505 Mast Ram Control Lines

[PowdyrdWyg]

Would a fellow 505 sailor be kind enough to post photos of (or draw) the set up of their mast ram up and down lines from the ram car itself through the bulkhead and to the cam amidships, i.e., not the continuous loop take up system?

To summarize, I believe that my boat may be missing a block under the deck, perhaps tied to the mast step, permitting the control line to go from horizontal to vertical. Currently, the line passes through the bulkhead, rubbing against the hole there, and then angles up towards the car, occasionally rubbing against the mast hole in the deck. I believe the friction created here is the reason I can’t adjust the car.

Thank you.

 

[WCB]

Would a fellow 505 sailor be kind enough to post photos of (or draw) the set up of their mast ram up and down lines from the ram car itself through the bulkhead and to the cam amidships, i.e., not the continuous loop take up system?

To summarize, I believe that my boat may be missing a block under the deck, perhaps tied to the mast step, permitting the control line to go from horizontal to vertical. Currently, the line passes through the bulkhead, rubbing against the hole there, and then angles up towards the car, occasionally rubbing against the mast hole in the deck. I believe the friction created here is the reason I can’t adjust the car.

Thank you.

I won't draw anything yet though I might be able to find a picture of my mast step area. Usually the ram controls, if memory serves and I'm a little rusty on my rigging, are cleated on the centerboard cap, then dip down below the cap through an angled hole or a harken thru deck. They pass through the diagonal bulkhead through a hole, then turn vertical on a harken thru deck again where you could incorporate the purchase that you need for the up or down. The other option is a cheek block mounted on the side of the mast step support and one of those thru deck fittings for the line to pass through.

 

[D Kirkpatrick]

What make of boat? The Rondar mast step layout is much different than the photo above (mast step is much lower). On my Rondar the ram down controls cleat on either side of the trunk, but the lines on either side are separate. There are lead blocks on either side of the mast base that turn the line from going forward from the cleat area to going vertically into the purchase that's in front of the mast. I'd guess you are missing similar blocks at the mast base. The system should, and needs to, be almost friction free. You need to be able to pull that sucker hard.

 

[PowdyrdWyg]

Thank you both. My boat is a Rondar made by Ovington from Germany. My boat is at the lake, but if memory serves, the ram-down line runs through a block before going vertical. I suspect the ram-up line does the same, but the block is missing. Next time I am at the lake, I’ll look for any evidence of a missing block.

With that in place, I should be able to correctly set up the rig for various conditions.

 

[PaulK]

This is what I've got. The downhaul isn't attached in the photo. Both go down to the keelson/mast base area, and then aft.

 

[mikeholt]

Ideally integrate with the forestay. Here is mine (mauve line) going into the forestay for auto ram.

 

[PowdyrdWyg]

This is what I've got. The downhaul isn't attached in the photo. Both go down to the keelson/mast base area, and then aft.

View attachment 572332

PaulK, thank you. Do you mind sending pictures of the ram-car up and down control lines as they run under the deck and through the bulkhead? That’s where I am running into trouble.

 

[PaulK]

PaulK, thank you. Do you mind sending pictures of the ram-car up and down control lines as they run under the deck and through the bulkhead? That’s where I am running into trouble.

My control lines don't go through the bulkhead; it's well forward of the mast step:

They turn aft and run under the centerboard cap until they exit at its back end to cam cleats.

 

[PowdyrdWyg]

Ideally integrate with the forestay. Here is mine (mauve line) going into the forestay for auto ram. View attachment 572521

Mike, that’s a clean set up. You’ve given me something to shoot for.

My jib halyard is integrated with the forestay. The mast ram up and down lines are separate, unless that is what I’m missing.

Did you consult a guide when rigging your boat or just fellow sailors?

 

[PowdyrdWyg]

My control lines don't go through the bulkhead; it's well forward of the mast step:

View attachment 573019
They turn aft and run under the centerboard cap until they exit at its back end to cam cleats.

View attachment 573021

I misspoke. Not the bulkhead forward of the mast but the partition just aft of the mast.

 

[PaulK]

I misspoke. Not the bulkhead forward of the mast but the partition just aft of the mast.

The controls lead alongside the centerboard trunk and exit through the cap, aft. If you have a bulkhead there you should be able to drill some holes where they need to be.

 

[WCB]

I misspoke. Not the bulkhead forward of the mast but the partition just aft of the mast.

You didn't miss-speak, that's generally known as the diagonal bulkhead versus the watertight bulkhead further forward.

 

[mikeholt]

My jib halyard is integrated too. To be fair that picture was taken during rigging so cleaner than reality! I have rigged a few boats now, sailed many more, so have a few areas of inspiration. Keep it simple, friction free and easy to see.

 

[D Kirkpatrick]

Ju

Mike, that’s a clean set up. You’ve given me something to shoot for.

My jib halyard is integrated with the forestay. The mast ram up and down lines are separate, unless that is what I’m missing.

Did you consult a guide when rigging your boat or just fellow sailors?

just gonna leave this here... https://5o5.iworks.pl/fleet-person/mike-holt/

 

[PowdyrdWyg]

I’m in the presence of greatness.