Chrysler Sailors Forum

Hi folks,

As our sails get older, particularly the main, I'm finding I need to add more and more tension on the halyard to get more life out of them. You may have noticed in the photos I posted earlier that the main lacked some tension.

My question for the group is how do you tighten up your halyard? On Elixir (C22) we simply have the halyard coming down from the top of the mast to a cleat on the starboard side.

To get any tension on it, we use a technique called "jumping the halyard" where you take half a turn around the cleat, pull back on the halyard like a bow-and-arrow, then take up that slack on the cleat. This is a tricky skill to master.

I've used other boats that have winches mounted on the mast or on the deck to tighten the halyards. What are some options on the C22?

Cheers,
Matt

Matt,

Even on a boat that has a winch, it is common to jump the sail. Usually, it's a two person job, with one jumper, and another taking up the slack.

If you still use the wire halyard, you can loop your line around the cleat, then up through the bowline that attaches the rope to the wire to make a simple tackle, which will give you more purchase.

You might also consider having a cringle added to the luff so that you can attach a cunningham.

--Richard /) /)

On both my 22's the halyards are lead aft so you can use the main winches.

Scott

On the boat Dave is fixing to cut up, the halyards were led aft through turning blocks and a double cam cleat to the main winch, starboard. He still has the tuning blocks and double cam-cleat if you're interested in a similar arrangement. Or, at least he did last Sunday. If you're interested, contact him quickly.

I've also seen a 4:1 downhaul rigged to tension the sails. Could be led aft to the cockpit if necessary also.

Update on the Chrysler due to be cut up soon:

The boat Dave's cutting up has a sound hull, and a custom made, heavy duty trailer for a C-22. Both are for sale, but get them quick. He's under some municipal pressure to "Register or Remove," and no one has expressed interest in buying. The hull is very dirty but seems sound, and will clean up with lots of soap & water, and elbow grease. I got the main hatch from him and it was tough, but it cleaned up.

The mast is a custom replacement mast and is thicker walled, and heavier than stock, but all parts fit. I bought the standing rigging and most of the mast hardware, but the mast itself is still available. The boom was also still available, with all the hardware, including the gooseneck.

I need a trailer..who is dave and how do I contact him