Downhaul/Cunningham - I use a Cunningham only, it serves as both and gives all the control needed. The mast has a stop, (just a bolt, nut & washer), in the rope groove, which prevents the boom from dropping below the lower band. A 3-to-1 purchase is more than enough, you do not want to put a lot of vertical wrinkles in the luff. I have an 'S' hook attached to wire that hooks in the cunningham hole, the wire leads to a becket on a double sheave block. Another double sheave block is anchored on the mast step. The line is lead through the blocks to a clam cleat on the thwart, fairly simple. Cost about $30.
Even simpler, mount an eye strap to the side of the mast about a foot below the gooseneck, tie a line to it and run the free end thru the Cunningham hole and down to a clam cleat mounted in the luff rope groove, below the lower mast bands. Cost? About $6 and it is all a daysailer needs.
While mounting the cunningham, this is a good time to make sure the head of the main is within the upper bands and the tack rests within the lower bands as shown on the plans. I have seen some low booms because the mainsail is not all the way.
Cunningham/Downhaul - System I - No Purchase
Qty |
Item |
Mfg.# |
SRC |
2' |
1/4" line |
Samson |
N/S |
1 |
AL Clam Cleat (CL221MK1) |
Race Jr. |
WES |
Cunningham/Downhaul - System II, No Purchase
1 |
Cunningham Hook |
NF-237 |
N/S |
8' |
1/4" line |
Samson |
N/S |
1 |
Single Swivel Bullet Block |
H #166 |
N/S |
1 |
AL Clam Cleat (CL221MK1) |
Race Jr. |
WES |
1 |
3/16" Shackle To attach bullet block to mast step |
NF-1008 |
N/S |
Cunningham/Downhaul - System III, with Purchase
1 |
Cunningham Hook |
NF-237 |
N/S |
3' |
Wire 3/32" 1x19 |
N/S |
|
2 |
Nicropress sleeves 3/32 |
N/S |
|
2 |
Thimbles 3/32" |
N/S |
|
1 |
Becket Block |
NF-462 |
N/S |
8' |
1/4" line |
Samson |
N/S |
1 |
Double Swivel Bullet Block |
H #084 |
N/S |
1 |
AL Clam Cleat (CL221MK1) |
Race Jr. |
WES |
1 |
3/16" Shackle o attach bullet block to mast step |
NF-1008 |
N/S |