I have already talked about how the T34-2 main sail is BIG.  In my experience, lowering the sail (especially when you are single-handing) requires octopus arms and a stong willingness to wrestle the flogging sail as you stand on the cabin top. I had taken to dropping the sail on deck and scrambling to gather it once down rather than to be beaten by flailing reefing lines. 

My solution to these challenges has been to purchase and install a Harken Lazy Jack kit.  There are many lazy jack systems and you will have to decide which one you think is best for your boat.  You may even decide to make one yourself.  After much research, including whether or not to bother with lazy jacks, I chose the largest Harken model because it would provide for three lines on each side of the boom rather than just two.  Admittedly, raising the sail now requires more care not to tangle the battens in the lazy jack lines, but it is worth it!  Dowsing the sail is now simple, painless, and safe.  The sail comes down swiflty into the cradling arms of the lazy jack and it stays there.  The result is that I use the main more frequently when I single-hand then I did before.

 I did have my local canvas maker put slits in my sail cover.  She finished them beautifully with inner vinyl protector and sunbrella overlaps.  I am not sure how necessary this really is except that it looks very neat and tidy and covers the sail properly.  It takes a few minutes more to get it on than it used to but I have a minute or two extra to spare as I linger after sailing!

My experience with the T34-2 mainsail is that it is BIG!  It requires muscle to raise the sail.  After much research I purchased a Tides Marine Strong Track system.

The Strong Track is a low friction track that installs in the main mast luff groove.  I purchased mine from Sailcare, and Jerry will walk you through what you need.  Tides has a measurement kit with disks to put into the luff groove so that they can cut your track custom to your boat.  On arrival there is a piece of test track that you use to check whether there is any binding, before you unroll the track.  The installation of the track is very easy, aided by some dry lube or diswashing liquid to help it go up the luff groove easily.  The sail slugs need to be modified on your sail, and I had three full battens installed at the same time that has made a big difference in weather helm and sail trimming.   The sail now goes up more easily -- I can haul it up halfway without the winch, and can winch it to the mast top with much less effort.  I am very satisfied with the results and it has made raising the main an easy task for me or the crew.

The following modifications were made to go off-shore:

• Added a SSB and antenna (the split lead clip on type)
• Added refrigeration
• Converted from natural gas to propane
  
• Installed a macerator
• Replaced the anchor roller with a custom made twin roller
  Put on new anchors and chain
  Newest and biggest electronics I could afford
  

The slotted aluminum toerail was a very useful tool.

I did most of the work of installing and aligning the equipment on the boat.