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Deck & Rigging

Deck Layout

Whistler has full teak decks on side decks, coach roof, cockpit, and bathing platform. The surface is beautiful but gets slippery when wet — always wear non-slip soles on deck.

Key deck features:

  • Twin helm stations (port and starboard) with stainless steel wheels and leather covers
  • Cockpit tables (teak top, SS legs) at both stations
  • 2 × electric halyard winches (Lewmar Ocean 55) at the mast
  • 4+ sheet winches in the cockpit
  • Self-tacking jib system
  • Composite bowsprit with integrated anchor fitting

Windlass — Quick DP3

1,500W electric anchor windlass, controlled by a wireless remote handset (kept in the anchor locker).

Short bursts only

Do not run the windlass continuously. Use short hauls with pauses — it draws ~120A at peak and will overheat on a long continuous run. Let it cool between bursts when hauling heavy chain.

To anchor:

  1. Take the remote handset from the anchor locker
  2. Press DOWN to deploy anchor — pay out chain slowly at first to let it lie
  3. The chain counter (Quick CHC1102M) shows metres of chain deployed
  4. Once anchored and swung, snub the chain to a cleat — don't leave load on the windlass

To recover:

  1. Motor slowly towards the anchor as you haul in chain
  2. When the chain is vertical (up-down), give a short throttle burst ahead to break the anchor out
  3. Haul chain fully aboard — the anchor stows in the bow roller

Chain scope: 5:1 (chain:depth) in settled conditions, 7:1+ in wind. In 5 m of water with 7:1, deploy 35 m of chain.

Winches — Lewmar Ocean 55 (Electric)

The two electric halyard winches at the mast can be operated manually or electrically. To use electrically:

  1. Wrap the line on the winch drum (at least 3 turns)
  2. Press and hold the electric button on the winch body

The cockpit sheet winches are manual self-tailing. Use a winch handle (stored in cockpit).

Sails

Mainsail

Quantum Dacron, full-batten. The main is raised by the electric halyard winch at the mast.

Reefing:

Whistler has 2 slab reefs. Reef points are led to the cockpit.

  • Reef 1: ~20 kn true wind (check conditions)
  • Reef 2: ~28–30 kn true wind

Always reef earlier than you think you need to. The boat sails much better with a reef in than overpowered.

Lazy jacks keep the mainsail contained when lowering — furl the main into the lazyjacks and tie sail ties.

Self-Tacking Jib

The jib is on a Furlex 200S furler and sheeted to a self-tacking traveller on the coach roof — it tacks automatically.

  • To deploy: Release furling line, pull jib sheet — jib unrolls
  • To furl: Ease jib sheet, pull furling line — keep gentle tension on the jib sheet as you furl to avoid a loose furl

The jib has a fixed sheeting angle. For reaching, use the mainsheet eased and consider the larger reacher or gennaker if fitted.

Backstay Tensioner

A manual backstay tensioner adjusts forestay tension and mast bend. Tighten upwind for better jib shape, ease offwind.

Bathing Platform

Electric fold-out bathing platform with remote control.

  • Rocker switch on transom — push forward: door goes UP / push back: door goes DOWN
  • Ensure nothing (lines, fenders) is caught under the platform before lowering

The platform has a boarding ladder for swimming.

Mooring Lines & Cleats

6 × 300 mm mooring cleats (4 standard + 2 additional). When berthing stern-to in a Croatian marina (the normal configuration):

  1. Lay anchors / take marina stern lines
  2. Run spring lines if the wind is across the berth
  3. Bow lines are run to quay when bow is held by anchor

Rope locker: Lines are stowed in the cockpit lockers.

Manuals