Advice setting up for single handling

[Kimana]

My boat is a 23' newport venture.She is cutter rigged.My current set up for handling the jib sheets is there is regular cleat on each side of the aft cabintop.This setup is awkward for me when single handling as I have to stretch/reach forward to take a wrap on the cleat and maintain the tiller at the same time.I would like to swap out those cleats for a clam cleat with internal fairlead.The question becomes,,,when I pop out the working line while sitting comfortably at the tiller,I risk the now lazy jib sheet of falling back down into the cleat and catching while sheeting in on the other side.
Clamcleats - Cleat Information
I have seen clam cleats with a spring gate that would prevent this from happening,but again they are manual and I would have tyo move forward.
What would be a better setup??
Thanks

[Jeff_H]

I think you would be better served by 'cam cleats' Harken: Cam Fairleads rather than 'Clam Cleats' Clamcleats. Cam Cleats come in a number of configurations and you should be able to find one that works for you. I would suggest that you might also want to use a ratcheting block for the sheet if you don't have winches. RF56101 |Ronstan Marine Division

Jeff

[Kimana]

Thanks Jeff
I like your suggestion about the rachet blocks as I have never seen them.I can't at the present figure out how one would rig them up for my jib sheets application.Would I need two?Would I use one with a continuous line?Can you point me to an online link on a good set up.Should I have posted this somewhere else?Feel free to move for maximum exposure.Thanks Jeff

[zz4gta]

Not sure if I'd put ratchet blocks on a 23 footer cutter rig. The can't be THAT loaded up. But I second Jeff's suggestion on the cam cleats. V-cleats or clam cleats always suck a line into them when you don't want them to.