Jib downhaul

[Shaun]

Gday,
Im trying to get all lines leading to the cockpit.
With a hanked-on headsail, has anyone rigged up a downhaul?
Seems to be a very quick, cheap & easy way to douse the jib, so im wondering if anyone has tried this & had any problems.
something simple like this:
http://home.comcast.net/~catalina22flee ... b_Downhaul

or this one looks interesting, but i think might have to much friction in the system??
http://www.widgetsailor.com/myboat/downhaul/index.html

Im wondering with the top method would you simply need to let go the halyard & pull the downhaul....or also ease the sheet??
cheers

[Dolphin]

G'Day Shaun,
The last method does seem a bit difficult and if you took a greenie it might fill the jib with water??
I was thinking also that you would need to weave the line between each hank as when the sail was up and the line was slack it would sag and bang on the sail leaving a mark or wearing the sail stitching. Thoughts?
I have seen one using a pulley at or near the head giving a double purchase but that is complicated and unnecessary.
What would you do with the sail when you've got it down? I used to tie mine to the lifelines when I had hanks but that meant going forward

Greg.