Sliding Genoa/Jib track block

Petar · #1 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009

Hi,
I've read somewhere that these sliding genoa/jib sliding track blocks need to be fitted so that locking pin is forward of the block rather than aft of it as it might slide backward very heavily and hurt you if you are adjusting them while under strain? I've checked several boats in my marina today and majority are fitted with the locking pin aft and only few forward of the sliding arrangement. What is the right way to fit these sliding track blocks?

regards/Petar

billyruffn · #2 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009

I'm not sure what you mean by the "locking pin", but the pressure of the sail transmitted through the sheet to the block will force the block aft. I don't have a "locking pin". I control the position of the block with a line that pulls the block forward and if cleated off keeps it in position. When I slack the line the block moves aft.

Faster · #3 (**permalink**) 03-22-2009

I don't think there's a "right" way... I set mine forward of the block. I've had the flogging sheet (flattish lead aft ) trip the pin and release the car to move in the past when I've set it up with the pin aft.

sailingfool · #4 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009

I also don't think the pin position matters. It's my experience that the genoa blocks wont' move once under load, whether you want to adjust them forward or aft. You need to remove the load by luffing the sail before you can move the block, or move the windward block and tack to do the second.

celenoglu · #5 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009

It is better if they are forward. You will have more space to move them with your hand and normally they will not move forward by themselves which might damage your hand.

sailingdog · #6 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009

IMHO, it doesn't really matter as you shouldn't be adjusting the pins when the car is under a load, unless you have a line-controlled jib-fairlead car setup.

pdqaltair · #7 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingdog

IMHO, it doesn't really matter as you shouldn't be adjusting the pins when the car is under a load, unless you have a line-controlled jib-fairlead car setup.

This, of course, depends on rigging details. Once I watched a car and block shoot past a friend's ear at 60 mph because the pin did not fully engage the hole. We had not adjusted the jib in 10 minutes or more - wave action was the trigger. Yes, there was a stop at the end of the track, but the car blew through that.

The critical factor seems to have been a single seed, pooped by a bird, into the pin hole in the track. Thus the crew, new to the boat, did not realize the pin was not fully seated.

We very seldom adjusted the track in question; there was a barberhauler set-up to manage most under-way adjustments, since the lead is moved in-out more than fore-aft, and if there is a fore-aft change to be made, it waits until the load is off.

It's always something.

Skipper995 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009

Frankly locking pin type genoa cars are just plain wrong. If your not adjusting the car your never going to get the sail trim right. Line adjustable cars don't have pins. They are towed to the correct position and adjusted for varying wind conditions and points of sail.
I am always aware of the cars need for adjustment and tweaking them makes a huge difference in sailing performance.

sailingfool · #9 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skipper995

Frankly locking pin type genoa cars are just plain wrong. ...
I am always aware of the cars need for adjustment and tweaking them makes a huge difference in sailing performance.

It only takes a few minutes one-time to mark the genoa tracks for the proper car location for each jib: 150%, 125% or 85% on my boat. Once the track is marked, you only need to move the cars each time you change the sail that is on the furler. So my cars get moved a couple of times a month.

Adjustable cars are nice-to-have when you feel that you can afford to have it all...

ste27 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingfool

It only takes a few minutes one-time to mark the genoa tracks for the proper car location for each jib: 150%, 125% or 85% on my boat. Once the track is marked, you only need to move the cars each time you change the sail that is on the furler. So my cars get moved a couple of times a month.

Adjustable cars are nice-to-have when you feel that you can afford to have it all...

problem is that there is no such thing as one "proper location" - esp if you're a racer