Mizzen sheet – wish it had a winch?

[Van]

We’ve had Rainshadow about a year now, and just got new sails (a saga yet to be told…). We took her out and I got to thinking about how handling the sails is a lot easier with the right gear.

For instance, as we all know, the Mizzen sheet goes to the stb side of the cockpit where it is just cleated off. When the wind picks up and you are close hauled, it’s really hard to get that sail in tight. The new Mizzen is a bit bigger than the original, with battens and a roach, so I also think it’s more powerful.

Recently, I realized that on a stb tack, I can just use the unused primary winch (can’t believe it took me 9 months to figure that out). So it got me thinking that maybe it should have a dedicated winch.

Has anyone considered or done this? Where would you put it?

TIA!

[Ronar M]

Hi Rainshadow

I have fitted Ronar M with two separate sheets for the mizzen and beefed up the purchase (having now a 3:1 purchase on each side) This not only makes pulling it in easier but also means I can get the mizzen boom amidships when beating ensuring it is not backwinded by the main. Finally the lazy sheet can be tightened down to act as a kicking strap (boom vang) and get a flatter & better sail profile.

Trevor

[Van]

Hi Trevor,

I had wondered if having two sheets was a viable solution, great to hear it works for you. It had not occured to me to up the purchase as well.

I’ll look into this some more, but it does sound very feasible and not too expensive.

Van

[Rhapsode]

Has anyone considered fitting cam cleats for mizzen and genny sheets so as to free up the winches for the mizzen?

Any thoughts or possible issues from the members??

Peter

 

 

[David and Felicity]

We have fitted the two sheet tripple purchase system (using 8mm) line as described by Ronar M. It is much better than the original one. We have also bought cam cleats to take the sheets and will be fitting them this weekend. I will let you know how they work in a couple of weeks when we have tried them out.

David

[John Tyler]

I also have 2 cam cleats with triple purchase on each- as on Ronar M.

System works well. Can send a photo.

John Tyler  – Aquarius – Poole UK

[Czarina Blue]

We have the system described by Ronar M with 2 separate sheets and cam cleats and it works very well. With our set up it requires visiting the aft deck, and it requires considerable strength to break the windward sheet out of the cam cleat when the sail is full of wind, when easing off, I sometimes stamp it out with a foot. But there are many advantages as noted.

[Rhapsode]

Hello John,

A photo of your set up would be much appreciated.

Peter

[John Tyler]

[Rhapsode]

Thanks John, that’s a great help.

Peter

 

 

[Suala]

Suala has two SBD winches on aft coachroof inside canopy cover. Outer for the mizzen, inner for the Main.  One winch on port side aft coachroof to furl the Genoa. Cleat is topside inside the canopy cover. This setup allows sailing with canopy closed to keep out the rain. Easy sailing adjustments and tacking. Highly recommended.

Brian

suala hull 59

[João de Almeida Farracho]

Hi Suala,

can you please post some pics of this set up?

I look to find a good solution for Conche to manage all from  cockpit.

Many thanks,

João

 

 

 

[Author]

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