Couple of Questions

[tmw]

Okay a first, and maybe simple question.  I found this in the cabin of the boat I purchased, and it appears to indicate wind direction.  However, is there a place where this would be mounted (so it's not held in my hand the whole time)?


There is a line that runs from a hitch near the bottom of the mast to the top of the mast, and then to the end of the boom (holding up the aft end of the boom).  When raising the mainsail, that line would then be attached to the top of the mainsail, and the sail would hold up the aft end of the boom.  Is there any time that a CP 16 have a line holding up the boom which become function at times like when the mainsail is in process of being dropped?

My mast has a screw stop thing that can be adjusted for creating a stop along the mast channel (not sure the technical terms).  I was using that stop to hold up the forward end of boom.  However, it seems like it could also be used to prevent the mainsail from coming loose from the mast (e.g. keep the things from coming out of channel in the mast).  Is there a preferred use for that, and what should be holding up the forward end of the mast?


What are the uses for the blocks (pulleys) at the base of the mast?  Also, why are there all these washers on one side of the bolt that holds the bottom of the mast to the metal thing that holds the bottom of the mast?  Should I have some of those washers on the other side, or between the mast and the metal thing that holds the mast?  Do I need to have that bolt fully tightened down so the metal thing that holds the bottom of the mast is flush against the bottom of the mast, or am I okay with a looser connection like pictured?


Is there guidance for which lines (halyards, right) go through which blocks and cleats?


Is there a reason that one wouldn't store an outboard motor on the outboard motor mount?  I see several people have home-built motor stands, which look really cool, but why not just leverage that built-in holder for it?

Thank you in advance, and seems like I should call and order an owners manual.
Tim

[JTMeissner]

I'll try and tackle a few of these.  Not near my boat, but think I can relate how things are set up on your boat. 

First photo is a wind indicator, should have a mounting screw component at top of mast (most likely)


The line you are asking about is a topping lift, and not a standard feature on the 16. You can swap the halyard from the sail to the end of the boom to keep the boom up, or rig a topping lift.  I ran a line from an eyebolt at the top of the mast to the end of the boom with a sliding hitch that can be clipped on the boom to keep it up while the sail was down and secured to the mast while sailing.

The screw thing, a sail stop, should go up the slot in the mast after the sail slugs or bolt rope is fed through.  The boom sits below the gate, but my slugs are above when the sail is raised. The stop prevents the sail from spilling out the slot/gate when you lower the main.  I assume you are asking what is holding the front of the boom, there is nothing but the halyard while sailing, with the sail taut between the halyard and downhaul.  There should be a line running from the bottom of the gooseneck slide eye to a cleat in the mast slot for the downhaul to be tightened. When the sail is not raised, the boom slides down and sits on this cleat. I don't see the cleat in your photos.

The blocks at the bottom of the mast are to run the jib and main halyards down the mast, through the block, to the turning block on the cabin top, then run back through the cam cleat on the top of the cabin with the extra line in the cockpit.  The halyards will run parallel to the hatch slides, and not be fastened to the cleats along the sides of the mast.

The manual isn't that specific, and your boat has modifications that are not original so may be of little help. But, in general, the rigging diagrams for most sloops will give you and idea of how things are to be run.

Oh, and my guess to the washers is the bolt was too long.  Leaving threads outside the nut would leave something to get caught on. I'd get a shorter bolt and leave the washers for something else.

Lots of discussion about leaving the motor on the mount versus something else, and no consensus. Looks to be preference, and what suits the user.  It becomes another discussion when trailering versus storage.  I do know that my motor mount did not have washers backing up the bolts on the inside of the hull, so I recommend inspecting how things are being held up before deciding.

HTH, Justin

[ChuckD]

Hey, Tim.
I'm new to the sailing game, but I hope this sheds some light! (Correct me, all, if I mis-use some terms.)

You're holding a Windex (or similar). I just bought one for my CP16... I unstepped the mast, then - when I went to install the included base to the top of the mast - I discovered there was a base up there already! So, I inserted it with a couple drops of threadlock. People claim Windexes give you a stiff neck - I say they are invaluable.

If your setup is like mine, you have a mainsail halyard which simply hoists the sail. And you have a topping lift, which support the aft end of the boom when the mainsail is down.

Ah, you have a sailstop - lucky. You can use it as you describe - to keep the boom from rising up the mast. You can obtain a second one to keep the sail slugs from falling out of the mast channel. I need to order (or DiY) a couple of these myself. I'm currently jerry-rigging and it's sub-optimal.

At the base of your mast are turns or turning blocks. On my setup, my jib halyard runs through one (then aft, to the cockpit) and my main halyard runs through the other. Looks like the washers are being used as spacers. Not sure why - I will check out my setup tomorrow.

On your final picture... the most outboard clam cleat is for your jib sheets. the inboard one is for your mainsail halyard (which first gets threaded through that forward turning block).

Regarding storing your outboard on the motor mount - you could. I worry that when I get my hulk in the cockpit to do maintenance that there will be too much weight aft - and if the trailer's not hitched to the car gravity could get the better of us.

Sail on, Tim! Chuck

[MKBLK]

Tim -

Justin and Chuck have given you some good info. Here's a bit more:

The halyards should be arrange as follows:

Head Sail (jib) - Port (Per Hutchins)
Mainsail   - Starboard

If you install a jib down-haul (recommended), you'll want that on the Port side as well.

Take care of that wind direction indicator - they are delicate and $$.

I always leave my iron wind on the mount... with a bicycle cable with lock wrapped securely around for protection from accidentally going for a swim and sticky fingers!

Definitely get a manual - you can't ever learn too much!

Marty K.
81 CP16 Pegasus

[tmw]

The line you are asking about is a topping lift, and not a standard feature on the 16. You can swap the halyard from the sail to the end of the boom to keep the boom up, or rig a topping lift.  I ran a line from an eyebolt at the top of the mast to the end of the boom with a sliding hitch that can be clipped on the boom to keep it up while the sail was down and secured to the mast while sailing.

I read in the manual that

COM-PAC 16s and 19s have topping lifts that hold the boom end up when the mainsail is down (Fig. 15).  When the mainsail is up and you are ready to sail, the topping lift should be loosened so that the weight of the boom is supported by the sail.

Sure enough, Fig. 15 shows a boom with a mainsail that's up, and a topping lift connected to the boomend next to the butterfly.

Yet, the masthead (and the masthead Fig. 5a in the manual) don't appear to have a place for the topping lift to connect.

Is this where the manual isn't completely up to date with the older COM-PAC 16s?  Is there a way to get guidance on installing an eyebolt at the top of the mast?

Also, my running rigging (main halyard, jib halyard) appear to be aged... and unlike a fine wine, they look more like vinegar.  I should have made a full inventory of the lines before I left the boat last, although being in the garage, I can't raise the mast to dry sail her.  So many things to take of with this boat, but I guess that's normal.

Thank you for helping me figure out this rigging, hopefully sooner than later.
Tim