Cindy Ballreich wrote:

> Hi Rick,
>
> Our bowlines are as small and tight as they can be (given the line
> size). They are both "innies" (as our sailing instructor used to call
> them), and they oppose one another. So I don't think we can improve on
> things short of going to a smaller line. Part of the problem is that
> the leech of the sail wants to overlap the shrouds and the weight of
> the bowline encourages this, and hinders pulling the leech back around
> when the sail fills. We need new sheets anyway. Our intention is to go
> with a slightly smaller diameter line. That may be enough to make the
> bowline work, but we're still interested in hearing about alternatives.

Um, I wouldn't change the sheet size just to ...ah... "humor" the
knots. If nothing else, try serving the ends with wrappings to slick
things down.

>
> I'm not sure about the brummel splice. That just seems too permanent
> without the shackel, and too dangerous with it. Someone recommended a
> buntline hitch, but I don't think that would be any smaller than a
> bowline and it probably wouldn't be as secure.

There is a reason why "the king of knots" is used here... It's strong,
it holds, and it's easily released when needed - all the hallmarks of a
good knot.

>
> Maybe we should try the double length line with the cow hitch and then
> cut it in two and go to bowlines if it doesn't work out.

I'll go so far as to say, point blank, it's a bad idea. A cow hitch
(two half hitches) is fine for some things, but shaking, luffing sails
isn't one of them. And should one sheet part (chafe? bad luck?), your
world could get very exciting if the wind's up when this happens.
There's little, at that point, but habit to keep the hitches in place.
Honest, don't do it. That a Valiant 42 got by with it is no
justification for repeating it.


What may help is to work on *when* you cast off the sheets while
tacking, the idea being to let the wind pull the sail through in a
hurry. In light airs this often a challenge but approaching roughly 10
kts apparent, life improves.

Rick Emerson
S/V One With The Wind, Baba 35

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Received on Mon Jun 06 18:28:57 2005