And then the big one. I had a good look at the foot of the mast this evening and yes, I can see how a revolving cleat like the Harken 140/150 could work, and I can also see how the alternative proposition of a couple of turning blocks pinned to the two mast-raising holes forward of the foot could also work (for the Halyards*) at least. And then I had a heart attack when I thought about the single-line reefing (and, for that matter, leading the vang back to the cockpit).
Put bluntly, if I install single-line reefing, run the vang back and/or use the forward mounting points for the Halyard blocks, is this likely to lock up the mast and prevent it from rotating? And is that a "bad thing"?
I have to confess to not being entirely convinced about how useful the rotating mast is; is the idea that it is of greatest use in light winds (in which case keeping the reefing lines slack might free up some movement) or does it's value really count when the breeze picks up? if the latter, then as soon as there is any tension in the first reefing line, things would lock up and performance might be expected to suffer accordingly.
Overall, what with vang, 2 halyards* and 3 reefing lines I am looking at at least 6 lines coming back off the mast, added to which I have the furling line and the daggerboard to contend with, suggesting that muliple sheave deck-organisers and at least quadruple clutches are going to be necessary - the problem being that the only flat place to mount these on the
in front of the winch is quite far forward and an inch or more below it. This endeavour therefore has all the makings of a sit-down-and-plan-it-thoroughly project rather than a casual Sunday afternoon jaunt.Finally, the Harken 16ST's look like they will fit nicely just behind the Genoa tracks, but the pig is that this will restrict get-on-board access over the Port quarter. having grown used to using the shrouds to board the Beneteau, or clambering over the sugar scoop stern on a number of other yachts, i have only just got used to crouching down beneath the bimini just in front of the pushpit, and this is exactly where the new winches will be seated, no doubt waiting to take chunks out of my knees. Does anyone have any pet boarding techniques which don't involve a flying trapeze, a contortionist or multiple watertight tunnels through the hull?
* With the roller-furler, why would anyone want to lead the Genoa/Jib halyard back to the cockpit? Well, this is a catchall idea just in case I have a nasty attack of the Downhauls or catch spinnakeritis. In any case, there are going to be a lot of lines coming off of the mast, and I am having to think long and hard about the geometry
Happy New Year
Andrew
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