SAILS & RIGGING
Most of Mirador's sails were custom made by North Sails Seattle in the spring of 1999. Following is the inventory (unless otherwise indicated they are North sails):
- Spectra 195 TX Mainsail - the loose foot on this sail is 13" longer than a standard Doyle Offshore main. There is also 6" more roach. The sail is cut very flat which significantly reduces Mirador's weather helm in heavy air. There are two reef points. There are four full length battens. A reinforced cunningham eye is installed for use with a 4:1 block to allow tremendous flattening of the main.
- Spectra 130 TX 120% RF genoa - North designed this sail to hold a good shape when reefed to 90%
- Nylon 2.5 oz 165% RF Code 0 - here is a link to our WEB page about the Drifter
- Nylon 1250 sq foot Asymmetrical Spinnaker (Pryde - 1995)
- Trysail (with dedicated mast track)
- Doyle offshore Mainsail - this is the factory supplied mainsail. North Sails reinforced the corners and put on new spreader patches in 1999. We keep this aboard Mirador as a spare
Staysails - Mirador has a removable inner forestay installed. The tack for the staysails is eight feet aft of the tack for the genoa. We usually sail Mirador as a sloop. The inner forestay, when not in use, is attached to a padeye adjacent to the mast. We can rig the inner forestay in about three minutes using the Hyfield lever. The sheets for all of the staysails are led to sheetstoppers on the cabin top just forward of the cockpit.
- 170 sq foot staysail - this large staysail overlaps the mast by about 18". It sheets to tracks outboard of the dorade guards. When sailing hard on the wind in 24 to 32 knots apparent with a reefed main and the big staysail Mirador points higher, makes less leeway, and heels less than if the Genoa were furled to 90%.
- 130 sq foot staysail (Doyle 1995) - this is the factory supplied staysail
- 80 sq foot staysail (Storm jib)
LAZY JACKS
Custom lazy jacks were designed and installed by Brion Toss in the spring of '99. The mainsail has ball bearing cars installed at the luff to carry the loads from the full length battens. These cars and lazy jacks allow the main to drop in almost any conditions. Jerry has been able to single handedly reef the main while sailing downwind in 30 knots. This is made possible by the lazy jacks which force the main to stack properly and a 4:1 block and tackle that can be used to pull the main down.
WINCHES
- Two Lewmar 48 self tailing in cockpit
- One Lewmar 6 (genoa furling line) in cockpit
- Two Lewmar 40 self tailing on cabin top (halyard and staysail winches)
- One Lewmar 40 on mast
In April 1999 we took Mirador to Brion Toss's (The Rigger's Apprentice) yard in Port Townsend, WA where he and his crew spent a week inspecting and replacing much of the standing rigging. Visit Brion Toss Riging to learn more about his services. The following equipment was installed or replaced:
- forestay and backstay
- new mainsheet traveller controls
- increased power of rigid vang to 8:1
- bronze sheaves at masthead
- gype preventers
- bronze sheaves in boom
- folding mast steps to spreader and two at mast head
- CS Johnson backstay adjusters
- dedicated track for trysail
- spinnaker crane at masthead
- spare main halyard
- spare genoa halyard
- all new wiring and conduits inside mast
- tracks for big staysail cars
- Forespar 13' - 24' UTS/UTR adjustable reaching pole
- Forespar TS-125 adjustable car on dedicated mast track
DOWNWIND POLE
The adjustable pole can be used when sailing downwind (below 140° apparent) with the Code 0, the genoa, or the spinnaker. We have used the pole in 40 knots apparent downwind with the genoa furled to 90%.
- Forespar 13' - 24' UTS/UTR adjustable line control telescoping pole (see general Forespar pole information at Forespar Pole Info and details about Mirador's pole at #403202 Details)
- Forespar T-125 car
- 25' track on front of mast for car
- 2:1 uphaul/down haul for car and pole