Getting to the bow of a 26X

hsi88 · Post by **hsi88** » Thu Dec 03, 2015 5:47 pm

One of the things I really hate about my 26X is the cumbersome and dangerous trek to the bow to do anything (like setting a spinnaker). Up over the cabin I have to go, with almost nothing outside of the mast to hold onto. I also own a Cat 27 and its a snap to travel to and fro using the traditional toe rail/walkway along both sides of the boat. I have heard people say it was done for cabin space, but that is BS as headroom is moot along the sides of a boat. I would rather have a safer way to travel back and forth, especially in choppy seas. What do 26X (and 26M) owners usually do to address this problem? Worth adding tubed railings? Hand holds?

yukonbob · Post by **yukonbob** » Thu Dec 03, 2015 7:17 pm

Dodger, life lines, stanchions, standing rigging mast and headsail/forestay and jib sheets. All good handholds.

Post by **Hamin' X** » Thu Dec 03, 2015 9:01 pm

Don't forget the baby stays. Sometimes it's best to go up through the forward hatch.

~Rich

Post by **dlandersson** » Fri Dec 04, 2015 2:03 am

I leave my baby stays up all the time. Very handy handholds when I go forward.

hsi88 wrote:One of the things I really hate about my 26X is the cumbersome and dangerous trek to the bow to do anything (like setting a spinnaker). Up over the cabin I have to go, with almost nothing outside of the mast to hold onto. I also own a Cat 27 and its a snap to travel to and fro using the traditional toe rail/walkway along both sides of the boat. I have heard people say it was done for cabin space, but that is BS as headroom is moot along the sides of a boat. I would rather have a safer way to travel back and forth, especially in choppy seas. What do 26X (and 26M) owners usually do to address this problem? Worth adding tubed railings? Hand holds?

hsi88 · Post by **hsi88** » Fri Dec 04, 2015 9:17 am

I've seen grab rails attached to booms on bigger boats. That would help. But as I get older, I am not as steady on my feet and without something substantial to hold onto, it can be tough doing anything up front. Thank goodness for roller reefing sails. Perhaps I could also get an asymmetrical spinnaker that also reefs that could be positioned just outside the genoa. I like the extra power of a spinnaker, especially down wind. But even with a sock, it takes a trip up front to set it. Will need to think on this. Thanks!

yukonbob · Post by **yukonbob** » Fri Dec 04, 2015 10:23 am

If you don't have some already a good pair of sailing shoes gives you extra grip dry or wet.

RGF · Post by **RGF** » Fri Dec 04, 2015 12:08 pm

Or you might want to try some lighter weight,super comfy,super grippy Vibram "Five Finger" shoes....

BOAT · Post by **BOAT** » Fri Dec 04, 2015 3:59 pm

Uh, you mean walking, on your feet?

Hmm, I rarely use my feet - I guess I am strange.

I always slide around on the top of the deck on my butt. (!) (Am i doing it wrong?) Seems like that's where all my 'ballast' is, (in my butt), and just like the ballast in the boat it really helps me stay upright.

If the sea is really ruff I can wrap my legs around the mast and have both hands free to work the halyards and stuff. Been doin it that way since day one - I just thought everyone did it that way.

So you guys walk on the top to get around huh? Okay, well that works too I guess - but that means one of your hands are not free - how do you DO stuff with your hands tied up holding on?

Post by **dlandersson** » Fri Dec 04, 2015 4:13 pm

Isn't that what kids are for?

hsi88 wrote:One of the things I really hate about my 26X is the cumbersome and dangerous trek to the bow to do anything (like setting a spinnaker). Up over the cabin I have to go, with almost nothing outside of the mast to hold onto. I also own a Cat 27 and its a snap to travel to and fro using the traditional toe rail/walkway along both sides of the boat. I have heard people say it was done for cabin space, but that is BS as headroom is moot along the sides of a boat. I would rather have a safer way to travel back and forth, especially in choppy seas. What do 26X (and 26M) owners usually do to address this problem? Worth adding tubed railings? Hand holds?

cptron · Post by **cptron** » Fri Dec 04, 2015 4:31 pm

dlandersson wrote:Isn't that what kids are for?

hsi88 wrote:One of the things I really hate about my 26X is the cumbersome and dangerous trek to the bow to do anything (like setting a spinnaker). Up over the cabin I have to go, with almost nothing outside of the mast to hold onto. I also own a Cat 27 and its a snap to travel to and fro using the traditional toe rail/walkway along both sides of the boat. I have heard people say it was done for cabin space, but that is BS as headroom is moot along the sides of a boat. I would rather have a safer way to travel back and forth, especially in choppy seas. What do 26X (and 26M) owners usually do to address this problem? Worth adding tubed railings? Hand holds?

And guests.

BOAT · Post by **BOAT** » Fri Dec 04, 2015 4:41 pm

No, I keep guests in the cockpit because I do not want them to get sick. My place is on top of the cabin - I'm the guy sliding back and forth on top of the cabin working halyards, clearing jib sheets, sliding down the companionway from the side to get to tools and stuff and back out the forward hatch to secure dock lines and stuff. I'm all over the place - I guess that's why I get my stomach sick sometimes.

Once a crew always a crew. Old habits I guess.

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Getting to the bow of a 26X

Getting to the bow of a 26X

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