I recently upgraded from a Sunfish to a Prindle 18 and I’m loving it and learning a lot. I’ve read my 1983 P18 manual many times and I wonder if anyone has any tips of getting the hook to come out of the ring when lowering the mainsail.

When you pull the halyard up make sure to keep the tension on it, then rotate the mast while continuing the pressure, keeping the mast rotated and the tension on, now release the halyard and pull down on the sail

HULLFLYER

When you pull the halyard up make sure to keep the tension on it, then rotate the mast while continuing the pressure, keeping the mast rotated and the tension on, now release the halyard and pull down on the sail

Make sure to rotate the mast in the opposite direction of the hook

You make it sound so easy. If it takes me 45 mins… is there something wrong with my setup or am I just inexperienced?

Tie the halyard to the ring with a stopper knot. Make sure the knot is facing aft when you attach it to the sail. If the mast hook is on the port side, put the boat on port tack to help release the hook while you pull the halyard to release.

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Dart 20
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I don’t know the Prindle system specifically, but I believe it is essentially the same as the Hobie system (all of which were developed from the Tornado system….).

Some key points.
- Make sure the boat is pointed directly into the wind when raising and lowering the sails.

- The ring with a little loop welded on top for tieing off the halyard works best since it keep the knot away from the hook.

- Use a basic overhand knot for tieing off (using the type of halyard ring described above. This allows the ring to be pulled up well clear of the hook for lowering.

- Easiest method is for two people to lower the sail. One stands on the tramp and pulls the halyard all the way up. Once up, the second person stands between the hulls facing aft and rotates the mast so the hook swings away from the ring. With the mast rotated, the first person releases some halyard and the second person pulls down on the sail (keeping the mast rotated). Once the sail is lowered about a foot, the mast can be straightened and the sail lowered the rest of the way.

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Aussie halyard ring

This ring works well, advantages:
- One piece with the shackle, so it rotates more reliably
- Not symetric, the "long" side goes on the same side as the hook, making it easier to hook and unhook.

The stopper know facing aft tilts the ring slightly backwards, making it easier to hook and unhook.