Running Rigging Plan

craigtoo · #1 (**permalink**) 05-24-2008

Hello Friends,

I'm pulling a plan together to completely re-do my running rigging. The first pic is the "current state". It's pretty bad. (Note: this pic was taken during the 'sea trial' I wasn't the captain.)

After this post, I'll post the very "high level" first draft of my new plan, with specific questions.

Thanks,
craig

craigtoo · #2 (**permalink**) 05-24-2008

This is what I'd like to do....

Let's first see if it's big enough to read.. if so.. I'll post some questions..

craigtoo · #3 (**permalink**) 05-24-2008

Ok here first is an explanation.

In thi model, the traveler is adjusted by hand. Swivel block and jam cleated. That's the most used main trim on my boat I wanted it to be easy. I'm thinking 8:1.

What about the vang? Also 8:1?

Main sheet is also a jam cleat on the traveler itself.

I'm not getting a chute till next year, so the starboard side will have some free real estate. But when I do, I'm gonna need a winch for the down haul on the pole right?

The concept of lead blocks is from Gui. http://www.sailnet.com/forums/307912-post.html

What sort of mechanical advantage would I need to have for a hand trimmed main sheet? I'm thinking 8:1.

Will sheeting in the main by hand above the companionway really be a pain? (I rarely single hand but it will happen....) - I don't want to move the traveler, but I don't think I want to trim my main by winch either...

I'll have a load more detailed questions about brands, line sizes etc. later. Right now I'd like to get a first pass at the 10,000 foot view...

Where would I mount preventers?

Some things were just easier on a 24' boat!

What am I forgetting? I'm sure I'm about to have a head slapper...

Thanks all,
Craig

Faster · #4 (**permalink**) 05-25-2008

Nice presentation..

A couple of points (just my thoughts) Rather than an 8:1 mainsheet I'd go with 6:1, but with a short fine tune as well.. that could be 4:1 and give you lots of power for the last few inches of trim. 8:1 is going to mean an awful lot of line to pull through all the time, and it will be slow when the loads are light.

You appear to be planning stoppers/clutches for the pole down/lift... I think they are a bit too awkward to use readily and often, fairleads and camcleats can be arranged to be easily released and re cleated even from several feet away in the cockpit. I'm not at all sure that you'll need a winch... if you double your downhaul at the foredeck you should be fine on a 34 footer - just don't let it get away on you.

You may find the mainsheet hanging in the companionway a bit of a pain and often out of reach.. but you've not got a lot of room left to run it forward and back like it probably is now. It's rare but I've seen mainsheets run aft along the boom with a cleat on the boom more or less overhead in the cockpit. Problem then is access when the boom is outboard going downwind - you'd need a pretty long tail.

Anyhow, good luck and hope it all works out for you.. that's a fair bit of hardware you're planning to buy!

bestfriend · #5 (**permalink**) 05-25-2008

Why not run the main sheet up to the mast base and back to a clutch on the cabin top? Are you just out of room? Or bring it all the way back to the helm if you use it a lot.

Plumper · #6 (**permalink**) 05-25-2008

All the 8:1 purchases seem over kill to me. There will be miles of line around. My boat (similar size) has 4:1 on the traveler and 6:1 on the mainsheet (Midboom). They are not difficult to trim at all. My Vang is 4:1 as well.

The cunningham, outhaul and main halyard should probably be reversed or lines will cross at the mast base.

The mainsheet will be a pain. It should run farther aft where you can reach it from the helm.

sailingdog · #7 (**permalink**) 05-25-2008

8:1 is probably overkill on almost everything. You're on a 34' boat...

I also notice that you're using single line reefing. I would highly recommend you use double-line reefing, as it gives you much more control over the reefed sail's shape IMHO and is faster and easier to use.

I'd also agree that having line clutches on the pole life and downhaul are a bad idea.

Finally, you'll probably want to angle the line organizers a bit more, so that the two or three lines are running very close to each other, rather than spread out the way you have them on the drawing. This is to minimize the deck area they take up and help reduce the tripping hazard.

craigtoo · #8 (**permalink**) 05-25-2008

Faster:
See my replies in the quote window... Thanks so much for your time..!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faster

Nice presentation..

I'm a consultant.. it's what we do!

A couple of points (just my thoughts) Rather than an 8:1 mainsheet I'd go with 6:1,

Yes... absolutely right... started drawing it out and realized that 8:1 is overkill...

but with a short fine tune as well.. that could be 4:1 and give you lots of power for the last few inches of trim. 8:1 is going to mean an awful lot of line to pull through all the time, and it will be slow when the loads are light.

What would that look like? How do I rig in a fine tune? I think I've seen something like it before but I can't get my head around it right now..hmm

You appear to be planning stoppers/clutches for the pole down/lift... I think they are a bit too awkward to use readily and often, fairleads and camcleats can be arranged to be easily released and re cleated even from several feet away in the cockpit. I'm not at all sure that you'll need a winch... if you double your downhaul at the foredeck you should be fine on a 34 footer - just don't let it get away on you.

Great... thanks for that... I think I'll go with that approach...

You may find the mainsheet hanging in the companionway a bit of a pain and often out of reach.. but you've not got a lot of room left to run it forward and back like it probably is now.

I think that's what I'm going to end up doing... I have mixed feelings about a mainsheet not being "handy"... (probably from my 420 days...)

It's rare but I've seen mainsheets run aft along the boom with a cleat on the boom more or less overhead in the cockpit. Problem then is access when the boom is outboard going downwind - you'd need a pretty long tail.

That would be strange... I have a bimini top and the clearence is already limited so that's not going to fit but thanks...

Anyhow, good luck and hope it all works out for you.. that's a fair bit of hardware you're planning to buy!

Yeah... thought I'd make sure I had an "Ideal State" designed before I just started fixing one thing at a time...!

craigtoo · #9 (**permalink**) 05-25-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestfriend

Why not run the main sheet up to the mast base and back to a clutch on the cabin top? Are you just out of room? Or bring it all the way back to the helm if you use it a lot.

BF:
Yeah, I was trying to save the real estate on the cabin top... but I don't think there's anyway around it now... The main sheet hanging there would probably be a big PITA.

Do you think a clutch?

I'd like to see if I can keep the mainsheet adjustable by hand quickly and easily....it's more a "nice to have" than a "must"... for me the traveler is a "must" by hand.

Thanks,
craig

craigtoo · #10 (**permalink**) 05-25-2008

Plumper thanks! See below....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plumper

All the 8:1 purchases seem over kill to me. There will be miles of line around. My boat (similar size) has 4:1 on the traveler and 6:1 on the mainsheet (Midboom). They are not difficult to trim at all. My Vang is 4:1 as well.

Yep... 8:1 is just wrong....Awesome.. thanks... Do you trim your traveler by hand or with a winch?

The cunningham, outhaul and main halyard should probably be reversed or lines will cross at the mast base.

Yeah! You're totally right... Switched...Thanks.

The mainsheet will be a pain. It should run farther aft where you can reach it from the helm.

Well.. if I had to design the boat I'd probably move the traveler to the cockpit. That's out though. I'll need to come up with something creative to keep it accessible at least from the cockpit....

You guys are great...