Unmanageable Mainsheet

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by Giulietta

I forgot to tell you, the two top ones are Harken, and their references are the numbers you see if you save the photos, the Lewmars have the references if you click the links.

The image names didn't work for the 2nd set (049 and 052, respectively), but did work for the 1st solution and the spring.

Originally Posted by Giulietta

All of them have ratchet features, that allow you to ratchet the main block sheave, so you only cleat when needed...COOOOOOL

*Drool* :P

Thanks,
Jim

[Giulietta]

sent you a pm

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by Giulietta

sent you a pm

Got it and replied already. Thanks, Alex.

Question about the 60mm Lewmar fiddle blocks as opposed to the "butter smooth" Harken recommendation (your 2nd recommendation - the one with triple sheaves): The Lewmar will tame the mainsheet as well or better?

What size mainsheet line should I put on these?

Thanks,
Jim

[tdw]

Actually it amazes me how many boats seem to have undersized blocks etc for things such as the main sheet.

We had a similar problem to your's (slightly bigger boat , 34') and what we have done is go to a triple setup (just like Alex has suggested) for the main sheet then we are using the old two block system main sheet setup to replace our old single block vang setup.

A relatively inexpensive fix, leaving us with equipment that Ms Wombat will find much much easier to use and also easier for me if I'm single handing. Smiles all round. (I hope anyway, cos we don't get her back from the yard until next week with her bright shiny new rigging, yeehah.)

[Giulietta]

Originally Posted by SEMIJim

Got it and replied already. Thanks, Alex.

Question about the 60mm Lewmar fiddle blocks as opposed to the "butter smooth" Harken recommendation (your 2nd recommendation - the one with triple sheaves): The Lewmar will tame the mainsheet as well or better?

What size mainsheet line should I put on these?

Thanks,
Jim

Jim, I think you will get less effort from the triple block arragment, as the purchasse is higher 6:1 with the triple and 4:1 with the fiddle.

However, with the triple you will need to pull more sheet to get the same movement out of the boom, whereas with the fiddle the purchase is lower, but you will get more movement of the boom with less sheet.

I prefer the fastest method, with the fiddle, but its only a question of preference. So what I did, to compensate for the increased effort I suggested 80mm fiddle instead of the 60mm. But the 60mm will be fine and enough.

The reference for the Harken triple with ratchet and cleat and cam is: Harken 1556
The simple triple block on the boom is Harken 1546. Please note these are normal blocks, not carbo or Black Magic.

You will do with 8 or 10mm sheet fine, whatever that is in inches...

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by Giulietta

I prefer the fastest method, with the fiddle, but its only a question of preference. So what I did, to compensate for the increased effort I suggested 80mm fiddle instead of the 60mm.

Understood. I imagine that "fastest" becomes very important for smooth gybes? I'm currently thinking the 80mm Lewmar may be the ideal compromise.

Originally Posted by Giulietta

You will do with 8 or 10mm sheet fine, whatever that is in inches...

Very well. Thanks.

Jim

[SEMIJim]

Originally Posted by tdw

... we are using the old two block system main sheet setup to replace our old single block vang setup.

That I need not worry about, as our vang is already a double-block system .

Jim

[sailingdog]

Garhauer also makes a nice setup for what you're doing, and probably at prices lower than the Harken or Lewmar gear. Garhauer is stock on several boat lines, including Catalina now.

BTW, depending on how high the traveller is mounted, inverting the cam cleats may or may not be useful. For Giu's boat, where the traveller is mounted on the cockpit sole, it makes a lot of sense to invert it, since you'd have to drop to your knees to cleat it otherwise. On your boat, if the traveller is mounted on the bridgedeck or cabintop, it may make more sense to leave the cam cleats upright.

[Jeff_H]

First of all, bigger sheets will make the problem worse as they increase friction and grip in the cleat and are unnecessary. As folks have suggested going to ball bearing blocks will help. You might want to go to a 5:1 set up would help as well. (6:1 is too much purchase for the P-30). Using a hexratchet on the last turn also gives you a chance to play the sheet.

[sailortjk1]

Finally a thread I can learn something from.
Good post and good responses. Thanks fellow Sailnetters.