My Sunfish sail will not raise all the way to the top. what can I do or actions to take to make it easier?

Question

Just got a brand new sun fish

No knots in the halyard everythings alright

i pull the halyard but the boom onyl raises a half an inch off the deck and theres 7 more inches of line at the top of the mast left

any suggestiong or ideas? Thanks

Answer 1

don't know if sunfish have these, but make sure that the boom vang and the main sheet are loose. if the boom vang is too tight your boom won't go anywhere.

Answer 2

Try lifting under the gooseneck with one hand while pulling down on the halyard with the other.  The halyard should already be threaded through the eyelet on the deck.  Once you have the upper spar up against the top of the mast, keep the halyard tight and loop it a couple of times around the deck cleat and tie off.

If the wind is blowing make sure the sail is free to swing downwind until you are ready to get in the boat.

Good luck!