Looking for solutions to problems with Nacra main halyard hook and ring system when using a sail that does not go up to top of mast...

I picked up a cheap used Nacra 5.0 sail to use on my 5.5 when I want to sail solo when the winds are high.

The sail is about 18 inches shorter than the normal sail. With Nacra halyard hook system, to lower the sail, you raise the sail a bit to get the halyard ring which is attached to the sail above hook then twist the mast to get the hook away from the ring, then let the sail fall down.

With the shorter sail I used a line to put the ring 18" above the top of the sail. But because the line twists, the ring does not turn so does not want to disengage most of the time.

Any hints on a better way to do this?

PS, the sail worked great. Kept me under control in winds I normally would not have been able to safely go out in.

Try to find a junk sail head and cut it down to just a the plate and the bolt rope... Tie your 18" line to the plate and the ring to the plate at the top.

Hey, Patrick, good idea on the old sail.
The other poster suggested the head plate piece from another sail, but I think that too might twist. Maybe in additon to the headplate, a piece of line from headplate to top batten, would provide the twisting force. i.e. when you twist mast away from sail, the line tension would keed headplate lined up with the sail, not the mast, and it would unhook.

Another idea - install a ball-and-fork on front of mast (like old 5.2 style main halyard), at height best for the short sail. Still use hook & ring on backside of mast for regualr sail.