Avocet, a Chrysler 26 sailboat

Last updated: January 30, 2012

A 1979 Chrysler 26 Sailboat


Page Index

Introduction
History
Designer
Characteristics
Racing/Speed
Keel and Hull
Rudder/Tiller
Sail and Rigging
Double Mainsheet
Rigging Notes
Accommodations
Trailer
Wiring
Winterizing
Not on Our Boat
Checklist
Inventory
Links
Contact



Ship's Log

2000 \| 2001 \| 2002
2003 \| 2004 \| 2005
2006 \| 2007 \| 2008
2009 \| 2010 \| 2011
2012 \|

DOUBLE MAINSHEET

The second owner rigged the boom with a double mainsheet arrangement that he saw on a Mirage 25 which works great for setting the boom and the sail where you want them. The advantages, which are similar to the control provided with a more expensive traveler, are:

While beating in heavy winds you can trim the boom to windward, ease the main sheet to put twist in the main sail so that the top is eased downwind and spills some of that overpowering wind.

While beating in really heavy winds you can depower the entire sails by trimming the boom leeward keeping a consistent flat mainsail, with a little luff in the entire leading edge.

Off the wind you can use the leeward sheet only to get a more directly downward pull on the boom, and a flatter more powerful mainsail shape.

The disadvantages are:

This system might require a little more tweaking after tacking to get the boom right where you want it. But you have that same issue with a traveler to adjust it after a tack (unless you had the traveler car at centerline already, in which case you really were getting no benefit from having a traveler).

It will take more care before jibing to make sure you have slacked the appropriate sheet sufficiently to allow the main sail to change sides. Again you have that same issue with a traveler, to re-adjust the traveler car to where you want it.

Concentrating the attachment at one point could result in a very high amount of sheer forces concentrated at one point on the boom.