I use a mainsail downhaul. I assume your first slide is located below the headboard. I find that you can't attach it to the headboard because the headboard will fold over when you pull it down and the first upper slide will most likely jamb. I just put a bowline over the first upper slide and it works pretty well. I haven't had any fouling when hoisting, even though the downhaul is loose. When you have hoisted the main you must put a slight tension on the downhaul so it doesn't catch on anything while sailing. However, shoving it thru a couple slides looks like a good idea, not because of fouling rigging, but it might spread the downward load among the slides when you are in the last half of the takedown. I may try it tomorrow.
Harvey Rosenberg C-27TR, #6023, 1985, M-18, Kalaurel, Stony Point NY
------ Original Message ------
Received: Fri, 16 Jun 2006 10:31:15 AM EDT
From: "Jeffery L. Sheler" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: catalina27-talk: mainsail downhaul
I'm trying as best I can to equip my boat so that my wife and I rarely, if
ever, have to leave the cockpit. Hence, I plan to install a downhaul line
to help in lowering the mainsail without having to go to the mast and
manually pull it down (gravity alone does not bring it down). I had planned
to attach a line to the headboard, run it through a block at the base of
the mast, and on into the cockpit. But I read online
(www.sailingcatamarans.com/eclipseatlantic1.htm) that it is good to lead
the downhaul line through alternate sail slides so that it doesn't catch in
the rigging. Has anyone done that? Any comments would be appreciated.
Jeff Sheler
s/v Windsome
C27TR #6594
Hampton, VA
