Highlanders First Sail on an M

[Catigale]

I bet Bill has never mounted the clutches backwards...

I put my clutches in front of the winches so that I could use them but agree the danger of breaking something using the winch is high..Im not enough of a performance sailor to go for the ultra flat main etc...

[delevi]

Geoff,

Looks like the price went up. Mine was around $60 if memory serves me well. Anyhow, the problem with the quick pin on the factory linkage is that the engine steering bar, free of the engine will still move in a & out as you turn the helm. It will run into the secured engine linkage which will result in you only being able to turn in one direction. This is only a problem if your trying to motor with engine disconnected and steering with the rudders, otherwise you're fine. For me, I found this to be too much of a safety concern. With the BWY linkage, you can power up and go just as quickly as you can tilt down and start her up. I only reconnect before entering a harbor or if I'm going to power fast w/o foils.

Leon

[deja_vu]

Yeah I could swear I was just looking at that a month or two ago and it was still around $60. I was planning on ordering one soon as well. But at more than double the price I'll have to see what I can come up with. $60 is more than reasonable, $129 is not so much. Geoff if you come up with something please post some pics.

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

I bet Bill has never mounted the clutches backwards...

I'll take that bet.
I did it once, about ten years ago.
Realized my mistake when I ran the halyards and re-did them the right way.
It's one of those things where you do it wrong once it doesn't happen again.

[beene]

Live and learn eh Bill?

Leon & Jeff

When I disconnected the linkage while out with John, I did not have any probs with steering whatsoever. Worked great, other than the PITA switching from one config to the other. I picked up a 3/8 x 3" bolt from WM and a 3/16 pin. Will post results once I get everything figured out and hooked up

G

[Terry]

Duane wrote:

What about other uses for the halyards? I have used my jib halyard a number of times to hoist my dinghy with a sling onto the foredeck. How about a man over board situation with a lifesling. The standard procedure is to use a halyard to lift this load. Both of these would be enhanced by the availability of a winch for the halyard.

Why limit the functionality? By simply placing the clutches in a different location you can use the winch if desired and the lines are not under foot. I'm not saying your work is wrong, I'm simply pointing out there are other choices that are as good or better.

Yup, I use my jib halyard to hoist the mast, the dealer stayed with the old system when he sold me my M, said that it was better than Rogers new little invention. So I have a line that runs from block & tackle at the end of my gin pole and bow cleat down to the winch and I have to really crank it hard to get that forestay pin in place. Hope I don't break that winch.

[Frank C]

You won't break that winch, but I worry about the line breaking, or the jib halyard, or the padeyes ripping out, or the shackles giving-way. We place an enormous load on that system for pinning the forestay, perhaps even excessive load. That's why I added a QR lever under the furling drum. Absent a QR, I still suggest using a foot-loop to pin the forestay, rather than cranking all that tension into the mast raising tacke.

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

not having the lines under foot would be even better.
What about other uses for the halyards?

These boats would be a lkot easier to sail if it weren't for all the lines under foot, the cables, ropes, and if the wind wasn't blowing.

Simply remove the halyard from the clutch.

[kevperro]

My customers may have rolled something on their boats but I'm not aware of any of them rolling an ankle.

Ha! What kind of customers do you have Bill?

All of this comes down to personal preference. hull... I don't have anything but the stock set-up. I go to the mast to raise & lower sail, go forward to hank on the jib or genoa. My topping lift is Bill's line from the chickenhead and I don't plan on changing it.