8-Ball re-rig

[Kurt_Ayres]

Greetings!

I built a Glen-L 8-Ball (8' sailing pram) several years ago, and though it was fun to put her together as a winter project, sailing her is difficult. I'm 6'1", so sitting on the seat is difficult, as I almost have to bend in half when the boom needs to move across (I'm 48). I tried sitting on the sole cross-legged behind the seat, but it was incredibly uncomfortable to sail and steer (Did I mention that I'm 48?).

I have a Catalina 22, and will soon begin building a larger daysailer, but before I give in and convert the pram into a rowboat, can anyone out there think of an imaginative way I might be able to re-rig her so I can sail her while sitting on the seat without being a contortionist. I'm curious what all our wonderful amateur NA's might come up with!:)

Link to the Glen-L page: http://www.glen-l.com/designs/sailboat/8ball.html

Kurt Ayres
Avon, Illinois

[JimD]

A boomless sail would at least save you from the possibility of skull fractures. You might have to build some sort of gallows arrangement at the transom to run the mainsheet from.

http://www.glen-l.com/designs/sailboat/sailboat-images/dsn-8blla.jpg

[John B]

Lengthen the mast.

[floatingkiwi]

lower the seat and /or angle the foot of the sail to an higher clew.
I don't see what being 48 has to do with it.

[Woxbox]

Taller mast, I say too. Sounds like you possess enough live ballast to keep her on her feet.

[JimConlin]

Raise the foot of the sail, either by lengthening the mast, raising the clew, or cutting the whole sail shorter.