Jib sheets catching on cheek blocks
- Thread starter EyeSail
- Start date
A close up picture of the cheek block really doesn't help.... perhaps an overall shot showing how the sheets actually behave. You can probably solve the problem by rotating the blocks so the closed end is oriented toward the outside. like this:
You can also replace the open type you have now with closed organizers.
There is a trick old Nacra (beach cat) sailors used to keep the sheet from fouling in the rotating mast step... we tied a length of bungee cord from one end of the cross beam up to the mast and down to the other end... this "canopy", created by the single, stretchy shock cord, kept the lazy sheet off that area quite nicely while allowing the mast to rotate.
You can also replace the open type you have now with closed organizers.
There is a trick old Nacra (beach cat) sailors used to keep the sheet from fouling in the rotating mast step... we tied a length of bungee cord from one end of the cross beam up to the mast and down to the other end... this "canopy", created by the single, stretchy shock cord, kept the lazy sheet off that area quite nicely while allowing the mast to rotate.
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This is an old photo showing the cheek blocks (one on each side) with lines (main halyard, topping lift, outhaul, and reefing lines). Occasionally (although not usually at a convenient time to go forward and unhook it) the lazy jib sheet will get hung up on the inner/rear side of the cheek block. Just trying to figure out a way to bridge over it to let the jib sheet slide over. I'm not really in favor of changing hardware and holes in the deck at this point, although thanks for the suggestion.
I see.... the quick fix is to attach a small eye strap in the vertical position to the cabin side just below the cheek block and run a piece of small diameter shock cord uphill to the mast, maybe secured to another small eyestrap then similarly back down to the other side. The cord will encourage the sheet to fall down the side deck rather than crumble on top. It's like when you run the sheets outside the shrouds when using the genoa track. The wires keep the sheets from fouling on the deck hardware.