Mainsheet orientation

[dscribner]

I've rigged my mainsheet with the cam by the boom and, at other times, with the cam at the traveler. At the boom, I have trouble reaching it to dump wind. On the floor, I sit with my foot on the sheet, which in keep taut on my leg, ready to stomp an release. Does this sound reasonable? How do others prepare for those pesky puffs?

 

[Cayennita]

on deck is best. Better control and right next to you. You'll want to play it more. On the boom (never) you'll tend to ignore it and when needed it will be somewhere where to get to it you might have to let the helm go. Not a good idea with those pesky puffs. You should use a cleat not leave it uncleated unless playing the puffs and you have a lot of purchase.

 

[dscribner]

Thanks! I guess I am doing something right for a change. Normally, if things get pretty hairy, I sit with the cam cleat undone and the sheet over ma leg. The pressure might be 50 lbs. Otherwise, it's cleated and ready to dump with a stomp of my foot.

 

[Joe]

If the cleat is inconveniently placed for you... why not insert a wire pendant between the traveler car and the lower block... raising the cleat to the level that you prefer, say a foot or so above the bench.

 

[dscribner]

Joe,

That's an interesting solution. I'll look into it.


Thanks

 

[Joe11688]

I've rigged my mainsheet with the cam by the boom and, at other times, with the cam at the traveler. At the boom, I have trouble reaching it to dump wind. On the floor, I sit with my foot on the sheet, which in keep taut on my leg, ready to stomp an release. Does this sound reasonable? How do others prepare for those pesky puffs?

You want the cam block on the traveler but the question is; which way do you want the rope to release from the cam, up or down? I have Schaeffer blocks and the cam can be removed and inverted so that when I pull up on the rope, it will release from the cam. You can have rope release by pulling down on the rope.

The cams on my main sheet and also my boom vang are held in place with two bolts and nuts.
You really shouldn't have to mess with the mainsheet unless your sailing in extreme gusty winds. Just use your tiller and head up a little in the gusts. It's a lot easier than letting off the mainsheet.
Most of the time, I sit on the Port side and steer. I'll stay sitting on the port side and head up a little in the puffs if they're not to strong and over bearing. If they get real strong, I'll sit on the high side and point up a little in the puffs. I'll reef the Gennie a little, if the winds get too strong, or just furl it and sail with the Main.
If your cams are removable like mine, you should use thread locking cement on the bolts and nuts.

 

[dscribner]

Trink,

That sounds doable. The cam is down by the traveler. It's a short one though, not worth much.

 

[kenn]

Our boat has a traveller at the back (other end of 3:1 mainsheet block system attaches to boom end) and the mainsheet camcleat is at the traveller, and release is UP. It's a nice arrangement, keeps the cockpit clear.

You really shouldn't have to mess with the mainsheet unless your sailing in extreme gusty winds. Just use your tiller and head up a little in the gusts. It's a lot easier than letting off the mainsheet.

One of the joys of a smaller boat is that some (like our sandpiper 565) can be dinghy-nimble in a breeze, so its often fun to play the sails a bit more, and avoid the round-up which bleeds off speed. I'm slowly building a list of larger boats I've overtaken.