There is a bar on the front of my mast, like the one in this picture, and I have no idea what it does. Any suggestions?

Your picture did not show.. but the url shows this:



The bar in the front of this mast is a rotator limiter. It has a line that cleats or ties off on either side of the mast (probably on the front beam).

Mine is on the other side of the mast (above the tramp) and is secured to the boom.

It is used to limit (or force) the amount of rotation the mast has. It is a way to depower a sail when overpowered OR to create a more full sail in light air.

Andrew,
I got to politely correct you here. His boat is a boomless sail plan. The intent of the over-rotator in the picture is to induce positive over-rotation, especially downwind. It is not very effective to be used as a limiter, but can be used that way if one so desires. Boomless rigs behave differently than those with booms, especially in respect to rotation to weather.

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Philip
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Aha! I was wondering what those two little cleats were for too. Now it all makes sense. Thanks guys!

mummp

Andrew,
I got to politely correct you here. His boat is a boomless sail plan. The intent of the over-rotator in the picture is to induce positive over-rotation, especially downwind. It is not very effective to be used as a limiter, but can be used that way if one so desires. Boomless rigs behave differently than those with booms, especially in respect to rotation to weather.

good clarification