Multiple topics
Hi all,
This is the kind of question that tends to devolve into mush, as we are actually talking about several things, including:
Ways to retract the runners automatically;
Ways to retract them manually;
Lifespan of bungy cord;
Methods of terminating bungy cord;
Runner configuration for stowage;
Runner tang configuration;
and General runner usage.
And we haven't finished spinning off yet, as the topic of HM pendants, stripped runners, tackle-vs-winch power, etc. have yet to be broached.
All very lovely, but I don't think we are addressing anything fully. So in the interests of thread sanity, I'll just address the original question about automatic retrieval via bungy: don't do it. Bright idea, and it will probably work for, oh, upwards of half an hour, but as noted above the stuff just doesn't last long. And even if it did, it's a fairly elaborate solution in search of a problem; even on big traditional boats with heavy wire pendants and massive blocks, runners can be easy to tame with light tricing lines. It's all a matter of good leads and quick on-off belays. And with HM and no blocks it's almost not worth bothering to trice, as the stuff tends to just get out of the way on the leeward side. But if you do add tricing lines, lead them to PX cleats handy to the winch. Quick little things.
Also, except on extreme rigs, mostly fractional, you will likely be using your runners a minority of the time (though more than 10%). If you have frequent need, it implies a rig tweezy enough to be worth the effort of tending.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss
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