First off, my apologies for dredging up a topic which seems to be well-hashed out. I know this is an 'old' thread, but I really need some advice. This is also for a Prindle, not a Nacra.

I am still having a lot of trouble with unhooking my P-18 mainsail - I haven't managed to do it successfully yet, and while I'm getting good at tipping the boat over on it's side, I'd prefer to actually 'do it right'. Can I get some clarification on a few of the items/ideas/descriptions mentioned here?

I read this thread before re-rigging my boat, and ordered the Aussie ring from Rick, and have omitted the twist shackle as well. I've tied the halyard with a bowline to the offset loop in the ring, and the welded shackle is attached to the head. This keeps the ring almost perfectly parallel to the hook, and I have no trouble getting the ring on the hook! Given how close the welded shackle is to the mast and the length of the hook on the mast, I don't see how there is enough room for the hook to clear the side of the ring when the mast is rotated. When I'm raising the main, the ring pops over the hook with a very distinct sound - I think the hook forces the edge of the ring out.

The Prindle manual clearly shows the twist shackle being used.

So, my questions:

1. Most folks have talked about 'being sure to tie the knot facing towards the rear'. I'm a little puzzled by this. Without a twist shackle, the option is to have the offset Aussie welded loop (lanyard?) to either port or starboard. Is the implication to have the bulk of the body of the knot towards the rear?

2. Maybe I do really need the twist shackle? Without it, the ring is aligned with the beam instead of fore and aft as David describes above. It also doesn't rotate easily, which I had expected would help, but seems to be hurting. I am not sure if there is enough room between the top sheave and the head of the sail to accomodate that much "stuff".

I have used some McLube SailKote very liberally on both the luff and the track, but the last foot or so of hoist is a real trial. Right now I'm using some cheap nylon for a halyard, which stretches way too much for me to be able to tell if the ring is moving at all once it's locked up there. I am going to replace it with some Stay-set this weekend, and try again.

Any extra tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Scott