Back again - Chrysler 26 mainsheet

[Don K.]

setup with blocks on both sides of the companianway going up and down to a double block on the boom and ending on the starboard side of the cabin to a clamcleat. I said I do not like this setup. I went to the ST. Pete sailboat show and saw a number of boats with mainsheet setups that begin with a padeye on the cockpit sole or on the aft end of the bridgedeck and up to a fiddle block oh the boom. Would this be more efficient for trimming the mainsail or not worth the effort. This would not be a problem to below.

 

[Bayard Gross]

Probably

However, I don't like having the mainsheet terminate at the aft end. I think you will be happier with the mainsheet terminating forward in front of the compaionway. Note that any concerns you may have about blocking the companionway are probably not justified as you will find the mainsheet really does not block your entry and exit all that much. And besides, when you sail, everyone is outside the boat anyway.Best set up would be a traveler track running across the cockpit in front of the companionway. This will provide a good base for the mainsheet cam cleat and fiddle block that is then lead up to a fiddle block on the boom. I think you may wish to keep the boom block as only a single block with becket which would provide a three to one purchase on the boom which may be sufficient on a twenty-six boat as well as have twenty-five percent less mainsheet to collect onto the cockpit floor.

 

[Bob]

Agree with Bayard

I got used to my knee-knocker traveler pretty quickly, and am happy to trade off a little inconvenience for the added performance - no comparison there. When you know you will be going into the cabin a lot, you can cleat the traveler to one side and it is out of the way. However, I would keep a 4:1 purchase on the main, even though on this boat the main is pretty undersized. Since you are starting from scratch with the traveler, think about the windward sheeting Harken car - pricey, but oh, so sweet.