Cruising Sailors Forum Archive

A few comments
In Response To: help for old cruisers ()

We have a J40, a slightly larger J-, and are retired but not quite 70 yet. We have made some changes to make things easier, and some were there from the beginning.
1. As far as handling the large main, we use the Tides Strong Track system for dropping the sail into a cradle type sail cover tied to the lazy jacks (commonly called a stack pack, even though it is not the Doyle type sewed to the sail). You just head into the wind and release the halyard, and the whole thing comes down and self stows until you are ready to deal with it. Works better with a full batten main. As far as raising the main, we don't have an electric winch but the Strong system would make it easier even without one. Pretty good addition though; recommended if you are not that athletic.
2. We have had a power windlass all along, and with a proper backing plate ( and remembering that it is not a strong point for tying off the anchor; that is what the cleats are for) works fine.
If you are happy otherwise with the J34c these are worthwhile upgrades to make your life easier.
We are on our way to Santa Cruz Island at the moment, with lots of wind and anchoring, and these are what we use. Perhaps later a power winch is in our future...--in the meantime maybe try joining a gym instead and having fun doing a little light strength training.

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