Proud new owner

[Jeff W]

We just purchased hull #279. Looks like she's been through Oregon, Utah and North Carolina at least.....and now Florida! I went down to the NOODS and scoped out some of the 7.9's there....measured trailers, checked out rigs, etc. Couple of questions....

We need a mainsheet system. What is everyone using?

I saw an old post asking if a Harken Heli Foil furler is class legal but never saw the answer....is it?

Halyards....wire & rope or just rope?

Tiller...I checked w/ H&L...anywhere else?

How about a handle for the bilge pump...(Gusher?) we need one of those too...

I know we'll have alot more questions but thanks in advance for any help!

Jeff W
Jim K
Hull #279 (name TBD)

[LarryE-old]

Congrats, also new boat in Fl as of yesterday.
Hull 294, I think. Moved boat from Tampa to Melbourne yesterday.
More to follow.

[Tim Bosma]

Jeff,
Check out the rules page to see what mods are legal and what is prohibited. I know halyards can be any type, don't know about the furler. We use a mainsheet system that gives a 4:1. That looks alot like system 2 in the old Harken catalog except that our on-the-boom block is a double. I have sailed on other 7.9's that use the system 1 style with the cleat on the traveler.
Congrat's and good luck

[Dale Eager]

Halyards....wire & rope or just rope?

Tiller...I checked w/ H&L...anywhere else?

How about a handle for the bilge pump...(Gusher?) we need one of those too...

Welcome Jeff! You may want to re-post your questions in the maintenance forum, but here is my 2 cents:

The bilge pump is a Guzzler 500. (I believe they are all the same). http://www.bosworth.thomasregister.com/ ... cess_1.htm

Defender has them, and I believe West Marine can at least order for you. Seems you can buy the pump, the thru deck fittings (good idea to replace the boot), and replacement seals, but no handles! The whole pump including handle is pretty cheap (for a boat item), around $50. The handle is just a piece of aluminum with a slot on one end and a bicycle handlebar grip on the other.

For halyards, no need to mess with wire. With high tech lines, you can go smaller diameter if your clutches will accept it. Layline has plenty of information to help guide you through the many choices. http://www.layline.com

[Tom Elsen]

Hi Jeff
Welcome to the club. Glad to have you here.

A couple of answers / opinions.

- Furlers aren't class legal, but they're slower (a lot) anyhow.
- If you want wire halyards contact me. I think I've got some to sell cheap. Otherwise call Layline. Watch the diameters that work in your existing clutches though.
- You should be able to fashion a pump handle from hardware store pipe stock with some grip tape on the end.
- 4:1 is the most common main system. Note that you can put on just about anything you want per the rules. Windward sheeting traveler cars are also legal. Some like 'em some hate 'em.

[Jeff W]

Thanks for the info! Sure we'll have more ???? later

[Tom Line]

A nice option on the mainsheet is to have a shackle at the end that you can disconnect to go back and forth from 5:1 to 4:1. I know 4:1 is tough to one hand over 15 knots true when I'm steering.

[Jeff W]

Tom

Thanks for the input, not sure I understand tho, I'm picturing a double (fiddle) block with a becket and cam cleat attached to the traveller and a double (fiddle) hanging from the boom. Where would you attach the shackle and the extra block and is 5:1 too much in light air?

Jeff

A nice option on the mainsheet is to have a shackle at the end that you can disconnect to go back and forth from 5:1 to 4:1. I know 4:1 is tough to one hand over 15 knots true when I'm steering.

[Tom Line]

Here are the two options I considered.

Harken Carboblock (3 blocks + cam) bottom with a Carboblock (2 block + becket) top.

The snap shackle attaches to the becket on the top block. Put a plastic "ball" stopper on the rope just below the shackle. When you release the shackle, the ball stopped stops at the bottom block. You go from 5:1 to 4:1.

Second Option:

http://www.sailnet.com/store/item.cfm?pid=15713

My problem is the sheer amount of rope I have to pull in at leeward mark roundings. I want to streamline it so I can concentrate on a perfect rounding - so I'll probably use the 3:1/6:1 system instead of the 4:1/5:1.

Assuming the financial manager at home approves of the purchase