sorting of halyards

[Halifax Sailor]

I have 3 internal halyards exiting the base of my mast; spinnaker, main and foresail/jib. Jib is on a furler. At this time jib and spin halyards run to cockpit, main goes to winch and cleat on mast. I also have lines run for 2 reef points on main, they cleat on boom. Aim is to get all controls back to cockpit so the other mate is more comfortable. Question is.....once jib/furler is up (usually for the season, is there any reason why it could not be cleated on mast then main, spinnaker and 1 main reef point come back to cockpit? (i have a triple clutch on the cabin top with a winch). The furler sheet comes back to rear of cockpit so all controls would be accessible from the cockpit. My concern, and it may be groundless, is there any issue with jib halyard/furler being cleated at mast? and my main concern is safety for my family and crew (all still new to the game and nervous when i go forward and leave them in the cockpit to drive).

[mike d.]

My jib halyard, is cleated at the mast, and only gets used at the start of the season, unless there is severe weather predicted. So you would probably be ok with what you want to do. At the end of the season, I have to wash the mold off of the coils.

[FSMike]

The "mikes" agree lol. You'll have enough spaghetti in the cockpit anyway.

[StuM]

Yep, if you have a furling headsail that stays up, it makes sense to terminate that halyard at the mast and keep it out of the way of the lines you do need to adjust that you have run to the cockpit.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by StuM

Yep, if you have a furling headsail that stays up, it makes sense to terminate that halyard at the mast and keep it out of the way of the lines you do need to adjust that you have run to the cockpit.

And now the Stus agree with the mikes.

[roverhi]

If you sail single/short handed, I'd have all the headsail halyards at the mast and the mainsail halyard and controls to the cockpit.

Most of the issues with headsails are way easier to handle at the mast and only able to be handled solo with the halyard on the foredeck.

[Nicholson58]

I raced too many years to totally ignore the jib halyard. Tighter in heavy wind and to weather, softer off the wind and light air. Ease the halyard at the dock. Most times, you can leave it alone. It will require less attention if you use a modern line with reduced stretch. I'd leave it at the mast.

[ozskipper]

There is no issue fixing your jib halyard to the mast. It seems a sensible option to swap the Jib and Main halyards.

If a storm hits, you can drop the main and furl the jib from the cockpit. Seems sensible enough.

[Halifax Sailor]

I am thinking that the move to cleat my jib at the mast would meet with approval. Thank you all for you input and i am hoping this will calm the seas for the other mate as i wont have to leave the cockpit, she is a good sailor as long as i am close at hand, doesnt really like the boat over more than 20 degrees but is getting more used to it. Maybe even the spinnaker this year. I am going to be able to do this with little or no cost, so being a sailor.............that's fits right in with where i am thinking. Thx again all who have answered.

[AedanC]

On our Oceanis 411 we have the roller jib cleated at the mast and it works fine. With single line reefing we can reef the main easily from the cockpit. I'd recommend it as a cruising arrangement.


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