I single hand my 26M all the time with the stock setup. For me, the trick is to either disconnect the outboard from the steering, or use a bungy to hold the wheel in place for the few moments when you have to let the wheel go. I also do not sit on the helm seat - I sit on the side and while tacking, I switch sides by moving across in front of the helm station as I handle the sheets.
I find the raised helm seat to be very unnatural if the boat has any heel at all - probably because I learned to sail in dinghies.
- AndyS
Genoa block swivel base cam-cleat
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Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL
- Admiral
- Posts: 1006
- Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2004 7:28 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26D
- Location: Oconomowoc, WI
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Frank C
Bill,Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL wrote:Through the Jib cars on the jib track, back to and through the fairlead and cam-cleat on the Genoa track at the helm.
I agree about not "needing" the winches for jib sheets. I guess I take one wrap mainly for the salty clickin' sounds!
I like to sit in the trimmer's seat at the cabin bulkhead. I could imagine those fancy track cleats could even be used on the cabintop as follows:- * Jibsheet from downhill jib car diagonal to uphill track cleat
* Jibsheet tailing down into the cabin
* Jibsheets cross each other like an "X" over the sliding hatch
* (I guess it might require standing up to release the jibsheet)
(I might need to add those to my "wish list")
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parrothead
- First Officer
- Posts: 426
- Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2005 7:25 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Former vessel: '05 M "Blue Heaven" - Nissan 50 TLDI --- Now owner of a Gemini 3400
This is an unsolicited testimonial for Bill's genoa track-mounted fairlead/cam cleat combos.
I installed a pair on our '05
in June, and have found them absolutely wonderful for the light-air sailing available on the Chesapeake Bay during the summer. We have the standard RF jib, and the sheets are led through the cabintop blocks and then back to the cockpit cam cleats. My sailing background is all in 14' - 16' boats like the FJ, 420 and Tanzer, so having the jib sheets right at hand on either side of the cockpit is very natural. In light air, I find that it's much easier to make fine adjustments to both sails by myself - mainsheet in one hand and jibsheet in the other - no need to move the wheel. When tacking, the Admiral's only responsiblity is to move the traveler from one side to the other as the boom crosses overhead. I pull the former leeward jibsheet snug with one hand, to provide a moment of backwinding as the bow passes through the wind, then release it while trimming in the new leeward sheet for the new heading with the other hand.
I installed a pair on our '05
in June, and have found them absolutely wonderful for the light-air sailing available on the Chesapeake Bay during the summer. We have the standard RF jib, and the sheets are led through the cabintop blocks and then back to the cockpit cam cleats. My sailing background is all in 14' - 16' boats like the FJ, 420 and Tanzer, so having the jib sheets right at hand on either side of the cockpit is very natural. In light air, I find that it's much easier to make fine adjustments to both sails by myself - mainsheet in one hand and jibsheet in the other - no need to move the wheel. When tacking, the Admiral's only responsiblity is to move the traveler from one side to the other as the boom crosses overhead. I pull the former leeward jibsheet snug with one hand, to provide a moment of backwinding as the bow passes through the wind, then release it while trimming in the new leeward sheet for the new heading with the other hand.
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ALX357
- Admiral
- Posts: 1231
- Joined: Thu Jul 22, 2004 6:09 am
- Location: Nashville TN -- 2000 MacGregor 26X, Mercury two-stroke 50hp
after starting this thread, I am happy to report that Bill sold me a pair of those track-mounted swiveling fairlead and cam-cleats, one for each side. WORKS GREAT.
....now single-hand the boat from anywhere in the cockpit, especially the helm seat, without having to let go of the wheel, and don't have to bother the passengers nor "press them into naval service"
....now single-hand the boat from anywhere in the cockpit, especially the helm seat, without having to let go of the wheel, and don't have to bother the passengers nor "press them into naval service"
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mtc
- Captain
- Posts: 545
- Joined: Mon Feb 21, 2005 5:06 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Panama City Beach, Florida 05 M 'Bellaroo' 60hp Merc BF
I'd like to be able to increase/decrease the slot in small increments without changing heading. So, I'm planning on installing small winches just aft of the track and forward of the cleat. Much more work, and alittle more cost as the rail cleats, but much better control - i think. . .
The rail cam cleats sound great, but - with the genny, aren't the forces too great to be able to make small adjustments by hand unless you head up a tad to release the wind?
Anyone done this? Or, do you have to head up?
Michael
The rail cam cleats sound great, but - with the genny, aren't the forces too great to be able to make small adjustments by hand unless you head up a tad to release the wind?
Anyone done this? Or, do you have to head up?
Michael
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Chip Hindes
- Admiral
- Posts: 2166
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 6:13 am
- Location: West Sand Lake, NY '01X, "Nextboat" 50HP Tohatsu
Well, sure it's easier; in the same sense that it's easier not to bother making small adjustments at all.Well, couldn't you head up for a sec, yank the sheet, and then return to course?
Seems a lot easier than installing winches...
If you are interested in making small adjustments for best performance, you need to be able to make the adjustment and then immediately observe whether it had positive or negative effect. If you have to head up in order to make your adjustment, you lose momentum; by the time you get back to the original course and get your speed back up, you will have lost all sense of whether the adjustment was beneficial.