Getting the ropes sorted

The following pictures show how to rig an adjustable forestay, place jam cleats along the foredeck and run continuous lines through the cockpit. This is for a polyester or epoxy hull but the layout can be adapted for wooden hulls. The pictures are for guidance only and the association cannot be held responsible for any damage or reduction in performance arising from using these pictures.

Click on the pictures to see a larger version.

mast foot

The arrangement above has cleats for all of the controls mounted so that they are twinned - this means that the controls are taken back on both sides.

mast foot
This photo shows how the adjustable lowers are routed. You can see the starboard one at the bottom left of the photo (red rope). It also shows how the lines are led forward for the rig tensioner.

in front of the mast

This is another view of how the rig tension lines are routed.

rig tensioner

This view shows the rig tensioner connected to the forestay

The pictures above show that the control lines are fed through the cockpit and back through the corresponding cleats on the opposite side of the deck. They are joined using dyneema splicing end to end (don't ask me!) and this forms the continuous line arrangement. This arrangement allows you to sit farther forward in the cockpit during light airs.

This method of attaching the cleats can be adapted for most hulls BUT be sure your deck is strong enough to cope with the additional stresses involved. Early polyester phantoms sometimes had a very thin foredeck which 'warped' when under loading from the mast. If in any doubt contact Jeff Vanderborght, the builder who should know whether your hull can be fitted out using this arrangement.

Alternatively the lines can be kept separate, and rather than have them dangling loose in the cockpit getting your way can be 'taken away' by the use of lightweight elastic. Pictures to show this soon.