Safety Release For Mainsheet ?

I am always going to cleat the main sheet, except maybe in the most challenging conditions--when I'm scared. Hasn't happened yet in 10 yrs sailing these boats. If you fall off the boat, it is not going to wait around for you--cleated, uncleated, upwind, downwind, whatever. The Weta boat has many more lines than an Island, so what Weta designers decide for a Weta does not necessarily apply to an Island.

Keith

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2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

Uncleated the boat will only drift downwind, and most likely you can get back to it. Cleated upwind, provided you have some weather helm, it will stop and wait for you.

The Islands don't have much adjustment for gaining weather helm, of course, so persons would want to test their boat to see what happens if they simply stop operating it. This isn't a bad test for anyone to do, so that you'll know somewhat to expect from your boat if you did fall off.

Tom! I totally disagree. Your Island is not going to wait for you! I assume there is some wind. Your boat is going to sail with the wind faster than you can swim to it. You can't hope it happens to sail/drift back on top of you!

Keith

_________________
2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

Really interesting discussion going on here. Stuff I never thought much about.

I still think the main culprit here is the Harkin cleat Hobie mounts for the sail control line. Basically if you fall of with the sail cleated the sail is still powered. Hopefully someone can come up with a self releasing clutch, where if you fall off then the main control line releases. If we can accomplish that, then guys could tie their tethers to the furling line. This would force the main to furl if you fall overboard. I think it's a good idea someone just needs to think thru a simple solution and post it.
FE

The thing is, I've tried it. As long as the sheet isn't cleated, I can get to it fairly easily. The boat certainly isn't going to "sail" with the sheet uncleated - it's going to drift. And it won't drift faster than wind speed, in fact, not even close to wind speed. Too much drag in the water.

Of course there is always the extenuating circumstance of really big wind where you can't catch it, but as I said, there is no easy answer that will suit all parties. I have chosen not to attach myself to a tether. Each has to decide for themselves.

The problem there is that once the sail furls, the tether is then going to pull/drag you along, which makes movement in the water difficult.

If you want to work out the details on such a system, obviously you're free to have at it - it's not my intent to discourage anyone from trying to build a better mousetrap. Maybe you'll come up with an idea or two that nobody else has thought of. In the meantime, I still advise getting rid of the camcleat and using a standard horncleat next to the seat. In my opinion and experience, it gives you far more control, can't automatically and won't accidently cleat when you don't want it to, and yet can still be "cleated" and yet relied upton to release automatically if you fall overboard.

Again, it's just my preference, but after trying it for about 3 years now I won't go back to a camcleat.

You must be a strong swimmer, Tom. I seldom sail in winds less than 13 mph. In winds of 13 mph & more, furled sail, cleated sail, or whatever, your boat is not waiting for you. I always have my PFD with radio, SPOT, etc attached. I can't swim anywhere fast. I'm not Johnny Weissmuller (Tarzan, for those of you too young to remember.)

Keith

_________________
2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

I'm not necessarily a strong swimmer. However, in 13 MPH winds, the TI isn't like to drift at more than a third of that. Remember, it won't sail unless the mainsheet is cleated.

At any rate, each person has to make the decision on how they want to handle the issue. Probably a good thing that it was brought up here as I'd guess that 95% of Island owners have not really given it much thought. It does warrent some experimentation and thought.

As said before this is an interesting discussion. I, like plenty of others, have modified my 2012 AI in order to bring the mainsheet cleat closer to my seat. This lessens substantially the amount you need to lift your arm to uncleat the main.

In terms of chasing the boat if I fall in. I don't think id be able to catch it, unless it was very light winds. I was out 2 weeks ago and with no sail exposed, full furled, I was doing 3knts! it was a strong wind, and I had the tramps fitted, which would have given some 'sail area', but I'd not be catching it.

I rely on the PDF, safety, gear and sailing with others in strong winds. I also choose my spot in high wind to ensure I'll be blown back to land if it all goes wrong.

As Tom says, digest what others are doing and make your decisions......

Is yours located fore or aft of the centerboard lever ?

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