Downhaul question

[NCboater]

just tell me to shut up if I'm asking too many questions.  I've decided to add a foresail downhaul by tying a line to the foresail halyard  at the shackle and through a shackle (for now) at the stem.  But...  I have a long  (50 or 100') line I was going to use to replace the running rigging in the fall.  It occurred to me that  I could use that line and tie a knotted loop through the halyard shackle at the appropriate place, then continue the line down through the stem shackle/block for my downhaul.  Anybody done this?  foresee any problems?

[JBC]

I've had better luck tying the downfall line to the second or third hank on the jib, then running the down haul line down to the sail tack area through a block and then back to the cockpit.  Attaching the down haul line to the very top [head] of the sail tends to fold it down over the sail and can bind sometimes when pulling down.

Jett

[carry-on]

The line used for running rigging is likely heavier than you want for the downhaul. About 1/8 line is enough for the downhaul. Larger may add to jamming problems because the knot increases in size. There is little load on the downhaul, so light line works.
As Jett suggests, run the downhaul through the hanks and attach to the top or second hank from the sail head. Use a buntline hitch. Then a light grip on the jib halyard will keep the head in line with the fore stay as you pull the downhaul.
A downhaul is a big help if you sail alone.
Happy sailing.

[Gerry]

Once again...thanks for the great idea everyone.  I'm going to do this today.

Gerry

[Pacman]

I used parachute cord for mine because it is super slippery so it runs freely without snags.  It is also strong and light.

Mine is set up as JBC and carry-on have described. 

It is definitely a great addition for making sail handling as easy as possible.

[Shawn]

Make sure you try it a few times at the dock before counting on it. On my old 23 I had the line tied to the halyard (I changed headsails often) and let it run free without passing it through and hanks and down to a turning block at deck a few inches away from the forestay. Keep it a little bit away from the forestay to help avoid jamming up on the way down. Line then just ran outside of the stanchions held loosely in place with wire tires. Worked great and made it easy to drop the headsail from the cockpit when needed.

I originally had the line run between a few hanks but it added to much friction and was much more likely to jam up as it could pinch the sail as it was coming down. I preferred having the line tied to the halyard as I didn't have to think about it when changing headsails (I had 4) and it was also added insurance against ever loosing the halyard.

Shawn

[NCboater]

OK, I am using 1/4" line and decided to go ahead and try it today.   I first tried attaching to the halyard shackle at the permanent cross bar for the reasons Shawn gave but it did bind up at the first hank.  Still attached to the shackle, I then threaded it through the top hank and it worked great.  at the dock.  we'll see how it does under sail if the wind will just pick up some.

[GeeW]

Like JBC I have previously used parachute cord and attached it on the 2nd or 3rd hank down. I tried it from the top hank originally, but it definitely worked a lot smoother from the 2nd or 3rd hank.

[MHardy]

NCboater,

On my 16, I tie a light line to the jib halyard shackle, then run it through a small block on the bowsprit and back to the cockpit. The line does not thread through the hanks. It works fine.

Where do you sail in NC? My boat is at McCotters Marina in Little Washington.

[NCboater]

I don't have a bowsprit on mine but plan to place a block somewhere near the stem and then will try to make it work without running it through the first hank.  Also need to put a cleat or something near the cockpit to control the line.

I sail from my dock on a deep water canal that goes directly into the ICW at Ocean Isle Beach. I'm just learning so I've just been going up and down the ICW and eventually hope to venture out on the big pond (just along the shore) someday.

Is Little Washington in the Oriental area or farther north?  Would love to sail with an experienced sailor to get better.

[Pacman]

Like JBC I have previously used parachute cord and attached it on the 2nd or 3rd hank down. I tried it from the top hank originally, but it definitely worked a lot smoother from the 2nd or 3rd hank.

+1 

Definitely runs better on a #2 or #3 jib hank than on the halyard shackle.

I found that when it was on the halyard shackle it would bind on the way down and jam but since I put it on a jib hank there is no binding and it will run freely all the way down.