How to Raise the Mainsail in Neutral

Have an assistant turn the sailboat into the wind, using the inboard motor or the auxiliary outboard motor. Remove the sail cover from the boom, if it has been wrapped for storage. Stow the cover in the sail locker. Don a pair of gloves. Loosen and remove the stop-ties that hold the mainsail attached to the boom.

Locate the main halyard, which is the line that runs up to the sail head (top of the mast) and back down to the tackle block at the base of the mast. The tackle block has pulleys in it through which the halyard line runs. Refer to your owner's manual for the correct location of the lines and components, if you are unsure.

Attach the main halyard line shackle (connecting snap) to the head or top of the sail connector eyelet. Look up and make sure the halyard line is free, and not wrapped around the mast or snagged. Instruct your assistant to place the motor in "neutral." Pull the slack out of the halyard line, and loosen the boom vang; the boom bang holds the boom in a downward position, so it must be free to allow the mainsail to move up easily.

Pull the halyard line by hand, letting the mainsail sheet unfurl and raise. Pull it all the way to the top if the size and weight permits easy lifting. If the mainsail is very large and heavy, transfer the halyard line to the winch. Wrap the halyard line three times around the winch, then crank the winch handle until the mainsail tops out. If the mainsail snags momentarily, back off the winch then resume cranking, or give the crank a good shove to free up the sail.

Pull tight on the halyard line and tie it off on the halyard cleat. Have your assistant turn the motor off, but have him maintain the helm until you relieve him.