On Tue, 03 Jan 2006 10:55:16 GMT, scudding along
wrote:




I'd better look up the term "topping lift". There is and "extra" pully
on the fore of the masthead a few feet below the actual head I've been
puzzling over.


That pulley (sheave) is for the halyard for the cruising chute.

Kemp sails has good site that might help:

http://www.kempsails.com/sitedata/PD...sing-Chute.pdf

I use a different system for gybing the chute. My sheets run outside
of everything. Rather than bringing the sail through the fore
triangle, I let the sail go forward of the forestay. In their method
the halyard sheave is below the forestay.

This boat is so short and the gear so light I think it was someone's
idea to make it look like a real cruiser or something. The pole
weights about 8oz and the chute looks like it could be handled by a
child.

Two people can easily handle a cruising chute. A spinnaker is best
handled by at least 3, although some hotshots can single-hand one.

Jack

_________________________________________
Jack Dale
ISPA Yachtmaster Offshore Instructor
CYA Advanced Cruising Instructor
http://www.swiftsuresailing.com
_________________________________________