Leechlines! When and why do you use them?

[Warren Kaplan]

Hi All,
Time for Cape Dory University and its myriad of visiting professors to further this sailor's education. My 1.5 year old genoa and the new mainsail that I "hope" to get this winter both have leechlines. Some of the sailmakers use plenty of ink descibing their leechlines and leechline cleats and why their leechlines are better than everyone elses. At this point all that ink is wasted on this potential sail purchaser. Unfortunately, all I know about leechlines is that they exist and my sails have them. They are "virgin" leechlines as I have never touched them. Can the assembled professorate give me an education, as rudimentary or as in depth as you please, on the use of leechlines?
Thanks,
Warren Kaplan(striving for a grade point average of 4.0 in CD sailing)
S/V Sine Qua Non
CD27



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[Bob B.]

Sometimes, when the sail is trimmed the leech of the sail will luff a little. This continual flutter will eventually wear out the leech of the sail and fraying will take place. The leech lines can be firmed up to prevent the flutter at the leech of the sail. I had them on a new main and didn't have them on a working jib on my CD 27. The jib had a frayed and tattered leech while the main was always in proper trim. I don't have them on the Typhoon but try to do my best about keeping things trimmed. The Genoa does flutter at the leech under moderate breezes when pointing high into the wind. I have adjusted sheet tracks but no help, so I need leech lines on these sails.

Bob B.
CD 25D Tiva
CD Tyhpoon Weekender Oblivion



BundyR@aol.com

[Larry DeMers]

Hi Warren,

As Bob said they are used to quiet a chattering leech on sail, while in strong winds, close-hauled usually. To adjust them simply pull down on the line until the edge curls inwards a little, stopping the chattering, saving the sails edge from being flogged unmercifully. Usually, a small jamb cleat is supplied, and mounted on the sail itself. The line is just cleated off there, and the excess line is usually stuffed into a pocket provided for that purpose (if it is not stuffed, it will shake itself loose eventually).

Worth while having and using.

Happy Holidays!

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 Sailing Lake Superior

Hi All,
Time for Cape Dory University and its myriad of visiting professors to further this sailor's education. My 1.5 year old genoa and the new mainsail that I "hope" to get this winter both have leechlines. Some of the sailmakers use plenty of ink descibing their leechlines and leechline cleats and why their leechlines are better than everyone elses. At this point all that ink is wasted on this potential sail purchaser. Unfortunately, all I know about leechlines is that they exist and my sails have them. They are "virgin" leechlines as I have never touched them. Can the assembled professorate give me an education, as rudimentary or as in depth as you please, on the use of leechlines?
Thanks,
Warren Kaplan(striving for a grade point average of 4.0 in CD sailing)
S/V Sine Qua Non
CD27

demers@sgi.com

[John Sill]

Tightening a leach line causes the sail to bag and conversely, loosening the line causes the sail to flatten. Slight bagging helps in a light/down wind situation whereas flattening the sail helps keep the boat upright and sailing better in a heavy/upwind situation.

John Sill
CD31, Beholder's Eye



johnesill@cs.com

[Stephen H.]

Warren, I just wanted to say thanks for asking those questions that I assume everyone but me knows the answer to. I guess I need to be brave and start asking some of those questions myself.

Stephen Heineke
s/v La Suavita
CD 25 #67

Hi All,
Time for Cape Dory University and its myriad of visiting professors to further this sailor's education. My 1.5 year old genoa and the new mainsail that I "hope" to get this winter both have leechlines. Some of the sailmakers use plenty of ink descibing their leechlines and leechline cleats and why their leechlines are better than everyone elses. At this point all that ink is wasted on this potential sail purchaser. Unfortunately, all I know about leechlines is that they exist and my sails have them. They are "virgin" leechlines as I have never touched them. Can the assembled professorate give me an education, as rudimentary or as in depth as you please, on the use of leechlines?
Thanks,
Warren Kaplan(striving for a grade point average of 4.0 in CD sailing)
S/V Sine Qua Non
CD27

austex@attglobal.net

[Warren Kaplan]

Warren, I just wanted to say thanks for asking those questions that I assume everyone but me knows the answer to. I guess I need to be brave and start asking some of those questions myself.

Stephen Heineke
s/v La Suavita
CD 25 #67


Stephen,

One of the greatest things about this board is that even the oldest, most experienced salts on it all remember going through a learning curve themselves at some time in their sailing careers. With new products every year, from electronics like chartplotters to new laminates in sail cloth, nobody knows it all no matter how long they've been sailing. This board has a collective wealth of information second to none. 99.9% of the time information is freely given without any judgement to the asking sailor's abilities. The only "crime" would be to be embarrassed to use this great resource. So ask away! Nobody will think any the less of you for even the simplest questions!

Warren Kaplan



Setsail728@aol.com

[Hanalei]

Captain Kaplan,

A glass of wine (GROG) with you Sir, you are correct! Even those who are embarrassed are currently asking valid (?) questions about "racing" a Cape Dory! What they are REALLY trying to figure out, is, "HOW exactly DID Hanalei do that? ? ?

I'll NOT tell (unless overcome by an excess of GROG, which is one tactic that some of the Mates are contemplating!

Keep the questions coming, we all learn that way!

Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30C
CDSOA #1

[Warren Kaplan]

Captain Kaplan,

A glass of wine (GROG) with you Sir, you are correct! Even those who are embarrassed are currently asking valid (?) questions about "racing" a Cape Dory! What they are REALLY trying to figure out, is, "HOW exactly DID Hanalei do that? ? ?

Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30C
CDSOA #1

My esteemed Captain Stump,
Many astute observers on the sailboat racing scene, after meeting in conference, are still scratching their heads over CDSOA #1. Mind you, they never once considered that the sailboat Hanalei was incapable of bringing home the silver, but how she managed to do it in adverse conditions, suffering under the direction of a dubious pirate, boggles the experts to this day. The agreed upon analysis and "post mortem", if you will, of the race, pretty well establishes Capt. Stump's victory as analogous to, "Even a stopped clock is right twice a day!" Before you level a "sour grapes" charge at me, I freely admit that I would glad take on the mantle of next year's "stopped clock". If I win next year, to think otherwise WOULD be foolish!

Warren Kaplan
S/V Sine Qua Non
CD27 #166



Setsail728@aol.com

[MArk Yashinsky]

Did not Captain Stump relate in a thread, about his decision processes during "The Race", that allowed him to become #1??? Maybe all should review this while practicing for the "other race" (GROG).

[Hanalei]

Captains Commanding,

I thought you all had forgotten the REST of the story......OK, to make it easy, search the site for "Log Of Hanalei". Look for an entry "in case you were wondering-Log of Hanalei". I probably shouldn't remind you all, but being Honorable and your HUMBLE servant,....I must,....remain.....

Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30C
CDSOA #1

[Michael Heintz]

Captains Commanding,

Although Pirate Captain Stump ( know as Stumpy to some) refers to the Log of Hanalei, I do belive he means the GROG of Hanalie!!!!!!

At any rate with the new CAPE DORY RULES OF RACING we can despense with old logs, and past deeds. It's a hole new game out there!!!!

Michael Heintz
Captain Commanding
Macht Nichts CD 30 MK II
formaly "Racing Sloop"
Now know as " Drinking Sloop"



Mzenith@aol.com

[Mark Yashinsky]

And where are these Rules posted??? If they are not in print, I believe, at least, they are considered part of teh stupor of someone's Grog practice. And lets be nice to the boats and not be calling them names they do not disserve. The Captains on the other hand...

[Michael Heintz]

Captain Yashinsky,

I would agree, there are no rules posted, other than the original "Rules" set forward on this board by an "Unknown Captain".

I propose that as part of the upcomming CDSOA NorthEast meeting, we do so.

Will you join us? I for one would like to meet my opponents and Pirate Captain Stump ( Known as Stumpy to some ) I'm sure would as well!!!!!

Captain Commanding
CD 30 MK II
Macht Nichts



Mzenith@aol.com

[Mark Yashinsky]

Ahhh, the "Unknown Captain", who ever he may be. Uh, yea, right. Possibly setting it up w/ "The Captain" Goldsmith. Remember, Im an engineering grunt, and get hooked at being a deckie every so often. Command is when Goldsmith gets himself sick from partying too, I mean from eating the wrong food. The rest of the crew doesnt like it when Im the big Cheese. Im told, its something about the bull whip I want to incorporate into my management style. Oh, well. Back to my wee beastie in engineering.