posted November 15, 2004 10:20 AM
I ran the line in the cockpit from the after end of the port handrail (secured to the jackline U-bolt) back to the eye at the end of the stern rail. Then cris-crossed it over the mast and all over the cockpit, ending up at the stb'd handrail U-bolt. This cat's cradle supports the tarp very well. The first year I used vinyl covered steel clothesline. After that we used polyprop.If water enters the cockpit through a poorly fitted or leaky tarp the cockpit seat drains will fill and freeze....flooding the lazarette. It's not unusual to find it 3/4 full of water in spring if this happens. Imagine the water and ice damage to the battery and fuel tank if you leave them there all winter. Make sure the cockpit is well covered with quality tarp material!
The first winter I left the cockpit uncovered....but the drain became plugged with leaves and there was a very large scummy green algae iceberg inside the whole cockpit until spring!
Jackline:
The two U-bolts secured a non-stretch 1/2" rope jackline which ran forward in a Vee shape to the mast and then back to the other U-bolt. These U-bolts were fastened into the top of the teak handrails...near the after ends. Out there during the spring and fall on big bad cold Lake Ontario we clipped our harness tethers to the jackline when going forward to reef or otherwise tend to the mains'l.
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"Never be afraid to try something new: Professionals built the Titanic
And amateurs built the Ark."
posted November 14, 2004 05:08 PM
