Block size for Outhaul

Capri

.
Jul 28, 2012
78
O'day 22 Nashville
Hi, everyone. I have a 1981 O'day 22 and the outhaul as supplied is lackluster. No block was used and simply feeds through a hole at the end of boom and then ties to a cleat on starboard side of boom. The first pic I grabbed off the Web for inspiration. I was thinking a swivel block but am unsure which size. The second pic is my boom which has two holes. The end hole would be for my topping lift and there is a second hole hidden that i would use to rig outhaul. My line is 7/16". So, when a block states a maximum say of 7/16" line, would that be appropriate or should I look for one with a little bigger sheave size such as 1/2"?
Screenshot_20200827-134441_Chrome.jpg
20200823_133935_compress4.jpg
 
Jan 4, 2010
1,037
Farr 30 San Francisco
I would say if it says 7/16 it is OK for 7/16. In the first photo you could get 2:1 mechanical advantage if instead of timing to the clew you ran it through the clew and tied it off at the end of the boom.
 

Joe

.
Jun 1, 2004
8,188
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
Use 3/16" or 1/4" line with the smallest block to fit the line. You can even use 1/8" wire and a slim wire block.... spliced to a piece of line for handling and cleating. BTW, I'm sure that isn't 7/16" line..... if it was.. then that would be the source of your lackluster performance. I can't think of any place on a 22 foot boat that would warrant a 7/16 line. If you go with the wire, the sail connection end will have a small pin shackle... the control end will connect to a small block after you turn it forward. Then install a control line that threads through the wire's block, anchored by small eyestrap and cleated about mid boom with a captive vee cleat. (clam cleat with fairlead to keep the line in place) That'll give you 2:1 purchase on your outhaul and minimize friction where it turns and connects to the clew.
 
Last edited:
Jan 4, 2010
1,037
Farr 30 San Francisco
Oh good point about the rope size, I don't think wire is a good idea tough on the hands and modern ropes are better than wire anyways. How are you pulling on the outhaul? By hand, or a winch or what? If it is by hand then it has to be a certain size to be comfortable. 6mm or 1/4 inch is probably as small as you want to go.
 

Joe

.
Jun 1, 2004
8,188
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
This is what I was thinking of in previous comment. You end of with 4:1 purchase.. but to minimize friction so it will release smoothly you'll need to use small diameter dyneema single braid rope... 1/8' diameter would be ideal . The forward, handled/cleated section can be regular polyester double braid 1/4" rope. It'll probably work okay with all same size stuff.

But wait! Before you get started, you'll want to get things cleaned up at the end of the boom. The big cheek block in the picture is for your reefing line. Whatever else you have... like that clip for the pigtail...is that blue line the topping lift? if it is... don't wrap it around the boom like that... and also, you don't need that wire pigtail if you have a proper topping lift... so cut the damn thing off. Then start saving for a rigid boom vang so you can get rid of the pesky topping lift altogether.
Okay, sorry about the mini rant... Let's continue.
If you can't find a "lance" cleat... a jam, vee or clam cleat with a fairlead to keep the line captive will work...they're very inexpensive. Like I said, all the friction will be in the back where the line goes through the cheek block up through the clew and back to the eye at the boom end. You should be able to fix the line to the eye with a figure of eight knot, to keep it from pulling through. I would bring the cleat forward about 40% of the boom's length, so you can adjust it when it's swung out on a reach. If you leave it at the very end you won't be able to reach it unless the boom is inside the cockpit area. For attaching items to the boom, I'd use self tapping SS screws that you've dipped in anti corrosive compound for the thin walled boom.
Finally, I just want to remind you that the small line diameter size isn't going to be uncomfortable like it would for a halyard or a sheet where you're winching and hauling all the time. The adjustments are much smaller and certainly not as frequent. The most important thing on a multi purchase outhaul is to reduce friction.
===

 
Last edited:
  • Helpful
Likes: FastOlson
Oct 19, 2017
7,974
O'Day Mariner 19 Littleton, NH
I would say if it says 7/16 it is OK for 7/16. In the first photo you could get 2:1 mechanical advantage if instead of timing to the clew you ran it through the clew and tied it off at the end of the boom.
The way the block is setup in the first photo, it is just a turning block, no added mechanical advantage.

This picture shows an ideal 4:1 advantage because the clew acts as a mechanical block of 2:1 plus the mechanical 2:1 advantage phrf the floating block. The cheek block attached to the end boom is another turning block that offers no mechanical advantage.

The line going through the clew grommet, of course, adds more friction than a free rolling sheave in the blocks. So, you don't actually get the full 4:1 advantage. Should be pretty good though.

-Will (Dragonfly)
 
Jan 4, 2010
1,037
Farr 30 San Francisco
A picture is worth a thousand words. So the line going from the end of the boom to through the clew is nice slippery dyneema and can be thin. The second line to the cleat can be thicker and softer nice on the hands.
 
  • Helpful
Likes: Will Gilmore

Lazy1

.
Aug 23, 2019
179
Catalina 22 13425 A driveway in Pittsburgh
Mine is similar to this one on stingy sailor but I have a cam cleat just below the rear block on the boom.