Hiking Straps - With the jib and main easily adjusted from the weather deck, you will be able to play the sheets in the puffs and keep her driving, rather than having water coming over the rail. In order to lean out from the deck, you must have hiking straps. Getting the weight on and over the rail allows the boat to be sailed in a seaman like manner. To be able to use the hiking straps, you must also have a hiking stick. Some people try to sail the Windmill sitting on the seat, (it is actually a thwart, which Webster defines as a transverse brace), it just does not work, the skipper should be on the rail at all times. You will be able to control the boat and see me coming on port tack.

I suggest nylon webbing for the hiking straps. You can cover them with refrigeration tubing, so they will be more comfortable. The webbing is rather expensive, about $.50 a foot, if I remember correctly. (Cotton webbing can be used, but it will rot after a few seasons. 5/16" line covered with refrigeration tubing can also be used, but the line will cut into the tubing fairly quickly and the tubing is not cheap). You will need about 10 foot for each side. Anchor the straps to some combination of the thwarts, keel, stringers or mast step, just make sure they are firmly secured. (Our straps run from an eye strap on the mast step to the aft thwart, anchored in the middle to what would be the stringer on a wood boat). I use shock cord to keep the straps off the deck, so I can slip my feet in without fumbling. By putting a grommet in both ends of the straps, they can be secured with a piece of line to an eye strap and adjusted to suit the height of different crews. Some 'Millers run the line to a jam cleat making the adjustment very easy.

Hiking Straps

Qty	Item	Mfg.#	SRC
20'	1 to 1 1/2" Nylon Strap
4	Eye Straps (Use #10 Screws)		N/S
10'	1/4" Shock Cord		N/S
2	SS or AL plates to anchor straps in middle.  Scrounge and make yourself.

Hiking strap idea - Cover the refrigeration tubing with rip stop nylon. This does more than decorate your boat, the tubing will last for years since it is not being chaffed by your shoes.

Hiking Stick - You can make or buy a hiking stick. All you need is a swivel that allows motion in two planes. A tennis ball on the end of the stick will aid your grip. Manufactured sticks, cost from $20 to $50.

Before I leave hiking straps and sticks, let me say again, you will not be able to enjoy sailing the Windmill in a breeze over 10 knots without them. You may sail her without them, but I promise it will not be fun, you will scare your crew and may even take an unexpected swim. I have seen a few people try sailing without them and return to the dock with only one thing own their mind, selling the boat, because it is too tippy. The 'Mill is not a barge, the ballast belongs on the deck and you are the ballast. If this turns you off, you have the wrong boat.