Fiddle blocks are easier to reave correctly and are less prone to twisting and fouling the wraps. Two triple blocks are the hardest to reave correctly and can become twisted. They work well in some applications, like a vang, because the blocks are always aligned. In mainsheet application the lower and upper blocks can get twisted around which interferes with their operation.
Absolutely every performance multi uses triple blocks on the mainsheet, and sometimes quad blocks. If they are twisting they are installed incorrectly... period. I have had them on four boats, some did twist because of installation mistakes, and they were easily fixed. If they don't work perfectly and release like lightning, these boats will capsize.
yikes or shifting position.
That's pretty interesting. I didn't realize lines had that much of a memory effect
They have the same "problem" as electrical cables when the user hasnt been coiling them so that it doesn't induce twist. The rope or cable type alters the severity but they all develop it if not consistently coiled correctly
Yes and no. There is 1/3 more line to haul, but it's 1/3 easier to haul. Thinking another way, is it easier to 10 pull ups, or just 7 pull ups wearing an 80-pound back pack? Obviously, the latter is impossible for 99% of us (the former is probably impossible for most of us...). If there is not enough purchase, you cannot pull the line in under max load to release it. You do NOT release a cam cleat under load by push the rope out of the cams. It may jam. You don't cleat it by pushing the rope in. It won't go. You release or cleat by guiding the rope in or out of the cams while the rope is being pulled in. That is how they work properly. Thus, you must always have just a little more purchase than you need. You should also be able to hand hold the tail under peak load for a few minutes without tiring discomfort. Again, this is how these systems are designed to work.
As always on a boat, it is a compromise. What works for one person, doesn't work for another. We run into trouble when we look for silver bullets. The consequences of a slow release on an O'Day 25 are not as severe as those on a high performance cat. The design criteria are also important. The OP said it the main was hard to release under "heavy loads," what is a heavy load, is it 15 knots?, 20? 30? How often is the boat sailed in those conditions? Are there other factors such as poor sail trim, poor rig tuning, or blown out sails that contribute to excessive heeling? If those issues are addressed then the current sheeting system maybe adequate in the vast majority of the time.
I would argue that a solution that works most of the time, but not in heavy weather is not a solution I would want, and in terms of safety, not a solution at all. Who wants a boat that becomes hard to control when the wind gets up, perhaps just into the fun range? Impossible to control well when surprised by conditions stronger than forecast? We're not talking storms, we are only talking about the ability to drive the boat hard to get away from a lee shore or similar. Even if you don't like sailing in a blow, it has a funny way of happening, once in a while. And perhaps, just maybe, one of the reasons you dislike wind is that the boat didn't handle well last time.
The current line came off of a Cat 27 Tall Rig. There's a ridiculous amount of extra line that I've been meaning to cut off. The dual line setup on those boats is really cool. One good example of not having to compromise
20-30knts. We love the heavy winds. We seem to be averaging one heavy wind day per week this season
20-30knts. Typically upto 5ft waves
Probably 10-15 years old. Still somewhat crisp. I'm guessing it's about halfway through its' life. Judging by shear amount of stuff that was on the boat when purchased, the PO saw it as a floating family RV
Loos gauge? What's that?
). Sail trim and reefing are also answers and perhaps more to your liking. If the boat is rounding up and heeling too much, then it is past time to reef the mainsail. Depending on the point of sail, most of our boats start wanting a reef at around 15 knots true wind and 20 knots apparent. Certainly by the time wind reaches the high twenties, the Jib should be small and a second reef in the main should be on your mind.
www.spinsheet.com
If it is hard to release in lighter air, the chief suspect would be friction. If the sheaves in the blocks don't run smoothly and easily, then that is a major source of your problem. Remove the line from the blocks, spin the sheave quickly, it should spin for several seconds. Rotate it slowly, does it feel smooth or bumpy?
