[Rhodes22-list] Fraying IMF Outhaul line

[Jim Connolly]

I tried to send this earlier.  No record that it went out, and no receipt 
via list, so apologies if it is a duplicate for anyone.

Went to the boat today, but declined to sail (along with wife and near 2 
year-old son) because winds were in the high teens with frequent gusts over 
thirty, and I am not comfortable single-handing under those conditions. 
 Too much of a good thing!

It's a good thing I stopped by though, since the winds had tightened up the 
wrap on the IMF main.  About an extra 1-1.5" had come out of the mast slot. 
 The sail was flogging pretty badly and the cover of the outhaul line was 
fraying on the frame of the block that slides in the boom track.  The cover 
on the outhaul line is a bit fuzzy, but the core looks OK.  It should last 
the rest of the season, but I will likely replace it over the winter, even 
though it was new.

It has been my practice when furling the main to furl with the black line 
until the self cover is just in the mast slot, cleat the furling line, and 
then cleat the outhaul.  I then push the sliding block forward.  The block 
takes tension on the outhaul line, pulls the mainsail clew down, and the 
tension of the outhaul on the block keeps it from sliding back and forth. 
 That's what I did last wednesday afternoon.  Until today, this has worked 
well.

Is this the correct procedure?

Has anone else experienced this problem, and do you have any 
recommendations?

I temporarily tied the mainsail clew around the block and boom with a light 
line, then forward to an unused haliard cleat on the mast.  The wind is 
dying too, which should prevent further damage.  Do folks routinely secure 
the sails with extra ties when leaving the boat?

Thanks

Jim Connolly
s/v Inisheer