Specifications

WPOperatingManual Page - 9 - Revised: August 12, 2009
low as possible to minimize the heeling moment and the lee helm for the sail. This painter should be
led through a snatch block at the bow and then to one of the bow cleats so that it can be easily adjusted
if necessary. Be sure that the genoa sheets are tied off so that they do not go overboard and drag under
the boat. After hanking on the Gale Sail run its sheets through the fairleads that normally accommodate
the genoa sheets, raise the sail and sheet it like a jib. It may be better to run the sheets inside the
shrouds to minimize chafe. If you need to heave too you should run the active jib sheet inside the
shroud to minimize the pressure on the shroud and chafe of the sheet or use a snatch block on the sheet
with a line to another snatch block at the toe rail and back to a winch or cleat to pull the sheet away
from any shroud where it might chafe.
6. Storm Trysail
The storm trysail is stowed in the sail locker. Before it is deployed the mainsail should be securely
stowed in its bag on the boom and the mainsail slugs should be removed from the mast. It is wise to
lash the mainsail bag so that you are not relying solely on the bag zipper to contain the sail under the
severe conditions. The topping lift should be lowered so that the boom is against the rail off to one side
and it should be securely lashed in this position. Then the topping lift can be removed from the boom
and secured at the mast. The trysail is then bent on the mast with the tack attached to the boom using a
painter so that the sail may be raised somewhat to help the sheets clear obstructions. However, you
should keep the sail as low as possible to minimize power in the sail and heeling moment. The second
set of spinnaker sheets in the sail locker are used for this sail. They are run from the clew to spinnaker
blocks that are attached to the toe rail then back to the secondary winches (the smaller winches). The
blocks must be considerably aft so that the trysail foot is pulled taunt by the sheets. The sheets should
be adjusted using the winches so that the sail is as flat as possible and on the centerline of the boat. If
the sheets rub against the deck as they are led to the winches they must be protected from chafe. When
deployed this sail should be as flat as a piece of plywood to minimize the power in the sail.
7. Sea Anchor
The sea anchor and all of its equipment except for the required float is stowed in Compartment 3 in the
forward cabin. The float that is used when the sea anchor is deployed is the largest fender (blue)
stowed in the starboard lazarette. Detailed description of the technique for setting and retrieving the sea
anchor can be found in the folder in the Windward Passage file stowed in the forward cabin. Make sure
the bitter end of the rode is attached to a strong point on the boat before throwing the anchor
overboard!
The anchor is an 18 ft. diameter nylon parachute that is deployed by shackling it to 15 ft. of chain then
shackling the chain to 600 ft. of 3/4" nylon line. The trip line is 50 ft. of 3/8" diameter polypropylene
line. In storm conditions, chafe protection for the line where it clears the boat should be provided and
the line should be periodically let out about one ft. to reduce chafe. It is important to have the
parachute and the boat on the same phase of the waves, i.e. when the boat is going up the face of a
wave, the parachute should be on the face of a wave upwind. A picture that summarizes the
deployment is given below: