Help! With a downhaul question!!

Has anyone used or heard of the 6:1 Downhaul system from harken? How much does a better downhaul system help anyway?

we use them on the h16's and they work great! We sell a few to h14 guys and they seem to like them! I know Bob won the H14 na's with the 6:1 downhaul

_________________
Brad Stephens
[email protected]
(866) 786-5266 <--- Advice HOTline
http://www.sunjammers.com
www.facebook.com/sunjammers

I put one on my 14 last year and the main thing it did was make putting up the sail quicker as I had a quick connect on the bottom of the downhaul setup. For rigging, snap on the quick connect to the bottom of the mast, pull on the rope and the downhaul was set. So I think it was worth putting on.

I just recreational sail the boat - but what I was doing was tightening the downhaul for higher winds and maybe for heading upwind and running it a little looser for lighter wind conditions. However, I really didnt notice that it did a whole lot - but as mentioned, Im also not using it for one design racing and maybe that is where you really see the difference?

And of course, it also looks "cooler" - another reason it was worth it.

And two of the people who raced with Bob (and lost to him), had me get 6:1's for their boats when they got back from Iowa.

They're pretty slick if you're racing. If you're not racing, but are into tweaking, they're pretty slick. If you're just farting around at the lake, they're probably overkill.

Brian C

The 6:1 system is very useful when sailing. Rounding the top mark, I make every effort to release it and at the bottom mark, re-tension for upwind. The extra purchase makes all this a snap. We used to have to take a knot off a cleat and then take your hands off the tiller to re-tension. It's pretty slick! For racing it is a must and for cruising, your choice (makes you look like a "rock star")!

Bob

_________________
Bob Curry
Master Unirig Sailor

and there you have it from Mr Bob himself!

_________________
Brad Stephens
[email protected]
(866) 786-5266 <--- Advice HOTline
http://www.sunjammers.com
www.facebook.com/sunjammers

OK I think my answer may be in here.

You say you have a quick connect on the bottom of the mast for the downhaul. Can you be more specific on what you are using for the quick connect?

Thanks.

Matt posted this link earlier:

http://www.hobiecat.org.nz/articles/ass ... Update.pdf

Please note that what people are calling the quick connect is a Hobie supplied bracket to which the lower blocks of the 6:1 connect. Some people are using the cunningham loop in place of the bracket.