We were out yesterday and about to take off on a nice broad reach when the kite's halyard/retrieval line got in an awful mess and thus wouldn't go through the eye into the sock. We had to drop the kite and spent a precious minute getting it sorted. How do others in the class avoid this? The jib sheets, spinnaker sheet, jib tension line, toe strap and my feet just all seem to want a part of the action and it cost us dearly. Any suggestions? Similarly, any ideas how to help the crew to haul ONLY on the halyard or only on the retrieval line when hoisting/dropping the kite? It all works fine when we do it leisurely out cruising, but in the heat of the moment in proximity to a mark...!!
If you fit a block somewhere towards the stern(such as on a strop from the rear toe strap fixing) and run the uphaul/downhaulthrough that. It stops much of the bunching that always seems to cause a jam at the most inappropriate moment!! This also allows the helm to hoist/drop if you are sailing with novice crew. Also, if you have problems with the uphaul re-cleating itself on a drop, try feeding it through a plastic ring (2cm) suspended on some bungee from a point on the mast near the gate. I havn't tried the latter yet but it's what all the Laser2000 guys do and I know it works.
Thanks for those pearls of wisdom! I was thinking of using a block from somewhere aft , so good to know that it has been used successfully by others. As for Martin's ring on bungee idea - really neat!!
Another trip to the chandlery on Saturday ... maybe I should just open an account with them!!
Cats' craddles!
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Posted - 24 Jan 2005 : 18:38:54
