I use a bowline in the end of the uphaul line to make a loop, pass the line through the lower hole in the gaff and back through the loop before passing through the top pulley on the mast. Position the knot so that it does not impede the gaff from sitting tight to the mast. http://www.tollesburysc.co.uk/Knots/Knots_gallery.htm
This is the cleverest solution I have heard in over 40 years of Gulls, as it leaves only a rope thickness between gaff and mast and pulls tight, although there will still be a little movement. To obtain a flush fit, my solution posted earlier works perfectly :
The gaff is a sloppy fit, especially tying the halliard through the hole. I drilled a slot from the front of the gaff through to the hole and re-inforced that area with Al plate. Now I pass a soft eye through the slot and fix it with a pin. The gaff can then be pulled tight against the face of the mast..much better. I have since added a short curved tube to the gaff top. Now I hoist the gaff first. I use a second sail halliard througth the tube,to hoist the sail, as in the one Bermudian mast version... a lot easier and fully adjustable for reefing! Anything for an easy life!!
This solution has lasted for several years without problems ....
Tony, I read your post some time ago but as I use Dyneema the knot and line go into the mast on the top of the roller. also instead of just tieing off at the cleat I have a block system so that I get 2 to 1 advantage. End result tight fit that does not loosen in the course of the sail. One day I will improve it along the lines you suggest but its not high on my list as I am trying to keep the rest of the boat competitive and up together. Peter
I was talking with fellow sailor this Saturday at the club as he was working on his mirror dinghy and looking at his gaff noticed it had a bracket with a small eye on the back. This seems a better way than that on the Gull. The size of the mirror gaff is about 45mm square so it is bigger than ours but one could easily insert a couple of pieces either side between the arms of the bracket. What d'ya think?
Gunter halyard knot
Posted - 11/03/2010 : 21:00:40
