RE: Lowering main

GSTahoe@aol.com
Tue, 10 Nov 1998 08:40:20 EST


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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Judith,

I, too, could not quite figure out Bryan's description of running his main
sail controls aft, but I did notice that he is talking about a P-15 and you
are sailing a P-19. They are completely different when it comes to dousing
the main. The P-15's main is not much bigger than that of a windsurfer.
Actually, I have not really seen an advantage on the P-15 to running the main
halyard aft, since it is so easy to just stand in the companionway and have
your hands on all the control lines.

If your sail slugs are operating properly, you should not have to fight to get
the main down. It should fall down of it's own accord under all but the
windiest conditions, and even then it should take very little coaxing. You
might try lubricating the slide and slugs. Some spray silicone should do the
trick. Make certain, too, that the slot in the main is not crimped anywhere
or in any other way restricting the slugs from sliding. If you are still
using a bolt rope to attach the main to the mast it is a different story,
those things do stick, but it sounds as though you have slugs. The jib is
another story, since it must slide down the forestay on it's hanks. There is
only way to get the jib down quickly, especially in a breeze. That is with a
downhaul.

Geoff
P-15 Lollipop
No. Lake Tahoe, NV

Judith wrote:

Could you elaborate on how you rigged your main so you can lower it from the
cockpit. I have a P-19 and I didn't enjoy climbing up on the cabin to drop it
Sunday in a storm. I can raise it from the cockpit, but I have a hard time
getting it down without climbing up and nursing the slugs (is that what
they're called)? down the track in the mast.

PS. I hope I put Judith's question and my reply in the right order. With all
of yesterday's discussion as to the proper etiquette of a Potter list
discussion, I'm not sure what everyone wanted. I'm not really sure everyone
wants the same thing. As a matter-of-fact, I'm not really sure of anything
anymore!

Geoff
P-15 Lollipop
No. Lake Tahoe, NV