main sail won't release :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

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main sail won't release

trihokie

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jul 03, 2011

Last visit: Sep 16, 2011

Posts: 13
Posted: Aug 14, 2011 - 07:56 PM

I have an old Nacra 5.8. When the main sail is hoisted to the top of the mast, it catches on a hook, which holds it securely while sailing. When I am ready to drop the sail, I work it like a window blind and it eventually releases from the hook. Here is a photo of the assembly:

I thought I had the technique down, but on my last two outings I have had to flip the boat and wade out to the end of the mast to get the ring to release from the hook. Is there a secret that seasoned sailors know?

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Barry Jones
1982 NACRA 5.8
Space Coast, Florida
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nacra55

Rank: Mate

Registered: Nov 02, 2004

Last visit: Aug 07, 2023

Posts: 626
Posted: Aug 14, 2011 - 09:37 PM

1. Unhook the downhaul and pull the bottom of the main out of the sail track.
2. With the boat head to wind, standing between the hulls, infront of the mast, facing aft, pull on the halyard on the port side, pulling the ring above the hook.
3. Grab the rotater and push it hard toward the starboard hull.
4. While keeping the mast rotated, grab the foot of the sail and pull down a few inches, then release the rotator, the sail should come down.

Another thing that may help is undo the bowline to the ring and use a stoper knot and have the knot facing aft or just reduce the size of the knot so you can pull the halyard higher.

Edited by nacra55 on Aug 14, 2011 - 09:41 PM.

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Ron
Nacra F18
Reservoir Sailing Assn.
Brandon, Mississippi
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Wolfman

Rank: Chief

Registered: Jun 24, 2009

Last visit: Jun 15, 2023

Posts: 1555
Posted: Aug 14, 2011 - 10:28 PM

Agree with all that advice.

I went a step further. Mounted a small block to the front beam below the mast, ran the bitter end of the halyard through the block and back up to the ring. Attach the end of the halyard to the port side of the ring. So instead of stowing half the halyard it all stays in one piece. Now when you pull the rotator to the starboard you can pull the ring to the port so it won't recatch the hook. Never had a problem since, except that you need 3 hands to do all that at the same time. You also have to make sure your halyard isn't overly long othe rwise it can flop around and get wrapped around the sail.

--
Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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trihokie

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jul 03, 2011

Last visit: Sep 16, 2011

Posts: 13
Posted: Aug 15, 2011 - 06:41 AM

Thanks guys. I was missing the mast rotation step. I will give it a try next weekend. As a newbie, I really appreciate the advice offered on this forum.
Thanks again,

--
Barry Jones
1982 NACRA 5.8
Space Coast, Florida
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johno3300

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jan 19, 2010

Last visit: Jul 29, 2015

Posts: 16
Posted: Aug 15, 2011 - 07:41 AM

I have had my P-19 for two seasons now and can speak to having the same experience as Trihokie. Like most parts of the rigging after practice it is no problem at all. I still have a 2-3 pulls on the Jib S-hook/Ring but I get the Main off the hook first try every time. Without question the rotator must be used to move the hook out of the ring. here are some previous bad ideas I had that prevented me from getting it unhooked. I had thought it mattered if the ring with-welded-shackle used on the P-19 had a "front" or "rear" facing side. I also was not sure which extreme left or right I should move the rotator.

Here is my method for dropping the main. remove the Clew from the Boom, remove downhaul, remove lower part of sail from mast's downhaul track. while standing infront of the main beam, raise main with halyard to maximum about 1.5in. Quickly move rotator to Port extreme, this will maintain the sail at it's maximum height, allowing you to release the halyard (port may be P-19 specific). I then give the tack a pull about 2-3 inches. It is important to not release the extreme rotation as the sail will quickly pile up on the tramp. I use my foot to control the halyard and with free hands roll the sail on the tramp.

--
See you on the water
2003 Bimare 18HT solo Sailor
Formerly P-19MX solo sailor
Portsmouth RI
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Quarath

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jul 06, 2008

Last visit: Jul 19, 2018

Posts: 986
Posted: Aug 15, 2011 - 10:52 AM

A lot of is just practice. I had a fair bit trouble with that same thing on my P18 for the first couple seasons. Mine just has a stopper knot and I make sure it faces away from the mast when I hook the mainsail to it. Usually hooked and unhooked first try now but occasionally it becomes troublesome.

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Dustin Finlinson • Magna, UT
Member: Utah Sailing Association
1982 Prindle 18
1986 Hobie 17
1982 Prindle 16
1980 Prindle 16(mostly)
1976 Prindle 16(mostly)
Check out "Prindle Sailors" on Facebook.
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Edchris177

Rank: Chief

Registered: Nov 26, 2009

Last visit: Aug 10, 2024

Posts: 2531
Posted: Aug 16, 2011 - 03:14 AM

Barry, do you have a copy of the older nacra manual? it is posted here, under the Tech section. If you go right to the end, there is a PDF download of the entire manual, all that good stuff for dropping the sail is in it.

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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
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trihokie

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jul 03, 2011

Last visit: Sep 16, 2011

Posts: 13
Posted: Aug 16, 2011 - 07:05 PM

Edchris177, thanks for the tip. I just finished reading all 34 pages of the Nacra manual. 30 year old boats don't always come with an owners manual. Very informative.

--
Barry Jones
1982 NACRA 5.8
Space Coast, Florida
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DamonLinkous

Rank: Administrator

Registered: Jul 19, 2001

Last visit: Nov 15, 2024

Posts: 3446
Posted: Aug 17, 2011 - 04:53 PM

trihokieI just finished reading all 34 pages of the Nacra manual....
Very informative.

I reccomend everyone, no matter how long they have been sailing a particular model, read straight through the owner/assembly manual(s) for their boat.

I've owned Hobie 18's since 1992 and just recently read through the Hobie 18 manual and found a couple of things I've been doing wrong for years.

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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

How To Create Your Signature

How To Create Your Own Cool Avatar

How To Display Pictures In The Forums.
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Edchris177

Rank: Chief

Registered: Nov 26, 2009

Last visit: Aug 10, 2024

Posts: 2531
Posted: Aug 17, 2011 - 08:40 PM

QuoteI reccomend everyone, no matter how long they have been sailing a particular model, read straight through the owner/assembly manual(s) for their boat.

Amen. When I picked up my 5.7 I had little idea of what I was getting into. There were no other Cats around my cottage that I knew of. My resources consisted of this forum, & the Manuals posted here. If you actually read them, as opposed to skimming, it was surprising how much info they contain.
Barry, I should have posted that there are 2 Nacra Manuals. Download them both, one is newer, & though they are pretty much the same, I found several instances where one showed something better than the other.

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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
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