H23' - Move Main Sheet Block to Cockpit Deck

[carboman]

was thinking of adding the option to move the main sheet block assy to the cockpit deck, just to have the option.

Was looking at something like these lift rings in the pic, but I know they are not strong enough. Any ideas on something I could use that would sit flush with the deck when not in use, but have some strength? I can beef up the bottom of the cockpit floor.

Thanks!

 

[Kermit]

Why would you do that? Assuming you have the original traveler, moving the assembly to the floor will do you no good except for providing a place to stump your toe. Please enlighten us!

 

[Brian M H23]

The cockpit floor is also flat, and fairly weak, you would need to tie the floor down to the hull (and the hull is flat and pretty thin there, too)

Additionally the lead angle while on a reach would have mainsheet rubbing hard against the seats

Do you want it farther back to be more accessible while sitting in the back of the boat? Because the solution for that is a tiller extension and sitting forward (highly recommended)

 

[carboman]

Was thinking rigging a self steering mechanism would work better if the blocks were further back

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fujMgKTfUFE&list=PL265303337detailpage.

 

[Jackdaw]

Wichard folding pad eye. You could lift your boat with it.

http://www.wichard.com/fiche-A|WICHARD|6504-0202030101000000-ME.html

 

[carboman]

Thanks. That's a beast. Looks good!

 

[Brian M H23]

Carboman,
You're over-engineering this! Just run two blocks at the toe rail for the steering line, so you go tiller -> block 1 perpendicular to tiller -> block 2 perpendicular to mainsheet -> mainsheet.

I used to rig something similar to this up with a block shackled to the mooring line "bar" in the after corner of the boat, and a block shackled to a lifeline base.

But at the end of the day, just a tiller lock fit my needs

 

[cephius (Dave)]

A stainless U-bolt through the deck provides the most hardware for the least expence.

I agree with Brian; lock the tiller center-neutral, trim the sails for your course and sit back to enjoy.

 

[Jackdaw]

Why would you do that? Assuming you have the original traveler, moving the assembly to the floor will do you no good except for providing a place to stump your toe. Please enlighten us!

I guess I can't be sure why HE is doing it, but moving the mainsheet block OFF the traveler is being more and more common on sporty boats. It allows the mainsheet trimmer to work the block from the same place no matter where the traveler is. The wider the traveler, the more this helps. He's Pia and I on a First Class 7.5 sportboat. Easy mainsheet control off the traveler.