[C320-list] Handling the mainsail

[Irv Grunes]

We too used to crank our guts out to raise the main.
A while ago someone suggested that the way to raise it is to have some one
at the mast "jump" the halyard while someone in the cockpit takes up the
slack for each "jump"
Jumping means to just pull on the halyard sideways and if there are a few
turns on the winch, you can get a few feet with each pull. The effort
expended is very little and the whole main can go up quickly. Even with
sticky slides, the main goes up easily.
Irv Grunes
Isle of Wight #851

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com]On Behalf Of charles walsh
Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2006 7:58 PM
To: C320-List
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Handling the mainsail


I have the same problem and even installed the Strong Mast Track System.  It
did not help and was a waste of money.  I think the problem is the full
batten main and the blocks leading the main halyard back to the cockpit
which create a lot of friction.  I plan on buying a regular mainsail in the
future which should eliminate a lot of the weight in raising the mainsail.
An electric winch is the way to go but they are very expensive.

Charlie Walsh
Windrifter #317
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Joseph C. Fratantoni<mailto:jcfrat at comcast.net>
  To: c320-list at catalina320.com<mailto:c320-list at catalina320.com>
  Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2006 7:00 PM
  Subject: [C320-list] Handling the mainsail


    My wife and I handle Winter Whim (# 211) on our own most of the time and
  are finding that managing the mainsail is becoming more and more difficult
  as our medicare benefits kick in.  The major effort is in raising the
sail -
  I wrote last year about  power winches and the major opinion was to
  lubricate the sail slugs, which worked fairly well.  We are comfortable
with
  the Dutchman and dropping the sail is not a problem.  Reefing certainly
is.



    With that as background, the issue is that I am looking a aftermarket
  mainsail furling and at Battcar-type systems to ease the sail slug
problem.
  Is there any experience out there with either?



  Joe and Pauline Fratantoni

  Rockville, MD

  Winter Whim (# 211)