I'm fairly new at sailing, and I am wondering how to rig the two jib blocks. I have them clipped to the toe rail with snap shackles slightly ahead of the winches, and every time that I tack, they clang and bang loudly on the rail. How do the rest of you deal with this? many thanks! Kai
Banging Blocks ??
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Genoa/Jib Block Position
The proper way to set your genoa/jib blocks is to position them so that the sail is drawn evenly back by the sheets. That is, when there is pressure on the sail the sheet should "project" a continuous line straight thru the sail to the luff with an even draw. Too far foward or aft with the block and your sail leech will flutter either above or below the tack and you won't get the drive out of it that you desire. The "banging" that you refer to may still happen as your sail flogs during a tack. Try to speed up your tack so that you may tighten and adjust your sheets quicker.
The proper way to set your genoa/jib blocks is to position them so that the sail is drawn evenly back by the sheets. That is, when there is pressure on the sail the sheet should "project" a continuous line straight thru the sail to the luff with an even draw. Too far foward or aft with the block and your sail leech will flutter either above or below the tack and you won't get the drive out of it that you desire. The "banging" that you refer to may still happen as your sail flogs during a tack. Try to speed up your tack so that you may tighten and adjust your sheets quicker.
Jib Blocks
This is very interesting, even if i don't understand all that it implies... I will have to study this the next time I go out. The boat came without any blocks, I had to add them, and as a beginner, it is a lot of guess work. The jib is actually a 90% jib from a Hunter 235.5 and it may not even be an appropriate sail... I'm not sure. Thanks for the reply...
This is very interesting, even if i don't understand all that it implies... I will have to study this the next time I go out. The boat came without any blocks, I had to add them, and as a beginner, it is a lot of guess work. The jib is actually a 90% jib from a Hunter 235.5 and it may not even be an appropriate sail... I'm not sure. Thanks for the reply...
Two Solutions
Some blocks hane a point you can tie a light line up to your life line. This stops the block from falling over when you have the Lazy sheet ruunning though it and stops it from falling over board when you adjust it's position. The other solution is to put a spring around the Shackle.Harken makes them but this will make it hard to ajust. Using a sliding rail clamp would solve that problem.
Some blocks hane a point you can tie a light line up to your life line. This stops the block from falling over when you have the Lazy sheet ruunning though it and stops it from falling over board when you adjust it's position. The other solution is to put a spring around the Shackle.Harken makes them but this will make it hard to ajust. Using a sliding rail clamp would solve that problem.
Bungee Cord
Add a length of shock cord or bungee cord from the top of the block to the lifeline. It won't interfere with the operation of the block or the jib sheet and will keep you from loosing a block over board if the shackle should open.
Add a length of shock cord or bungee cord from the top of the block to the lifeline. It won't interfere with the operation of the block or the jib sheet and will keep you from loosing a block over board if the shackle should open.
Banging
Have an h 25 (1981) with blocks fixed to the .toe rail holes. I run a 100 % jib most of the time on my sailing grounds where the winds almost always exceed ten knots. I think this short headsail is part of your problem because the sail is flogging like hell when you tack (slot between your jib and main is too long). Speed of your tack would also be a factor. When I tack the sloppy block makes not a sound, but lays on the toe like a deadman. Hope this helps. Regards, Jim.
Have an h 25 (1981) with blocks fixed to the .toe rail holes. I run a 100 % jib most of the time on my sailing grounds where the winds almost always exceed ten knots. I think this short headsail is part of your problem because the sail is flogging like hell when you tack (slot between your jib and main is too long). Speed of your tack would also be a factor. When I tack the sloppy block makes not a sound, but lays on the toe like a deadman. Hope this helps. Regards, Jim.
re: banging
I'm impressed that they are very quiet... now I have something to shoot for, By the way... if anyone has a picture of their block setup... I'd love to see it! thanks everyone Kai
I'm impressed that they are very quiet... now I have something to shoot for, By the way... if anyone has a picture of their block setup... I'd love to see it! thanks everyone Kai
What banging? Never noticed.
Pick up the slack on your "lazy sheet" and banging should stop. Do not affect sail shape by pulling to hard.
Pick up the slack on your "lazy sheet" and banging should stop. Do not affect sail shape by pulling to hard.
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