Dinghy development: Turning centre main system to rear main on a Gull

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Turning centre main system to rear main on a Gull

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13629
Printed Date: 28 Jun 25 at 4:04pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Turning centre main system to rear main on a Gull

Posted By: SueW
Subject: Turning centre main system to rear main on a Gull
Date Posted: 20 Jul 20 at 11:31pm

We are looking for a Gull to buy and have seen a possibility, my daughter has physical special needs so struggles to cross the boat and duck beneath the boom, she is v tall too. Has anybody any idea how we would convert a centre main system (Probably on a Hartley boat)to a rear facing one please to give my daughter more room in the boat!

Replies:

Posted By: maxibuddah
Date Posted: 21 Jul 20 at 6:50am

If you look on the Hartley page for the Gull, https://www.hartleyboats.com/index.asp?p=class-detail&cid=3" rel="nofollow - https://www.hartleyboats.com/index.asp?p=class-detail&cid=3 , and the second picture with the Union Jack on the sail it looks like that one has been converted to rear sheeting. Yes there is a block on the boom but I can't see the mainsheet going through it, also there appears to be a ratchet block with a becket on the bottom of the transom strop giving a 3:1 purchase. It looks quite a simple job. You could use something like this - https://www.pinbax.com/index.asp?Details=28723&mc=Hardware&sc=Blocks&ssc=Blocks%20Ratchets&sssc=&ordering=" rel="nofollow - https://www.pinbax.com/index.asp?Details=28723&mc=Hardware&sc=Blocks&ssc=Blocks%20Ratchets&sssc=&ordering= if you want a ratchet or go for a simple block with becket.

Tie the mainsheet to the becket, up to the block on the boom and back down to the lower block and you're done.

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Everything I say is my opinion, honest

Posted By: Paramedic
Date Posted: 21 Jul 20 at 7:06am

A gull is very small to have centre sheeting and aft main would have been a standard thing for many decades on these. A simple stern bridle would suffice - have a look at photos of N12s, Enterprises, Mirrors etc :)

Its very do-able.

Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 21 Jul 20 at 9:56am

The standard (as in designer's drawings) system for the Gull was to have a fairlead bolted to the transom about a foot each side of the rudder, and a mainsheet dead ended on the port one, up to a block on the boom, down to a block on the fairlead on the other side, and to hand. A 3:1 seems way over the top, and even a ratchet block maybe an unnecessary luxury. By the look of it though the recent production boats are now fitted with fairleads much further apart, so a shortish bridle between the two fairleads with a block and

Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 21 Jul 20 at 10:37am

For years I sailed a Mirror with the triangular method JimC describes. It is very simple and works very well. You should be able to find lots of photos of Mirrors to copy on the web.

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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Posted By: SueW
Date Posted: 21 Jul 20 at 10:47am

Thank you I have looked at the photos and will look at a Mirror too which should help.

Yes I don’t understand how Hartley’s boat is 12 ft rather than 11ft, definite mystery.

Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 21 Jul 20 at 10:53am

Blurb written by marketing people, not sailors, maybe?

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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 21 Jul 20 at 5:36pm

Hartley Gull page corrected now:-)

Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 21 Jul 20 at 7:17pm

That was quick!

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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 21 Jul 20 at 8:13pm

I emailed them to let them know.

Posted By: Jubilado Jim
Date Posted: 27 Jul 20 at 8:43pm

There is and active Gull owners faebook page. They shold be able to answer all your questions.

Posted By: SueW
Date Posted: 27 Jul 20 at 9:32pm

Originally posted by Jubilado Jim

There is and active Gull owners faebook page. They shold be able to answer all your questions.

Thank you I am a member and they are really helpful, I am quite near (hopefully) to buying a boat and this one has rear main happily.

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Lightning 413