MacGregorSailors.com

I cuurently have my 2006 rigged with all lines aft, except for a downhaul for the main sail. What is the best way to rig a downhaul line aft for the main sail?

Thanks for your input in advance. This site is just the greatest place to go to learn about the Mac's and how to sail them from a very diverse and knowledgeable group of experienced sailors. Thanks again!

Fair sailing,

Jim
BOLD VENTURE

Have a look at this thread. I thought it looked good when it first appeared.

http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewt ... b+downhaul

Hi Jim/Pac,

That's my "Celtic" downhaul that I set up on my jib. From what little time I spent with it last season, I really like it there - but I'll be sure to report more this season. Jim, I'm not sure if you were looking into perforating your main in a similar fashion - I'm pretty sure I'm going to do my main in a similar fashion. It should make flaking the main much easier in the process. I'm debating whether or not I'll rig it the same as my jib (up to a block at the head and down the leech), or actually pull the downhaul at the end of the boom (clew) from the cockpit - I'll have see what works best.

If you're planning on running a conventional downhaul, I would think it would be safe to run it through a snatch-block and some cheek blocks (or organizer) on the deck top (as it is not tensioned running rigging). Some have reported issues with tensioned rigging (e.g. main halyard) interfering with mast rotation if they've run it thru blocks on the deck. Others have said - no problem. Either way, I wouldn't see why a downhaul would have to be tensioned to that point while sailing -

Hope that helps - I'll report more on the Celtic-downhaul in the spring.

Cheers
~Bob