Stewart Grant the owner of “Moth” and John Wichers have made a number of modifications, particularly aimed at making single handed sailing easier.
1.MAINSHEET
We copied Mike Brooks main sheet which was a massive improvement for original.
But have improved even more by fitting a stainless steel horse. (which is just fantastic and great to use.)
Even when motoring with the soft shackle just lock the boom in to one position.
2. TOPPING LIFT
Replacing the horn cleat with a turning block and jam cleats each side of boom. Means one handed pull and just release
and its done.
3 .REEFING CLEATS
Replacing cleats again with jam cleats makes reefing very quick and easy with one hand. Also, butt-spliced shock cord hoops, used as “tidies” for reef pennants and topping lift.
4. ROLLER REEFING for jib or yankee
Have replaced with continuous line roller reefing. Which is very small, powerful and smooth and no mater how windy never jams.(unlike the old one)
Also has a quick release shackle for changing sails. We have 2 separate head swivels kept on each the yankee and jib.
In the picture the yellow line is the tack line for asymmetric and nothing to do with roller reefing.
5. BOWSPRIT
Have added extra jam cleats mainly for asymmetric tack but also for getting good tension on bow sprit downhaul then going into normal cleat.
6. CENTERBOARD
This one is great, again while on the tiller being able to raise and lower the center board with ease single handed with instant lock off and release.
I have still kept the old cleat near due to having a three year old. Also make it easy for stowing the centerboard line.
7. PREVENTOR
This is mainly for when the kids are helming. Line goes back to winch with a few turns can be released gentle stopping an accidental jibe.
Have put through hull eye rings using by replacing existing holes. Boom attachment is simple like the kicker. For when at anchor or motoring you can keep the boom out of the way as well fixing to small cleats.
8. MAST BEADS
This is very smooth and does not jam up.
9. TILLER
Short loop permanently rigged on each quarter mooring cleat to hold the tiller when heaving to. This makes it very easy to keep the boat balanced while putting in a reef single handed.
10. WHISKER POLE
Extendable aluminium – Good for poling out foresail when goose-winging.
11. LIGHT WIND ASYMMETRIC
Can be launched through hatch. Tack sent out along bowsprit. Then soft shackles with block that attach to stern cleats. Have also attached another little block on top of the mast forestay for new halyard.
