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cs
08-11-2005, 07:11 AM
I'm not making mast hoops for my gaff rigged weekender. I was thinking about just using rope robands to attach the gaff to the mast. The other option is to get some beads and make beaded robands.

Chad
George.
08-11-2005, 07:38 AM
Chad, you mean to attach the sail to the mast, don't you?

If so, lacing works, is cheap and easy to install, and doesn't scratch your mast. Not a spiral lacing - we had a thread a couple of weeks back where people described the proper type of lacing in detail. I'll try to find it.
Dave R
08-11-2005, 07:38 AM
Lacing works pretty well, Chad. It's simple and quick. I had started a thread a few weeks back that includes some pictures showing the lacing. If you want to see the pictures, let me know.
George.
08-11-2005, 07:47 AM
Found it. See the "Gaff Main Question" thread I just bumped up.
Dave R
08-11-2005, 07:49 AM
Thanks George.
cs
08-11-2005, 08:19 AM
No Mike it hasn't come in yet. I expect probably today or tommorrow.

I thought about lacing, but thought more about the individual robands. What would be the advantage of lacing of robands?

Chad
Dave R
08-11-2005, 08:24 AM
Chad, robands might be a little quicker to install but with the lacing, you can adjust the overall set of the luff relative to the mast with the sail up. To adjust the upper robands you'd either need to lower the sail or have a tall ladder.
J. Dillon
08-11-2005, 08:28 AM
I think robands are easier to put on and off if you include a toggle & eye. Also in MHO they will catch on things less when you lower the sail.
Besides you need less line in making one and if one needs replacement it's just one not a whole lacing line.

But everyone has their on opinion. Oh yes no beads on them Chad, ;) the'll scatch up that nice varnish.
:eek:
JD
George.
08-11-2005, 10:19 AM
Robands won't slide up and down the mast nearly as easily as a lacing. That's because a proper lacing becomes slack as soon as you take tension off the throat halyard, and gets even slacker as the sail drops.

With robands, in a hard breeze, you could find yourself having to manhandle the sail down. And hoisting and tensioning the luff will be much harder - could result in a torn sail.