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lowering the main #166153
01/26/09 10:57 AM
01/26/09 10:57 AM
Joined: Feb 2006
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fin. Offline OP
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What is a sure fire, works every time, never fails way to get the main to unlock?

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Re: lowering the main [Re: fin.] #166155
01/26/09 11:02 AM
01/26/09 11:02 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
Timbo Offline
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Disconnect your mast rotator control line first, so you can rotate your mast at least 90 degrees or more, and if you can, park the boat with the bows slightly (30 degrees maybe) off the wind. Pull the halyard up, then rotate the mast th other way for maximum angle between sail head and mast. Then hold the rotator there, release halyard, pull down on the tack with the other hand. That usually works for me. Oh, I forgot to mention, you did spray the entire track and bolt rope with some type of dry silicon lube before you put it up, right? That always helps.

Last edited by Timbo; 01/26/09 11:08 AM.

Blade F16
#777
Re: lowering the main [Re: fin.] #166156
01/26/09 11:03 AM
01/26/09 11:03 AM
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Portland, Maine
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ThunderMuffin Offline
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I think this varies by boat and setup. Sometimes it takes a long time to get the system figured out.

On my 20, the best way is to get the skipper behind the rear crossbeam with his foot on the beam and tugging on the halyard. Once the sail has been pulled up an inch, the crew over-rotates the mast so the rotator mast is past parallel with the front beam and while its rotated, he pulls down on the sail.... once it comes down a little bit, the halyard is simply let go of and it comes down super easy.

However, I know Trey's sail requires a mule-team to get off the hook. Again it all depends on the boat.

I am jealous of the A-catters system smile


Re: lowering the main [Re: fin.] #166159
01/26/09 11:08 AM
01/26/09 11:08 AM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,246
Orlando, FL
tback Offline
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Orlando, FL
Originally Posted by Tikipete
What is a sure fire, works every time, never fails way to get the main to unlock?


Turn boat on side. Walk to mast head, unhook ring ... right boat. Sail comes down, no problem. smirk


USA 777
Re: lowering the main [Re: ThunderMuffin] #166161
01/26/09 11:11 AM
01/26/09 11:11 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,049
Sebring, Florida.
Timbo Offline
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RE A cat system. I got down to Tradewinds early so I went over to check out the A cat regatta, there were more than one of them who had trouble getting their rings to "hook up" while putting their sails up and they have the same problems coming down. No perfect solution there.


Blade F16
#777
Re: lowering the main [Re: Timbo] #166162
01/26/09 11:12 AM
01/26/09 11:12 AM
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Portland, Maine
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ThunderMuffin Offline
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Yes but I bet none of them had "line tatoos" on their hands where the halyard was wrapped around trying to get that damn thing off the sail.

I bet I have nerve damage in my hand because of that :P


Re: lowering the main [Re: fin.] #166163
01/26/09 11:15 AM
01/26/09 11:15 AM
Joined: Aug 2005
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Michigan
PTP Offline
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when putting the sail up, make sure halyard is tied to the middle of the halyard ring thingie- not the top ring. Make sure the SS ring is aft of the halyard line. Never had much, if any, problem this way.

Re: lowering the main [Re: fin.] #166164
01/26/09 11:15 AM
01/26/09 11:15 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 266
UK
Cheshirecatman Offline
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Originally Posted by Tikipete
What is a sure fire, works every time, never fails way to get the main to unlock?


No 'sure-fire' way but like everything on a cat it needs to be set-up to work properly in the first place.

-Make sure the main is not binding in the track.
-Make sure when halyard is tensioned the lock ring angles away from the mast.
-Put the boat on it's side with the main up and check the length of the hook. These are often standard components and are often too long. Grind back if necessary.

Note: The cringle position at the head of the sail varies from sail to sail. I have one sail I have to reverse the ring to get it to lock (it does come down easy though).

Cheshirecatman

Re: lowering the main [Re: Cheshirecatman] #166167
01/26/09 11:24 AM
01/26/09 11:24 AM
Joined: Jan 2008
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Portland, Maine
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ThunderMuffin Offline
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Also a huge benefit is having a "welded" ring/shackle. I have my suspicions why its so helpful, but I'm not 100% sure.

I think it allows you to use the actual sail to rotate the ring a bit more than if it was unwelded.


Re: lowering the main [Re: tback] #166169
01/26/09 11:47 AM
01/26/09 11:47 AM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,348
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fin. Offline OP
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Originally Posted by tback
Originally Posted by Tikipete
What is a sure fire, works every time, never fails way to get the main to unlock?


Turn boat on side. Walk to mast head, unhook ring ... right boat. Sail comes down, no problem. smirk


You need to get back on the water. I see from your avatar you'd make the perfect string bitch grin laugh

Re: lowering the main [Re: ThunderMuffin] #166176
01/26/09 12:11 PM
01/26/09 12:11 PM
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,590
Naples, FL
waterbug_wpb Offline
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Originally Posted by Undecided
Yes but I bet none of them had "line tatoos" on their hands where the halyard was wrapped around trying to get that damn thing off the sail.

I bet I have nerve damage in my hand because of that :P



I wrap the halyard line around my harness spreader bar and pull with that.. Keeps my hands soft and supple, cause that's important to wanna-be sailing hacks like me...


Jay

Re: lowering the main [Re: fin.] #166192
01/26/09 12:59 PM
01/26/09 12:59 PM
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,203
uk
TEAMVMG Offline
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uk
Originally Posted by Tikipete
What is a sure fire, works every time, never fails way to get the main to unlock?


take down jib and carefully roll it and put it in trailer box, then take pin out of forestay - dodle!
if you have been having problems with the halyard lock, this is a good time to get hammer out of tool kit, scream like a banshee and beat the c--p out of it.


Paul

teamvmg.weebly.com
Re: lowering the main [Re: fin.] #166231
01/26/09 07:22 PM
01/26/09 07:22 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,147
Bay of Islands, NZ
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warbird Offline
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Bay of Islands, NZ
Originally Posted by Tikipete
What is a sure fire, works every time, never fails way to get the main to unlock?


RIng is the most important. My fav was the Nacra ring with twisted shackle but the NEXT SIZE DOWN twisted shackle as the Nacra factory choice is too big.
If using the welded shacke and ring then knot is important and it should be simple once these things are seen to.
Release all downhaul etc.
Pull halliard tight, twist mast to 90 degrees and let sail down.
If it is not that simple something is wrong...if you have a jib remove first and raise after main.



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