Sail Control: Hoisting and Downhaul


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Sail Control: Outhaul and Inhaul

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 The Boat

   
  RAISING THE SAIL

   Pulling the sail up and locking it should work easily and predictably, so that if it is not doing this, there is a problem which is able to be sorted (and on which you can get advice.) 
 (See photo, right of help in action.)

  The halyard pulling up the sail has a “locking” mechanism attached to the head of the sail (a stainless-steel loop which rides up over a small strut at the masthead.) There is a second line running up inside the mast in parallel which pulls to release the loop. These are pictured below.

  (The halyard and the release are usually supplied as one continuous cord, knotted in the fitting, but they have quite separate functions.

Since the release line is given a single tug with a lighter load (below) any replacement can be a lighter line, (and usefully they are then easily distinguished untangling or looking up the mast.)

A basic point is that the mast and sail should be in line when the final pull to the top is made.

Hoisting is herlped by a silicone spray on the boltrope e.g Halfords Silicone Lubricant for rubber and plastic
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 The two lines run forward towards the mast from behind the halyard fitting(photos left and below left) which is not the way you would immediately think of it

As shown, the halyard (thicker cord on this boat) runs through the ring, so that it is above the pivot point on the fitting (where the hook or shackle attaches to the loop) and the release cord (the lighter line) runs under  this fulcrum.

(On this boat, the usual shackle has been replaced bu a tight-fitting hook for speed.)

The halyard pulls the loop up above the strut on the mast, and forwards over it, held when the sail foot is then pulled down. (photo 3 below)

As shown, the release line must be slack when the halyard pulls the loop over (as otherwise it would pull it backwards) and this is set by ensuring the release line has some slack where it is tied at its lower end to the halyard.
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catamaran sailing tuning
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catamaran sailing
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catamaran sailing

  To  release  the loop, the release line (lighter line) is pulled (assisted by pushing up at the foot) and this pulls the loop up and back (photo 4) so that the sail comes down when pulled at the foot.

  At the foot of the mast, the halyard turns around a pin to be pulled. This can easily have a roller or a sheave added for an easier and more powerful pull. Alastair  successively added to the diameter of the roller, and then cannibalised a ball bearing block (with balls jumping around the garage at times) to give free running.

catamaran sailing

THE DOWNHAUL

   For the downhaul, the original 4:1 purchase (which most boats use) was set up initially for the soft fabric TI sails. (Photo left)

  Since the introduction the Roundhead sails with their laminate fabric, it may be that the 4:1 is too much, and some boats have a lighter downhaul with a 2:1 purchase. (Right)

   After the initial slack has been taken up (with about 3 inches of movement down) only about an inch of down–haul movement under tension is required to eliminate the luff wrinkles. More downhaul tension, and power will be lost as the sail camber comes forward.

   Most sailors set the downhaul and do not alter it on the water, although theoretically releasing it downwind should be helpful..



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