Here is my home made feeder. With a few tools and a couple of nights in the shed. Should make it easier to hoist the headsail?


Cheers Richard

Looks the goods to me Richard, Congrats!
will you do photos once installed?

Hi Shaggy, yes mate. But if it's a total flop, let me think about it??

I've been trying to research a mainsail prefeeder - do you know anything about them? Basically, I just got a new main (with boltrope) which is still a bit tough to pull up. Really needs someone at the mast pulling the luff forward to have it slide up the mast groove properly, which I'd like to make a little easier.

Reckon something like this attached to the mast would help?

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Planeray said..
I've been trying to research a mainsail prefeeder - do you know anything about them? Basically, I just got a new main (with boltrope) which is still a bit tough to pull up. Really needs someone at the mast pulling the luff forward to have it slide up the mast groove properly, which I'd like to make a little easier.

Reckon something like this attached to the mast would help?

What about trying a U bolt and a couple of plastic control line balls that are often used on the ends of dinghy control lines. Hold then on with a nut and choose a size that allows the balls to roll. Bend the ends in so there is about 4 mm gap on the balls. Tie a lanyard to the bight of the U bolt and attach it down close to the goose neck. If it works make up a flash unit out of SS rod. I've got plenty of these balls laying about in my sail room.

Yes that sounds the Go Ramona. Whitworths have a Ronstan made up mainsail feeder, if planeray would prefer?

That bottom weld looks a bit sus

It will be interesting to see if it has a tendency to jam. That inside triangle is small and the edges of the plate are too thin to make a nice round lip.

A

Select to expand quote

Planeray said..
I've been trying to research a mainsail prefeeder - do you know anything about them? Basically, I just got a new main (with boltrope) which is still a bit tough to pull up. Really needs someone at the mast pulling the luff forward to have it slide up the mast groove properly, which I'd like to make a little easier.

Reckon something like this attached to the mast would help?

When we had a sportsboat we had the same issue, to the point the plastic track got pulled from the mast.
Installed on of these
http://www.apsltd.com/sail-feeder-12mm-max-luff.html
We removed the rod from the back and drilled and tapped into the mast, worked a treat!
I then installed one on my Etchells as I would sail solo sometimes and it made it a heap easier to raise the main.
Southern seas marine is the Oz distributor

Select to expand quote

rumblefish said..

Planeray said..
I've been trying to research a mainsail prefeeder - do you know anything about them? Basically, I just got a new main (with boltrope) which is still a bit tough to pull up. Really needs someone at the mast pulling the luff forward to have it slide up the mast groove properly, which I'd like to make a little easier.

Reckon something like this attached to the mast would help?

When we had a sportsboat we had the same issue, to the point the plastic track got pulled from the mast.
Installed on of these
http://www.apsltd.com/sail-feeder-12mm-max-luff.html
We removed the rod from the back and drilled and tapped into the mast, worked a treat!
I then installed one on my Etchells as I would sail solo sometimes and it made it a heap easier to raise the main.
Southern seas marine is the Oz distributor

Looks perfect Rumble. So do you install that below the feed slot, or in it?

I'm also thinking I need to go to town on the bolt rope with some McLube Sailkote while I'm at it.

Select to expand quote

Planeray said..

rumblefish said..

Planeray said..
I've been trying to research a mainsail prefeeder - do you know anything about them? Basically, I just got a new main (with boltrope) which is still a bit tough to pull up. Really needs someone at the mast pulling the luff forward to have it slide up the mast groove properly, which I'd like to make a little easier.

Reckon something like this attached to the mast would help?

When we had a sportsboat we had the same issue, to the point the plastic track got pulled from the mast.
Installed on of these
http://www.apsltd.com/sail-feeder-12mm-max-luff.html
We removed the rod from the back and drilled and tapped into the mast, worked a treat!
I then installed one on my Etchells as I would sail solo sometimes and it made it a heap easier to raise the main.
Southern seas marine is the Oz distributor

Looks perfect Rumble. So do you install that below the feed slot, or in it?

I'm also thinking I need to go to town on the bolt rope with some McLube Sailkote while I'm at it.

Which ever way mounts it as close to mast as possible.
Might even work to cut the slot away a bit and mount to the flat?