Embarrassing question. Raise headsails on the hard?

[boatsisboats]

Have never had to raise head sails after being on the hard before.
Wondering if we should wait until after the splash?

Total newbie to this, have previously only bareboated.

Both head sails are down and we splash soon. Would you wait or hoist on the hard. Of course not attaching any sheets and of course with no wind in early morning.

Seems like it could end in tears.

Be kind...

[Adelie]

I would wait.

[AKA-None]

Very risky if a gust came up

[boatman61]

On the water.. less heel..

[sailingabe41ds]

Originally Posted by AKA-None

Very risky if a gust came up

Make sure you reef early...

abe

[Jim Cate]

dunno about yours, but many yards specifically forbid any sails being hoisted whilst on teh hard... and that's a good idea IMO.

Jim

[Sailmonkey]

In the water....

[Joh.Ghurt]

Originally Posted by boatsisboats

Seems like it could end in tears.

Yes it will, like everyone before said.

The reason for this is on one hand the boat uses the resistance of the water to counteract the forces of the rig. On the dry, you don't have this, the stand only apply resistance in a select few directions.

Second, when the forces in the rig get too big, the boat starts to move. In the water that isn't a problem, the boat will just dance and sway on the lines. On the hard this is a really bad thing.

Sure, you might be able to get away with it on a calm day and some luck, but the risk of catastrophic failure just isn't worth it. Get splashed, then hank on the sails at your leisure in the the dock and be happy. No need to become the star of a viral video.

I hope this makes it clearer.

[jim King]

Not a good idea. Why can't you wait until you are in the water?

[boatsisboats]

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

I think I have never seen a unanimous conclusion on this entire forum.

Appreciate it.

[rfkneller]

I have raised and lowered the headsail while on jack stands many times. Always when there is very little wind. No problem.

[waterman46]

Originally Posted by rfkneller

I have raised and lowered the headsail while on jack stands many times. Always when there is very little wind. No problem.

Had to be someone. What if the sheet got snagged on something? Ok for a cat only.

[AJ_n_Audrey]

You've got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? .....;-)

[Finalee]

There has to be something else to do under the boat while on the hard. Even if its just to sit and look at the bottom.
Wait till splash to play with sails.

[Halam]

Mine is a bilge keeler so quite stable when on hard ground. I haven't thought twice about raising the sails if head to light wind. On the other hand, I wouldn't launch without sails ready to go, can trust these new-fangled combustion engines.