I was hoping that someone would be kind enough to help me with information on how to tune my Prindle 19 for racing. I am particularly interested in info on a good downhaul system. I sail in North Wales, UK. Cheers Guys!

I suggest that you use this forums search facility and enter the words 'downhaul system'. A search in the F16 forum for example brings up the following link among others:

F16 Mast Design

Although it's talking about F16, the principle's the same.

If you would like to discuss things in person, or even sail with us!, drop in at the Dee SC, on the Wirral. See the website for sailing times, directions and so on. It is: www.dee-sc.co.uk

Cheers
Simon

Thank you Simon. Your website is interesting and you obviously have a lot of cats at DSC. I found the Wirral to Beaumauris Pier Challenge particularly interesting. It would be good to get in touch to discuss cat things.
Regards
Chris

There are two different methods I've used. The original pin head Ullman mainsail had a downhaul system you had to thread thru the sail each time you raised it. My newer set of Ullman sails with the square top main has a much better system that hooks up in a few seconds. I'll try to describe it here. If it doesn't make sense I can take a digital photo and email you. Basically there should be a swivelling block with a cam cleat on each side of the mast near the base. On the aft bottom portion of the mast is a cheek block that serves to allow the line to pass thru from the starboard side to the port side to allow the downhaul to be a continuous line. This block attaches into the curf. For purchase you have a set of double blocks and fixed cheek blocks on each side of the mast where the line is threaded. On each double block there is a bail that has a short line with a loop on one side and a short line with a ball(like the one for pulling down your rudders). The purpose of these is to feed the loop thru the large grommet that is about 10" up from the bottom on the luff of your main. This loop then goes around the ball thus connecting the pulley systems thru the sail. If my poor description isn't too confusing I'll describe threading the line. The line passes thru the swivelling cam cleat on the port side-then up thru one of the sheaves on the double block-then thru the cheek block-back up thru the second sheave on the double block-then thru the cheek block on the base of the mast over to the starboard side. From there the line goes thru the first sheave on the double block on that side-then down thru the cheek block on the starboard side-then up thru the second sheave-then down thru the swivelling cam cleat on the starboard side. The ball and loop sections on the bail on the double block simply connect thru thr grommet in the sail. This will give you an 8:1 purchase. I'm getting the feeling it may have been quicker to take a photo then describe it . Good luck! Greg

Hey Greg, I have the same system, except the tails from the double block go thru cheek blocks bolted to the foot of the main, and down to clam cleats on the foot of the mast, for a 16:1. I too can take pictures.

I would like a photo if possible. My P19 downhaul did not have swiveling cleats and I've been trying to find an easy solution without resorting to the purchase of the HArken lower mast block unit.

Thanks

See if this is clear, then. If not, or if I can answer any more questions, let me know.

Thanks.
Let me try to recreate the set up. I also have a fig dowloaded from an Australian paper Tiger assn with a system that looks interesting
http://www.bur.st/~h20melon/other/ptwc/12_single.htm

Many thanks Greg for taking the time to write down how your downhaul system works. Sadly my mast has nothing more than two swivel control cleats rivetted to either side of the mast at the base. I use a double block system where one set of blocks is attached to an eyehole in the foot of the main. The second set of blocks is attached to a shackle, attached to a loop of cord tied around the boom fitting on the mast. The two ends of cordage coming from the blocks are fed through the swivel control cleats. It works, but the range of movement of the main is about 10 inches which is probably not enough to depower the main.
Cheers
Chris

Thanks for the photo - very helpful indeed
Chris

Many thanks for the diagram. I reckon I can adapt this with a minimum of additions to my mast.
Cheers
Chris