I've had absolutely no difficulty with an uncomplicated jib downhaul
fashioned of 1/8" line and run to the cockpit over the doghouse. With
the jib downhaul and the jib halyard terminated on the coachroof on
side-by-side cleats, complete control of any of the headsails is quick
and effective: raise it with one, lower it with the other, secure it
in either position with both. Any of the headsails bundles nicely on
the sidedeck when down. I secure the downhaul line to the top hank and
run it through every third hank, alternating sides of the jib, to a
small, deck-mounted turning block. Have had no binding problems.
Lastly, with the head and the tack of the sail thus secured at the
bottom of the headstay, any of the headsails can be folded and bagged
with the halyard, downhaul, and sheets still attached. Great for those
days in a slip or at anchor.
This control scheme saved our bacon one morning at Bimini. If I ever
finish that story, you'll see how ... and why I hold out so strongly
for simplicity.
Regards,
Bill Combs
WWP 19 #439 (Aug 1987)
"Ursa Minor"
Fort Walton Beach FL
ttursine@gnt.net