[Public-List] headsails

[Gordon Laco]

Who could fault you for anything you do to allow you to keep sailing?

When I got my wooden Folkboat back, I recall commenting to my wife that perhaps I’ll keep her to use as a day sailer when I’m beyond voyaging… she’s a good sailor and commented with her inboard engine and headsail furling, the Alberg 30 will be a lot easier for me to handle when I’m older than the wooden boat with her outboard and handed on headsails…  and she’s right.

When I was a boy I turned my nose up to fibre glass, furlers, inboard engines, etc etc as compromises I’d never stoop to tolerate… but maturity has helped me understand that whatever keeps me sailing will be honourable (good seamanship being observed of course)

A few years ago I supplied a custom fabricated electric drive for the mainsheet of a schooner yacht.  I once looked upon electric powered winches with disgust, but what this fitting means to it’s owner is that he’ll be able to keep sailing his beloved schooner.  He told me he was very grateful that circumstances have allowed that he could afford the considerable cost, but didn’t begrudge a cent of it because it allowed him to keep sailing.   

Mind you, he doesn’t go to sea anymore where he’d be in trouble if there was a loss of electrical power, which would leave him very vulnerable should he not be able to handle the rig without the power assist… that’s good seamanship.   But he can still go out on nice days, particularly with friends aboard.

Gordon Laco
#426 Surprise




> On Jul 3, 2018, at 8:58 AM, gordon white via Public-List <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> 
> 
>     While I understand the issues with using a furler to partially-reef a headsail, at the age of nearly 85 I am nowhere near as agile, or strong, as I once was. Changing a headsail has become onerous, and if I had to do it I would sail a lot less. Actually, folding the main and getting it into its cover is a big job, and we only use the main when sailing at least all day. For a brief hour or three we just use the 150% jib. We are not racing, and getting the last knot out of the boat is not important.
> 
>     Just a word of warning: Check the reefing line on your furler. Last fall ours pulled out of the furler in winds higher than for which a 150% sail was comfortable and there was no way to get it back in place on a pitching foredeck. I lost my glasses overboard trying. It was blowing nearly 30 knots and we had to tack to get back home from Cape Charles, so it was an adventure. Seems the furling line and deteriorated just enough for the line to become loose where it was pinned into the furler drum.
> 
> 
>  - Gordon White, Brigadoon II, # 275, Deltaville, VA
> 
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