genoa sheet configuration

[jsachetti]

Does anyone else have a problem with the starboard genoa sheet configuration that I seem to experience? When I run the sheet from the block on the track to the winch, it crosses over the middle of the cleat and makes tying down the line difficult. I can get the sheet on the one side of the cleat easily but I need to push it under line crossing over the cleat to get it in the other side of cleat. This is not a problem on the portside as the line does not cross over the cleat.
This is not a major problem but in a heavier wind it may be and it just doesn't seem to be designed correctly, but then again, I may be doing something wrong.

 

[Joe11688]

Does anyone else have a problem with the starboard genoa sheet configuration that I seem to experience? When I run the sheet from the block on the track to the winch, it crosses over the middle of the cleat and makes tying down the line difficult. I can get the sheet on the one side of the cleat easily but I need to push it under line crossing over the cleat to get it in the other side of cleat. This is not a problem on the portside as the line does not cross over the cleat.
This is not a major problem but in a heavier wind it may be and it just doesn't seem to be designed correctly, but then again, I may be doing something wrong.

One of the guys in my club who owns a 1986 O'Day 26 got rid of his jam cleats and installed a cam cleat behind each of his Gennie winches. The jam cleats that came on the 25s and 26s are OK but I don't think cam cleats are exactly the answer either. Years ago, I took an idea out of a popular magazine back then called "Small Boat Journal". They recommended that an open clam cleat be installed directly behind each winch. I installed them on my boat when I installed my winches and tracks on the combings of my boat and boy do I love it. My friend Wayne installed them behind the winches of his Seaward 22 a couple of years ago and he loves them. All you need to do when you tack is take a single turn around the winch, pull most of the slack out of the sheet, take two more turns and pull it to where you want it and set the sheet into the clam cleat. It's as simple as that. Here's some pics of my set up with the open clam cleats. Check it out. Disregard those cheek blocks in the pictures. I removed them this past spring. They were part of a self steering device that I never used too often.

 

[jsachetti]

Thanks Joe. That looks like an excellent solution ad very simple as well.
John

 

[Joe11688]

Thanks Joe. That looks like an excellent solution ad very simple as well.
John

John,
I know for certain that you're going to love it as much as I do. Just make sure that you buy two open clam cleats that are large enough to accommodate the diameter of your Gennie sheets. Don't be afraid of removing unused hardware from your deck and filling holes. I removed four pieces of hardware from my deck this past spring and filled eight small holes where I removed the bolts. This fall I'm going to remove the cleat for my control line on my CDI Roller Furler and relocate it to a different area of my combing. This will make two more holes that I'll need to fill. I'm more concerned with getting my boat the way I want it, than I am about filling holes and having it look good. I'll try to match up some Gel coat next year and do the best I can with the filled holes.
Good Luck!
Joe

 

[Jonrod222]

I just istalled , I think they are called winchers, they are hard rubber that fit over nontailing winches. They have a slot at the top for your sheet, you wrap the sheet around the winch several times and when the sail is trimmed, you wrap it in the slot and it holds the sheet. I have just sailed with them once in a 20knots gustting to 35knots and they worked great so far.

 

[Shoaldrafter]

Jonrod222,

I have a 26. It came with horn cleats. I have the cross over problems sometimes.

I removed horn cleats and attached to piece of HDPE about 1 1/2 inches thick and cut to fit on gunnell where cleat was attached. Then I added clam cleats (West 2010, page 1003) for Genoa sheets and on one side clam cleat for furling control line. I kept the horn cleats for other uses like spinnaker sheets.

The raised cleat seating keeps lines in center of winch.

On the 26 the genoa track goes way behind winch so block is usually set behind winch to get sheet behind winch.

Ed K
26

 

[djplatt@cogeco.ca]

I like it Joe. I am going to get a couple this afternoon. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers

david

 

[RichBone]

Here's what mine looks like. It all depends on how the sail is cut and the position of the car. The sheet crosses over but is above the line coming off of the block. I'm not a big fan of using clam cleats for sheets Had 'em both ways and I prefer the horn. Depending on placement the sheet can be accidentally knocked out of the clam. I can take three tight turns around the horn and it'll hold and can be quickly removed if necessary.
Different strokes.

Rich