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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. 

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. 

© 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.

© 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.

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.