Willard Main Sail Rigging

[SV Someday Came]

Hello

I have attached a couple of pictures of the manner in which the main sail is controlled on my Willard. Simply put, I do not like the way it feels. You can only crank so much in and then you have to help push the boom to the center (close hauled is the term?) in order to get that final trim. There is something inefficient about the way the lines of force feel in this set-up: Much of the force generated by the winch is a downward vector from the apex of the isosceles triangle where the pulley is located under the boom.

I am heading to SF in a few days to see the show and thought I would keep an open mind as to some possible new ways to rig the mainsail.

The only other Willard I have seen was at Long Beach where I used to keep my boat. That person had a HUGE traveler that went over the sliding cabin roof. I did not like that much either.

Does anyone have some suggestions for different rigging setup?

[Ex-Calif]

The companionway cover certainly makes it a challenge. As much as you may not like the look of a traveler it is the option I would choose. Having the ability to trim with the traveler makes things a lot better.

I can't tell from the photos what the option would be for end boom sheeting and if you have a way to attach the gear from there.

[svHyLyte]

Michael--

In theory you could add track-risers and a High Beam Traveler Track that would span your companion way and give you somewhat better control of your boom (see http://www.harken.com/pdf/4524.pdf ). On your Willard, however, I question the benefit as the yacht is not one that could be driven to weather very closely and would likely make rather too much leeway if brought up too hard on the wind. You might find that adding a vang to control twist will allow your mainsheet to work somewhat better.

FWIW, you might find that two 2- or 3-part vangs, one on each side of the yacht, led through blocks attached to pad-eyes mounted just inboard of the bulwarks and then back to cam-cleats in the cockpit is just what you need. With the vang taken up, the mainsheet will have somewhat less vertical loading which should improve you ability to adjust the position of the boom. In any case however, I question whether the yacht can reasonably do better than 35-40 deg apparent.

FWIW...

s/v HyLyte