Downhaul to bring Main Down

[TJ]

I am considering rigging a downhaul for my main to bring it down from the cockpit.  Had one for the jib on my 16 but never tried the main. Has anyone done this?  tj

[kickingbug1]

     i sure dont know why anyone would need a downhaul to bring the main down, release the halyard down she comes. i would however consider making some lazy jacks to keep the sail on the boom and not in the cockpit

[TJ]

For some reason mine doesn't seem to work that easily, especially in a good breeze it has a tendency to stick occasionally , l've cleaned sail slides, cleaned sail track before raising mast, used sail track, etc., thought maybe downhaul would work, must not be a good idea or I'm just not used to the 19 yet.  I single hand all the time and sometimes it creates a little excitement.

[Finbar Beagle]

Just checking, did you look at the halyard block?  Maybe you can work the halyard up and down without the sail to see if that may be contributing.  It might eliminate a sail slug issue.

[TJ]

Fraid So!  Went thru all rigging and hardware before launching, making sure everything worked smoothly,  replacing anything that was worn or suspicious, took from January to May to get it in the water trying to make sure everything is o.k, main works fine at dock with no wind.  I keep it in the water.  Guess I will just have to go sailing more to get everything limbered up (myself included),.  Sounds like good justification to tell my bride anyway.  Thanks for the suggestion.  tj

[kickingbug1]

im thinking that you have a bolt rope instead of slugs. sorry didnt think of that before. slugs are the way to go. my original sail on my 16 had a bolt rope and boom roller furling (something i could never master). when i replaced the sail i got one with sail slugs and installed lazy jacks----much better

[Craig]

I have a downhaul on Kailani(also on previous Suncat). I recommend it highly. Sail usually drops just fine but downhaul comes in handy if anything sticks. Also helps control the sail prior to getting sail ties on. In my sloop days I had jib downhaul as well. Add lazy-jacks  to main and life gets much easier. Lazy-jacks contain the main and the downhaul makes sure it stays down.

[TJ]

I have slugs Kickingbug, (do not like bolt ropes either), but I forgot to mention that I have my main halyard run back to the cockpit and roller furling for my jib, I have slowed down since I reached my 70's, mind makes promises body can't keep, so can't jump up on cabin or run forward like I used to.  Gets a little testy when there is a good chop or swell, (which happens often down here on the Neuse/Pamlico Sound area) but I ain't gonna give it up.     Craig, how is your downhaul rigged, do you run it behind the first one or two slugs then down the mast to a block and back into the cockpit?  Definitely going to look into lazy-jacks.   tj

[Craig]

On Kailani (gaff cat rig)the line is attached to the gaff gooseneck. On the sloop, as I recall, I tied a light line 1/8" to the topmost slug shackle and ran it through the rest to a small block at the base of the mast and back to the cockpit.  The shackles on  your Compac may be too small to accommodate the line without binding so you may have to experiment. Just tying off to the top slug shackle and running the line to the block may work if you can get a vertical pull and not have the slugs bind.

[Duckie]

I have found that the main on my 16 will stick coming down from time to time also.  I have slugs and everything seems to be running okay also.  Maybe you could try letting the sheet fly before you let the halyard loose.  That way the sail will be luffing and not bagged out pulling on the slugs when they are trying to slide down.  I also am a single hander so I know what you are dealing with.  On my boat the worst I have to do is manually haul the sail down to the boom without leaving the cockpit.  I don't think I should have to do that, and it isn't safe, but at least I'm not going forward.  I have a topping lift on my boom, but I think I might add lazy jacks just because I am in fact lazy.  If the main sticks too much I will add a downhaul to it.  I don't see a problem with that.

Al

[TJ]

Thanks Craig and Al,  I will experiment on a downhaul when I get back to "The Boat", that is her name given by my wife, because when the kids or someone calls she says she always has to tell them "He is at the boat".  Al, I will try letting the sheet fly before releasing the halyard, have not tried that. I plan on taking couple day trip later this week weather permitting.  Thanks, it helps to have input from fellow sailors who probably love sailing as much as I do, and most likely more experience.  Al, I will let you know when I get a downhaul that works.  I used to stand in the companion way hatch with my feet in the cabin when pulling my main down on my 16 after having heavy chop make me think I was on a trampoline once hauling the jib down before I put a downhaul on it.    tj