We have competed in the Newport Solo/Twin race for the past two years. We do it double-handed without spinnaker. We've had good luck. THe first year we won our division and last year we placed second...right behind a monster Nelson-Marek 42 footer. They beat us by 12 minutes...most of it gained in the first half hour of the race since it was a drifter to start. They got to the new wind before we did. Anyway, we've been very competitive.
Changing headsails is the only thing I worry about when we are offshore. We have an arrangement whereby we have shockcord with plastic clips that are used to hold the genny down. It's the same arrangement we use for racing when we have the kite up. The shockcord is affixed to the lifeline stantions rather than drilling holes in the teak trim. You drop the genny and pull the chords from each side of the boat toward the centerline and then affix the two with the plastic clips. It works fine.
To reef the main, we have lead the reef line through a turning block at the base of the mast and then run it back to our set of Lewmar rope clutches near the companionway. We have a Boomkicker vang which holds the boom up while the leech of the main is cranked in during the reef. Works great.
I have a mainsail for cruising that has slugs. When we use it we have two thin stainless plates from Schaeffer that affix on the aft side of the mast. When we drop the main, the slugs are held in the track by the narrow plate on either side of the track. When we race, we use a main with a bolt rope. Two screws hold each plate in place. They are simply removed and stored until the cruising main goes back on.
Bob Rude
#352 - "Mmmmm"
