Any secrets, suggestions, or clever arrangements for mananging the mainsheet under heavy load? Have installed fine-tuner plus additional purchase, removed from cabin-top winching system, and still will eat even a large, strong man alive in medium- or more- air...
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John K Kudera
Not to be smart, but,
Have you made sure every turning block is well lubed and free running? Is the main sheet rigged properly? Are you trying to tighten the main with the topping lift tight, and not allowing movement? If you are not racing, or even if you are, the main can easily be pulled tight with the cabin top winch, by moving the sail to leward, tighten the sail, and pull the traveler windward with the cabin top winch! We have no control problems at all with the main sheet systems. Good luck.
Have you made sure every turning block is well lubed and free running? Is the main sheet rigged properly? Are you trying to tighten the main with the topping lift tight, and not allowing movement? If you are not racing, or even if you are, the main can easily be pulled tight with the cabin top winch, by moving the sail to leward, tighten the sail, and pull the traveler windward with the cabin top winch! We have no control problems at all with the main sheet systems. Good luck.
M
Mike Webster
New Mainsheet System
Hi John, I had a very similar experience on the stock 3-1 mainsheet system that came with my Hunter Vision 32. It should be relevant, as my main is larger than yours, while your jib is larger than mine. The original system was 3-1, and lead forward to the mast, down and back to the cockpit sheet stoppers. You couldn't operate it by hand except in very light winds. I ended up changing the system to a 6-1 Harken system (only the mainsheet blocks, not the traveler system). I also got rid of the lead to the mast and back to the cockpit, as it was too friction intensive. I installed a Harken cam cleat on the traveler and now trim from there. Sounds like you may have a similar system (including a fine tuning option), but you may not have enough purchase. Is yours less than 6-1? I can now trim the main in just about any wind. It definitely takes two hands when the wind really pipes up, but can be done even then by a strong guy. If its too strong for my wife, I bring the mainsheet back and drape it over the wheel pedistle, and can trim it from there while steering. You might have to play with the lead of the camcleat until you can release and reset the mainsheet from that angle, but it can be done. As an example, we had up to 24 knots true wind gusts this last weekend, I was reefed and still had to release some mainsheet during the gusts. I could accomplish that from the helm. Hope this helps.
Hi John, I had a very similar experience on the stock 3-1 mainsheet system that came with my Hunter Vision 32. It should be relevant, as my main is larger than yours, while your jib is larger than mine. The original system was 3-1, and lead forward to the mast, down and back to the cockpit sheet stoppers. You couldn't operate it by hand except in very light winds. I ended up changing the system to a 6-1 Harken system (only the mainsheet blocks, not the traveler system). I also got rid of the lead to the mast and back to the cockpit, as it was too friction intensive. I installed a Harken cam cleat on the traveler and now trim from there. Sounds like you may have a similar system (including a fine tuning option), but you may not have enough purchase. Is yours less than 6-1? I can now trim the main in just about any wind. It definitely takes two hands when the wind really pipes up, but can be done even then by a strong guy. If its too strong for my wife, I bring the mainsheet back and drape it over the wheel pedistle, and can trim it from there while steering. You might have to play with the lead of the camcleat until you can release and reset the mainsheet from that angle, but it can be done. As an example, we had up to 24 knots true wind gusts this last weekend, I was reefed and still had to release some mainsheet during the gusts. I could accomplish that from the helm. Hope this helps.
Ditto Mikes experience.
John: We also got rid of the original system many years ago in favor of the harken. Even the wife can set the traveler NOW. It is an easy change out (but not cheap). Harken (and I'm sure the others) will custom drill your track.
John: We also got rid of the original system many years ago in favor of the harken. Even the wife can set the traveler NOW. It is an easy change out (but not cheap). Harken (and I'm sure the others) will custom drill your track.
M
Mike Webster
Caveat to Earlier Response
Just a caveat to my earlier response. It sounds like Steve went one step further than I did by also changing out the traveler system. I've often thought about this, as my stock 2-1 traveler is very hard to adjust in heavy winds. I only modified the mainsheet system itself, which is just changing out blocks. It made a huge difference, with a change to the traveler icing on the cake.
Just a caveat to my earlier response. It sounds like Steve went one step further than I did by also changing out the traveler system. I've often thought about this, as my stock 2-1 traveler is very hard to adjust in heavy winds. I only modified the mainsheet system itself, which is just changing out blocks. It made a huge difference, with a change to the traveler icing on the cake.
Yes Mike
Mike: I changed it out because the car would hardly move across the track. It has to be over 10 years old now and still works just like it was brand new. It was expensive but I am worthy of it.
Mike: I changed it out because the car would hardly move across the track. It has to be over 10 years old now and still works just like it was brand new. It was expensive but I am worthy of it.
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