In rough seas, it can be a challenge not only for older sailors to retrieve the batten mainsail or to secure it against being blown upwards - due to the ball-bearing slides, the sail quickly goes up the mast again. As a rule, mast steps are then required so that a safety strap can be pulled over the sail head and the mainsail secured accordingly. Injuries are often inevitable when climbing around on wet steps at lofty heights. I have therefore designed a simple construction to make the process of hoisting the sail easier: A webbing strap was sewn onto the upper third of the sail parallel to the luff, which in turn was passed through loops. To keep the webbing taut when the sail is set, an elastic band was sewn to the lower end of the webbing. If the mainsail needs to be taken down, it can now be easily tightened using the elasticated strap and secured using a cleat. Instead of daring climbing manoeuvres on the mast, this leaves more time for safe mooring manoeuvres in the harbour.
Dieter Schmitz, by e-mail
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