Clearing a jam
Aug 19, 2016 21:10:47 GMT
Post by tedp on Aug 19, 2016 21:10:47 GMT
A few days ago, just after crossing the bar outside the entrance channel to the isle of Ameland in the Netherlands, the wild 5ft rollers created this problem when I tried to set the main:
www.009dutch.nl/jeanneau/img_2945.jpg
The mainsail halliard had been whipping around a bit, and it managed to jam around the radar reflector. Luckily the wind to my next destination to the west was following and not too strong, so I set the 'blister' and made quite a good run. On the final leg I had to sail high on the wind with the tide under me, and the genoa alone sufficed.
Then the fun started. I needed to get the halliard end OVER and forward of the spreader so I could clear it from the pod. I tried making up a heaving line with a block wrapped in a soft cloth, to the end of a line, but all to no avail - I got it over after twenty tries, wrenching my arm, but the d**n thing wouldn't drop - it was too light.
After sleeping on it, I devised an easier method, using a fender and the topping lift. I'll first show the diagram:
www.009dutch.nl/jeanneau/schematic.jpg
Step 1 shows the jammed halliard.
Step 2 shows the fender attached to the topping lift of the boom, with the end of the mains halliard. In addition there is a tail rope attached to the other end of the fender (the end with the fender line still on it).
Step 3 shows how the topping lift is used to get the fender with the halliard end OVER the spreader. You simply yank the tail rope till it falls over the spreader.
Step 4 and 5 show the fender being lowered by gravity. This can take some bouncing, using the topping lift line to drop the fender against the resistance of the lines hanging over the spreader. Eventually I caught the fender line hanging down and pulled it down to the deck. Then I swung the halliard back round the pod, hauled the fender up and dropped it back aft over the spreader.
Step 6 shows the cleared halliard being lowered to the deck again, AFT of the spreader.
I hope the diagram and the method are clear - once I had the idea it took me only half an hour, without having to climb the mast.
www.009dutch.nl/jeanneau/img_2945.jpg
The mainsail halliard had been whipping around a bit, and it managed to jam around the radar reflector. Luckily the wind to my next destination to the west was following and not too strong, so I set the 'blister' and made quite a good run. On the final leg I had to sail high on the wind with the tide under me, and the genoa alone sufficed.
Then the fun started. I needed to get the halliard end OVER and forward of the spreader so I could clear it from the pod. I tried making up a heaving line with a block wrapped in a soft cloth, to the end of a line, but all to no avail - I got it over after twenty tries, wrenching my arm, but the d**n thing wouldn't drop - it was too light.
After sleeping on it, I devised an easier method, using a fender and the topping lift. I'll first show the diagram:
www.009dutch.nl/jeanneau/schematic.jpg
Step 1 shows the jammed halliard.
Step 2 shows the fender attached to the topping lift of the boom, with the end of the mains halliard. In addition there is a tail rope attached to the other end of the fender (the end with the fender line still on it).
Step 3 shows how the topping lift is used to get the fender with the halliard end OVER the spreader. You simply yank the tail rope till it falls over the spreader.
Step 4 and 5 show the fender being lowered by gravity. This can take some bouncing, using the topping lift line to drop the fender against the resistance of the lines hanging over the spreader. Eventually I caught the fender line hanging down and pulled it down to the deck. Then I swung the halliard back round the pod, hauled the fender up and dropped it back aft over the spreader.
Step 6 shows the cleared halliard being lowered to the deck again, AFT of the spreader.
I hope the diagram and the method are clear - once I had the idea it took me only half an hour, without having to climb the mast.
