Hmmm...thanks Chuck, I never considered the sail maker cutting the sail
longer than the band.  I'm pretty sure mine cut it to fit the bands and
explained that there would be room for it to stretch (to the band).
Additionally if it were cut long and then stretched it could stop or jam in
the masthead.

Josh

-- 
When privacy matters.
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On Aug 18, 2013 11:41 AM, "Russ & Melody" <russ...@telus.net> wrote:

>
> Thanks Chuck for making this important point regarding the upper black
> band.
>
> A well measured racing main will reach the black band with only low
> moderate tension on the halyard (for maximum area). No kidding.. foaming at
> the mouth racers believe even a few centimetres can make the difference.
> When more luff tension is required it is taken on with the cunningham. The
> old Harken "Magic Box" , at 8:1 purchase,  was made for this purpose.
>
> **        **Cheers, Russ
> **        ***Sweet *35 mk-1
>
> At 07:18 AM 18/08/2013, you wrote:
>
> Nicely written Josh.
> I would add the main halyard setup properly, can only be tensioned to
> raise the sail to the black band.
> As wind increases, the draft of the mainsail will move aft and the
> Cunningham is used to add a little more tension along the luff and bring
> the draft forward into the proper position, 45 to 50%.   The Cunningham
> needs to be eased if the wind dies or turning downwind reduces the pressure
> on the sail.
>
> On bendy rigs like our three spreader rig, adding backstay tension
> shortens the P dimension, reduces the tension on the main halyard, so we
> add Cunningham to compensate.  We ease the Cunningham before easing
> backstay as they are related.  Easing backstay increases the P dimension
> and doing so without easing Cunningham or halyard can rip the mainsail.
> Lesson learned the hard way.
>
> Chuck
> *Resolute*
> 1990 C&C 34R
> Atlantic City, NJ
>
>
> ------------------------------
> *From: *"Josh Muckley" <muckl...@gmail.com>
> *To: *cnc-list@cnc-list.com
> *Sent: *Sunday, August 18, 2013 12:23:16 AM
> *Subject: *Re: Stus-List 1985 C&C - 33 Missing Cunningham
>
> What do you mean missing?  Do you mean you have a jammer that is labelled
> Cunningham that doesn't have a line running through it?
>
> The cunningham opposes the main halyard by pulling down on the tack of the
> mainsail.  So, you can tension the main by pulling up on the head or down
> on the tack.  Usually it is easier and more controlled to use the
> cunningham but you risk having odd sail shapes if pulled too far.
> Additionally it is usually desired to hoist the main as high as possible,
> not down.  So, a tight halyard tends to be preferred and the Cunningham is
> used when tightening the halyard is too difficult or unsafe, such as when
> the wind pipes up and on a close reach.
>
> On your mainsail you should find a metal Cunningham eye about 5-6 inches
> above the tack ring.  Different makers provide different attachments but
> what I have found works well for me is to create a 2:1 advantage by running
> a line through the eye and attaching it to the reefing hook/horn just
> outboard of the tack ring.  (Alternatively you could also tie it to the
> boom.)  By pulling down on the free end of the line you will be pulling
> down on the Cunningham ring with 2x the power.
>
> The PO had this free end led to the mast base and back to the cabin top
> jammer.  I regularly had to use a winch to tighten the Cunningham.  When I
> replaced the line I added a 4:1 block and tackle.  The 2:1 bitter end stops
> just below the boom and is finished with an eye.  The 4:1 hooks on the eye
> and attaches to the mast base.  The free end of the block and tackle is
> then led back the the jammer.  The 4:1 pulls down on the 2:1 for a total of
> 8:1.
>
> I also used a hook between the 2:1 and 4:1 so that it is easy to
> disconnect the 4:1 and reattach it to the reefing eye when reefing.  Our
> mainsail has "floppy rings" or "dog bones" that pass through the reefing
> eye in the sail.  They are made of nylon webbing running through the
> reefing eye and finished off on both ends by stainless rings larger than
> the eye.  Traditionally when reefing you would let the sail down and hook
> one of the floppy rings to the reefing horn.  The ring on the other end of
> the "dog bone" prevents the nylon webbing from pulling out of the reefing
> eye and now the main halyard can be pulled tight.  While sailing, if you
> find that there is not enough tension on the halyard you can unhook the
> Cunningham 4:1 from the 2:1 and re-hook it to the "lazy" ring in the dog
> bone.  You once again have an 8:1 Cunningham, but now on a reefed sail.
>
> Arguably, a Cunningham could be considered a fix for a poorly tightened
> halyard...at least on our "big boats".  On some smaller boats the
> cunningham is the only thing holding the tack ring.  But those cunninghams
> are also held forward ensuring proper foot tension.
>
> Josh Muckley
> S/V Sea Hawk
> 1989 C&C 37+
> Solomons, MD
>
> --
> When privacy matters.
>  http://www.secure-my-email.com
> On Aug 17, 2013 12:22 PM, "Raymond Macklin" <ray.mack...@gmail.com> wrote:
>  I purchased a 1985 C&C - 33 and I am missing the cunningham.  Does
> anyone have a diagram of where it runs on the boat or could explain it to
> me.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ray Macklin
> Libertyville, IL
> LakeHouse
>
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