Anyone re-rig OUTHAUL using low friction rings?
- Thread starter Apex
- Start date
More friction in an application where friction hurts. I like LFRs, but I don't think this is one (I used blocks when I re-rigged mine last year, but I did switch to Dyneema line (with polyester cover where needed). LFRs are really not good with polyester when 180 bends are involved.
Just keep a little tension on the line and no clanging.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,328
@Apex, I am a 
with Thinwater.
I find the value in LFR's when the path of the line is less than 110º. Thus I am using them to just turn direction of a line.
In the outhaul you need to reverse the direction of the line. Using the block to add power with minimal to no friction (180º turn of the line reduces the force required by 50%)
Use of more than one block (pulley) and you can really reduce the fore needed to adjust the outhaul.
That does not happen with LFR as they add friction to the system when the line turns greater than 110º.
with Thinwater.I find the value in LFR's when the path of the line is less than 110º. Thus I am using them to just turn direction of a line.
In the outhaul you need to reverse the direction of the line. Using the block to add power with minimal to no friction (180º turn of the line reduces the force required by 50%)
Use of more than one block (pulley) and you can really reduce the fore needed to adjust the outhaul.
That does not happen with LFR as they add friction to the system when the line turns greater than 110º.
good info: found an article excluding outhaul as a use for LFR. I should have some blocks kicking around somewhere. I am going to dyneema lines to connect to the clew. Likely along the lines of this Harken 5:1
www.harken.com
Outhaul Systems | Harken Marine
The outhaul controls and shapes the mainsail. Ease the outhaul to increase draft and power
I have trouble believing that LFR are lower in friction than a suitably chosen block with bearings and such. I could be wrong, it has happened before.
I agree with @jssailem that LFR's are best for redirecting line and when there is not a lot of travel. I have seen them effectively used in a backstay tensioner that used 8 in cascade to produce a 64:1 purchase but the top ring only needed to move about 6" max.
I modified the factory internal 3:1 outhaul on my C30 to be a 12:1 by adding one internal cascade block and a second cascade block on the main sail clew. I used a good quality bearing block for the internal and a high capacity sheeve block for the external due to it having the full 12:1 purchase load on it. The 3:1 still uses 1/4" dacron double braid because it has limited load. The rest of the system is 1/4" Amsteel.
I modified the factory internal 3:1 outhaul on my C30 to be a 12:1 by adding one internal cascade block and a second cascade block on the main sail clew. I used a good quality bearing block for the internal and a high capacity sheeve block for the external due to it having the full 12:1 purchase load on it. The 3:1 still uses 1/4" dacron double braid because it has limited load. The rest of the system is 1/4" Amsteel.
You're not wrong. Depending on the line type and size, you loose 15-30% efficiency on each 180, which on a tackle is a LOT.