Hi all

I have a annoying problem on my Sailmaster

When i am sailing the starboard head sail sheet always seen to end up behind or around the engine control lever so when i tack i have to make sure it is not caught before releasing the sheet off the starboard winch

I would like to make some type of guard over the lever that will keep the sheet off it but not interfere with the lever operation

I thought about something similar to this www.whitworths.com.au/stainless-steel-bolt-on-handrail?q=40726 mounted at about 3/4 the height of the lever but it may interfere with the lever when it is in full ahead or full reverse











Any thoughts would be appreciated

Regards Don

I don't know it it's an option or not but what about modifying the handle by extending it to the cockpit side and eliminating the part that sticks out. As long as the gap between the handle and the side is less than the sheet diameter, it shouldn't get hooked up.

change the nob to a billiard ball

You may have to speak to a marine mechanic / supplier, but I have sailed on yachts that have had a flush arpeture, that you fit a winch handle into to use as your gear lever. Just cant think of the brand name.

Hi Jethrow and SandS

Thanks for the replies

If i can help it i dont really want to modify the lever

I would rather put a guard around it if possible

What happens is the sheet falls down between the back of the lever and the cockpit side and i figure if i put a shrould around the lever about 3/4 of the way up the sheet would drape over it instead but i could still operate the lever normally

When i winch the sheet into position i put a turn around the cleat behind the winch to hold it and because it is inline with the lever the sheet naturaly wants to fall there

Regards Don

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morningsun said..

You may have to speak to a marine mechanic / supplier, but I have sailed on yachts that have had a flush arpeture, that you fit a winch handle into to use as your gear lever. Just cant think of the brand name.

Hi Morningsun

That sound like a good idea but ideally i want something easier and less expensive (my wife says i already spend too much money on the boat)

Regards Don

She's probably right! So how about trying a short length of plastic hose that fits over the part of the 'T' handle closest to the cockpit side adjusted so that there is only the narrowest gap between the hose and the cockpit side. Then any rope of a decent diameter will be unable to wrap around the control lever. Cost - $1.50? Surely she can't complain about that!

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Donk107 said..

morningsun said..

You may have to speak to a marine mechanic / supplier, but I have sailed on yachts that have had a flush arpeture, that you fit a winch handle into to use as your gear lever. Just cant think of the brand name.

Hi Morningsun

That sound like a good idea but ideally i want something easier and less expensive (my wife says i already spend too much money on the boat)

Regards Don

Dont ever believe those venus girls Donk

Could you fit a rope bag over the top and flip it when you wan to use the throttle


Or Donk Ask your lovely wife to make a sumbrella sox that slides over the throttle and add a short tail on the top of it and fit a press stud on the cock pit seat


Sundays quote
Life is like a penis
Its only woman that make it hard < im going to get killed for this

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Gravy7 said..
She's probably right! So how about trying a short length of plastic hose that fits over the part of the 'T' handle closest to the cockpit side adjusted so that there is only the narrowest gap between the hose and the cockpit side. Then any rope of a decent diameter will be unable to wrap around the control lever. Cost - $1.50? Surely she can't complain about that!

Hi Gravy7

I assume you mean extend the inside of the T handle so it sits closer to the cockpit side

That would probably work

Regards Don

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HG02 said..

Donk107 said..

morningsun said..

You may have to speak to a marine mechanic / supplier, but I have sailed on yachts that have had a flush arpeture, that you fit a winch handle into to use as your gear lever. Just cant think of the brand name.

Hi Morningsun

That sound like a good idea but ideally i want something easier and less expensive (my wife says i already spend too much money on the boat)

Regards Don

Dont ever believe those venus girls Donk

Could you fit a rope bag over the top and flip it when you wan to use the throttle


Or Donk Ask your lovely wife to make a sumbrella sox that slides over the throttle and add a short tail on the top of it and fit a press stud on the cock pit seat


Sundays quote
Life is like a penis
Its only woman that make it hard < im going to get killed for this

Hi Hg

I like the sock and press studed tail idea

Regards Don

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Donk107 said..

HG02 said..

Donk107 said..

morningsun said..

You may have to speak to a marine mechanic / supplier, but I have sailed on yachts that have had a flush arpeture, that you fit a winch handle into to use as your gear lever. Just cant think of the brand name.

Hi Morningsun

That sound like a good idea but ideally i want something easier and less expensive (my wife says i already spend too much money on the boat)

Regards Don

Dont ever believe those venus girls Donk

Could you fit a rope bag over the top and flip it when you wan to use the throttle


Or Donk Ask your lovely wife to make a sumbrella sox that slides over the throttle and add a short tail on the top of it and fit a press stud on the cock pit seat


Sundays quote
Life is like a penis
Its only woman that make it hard < im going to get killed for this

Hi Hg

I like the sock and press studed tail idea

Regards Don

it puts it back on her in doors Donk
She will make the sox for you Donk

I think Gravy7's idea will work just fine Don and you won't get anything cheaper than 3" of clear plastic hose.

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Gravy7 said..
She's probably right! So how about trying a short length of plastic hose that fits over the part of the 'T' handle closest to the cockpit side adjusted so that there is only the narrowest gap between the hose and the cockpit side. Then any rope of a decent diameter will be unable to wrap around the control lever. Cost - $1.50? Surely she can't complain about that!

Even the plastic hose and add some shrink wrap to hold it onto the T bar throttle knob you have .
I have some large shrink wrap here Donk I could cut you off a piece and send it to you . Has glue inside the shrink wrap its a cat part I bought some a while ago. I would need to know the throttle knob diameter and you would have to use a heat gun so it goes off and the glue sets .

Or perhaps the throttle knob might unscrew and find a wood turner to make some extended versions so it just clears the cockpit sides

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HG02 said..

Gravy7 said..
She's probably right! So how about trying a short length of plastic hose that fits over the part of the 'T' handle closest to the cockpit side adjusted so that there is only the narrowest gap between the hose and the cockpit side. Then any rope of a decent diameter will be unable to wrap around the control lever. Cost - $1.50? Surely she can't complain about that!

Even the plastic hose and add some shrink wrap to hold it onto the T bar throttle knob you have .
I have some large shrink wrap here Donk I could cut you off a piece and send it to you . Has glue inside the shrink wrap its a cat part I bought some a while ago. I would need to know the throttle knob diameter and you would have to use a heat gun so it goes off and the glue sets .

Or perhaps the throttle knob might unscrew and find a wood turner to make some extended versions so it just clears the cockpit sides

Hi HG

Thanks for that

The next time I go out to the boat I will have a look at the lever and see how it is made and work out what I can do with it

As it is now I always check before letting the sheet go but I think it is just a matter of time before I take someone for a sail and the lever ends up getting ripped off the shaft (the joint doest't look very substantial)


Regards Don

Thanks for posting up the question Donk, I have exactly the same problem on my boat and I have been looking at shifting the engine control. That would mean buying new cables but because of some of the suggestions posted in reply to you, I will just modify the lever , Too easy,
Thanks guys

I have a idea that the wooden part of the handle is actually cork squeezed into the mounting rings attached to the lever so I might be able to replace it with a longer piece

Regards Don

we are all full of them tonight
If you knew some one with a lathe you could make a two part knob with a recess nut and bolt to hold it together or even a nice piece of Huon pine Donk

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HG02 said..
we are all full of them tonight
If you knew some one with a lathe you could make a two part knob with a recess nut and bolt to hold it together or even a nice piece of Huon pine Donk

Hi HG

I actuall have a mate who is a wood turner so nothing is impossible

Regards Don

double post

I have the same problem with throttle lever getting bumped all the time.

When in your local news agents next have a look in the latest "Cruising Helmsman" mag and you will find the solution to the problem there.

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cisco said..

I have the same problem with throttle lever getting bumped all the time.

When in your local news agents next have a look in the latest "Cruising Helmsman" mag and you will find the solution to the problem there.

Hi Cisco

i know now what you mean

It is a bit of a concern when motoring along and all of a sudden the engine revs drop only to find that I have inadvertently knocked the lever while moving around the cockpit

Regards Don

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Donk107 said..

cisco said..

I have the same problem with throttle lever getting bumped all the time.

When in your local news agents next have a look in the latest "Cruising Helmsman" mag and you will find the solution to the problem there.

Hi Cisco

i know now what you mean

It is a bit of a concern when motoring along and all of a sudden the engine revs drop only to find that I have inadvertently knocked the lever while moving around the cockpit

Regards Don

As I said, have a look in the latest CH magazine. It has a photo of a very effective throttle lever guard which is soooo simple.

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cisco said..

Donk107 said..

cisco said..

I have the same problem with throttle lever getting bumped all the time.

When in your local news agents next have a look in the latest "Cruising Helmsman" mag and you will find the solution to the problem there.

Hi Cisco

i know now what you mean

It is a bit of a concern when motoring along and all of a sudden the engine revs drop only to find that I have inadvertently knocked the lever while moving around the cockpit

Regards Don

As I said, have a look in the latest CH magazine. It has a photo of a very effective throttle lever guard which is soooo simple.

Hi Cisco

Thanks for the info

I had a look at the magazine today and it looks like it would probably do the job

Regards Don

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Donk107 said..

cisco said..

Donk107 said..

cisco said..

I have the same problem with throttle lever getting bumped all the time.

When in your local news agents next have a look in the latest "Cruising Helmsman" mag and you will find the solution to the problem there.

Hi Cisco

i know now what you mean

It is a bit of a concern when motoring along and all of a sudden the engine revs drop only to find that I have inadvertently knocked the lever while moving around the cockpit

Regards Don

As I said, have a look in the latest CH magazine. It has a photo of a very effective throttle lever guard which is soooo simple.

Hi Cisco

Thanks for the info

I had a look at the magazine today and it looks like it would probably do the job

Regards Don

So are you two going to keep this a secret? pair of pirates

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HG02 said..

Donk107 said..



Hi Cisco

Thanks for the info

I had a look at the magazine today and it looks like it would probably do the job

Regards Don

So are you two going to keep this a secret? pair of pirates

You don't have to buy the magazine. Just go into the news agent's and read it. It is too hard to describe here but once you see it, it will burn into your brain.

Select to expand quote

cisco said..

HG02 said..

Donk107 said..



Hi Cisco

Thanks for the info

I had a look at the magazine today and it looks like it would probably do the job

Regards Don

So are you two going to keep this a secret? pair of pirates

You don't have to buy the magazine. Just go into the news agent's and read it. It is too hard to describe here but once you see it, it will burn into your brain.

Ok then