West Wight Potter Owner's Association
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P-15 Quick Rigging Hints

P-15 Quick Rigging Hints

By

Dave Kautz

Owner of P-15 #1631 "Tilly Lucy"

I'm willing to share everything I know about quick rigging. Unfortunately, it's not much other than keep the boat simple and develop a routine. It's mistakes and forgotten items that cause really big delays. I don't know that one could really have a "class" for this since each individual captain seems to have their own idea about how a Potter should be set up and no two boats are alike six months after they've left the factory.

Part of quick rigging also comes from taking a little extra time when putting the boat away to roll/fold sails neatly, coil sheets and lines and get things arranged so there is little tangle and confusion when items come out for the next sail. While folks have pointed out that my boat is quick to be rigged for sailing, it takes pretty much just as long as anyone else's to be ready for the ride home. This has not bothered me - I'm always eager to start sailing but much more patient at day's end.

That said, here are the basic timesavers: Store the main rolled up on the boom, fully rigged (outhaul, reefing, etc.). The boom with the sail on it will fit in the cabin for storage. My mainsheet stays rigged on the boom and clips to the bridle via a carabiner (spelling?), same with the vang. I slip a stuff sack over each end of the boom, the vang and downhaul go in one, the mainsheet hardware and line in the other.

Try and get lines to do "double duty". For instance, my mast is secured my boat while trailering by one stern line and the jib downhaul line. The bow line is the safety line between boat and trailer. The lines you need stay with the boat and there isn't a lot of extra spaghetti around during rigging. All that stays behind after the boat is rigged are three bungee cords and the trailer strap.

Gear that isn't stored outdoors in the boat (VHF radio, GPS, binoculars, sunscreen, etc.) is kept in a couple net bags for quick loading. Those bags, a 1 gal. gas can for the Honda and my boots are all together in a plastic milk crate that is kept in the garage. Junk that can stay in the boat, does. Paddles, anchors & rode, charts, PFDs, raingear, etc.- loading and unloading stuff wastes time.

I've found it's not a good idea to leave electronics outdoors (corrosion, especially at the batteries), and never store fuel inside the boat due to the risk of vapor accumulation.

Spending money on snap shackles will save a few moments but not near as much time as keeping the rig simple and being organized. Elaborate set-ups for running halyards aft or fancy tiller tamers can be nice to have on the water but they really sting at rigging time.

To contact Dave click here: Email Dave