SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!
My friend has a Allmond 31 with the halyard leading to the cockpit.
He has mobility challenges and uses a wheel chair. He can maneuver with his hands around the cockpit but can't stand.
He would like to be able to manage the mainsail.
The best system I can think of is a Dutchman system with double line reefing led back to the cockpit.
He would have to have crew take care of the sail-cover.
His sail-maker is taking about a Stack-pack with the zipper control leading back to the cockpit.
Have you ever heard of such a thing? Think it would work?
The reason I'm recommending the Dutchman is because it is the only system I know that seldom gets hung up. Lazyjacks, Stackpack all seem prone to hang ups and require a trip to the cabin top.
Yes I know a Leisure furl or roller furler main is the easiest but he can't afford that.
I'd really like a stackpack. I've heard of some issues with them, but I've also heard people complain about lazy jacks and Dutchmen. The big thing is, no matter which system he chooses (including just keeping the current set-up), how will he handle it when the system has problems? As long as he has a rational plan for how to handle the problem, and as long as it can be executed by his family with their issues, then that's really the best solution.
As long as he has a rational plan for how to handle the problem, and as long as it can be executed by his family with their issues, then that's really the best solution.
That is my concern.
I can't think of any plan that will eliminate in all conditions the likelihood of someone having to climb on the deck and stand at the mast.
I have never seen a system that didn't need a little manual help more often than not.
So then I think the next analysis is:
1) what of the four options (including doing nothing) is most likely to work properly most of the time;
2) what of the four options is least likely to need someone outside of the cockpit;
3) when something does go wrong, how catastrophic is the failure?
To my very novice eye, the stackpack is a great option because when it works, the main is completely flaked and easily stowed. If it fails, the biggest failure point that I see is the zipper. And, with the built-in lazy jack-style controls, even if the wind pipes up, the main will still be controlled. In some ways, the stackpack could be seen as a redundant system.
There's often an advert in the back of Good Old Boat for a sail crib, which is a PVC cradle attached to the boom. The main drops into it, and unlike lazy jacks etc, there is nothing above it for battens to catch on. Looks a bit ugly but it might actually be a good solution in this case. I can't find a web link for the product, but I think it's these guys, Fleet Sails
It's hard to imagine a system that never requires going forward to straighten out the sail. We are using lazy jacks and full battens. IF you are straight into the wind, it drops nicely into the lazy jacks. If not, or if the halyard doesn't run free (operator error), you end up going forward to straighten it out. I think with any system this is true. One thought (I've never seen done) is I wonder if you could put an additional weight on the head of the sail to make sure it drops all the way, even if you mess up the halyard? Make sure the sail guides are well lubricated. What I don't like about stack-packs is your sail cover tends to fill with water in the rain. We have one power winch for the halyard...expensive but might be worthwhile in this case.
We use a single line reefing system. If properly designed, it works. This might be very useful in this case. People talk about too much friction, but we haven't experienced that.
The main does not always simply drop in. You have to make sure you are truly luffing the main. It can get caught on the lines and spill out; which will require a little guidance to make it right (someone furiously pushing and shoving).
On my Gemini the batt cars added weight brought the main down super fast, and the battens themselves hung when they felt like it (full length). It was a mixed blessing
The dutchman sail flaking system is what would help your friend out.
We had a dutchman system on our main sail and it was absolutely the most convenient set up for use.
To raise: remove sail ties, raise halyard in cockpit.
To lower: release hayard.
Nothing for any battens to get hung up on. No reason to go forward.
The dutchman system is way more convenient than the Lazy Jacques we have set up now.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
SailNet Community
1.7M posts
173.8K members
Since 1990
A forum community dedicated to Sailing, boating, cruising, racing & chartering. Come join the discussion about sailing, destinations, maintenance, repairs, navigation, electronics, classifieds and more