we stopped leading the pole lift back when we found "certain" pit crew had a tendency to release it accidentally when foredeck crew was working on the foredeck. not making foredeckers happy... some of those certain people were those who believe that you Have to loosen the pole lift to gybe.
it must be a carry over from other boats.
Thereupon made rule only foredeck people will lift/drop pole... we added a nylon cleat a couple of feet off the deck on the starboard side of the mast to lock it. this was not a question of what is the best way ... but what way kept foredeckers from getting bopped.
downhaul still runs back old fashioned J30 way from padeye turning block in front of hatch. since we are launching/retrieving spin via hatch ... the pole run back to base of mast seems to add a bit of complexity when the hatch is open.
Yes, I am sure if the same foredeckers were on all the time, and we always made the mark with room to spare, downhaul to mast is OK, but we work on reducing complexity for the senior citizens rotating foredeck duty.
Pit and guy trimmer control the position of the pole from the cockpit.
roger, roger on that knot ... works for us ... I was able to use a clamp to straighten out the ring the one time we skyied hard ... now just keep a knot in ... which i will remember to retie tomorrow. thanks for the reminder.
