The current set up

Just a brief run down on how Maggie is currently set up.

Sails:

The main sail has a bolt rope on the foot and slugs on the luff. The main is reefed by a roller reefing system around the boom. I have generally had problems getting a good shape to the sail once reefed - however I may have just been provided with a solution by using the topping lift to keep the boom level - I'll have to play around with this out next time I go out. Another minor issue is that the vang can't be used when reefed - i have a bit of a thought on this but i'll have to check it out before making a tool of myself with a really bad idea!!

When I got Maggie she had a jib furler fitted - it was however on BACKWARDS!! So that was soon rectified. The next dilemma was that the furling line wouldn't all fit within the drum - so I replaced the 6mm line with 4mm Spectra - OK now we're getting somewhere. The furler was still struggling, so after pulling it apart and seeing how much of a dogs breakfast it was inside I decided it was time to go.

So now the headsails are all hank on. The headsails we have on Maggie are a Genoa - about 140%, a Jib - about 100% and a smaller Storm Jib.

One of the things on the list (for when I remember where I put my bottomless bucket of cash) is to get a kite - the big question is where to go conventional or asso???

Running Rigging:

As with all small yachts the "How many blocks, cleats, lines does one want / need to control stuff" dilemma exists. I've tried, and am still trying, to find a balance between which lines need to come back to cabin top cleats - thereby accessible from the cockpit - and which lines can terminate sooner and will require a walk to adjust. I'll start from the bow.

Headsail controls - the jib halyard runs back to a cleat on the cabin top, i've got a jib downhaul just to give the headsail a gentle reminder how to douse when it gets a bit stuck - this also runs back to the cabin top (mostly because it uses the use furler hardware) and the jibsheets obviously run back to the cockpit for trimming.

Mainsail controls - Although the mainsail halyard runs back to a cabin top jammer - it's lack of length dictates that the winch on the mast is used when required, the boom vang doesn't have any associated hardware and just connects between the mast base and boom when required - the main reason for this is that with the roller reefing main the vang can only be used when we are flying full main, a fairly poor excuse for an outhaul exists on the boom - however the age and decrepit nature of the main (once again where's that bucket of money!!) means outhaul tension has little value,the topping lift runs to a horn cleat on the mast - however since my discovery regarding the reefing of the boom - this may need to be altered??, and the mainsheet and the mainsheet traveller control line are both obviously in the cockpit - although they both have enough length that I can happily sit on the cabin top ready to ease or dump the main as required!

Maggie has three winches. One on the mast for the mainsail halyard, one on the cabin top for the jib halyard and the third attached to the front of the mainsheet traveller for the jib lines, as below.

Many people find the winch in this position awkward - I don't mind it. The line runs from the block, through the eyelet, to the winch and then cleats on the opposite side - it means not having to go too far to leeward when trimming the jib.

We also have blocks and cleats for a kite - but haven't bothered to go down that path yet...as mentioned before.


Toys / Extras: 

One of the greatest conveniences for anyone who does solo sailing is almost certainly an autohelm - I was lucky in that Maggie came with a Raymarine ST1000plus Autohelm. It gives you heaps of freedom to relax and not worry about holding the tiller the entire time - although I must admit once the wind comes up I still enjoy being in control. I was again lucky in that the autohelm has a set of controls on a length of cord making it possible to change course from anywhere on the yacht. However, my favourite feature has to be the autotack - which takes you through about 100deg. It makes solo tacks really easy!

GPS/plotter - The GPS is great. One of the advantages of it as i see is your ability to see how much headway you are making. Western Port, where most of my sailing is done, is strongly tidal and currents of to 2-3kts are not uncommon and when you only do 4-5kts most of the time you can go nowhere or even backwards fast, particularly in light air. The plotter is currently just clamped onto the rope bag - however plans are afoot to build a little swing bracket to attach just inside the companionway.

UHF and Marine radio

AM/FM radio tape deck - needs upgrading to one with a USB jack.

I think that is about it - I will add anything else I can think of at a later stage!

Oh Yeah, as you could probably see in the previous photo, the iron topsail is a 8hp Yamaha outboard in a well, which pokes out like this.

As you can see the rudder can be raised for storage. And as you can also see, it needs to be sanded and re-painted...boring!

And finally, James making sure the lifeline padding works.

Yep, all good!