Forums > Land Yacht Sailing Construction

Down Haul systems

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Created by Gizmo > 9 months ago, 19 Dec 2011
Gizmo
SA, 2865 posts
19 Dec 2011 9:26PM
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mike612 said...

Maybe you could explain why your mainsheet is run through a block that provides tension on a downhaul when there is load on mainsheet.



mike612 you posed this question in another thread and got a flippant response, hopefully this explanation is a little better for you.

(taken from www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Land-Yacht-Sailing/Construction/need-help-with-first-build/?page=3 )

the mast is the key thing to put the draft (or curve) in the sail and take it out to get better speed, the down haul also assists the flattening but it also moves where the draft forms in the curve of the sail, down haul brings it forward which give forward motion rather than tipping force.
There are several versions of down haul systems, the one I have used over the years is....




Its also worth noting in that thread how informative the threads were back then without all the garbage and crass comments being made where people actually discussed the theme of the subject and were interested in learning rather than quote upon quote, the innuendo and social comment.


landyacht
WA, 5921 posts
19 Dec 2011 10:20PM
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for a more modern system do a search for "Crockett downhaul"
an excellent system

lachlan3556
VIC, 1066 posts
20 Dec 2011 1:35AM
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I set mine up as per the diagram below (I forget who to credit for it). I'm no expert but it works okay (although I can see a requirement for more downhaul force at times). Its fool proof and will get you going anyway

I find scrounging pulleys/blocks from cheap bins/shop specials dictated a lot of my rigging



iand
QLD, 243 posts
21 Dec 2011 1:17AM
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Lachlan has shown a 3 to1 on the main sheet and 4 to1 on the downhaul(the floating pulley acts as a multiplier on the downhaul and only changers the direction of pull on the main), I use a bit more muscle and have 2 to1 on the main and 4 to1 on the downhaul. Although they aren't linked on the cat I have 8 to1 on the main and 12/16 to 1 on the downhaul

mike612
23 posts
21 Dec 2011 9:39AM
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from watching sailboard setup videos it appeares that it took considerable more effort with higher ratio block systems to get the mast curve. do you not load the mast, inducing curve and flatting sail as much?
I would expect the to straighten and recurve on each tack or sheet adjust of a few inches.

Any video around to show mast rack during mainahewt adjustment?

lachlan3556
VIC, 1066 posts
21 Dec 2011 3:43PM
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A diagram of the Crockett Downhaul (pretty sure I got it right ).


landyacht
WA, 5921 posts
22 Dec 2011 5:05PM
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lachlan3556 said...

A diagram of the Crockett Downhaul (pretty sure I got it right ).



, not quite, think of a compound bow setup

sn
WA, 2775 posts
22 Dec 2011 6:42PM
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lachlan3556 said...
I find scrounging pulleys/blocks from cheap bins/shop specials dictated a lot of my rigging


pretty much the same as mine- for the same reasons!

most of my pulley blocks fell off an excercise machine

they are not perfect by any stretch of the imagination- but they work most of the time!
I usually find that the time that I need more pulleys usually coincides with my being broke.....one day I plan on Mr Riley getting a nice big order from me!
might be a while though!

lachlan3556
VIC, 1066 posts
22 Dec 2011 9:57PM
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landyacht said...

lachlan3556 said...

A diagram of the Crockett Downhaul (pretty sure I got it right ).



, not quite, think of a compound bow setup




Doh! Will have another go later...

Ricochet
SA, 32 posts
23 Dec 2011 10:54AM
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landyacht said...

for a more modern system do a search for "Crockett downhaul"
an excellent system


ive been searching but it still comes up with no results on the seabreeze search

colk2004
317 posts
23 Dec 2011 8:58AM
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Try this www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Land-Yacht-Sailing/Construction/The-Crockett-Downhaul/ should get you where you want to go.

Cheers Col

Nikrum
TAS, 1972 posts
23 Dec 2011 2:54PM
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www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Land-Yacht-Sailing/Construction/The-Crockett-Downhaul/

Well I don't know how you did your search but I just found three Threads with the Crockett DH System in them.
Have a look at the one above as it has an excellent photo of what you are looking for.
Ron

colk2004
317 posts
24 Dec 2011 11:21PM
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Slightly off subject but this blurry shot is about to be fitted into my boom as an outhaul system.



Top block ties onto the sail. Other end of the yellow rope ties to the boom externally. End of the green rope ties to the inside of the boom. And the end going through the cleat is tied onto shock cord. Oh and the whole lot is stretched out over about a meter.

Cheers Col

mike612
23 posts
28 Dec 2011 5:19PM
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Previously, "from watching sailboard setup videos it appears that it took considerable more effort with higher ratio block systems to get the mast curve. do you not load the mast, inducing curve and flatting sail as much?
I would expect the to straighten and recurve on each tack or sheet adjust of a few inches."

The Crockett downhaul provides a number novel solution; 1) It allows a sustained pre-tension on the downhaul with a lesser additional tension from the mainsheet.
Two double sheeve blocks, one with becket; rove to advantage with bitter end secured to a cleat. (If rigged true vertical it will decrease the boom tension on the mast reducing side load on mast. A line to hang the mainsheet turning block off the mast would reduce clutter in cockpit.)
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Land-Yacht-Sailing/Construction/The-Crockett-Downhaul/

Considerably different than some of the others pictured on various landyachts.


mike612
23 posts
28 Dec 2011 5:38PM
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Col: 'Top block ties onto the sail. Other end of the yellow rope ties to the boom externally. End of the green rope ties to the inside of the boom. And the end going through the cleat is tied onto shock cord. Oh and the whole lot is stretched out over about a meter.'

It is nice you have the fittings to run your outhaul forward inside your mast. Unless it is a monster sail and you are limited in arm strength, maybe you might want to consider losing the second line and block inside the mast. You could lead the line back aft from the exit block fitting to a small cleat, conventional or a jam or clam.
Need to adjust pull on the line, too much resistance for you; head up unload the sail (luff) and make a quick overhead adjustment.

Nikrum
TAS, 1972 posts
28 Dec 2011 11:27PM
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Mike there is no need to per-Load the Mast it is cut into the Luff and as the Main Sheet is hauled in the mast then takes on the shape in the Sail Luff pocket. One advantage in this method is that the tension on the mast is not constant and allows the Mast to relax when not sailing.
Ron

landyacht
WA, 5921 posts
28 Dec 2011 8:47PM
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I have a V cleat on one end of the downhaul lineand put a bucket of pretension on the mast. learnt that trick years ago , forgot it with centresheeted class5's, was reminded by blokarts,and now use it constantly
there is no need for a line off the boom to support the sheetrope block , it always floats on the midpoint as soon as any tension comes on ( we tried it)
That outhaul with 1:1 and 4:1 looks like just the thing, but can you reach it when sailing?. perhaps consider a dual highfield lever systemI will post a photo)

colk2004
317 posts
29 Dec 2011 2:00AM
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landyacht said...

That outhaul with 1:1 and 4:1 looks like just the thing, but can you reach it when sailing?. perhaps consider a dual highfield lever systemI will post a photo)


Cheers. I was going to put some sort of toggle or bead in between the rope and shock cord to grab on the way past! But if you've got any photos to stop this being a suck it and see job that'd be great - might save me a boom.

Cheers Col

Nikrum
TAS, 1972 posts
29 Dec 2011 10:14AM
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PRETENSION????? You are PRETENTIOUS??? Paul [}:)]

I love reading about other Folks (Globally) and their writings. I like the insight into their thinking and also the Colloquial terms that are similar or the same as us Ockers use. Interesting to say the least as well showing that all our Butts Point Downwards.. Any other way and I would have to accept that there are Gods..

Ron

Hiko
1229 posts
29 Dec 2011 11:09AM
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Here is the set up on my class5 boom
It has an internal car with two curved rollers that ride on the inside of the boom
Between the rollers is an attachment for the clew of the sail that slides forward and back in a slot in the top of the boom
Behind the car and attached to it are three sheaves and fixed to the rear of the boom
and inside it are another three sheaves with the outhaul line exiting on the underside
of the boom and passing through a jam cleat and finishing in a plastic ball
The bungee loop showing stops the outhaul ball flailing around when close hauled
The mainsheet system is not that far back when sailing !



The car is pulled forward by strong bungees 3x5mm dia and fixed at the front inside the boom These could actually be stronger
Some people have used skateboard wheels for rollers but these ones are solid
white plastic

View of underside of boom





Nikrum
TAS, 1972 posts
29 Dec 2011 2:51PM
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Photo's are all well and good, Hiko but in the case of the very slow of whit how's about you do a couple of schematics for us??
Ron

colk2004
317 posts
30 Dec 2011 10:16PM
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Hiko

Do you need shock cord to take the tension off the sail along the foot? I was hoping to outhaul with the blocks and let the wind take the tension out again. I'm using a Laser dingy 'racing' clew strap which slides really easily but is that enough? Problem I have is all this work can't be tried out till Elvington opens again at the end of February

Cheers Col

desertyank
1260 posts
31 Dec 2011 1:57AM
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Hiko said...







As usual; love the craftsmanship, Hiko

Hiko
1229 posts
31 Dec 2011 5:00AM
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colk2004 said...

Hiko

Do you need shock cord to take the tension off the sail along the foot? I was hoping to outhaul with the blocks and let the wind take the tension out again. I'm using a Laser dingy 'racing' clew strap which slides really easily but is that enough? Problem I have is all this work can't be tried out till Elvington opens again at the end of February

Cheers Col


The strong bungees inside the boom are necessary to overcome the friction in the system mostly in the multiple sheaves so that the sail can be eased when off the wind [as much as you are off the wind in a landyacht anyway]
It seems crazy putting all those sheaves in to get mechanical advantage and then counteracting that with strong bungee cords pulling in the opposite direction but the system works well and needs to as it is twiddled with above the head
All it takes is a finger to pull the cord in front of the jam cleat to release and a finger and thumb on the ball to tension when on the wind
I have had other systems [crankhandles ,camlevers ]but this seems to be the best so far.
The two roller wheels on the car inside the boom are nearly the full inside diameter of the boom. I did try a teflon slipper type car inside the boom but I think the rollers are better
Having said all that I have seen a yacht sailing very well with a lower batten right down near the foot and no outhaul at all!

Clemco
430 posts
31 Dec 2011 6:49AM
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I use a 4 wheel car on mine but the pulley system is much the same as Hiko's.
Now I only have a 2:1 ratio and seems good enough. The wheels are scavenged from sliding door hardware. They usually last a couple of years if hosed out after each sailing session.

Hiko
1229 posts
31 Dec 2011 8:11AM
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Colk I would run with Clemcos setup if you can it looks easier to make and the
extra sheaves I have are probably not necessary and would require less bungee strength
I would add an extra hole at the top of the car for a split ring to stop the car dropping out of the slot when the sail is not fixed to it
Mine has this but doesnt need it as the rollers are near full diameter of the boom

mike612
23 posts
2 Jan 2012 11:34AM
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Not sure what type of rollers are used on sliding glass doors in your area, but I have used the sheeves from replacement roller to make up small blocks in the past.

This will give some configuration ideas:
www.technologylk.com/__1740/sliding-glass-door-roller-assemblies.html

Individual BB nylon sheeves available as well.

'in the lower 'other Southern California'

desertyank
1260 posts
21 Jan 2012 9:54AM
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My outhaul is pretty basic stuff, and little talent is needed to add it. I have 4 sails thai can all use this boom, and I don't have anywhere near the required talent to make an internal shuttle work This works just fine, tho.....



Nikrum
TAS, 1972 posts
21 Jan 2012 1:53PM
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Ain't nuthin wrong with that Yank. If it works it has to be good. Works fine is excellent. Thing is I can't see the reasoning behind Out Haul of that magnitude??
Me Musckles is Strong enough.. Yup! An' I eats all me Spinach as well.
Ron
PS: I yam what I yam and that's all I yam..


Hiko
1229 posts
21 Jan 2012 4:04PM
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I Agree nothing wrong with that system I have simpler systems than that on my minis
The roller car system though is hard to beat for easy adjustment while sailing on different points on class5
Different Horses for different courses as they say

colk2004
317 posts
21 Jan 2012 7:49PM
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I need the outhaul to be adjustable on the move because the runway I use is narrow but 2 miles long...2 miles is a long way to come back with the wrong sail tension. And if it's right going out it ain't never right coming back.



Is what I've ended up with. Just got to get out and get the position of the knots for the sheet and shockcord sorted.

Cheers Col



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"Down Haul systems" started by Gizmo