2
Locking Headboard Assembly
Master pawl
Slave pawl
Slave pawl
Wider pocket
General description - Locking mechanism -
Locking headboard system consists of locking car, lock track and
headboard plate. The car has multiple pawls that lock into pockets in the lock track. Return springs keep the pawls
retracted into the car for hoisting and lowering. Once the sail is hoisted to the correct height, pulling the trip line
moves the control link, leveraging the pawls' control arms simultaneously engaging the pawls into the lock track
pockets. Easing the halyard seats the pawls and the halyard and trip line can completely ease. Halyard should be
eased when car is locked.
The master pawl and corresponding pocket are wider than the slave pawls. Because all pawls are connected by the
control link they cannot engage into the sockets until the master pawl engages in the wider pocket.
The weight of the sail keeps the pawls engaged, so trip line and halyard can ease. When the halyard is tensioned
the return springs push on the pawl triggers to retract the pawl into the car.
Return springs
Slave pawl
Slave pawl
Master pawl
Control link
Pockets in lock track
Trip line
Control arm
Underside of car
Lock track
How it works
Top of mast
