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Slipping Halyards - A Troubleshooting Guide

Main image - credit Spinlock

Image credit: Spinlock 

 

It’s a breeze-on day, you have rounded the top mark, set the kite and everything is just about under control. The bowman, now providing ballast at the back of the boat, calls in the gusts. As the pressure reaches the boat you expect to accelerate and start surfing the next wave but instead you hear a zipping noise as the halyard runs through the clutch and the belly of the kite billows out in front of the boat, just above the water. Anyone who has experienced this knows the nightmare of a slipping clutch. If you are lucky, you might be able to keep the boat under control and winch the spinnaker back to the top of the rig. If you are less fortunate, it’s easy to broach or turn the kite into a trawling net. In this blog we look at some of the possible causes of a slipping halyard and how these can be resolved. 

From Clutches to Furling, What We Can All Take From The IMOCAs - A Conversation With Oliver Heer Ocean Racing

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The IMOCA class has long been at the forefront of technological development in deck gear and rigging systems. Many of the performance products we promote at Upffront.com have originated in the French offshore racing classes before filtering down to the wider cruiser / racer communities. 

 

We chatted to Oliver Heer Ocean Racing after completing the Route Du Rhum and delivering his IMOCA back across the Atlantic to France. Ollie talks about his campaign and planned hardware upgrades for the winter including the importance of a good autopilot, the benefits of continuous line furling, constrictor clutches and more. 

Choosing the right Deck Organiser For Your Sailboat

Antal_deck_organiser_04

© Antal

 

There are many different styles of deck organiser available on the market, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. In this blog post, we'll look at three general categories: friction fairleads, sheave organisers and winch feeders, and how they can help improve your sailing experience.

Prepping your Pit - A Sailors Guide

Overview image with labels

© Antal

What is the pit?

The pit is the nerve centre of a yacht, or at least all aspects that relate to sailing. The majority of lines on deck lead to the pit, including halyards, reef lines, tack lines, vang, outhaul and Cunningham to name some of the most common.

Sailboat Deck Organisers – Let’s get organised!

Sailboat deck organisers. Credit Antal

Credit: Antal

 

Deck organisers are a key piece of sailing hardware, designed to lead / divert lines across the deck and they come in many shapes and sizes. In this blog we look at the options available and what factors might guide your product choice.

We are constantly reporting on the latest innovations in the marine industry which offer weight savings whilst, at the same time, increasing safety factors. The result: lighter, faster, safer and more exciting sailing.

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