"outlhaul" line on (boomless) N5.5 sail getting tangled :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

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"outlhaul" line on (boomless) N5.5 sail getting tangled

Andinista

Rank: Mate

Registered: Aug 18, 2003

Last visit: Dec 13, 2023

Posts: 880
Posted: Jan 17, 2022 - 09:20 AM

The line controlling the car on the sail track tends to get tangled with the mainsheet system. I never had a problem but I don't like it. I thought of a simple solution, if it works. Unfortunately I couldn't test it because of the tsunami alert. I just tied a short length of bungee to keep the end of the line up. Anybody has done something different for this?

Here is a not very clear picture.
Dogboy

Rank: Mate

Registered: Mar 19, 2004

Last visit: Nov 21, 2024

Posts: 964
Posted: Jan 17, 2022 - 09:50 AM

Seems like a risk for getting your head, or something else, looped in there when switching tacks.

How about a strip of velcro sewn to the bottom batten pocket and then a tab of velcro sewn to the control line. Set your outhaul and then stick the tail up to the sail out of the way.

sm
Andinista

Rank: Mate

Registered: Aug 18, 2003

Last visit: Dec 13, 2023

Posts: 880
Posted: Jan 17, 2022 - 10:12 AM

Yes, that could work. Instead I would try sewing a pocket on the sail to store the line. Another idea is to use a longer line, add small blocks at both ends of the track and run the line to the aft end and back to the car, using the same purchase on both sides of the car. That would keep the length of the loop constant and it could be set smaller than a head diameter.. With a system like that I would change to a 1:1 purchase, for simplicity and less friction.
Dogboy

Rank: Mate

Registered: Mar 19, 2004

Last visit: Nov 21, 2024

Posts: 964
Posted: Jan 17, 2022 - 10:47 AM

I had initially thought to add a pocket to the sail with a bungee retract, but I think the bungee might end up unintentionally pulling in on the line when you have the blocks set at the back of the track.

I like the continuous loop idea, I think that would be quite clean.

sm
carbonc

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Sep 24, 2021

Last visit: Apr 09, 2022

Posts: 40
Posted: Jan 17, 2022 - 02:06 PM

Does your system use a bungee for moving the car to one end? If so I presume you’re only having this issue sailing upwind so you could just move the bungee side to the forward side and put the car on the aft end of the boomlet. Then the breeze would be blowing the tail away from the main blocks.

That being said I haven’t had this issue on my 5.5.
Andinista

Rank: Mate

Registered: Aug 18, 2003

Last visit: Dec 13, 2023

Posts: 880
Posted: Jan 17, 2022 - 02:55 PM

I set up the continuous loop and it looks good. My system doesn't run smooth, it needs some maintenance, but it still works. I added a bungee take-away on the aft end, or otherwise the horizontal lines would be loose and it would still be risky. With that I lost about a 10% range but I never go all the way out.

Thanks dogboy for the co-creation:)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Udr8aWmbADk

Edited by Andinista on Jan 17, 2022 - 02:58 PM.
texastuma

Rank: Mate

Registered: Nov 22, 2012

Last visit: Dec 05, 2024

Posts: 415
Posted: Jan 17, 2022 - 02:56 PM

For my 5.8, I had added a long pocket forward. it looked like a batten pocket, but I had it sewn on the bottom side and velcro on the other 3. The first version I sewed the top, but found i would have to hold the flap up with one hand and place the outhaul with the other. I then flipped it over and sewed the bottom where it would flip outward when not velcroed. I would adjust the outhual and place the tail on the flap and then close. It took practice, but I could do it one-handed. It worked ok. The short W/L races I wouldn't adjust the outhaul downwind.

--
Scott

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Andinista

Rank: Mate

Registered: Aug 18, 2003

Last visit: Dec 13, 2023

Posts: 880
Posted: Jan 17, 2022 - 03:26 PM

carboncDoes your system use a bungee for moving the car to one end? If so I presume you’re only having this issue sailing upwind so you could just move the bungee side to the forward side and put the car on the aft end of the boomlet. Then the breeze would be blowing the tail away from the main blocks.

That being said I haven’t had this issue on my 5.5.

I get your point. I don't use a bungee to pull the car aft. The arrangement you propose makes sense but you still need to pull the the car from the front side, because the mainsheet pulls it backwards when sailing closed hauled. But you may add a pulley and move the cleat to the other side. I would be a bit harder to reach, especially when sailing downwind.

Here is what I'm talking about, at 1:25 and 1:35. It hasn't caused troubles but it's a distraction to say the least
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3DpaN_JPyI

Edited by Andinista on Jan 17, 2022 - 03:30 PM.