrel bead loops. It may be that your sail (which I assume is not made by Hyde) has a different arrangement.

Cheers

Dennis

[oak]

Dennis,

North sails,5 lacing and 2 reefing.

had a look at my sail.no p.balls on reef cringles at the moment so may have put something on them at one time,can't remember.
when I used to lace the mainsail I would have used one long line,it seemed hell of a faff to use 3 as suggested in handbook.

Jack