The mainsheet system on my newly acquired 1984 H-34 is a piece of crap. There, I said it. Sue me. It's the standard system that they all came with. If you have an H-34 you know what I mean. Too much friction in the system. Much of that may be age but it's also poor design. So, has anyone out there done anything to improve it? I would love to set it up so I do not need the winch. Anyone done this?
H-34 Mainsheet System
- Thread starter markwbird
- Start date
It's rare on a boat of our size to NOT need the winch to move the mainsheet. What many of us have done is learn to use the traveler. The only time I move the mainsheet is when changing course, beat to reach to run. Almost literally. Of course, small trim changes may be needed during the beat, but rarely here on the The Bay.
Of course, new blocks would help a lot. You may want to walk the docks and see how other boats, in addition to your H34, are set up. Some skippers have re-run their mainsheets to avoid the blocks from the base of the mast to deck organizers and run directly back to the cockpit from the base of the mast.
Good luck.
Of course, new blocks would help a lot. You may want to walk the docks and see how other boats, in addition to your H34, are set up. Some skippers have re-run their mainsheets to avoid the blocks from the base of the mast to deck organizers and run directly back to the cockpit from the base of the mast.
Good luck.
Ironically enough, the mainsheet is a dream and the traveller is a high friction challenge on my Hunter 28.5.
Mark, and others
I felt the same way with our setup when we first bought our new H34 in 1985. It took forever to grind that mainsheet in when heading up using that non self tailing winch. Within a year we changed it so we could sheet it in like a big dinghy. No winch required. Of course we still don't have a dodger so it allows for rigging it this way. If you can tell from the pictures I attached a triple block with becket and cam to the traveler car, then one more block and becket on top of that. I continued to use the three bales on the underside of the boom and created somewhere around 8 to 1 purchase. I have never had trouble sheeting in even on the windiest day out in the bay, or the slot. Like I said, its just a 34 foot dinghy.
Good luck in your research.
Allan
I felt the same way with our setup when we first bought our new H34 in 1985. It took forever to grind that mainsheet in when heading up using that non self tailing winch. Within a year we changed it so we could sheet it in like a big dinghy. No winch required. Of course we still don't have a dodger so it allows for rigging it this way. If you can tell from the pictures I attached a triple block with becket and cam to the traveler car, then one more block and becket on top of that. I continued to use the three bales on the underside of the boom and created somewhere around 8 to 1 purchase. I have never had trouble sheeting in even on the windiest day out in the bay, or the slot. Like I said, its just a 34 foot dinghy.
Good luck in your research.
Allan
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H-34 Mainsheet
I pretty much have the same thing as Allan.. Previous owner had raced a bit and had already fixed it. Mine is 6:1 and no winch is needed. More of a tug than an 8:1, but not bad. Triple block and becket on the bottom with a cam cleat; original bales on boom.
I pretty much have the same thing as Allan.. Previous owner had raced a bit and had already fixed it. Mine is 6:1 and no winch is needed. More of a tug than an 8:1, but not bad. Triple block and becket on the bottom with a cam cleat; original bales on boom.
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that is perfect
Allan and Claude, Thanks a million. That is exactly what I was looking for. I am very happy to know that it is doable without the winch. One question: do y'all solo sail? Is it easy enough to manage it?
Allan and Claude, Thanks a million. That is exactly what I was looking for. I am very happy to know that it is doable without the winch. One question: do y'all solo sail? Is it easy enough to manage it?
I do and will upload them this weekend.
The setup is similar to Allan's and Kloudie's, with the additional advantage of being a two-speed (the icing on the cake).
I do solo occasionally. Ya have to get around/forward of the wheel to set the sheet, so a good autopilot is really nice to have. It can be done easily using the wheel lock but the autopilot keeps her going straight while you go below for that beer .. heck ya had to do all that work trimming.. might as well reward yourself now that you are forward of the wheel !
I did a tiny mod to mine which seem to improve it a bunch and still route it back to the cockpit. I just never took it along the boom to the mast and then down to the turning block at the bottom of the mast. Instead, I routed it straight to the turning block and then back to the cockpit. You would think that it would get hooked on the dorade protector but never have. New bigger blocks also helped a lot.
I found a collection of different make blocks in the mainsheet system when I bought my H34. Replaced mine with all Shaeffer 700 series blocks and found less friction but still noticeable using a 7/16" mainsheet. Have been intending to go down to a 3/8" high strength mainsheet when I replace it.
Like Kloudie, I rely heavily on my autopilot as I single-hand the boat a lot more in recent years. Especially useful on hot August no-wind motoring days! With a clear horizon, you can run down below and relieve yourself of those cold "rewards" and return without having to heave to!
Like Kloudie, I rely heavily on my autopilot as I single-hand the boat a lot more in recent years. Especially useful on hot August no-wind motoring days! With a clear horizon, you can run down below and relieve yourself of those cold "rewards" and return without having to heave to!
Smaller line and new blocks helps a lot, 3/8 inch may not be great for hand feel, but it's plenty strong enough:
http://shop.hunterowners.com/detail-rigging.htm
http://shop.hunterowners.com/detail-rigging.htm
Thanks, Dave...
Three eights wrapped around a sefl-tailing winch has enough "hand feel" for me! LOL!
Three eights wrapped around a sefl-tailing winch has enough "hand feel" for me! LOL!
Sorry for the delay, weather and life were conspiring against me...
... I'm holding the boom end as the boom is stored for the winter. Pretend my hand is a single bail, mid-boom. :-D
You can see the 2-speed detail at the bottom in the second pic (where it attaches to the traveller). Pull one line for high power/ low speed, or both ends for low power/high speed.
... I'm holding the boom end as the boom is stored for the winter. Pretend my hand is a single bail, mid-boom. :-D
You can see the 2-speed detail at the bottom in the second pic (where it attaches to the traveller). Pull one line for high power/ low speed, or both ends for low power/high speed.
I went to 3/8" line. I also found a number of the original blocks had been sun damaged and needed to be replaced. Another thing to do is to lube all remaining blocks and deck organizer with dry lube.
We race the boat and have no problems with the mainsheet system. On a run we let the crew on the main start grinding in well before rounding the leward mark. When beating we only use the traveler.
We race the boat and have no problems with the mainsheet system. On a run we let the crew on the main start grinding in well before rounding the leward mark. When beating we only use the traveler.