Downhaul on CS 20

[Doug Cameron]

The plans are not clear on a downhaul (Cunningham) on a sail mounted on a sail track.  What is the collective experience?  Do you lead it aft (along with the halyard and snotter) or do you cleat it on the mast?

Thanks

[Designer]

Doug,

Here is a shot of the downhaul on the Southern Skimmer mizzen. It has an S-hook with a block, the bitter end goes through the seat with a stopper knot up the block on the S-hook and down to a clam cleat on the mast. This setup holds the mizzen mast in the boat and the same downhaul also serves to reef the tack.

The main downhaul is the same but is led aft to the cockpit. On Skimmer I have a three part purchase on the main.

[Phil - s/v Grasshopper]

Ray's approach works well. It makes it very easy to adjust sail trim and reef when necessary.

Cheers,

Phil

[JeffM]

After two full seasons with my own cs, its about time I asked an obvious question: with a luff sleeve sail, is there any need to adjust the downhauls?  Except for loosening them to relieve stress on the sails in storage, I virtually never touch mine.