What would you do…outhaul line led back

[Stefanojo]

Wondering what the consensus is: to have the outhaul line extend to the cockpit or cleat it on the boom?

My outhaul line came back to a clutch on top of the cabin. However, I just put a second reef in my main, and used the block and clutch that were used for the outhaul for the second reef. I was going to have my rigging guy put on a new block and clutch on the cabin top, but he suggested just cleating it on the boom. I like the idea of it coming back to the cockpit, especially since I plan on single handing along the coast.  Just wondering what y'all think??

[waughoo]

It isn't as often adjusted when cruising long tacks, but if bouy racing with quick trips up and down wind, the adjustment becomes more regular.  If the room is available, having it brought back to the cockpit will likely have you adjusting it more often vs leaving it and having less than idea main sail draft for the conditions.

There are aluminum plates forward and outboard of the two dedicated rope clutch pads right next to the companionway.  These would be good spots for this type of control.  You wouldn't need a rope clutch for these loads.  It could be handled with a cam cleat or a spinlock PXR cam cleat that can be opened under load a lot easier than a typical cam cleat.

The only downside of those forward aluminum pads is that it is pretty tight up there if you have a dodger.

[LogoFreak]

I would ask if you have a bolt rope footed main or loose footed? In my opinion the bolt rope ones do almost nothing, especially if not maintained. If loose footed I'd have the line in the cockpit.

[rmjohns]

What other lines do you have coming back to the cockpit? When I added the 2nd reef last year I cleated the topping lift at the mast and used that clutch. You could also potentially cleat the jib halyard off and use that, assuming you have roller furling.  The owners manual has a couple diagrams on how to use the clutches depending on your arrangements.  Having said that, having the outhaul led to the cockpit does not seem to be a stock arrangement unless you have a furling main, at least according to the manual. My outhaul is cleated on the boom but my boat is a 1998, so a couple years older. 

[Jim Hardesty]

I would ask if you have a bolt rope footed main or loose footed? In my opinion the bolt rope ones do almost nothing, especially if not maintained. If loose footed I'd have the line in the cockpit.

That's my experience.  I agree. If your sail is loose footed run the outhaul to the cockpit.  Bolt rope sails aren't adjusted often so may not be worth it to move to the cockpit at this time.
Jim

[britinusa]

Another thing I have considered but this thread brings more food for thought.

Port side 4 clutches: Jib Halyard, Topping Lift, 1st Reef downhaul, 2nd Reef down haul.
Stbd side 4 clutches: Main sheet, Main Halyard, 1st Reef Outhaul, 2nd Reef outhaul.

Loose footed main with Outhaul on the boom cleat.

I do adjust the main outhaul before raising the main if light winds are forecast, but rarely have the need to adjust it once on the Ocean. Not a racer but do like the boat to sail well.

Paul

[Stefanojo]

Thanks everyone for your feedback.  And, yes, my main is loose footed.  So I will have the outhaul run back to the cockpit. 

Steve

[scgunner]

Steve,

It's really a matter of how you like to sail your boat everybody sails their boat a little differently. I single my boat a lot so I'm a fan of everything led to the cockpit the exception being that boom outhaul. My main is loose footed and with a boom outhaul, I like having my eye line right on the boom when making adjustments.

[Jim Hardesty]

Another thing to consider.  Shamrock has inmast furling so the outhaul is used all the time.  Of course it's lead to the cockpit where it's tensioned with a winch.  There's nothing inside the boom but a single outhaul line.  So if you lead the outhaul to the cockpit and use a winch to tension you don't need the mechanical advantage of the pulleys and blocks inside the boom. 
Jim