Main Sheet Reeving

[jksailing]

I need help finding a reeving diagram for the main sheet on a Beneteau 33.7 First or any similar size boat that uses a main sheet rigging as follows:

The main sheet is fed from the cockpit by a series of blocks to the mast and then to the boom and subsequently through a single block with a Becket. This is the starting point of the reeving. The main sheet is then fed through a triple block attached to the traveler, then from the triple block to a second single block on the boom, then back through the triple block to a third single block on the boom, and finally back through the triple to the becket on the first single block to conclud the reeving.

I have tried to reeve the blocks in several different directions, clockwise, counter-clockwise, and in different orders with no success. I have also tried to emulate the Harken reeving diagran for a triple to triple with becket with no success.

 

[JoyRide28]

I could be totally wrong here but I have never seen a mainsheet that ran to the mast. Usually the mainsheet runs from the boom to the traveler, back and forth through however many blocks there are. Even the harken diagram shows this. A photo of your setup might be helpful...

 

[RichH]

Many of the Bene "first" boats have 'wierd' reeving of the mainsheet. Typical is that BOTH coach roof winches are used .... one can adjust the mainsheet from EACH/EITHER coachroof winch; sometimes the mainsheet is a 'contiuous loop' !!!!!!

Typical on 'first' boats: portside winch --> portside clutch --> deck organizer/turning block --> portside mast base block --> double boom block (at attachment of boom vang) ---> second double (or triple) boom block --> traveller mounted double (or triple) block --> back to double boom block --> (first) double boom block --> stbd mast base block --> stbd side deck organizer/turning block --> stb side clutch --> stb side winch !!!!
Lots of friction and poor mechanical advantage BUT can be adjusted from either side of the 'coach roof' (???!!!!).

The 'worst' is that when single-handing one must leave the helm station and walk forward to the coach roof to adjust the mainsheet.

 

[Ron20324]

I could be totally wrong here but I have never seen a mainsheet that ran to the mast. ..

\

Peter, "You need a bigger boat" as the movie says. You'll learn as you grow up in boat size. That was my experience going from a 23 to a 32. Hard knocks

 

[JoyRide28]

Hey Ron, thanks for the insult. That's why I hardly ever comment on this forum. You guys mostly come off as some of the most arrogant group of (fill in the blank). Your comment was totally unhelpful to the original poster and was more or less rude and condescending to me. So thanks again. You really make a guy feel welcome... And BTW, 32 is big? Huh?

 

[Ron20324]

Hey Ron, thanks for the insult. That's why I hardly ever comment on this forum. You guys mostly come off as some of the most arrogant group of (fill in the blank). Your comment was totally unhelpful to the original poster and was more or less rude and condescending to me. So thanks again. You really make a guy feel welcome... And BTW, 32 is big? Huh?

That wasn't an insult, and you shouldn't have taken it as such. Otherwise, because you have never seen a sheet to the mast, does not mean they don't exist, and if the OP says his does (mine does), you might take his word for it and not challenge him on it. Compared to a 23, yes, 32 is BIGGER and has equipment I never had to deal with before. Fortunately, I'm learning, sometimes via "hard knocks".

And to refer to your post, most replies in these forums are not helpfull to the OP, but we read them and tolerate them anyway. So, yes, in reference to YOUR post- you were right- you were totally wrong in .

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I'll drift off topic ...

Hey Peter, I like your boat! It's virtually the same hull form as mine ... same designer. I think Jim Taylor just used his plans for Starwind when he started designing for Precision. Yours is fractional rig, no? I thought the Precision 27 (preceeding the 28) was masthead rig like mine, if I'm not mistaken.

BTW, you could lighten up a little. I don't think there was anything insulting intended in Ron's first post. This forum seems to be relatively ego-free in my opinion (not that I haven't been flamed in the past).

I agree, a photo would be helpful ... it's hard to imagine a main sheet reeving system that is too complicated to figure out intuitively.

 

[jksailing]

Thanks for your input. But I still need help. Let me try to clarify my setup by giving a description using RichH's format.

Starboard winch located on the coach roof ==> starboard clutch ==> deck organizer/turning block ==> starboard mast base block ==> single boom block ==> second single boom block ==> traveler mounted triple block ==> third single boom block ==> back to the traveler mounted triple block ==> fourth single boom block ==> back to the traveler mounted triple block ==> and dead ending at the becket on the second single boom block.

Yes, lots of friction and poor mechanical advantage. The lines running between the single boom blocks and the traveler mounted triple block get twisted and distorted.

 

[RichH]

"The lines running between the single boom blocks and the traveler mounted triple block get twisted and distorted. ***

If I count all the sheeves and supported 'runs', you have a 6:1 purchase. Such will require an immense amount of 'rope', 9 sheeves, and 1 winch/clutch.

The friction from such a system unless you use ball bearing set blocks will be 'tremendous', and the mainsheet itself unless of fairly high quality high tech braid will eventually become *** 'twisted-diistorted' (adding even more friction).

Suggestion is made for ball bearing loaded blocks such as Garhauier Ocean-40 or Harken, etc. equivalent; the use of a smaller diameter 'hi-tech' (6 or 7 mm ?) line with a larger 'cover' added over the section that only runs through the clutch/winch/tail end (Note -If you have an inexperienced crew where such 'teeny' line is a finger removing hazard, then simply go slightly smaller than what you have now - but use a QUALITY hi tech line, not the 'bargain stuff' *** from West Marine, etc.). Cheap dacron double braid will often twist and distort, the twisted-distorted shape can cause LOTS of friction and non-constant rope 'pressure' ***.
I'd also reduce this to a 5:1 purchase for less 'pile' in the cockpit when fully sheeted in - you do have a (2 speed ?) winch to operate.
Id do this upgrade piecemeal stating with the 5:1 purchase and NEW high tech line first. If that begins to significantly reduce the problem then start replacing the blocks with quality ball bearing blocks, etc.
For a temporary 'improvement', immediately switch the mainsheet end-for-end so to have the 'twisted-distorted' *** section only at the cockpit end.

hope this helps.
;-)

 

[Stu Jackson]

Sometimes mainsheet lines get twisted if the blocks are not non-swiveling. Had this trouble on our boat until I purchased (PI) new blocks (Garhauer). The PO had actually used small twine to try to stop the old blocks from turning and twisting their knickers into their knockers!

It sure was arrogant of Rich to make the time to draw and post that great diagram of how he understands the question. I experienced this "mainsheet-to-the-mast" phenomenon when we moved up from our C25 to C34. Most cabintop traveler arrangements do this, although some of our racers on C34s here on San Francisco Bay have eliminated the run to the mast and go directly back to sheetstopper and winch. I also am aware that Catalina had begun installing two end mainsheets on many of the Mark II versions of many of its boats maybe a decade ago. I am simply not familiar with the reeving of those clever little arrangements.

 

[Ron20324]

JK, I'll be back home tomorrow and will look at my B323 to see if we are the same. Are you sure that first block forward on the boom isn't for the boom vang?

Geeze, guys- he has the blocks and line, he just needs to know where to run them, not a total $$$ overrhaul on a 33-foot boat.

 

[Joe]

Page 37 of the owner's manual has a diagram of the mainsheet tackle system. http://www.beneteauusa.com/community/boats.php?boat_id=31&type_id=1

Don't get confused by the the techno-babble... run the sheet and go sailing.

 

[jksailing]

Lots of good information. Thank you. I appreciate all the input. Ron, the first boom block is used simply to keep the sheet out of the way. It is not for the boom vang. I think RichH's recommendation to reduce to a 5 to 1 purchase as shown on the picture Joe sent is the place to start. I also like Stu's recommendation regarding non-swiveling blocks. My boom blocks swivel which seems to amplify the problem. I will work on the problem and let you know the results.

 

[FastOlson]

While it might have been easier for the builder to put on a couple of triple blocks, they had to compensate for a cost and strength problem on the boom due to (approx) mid boom sheeting. This is common on boats with housetop travelers. The less-costly section would not take the strain of a single point load without bending.

They spread out the boom down-force load with separated block-attachment points. When the sheet gets a twist in it, the darned lines will still twist... sometimes it's best to un-reave it all and straighten it out once a season. That's a nice mini-project for off-season and you can launder the main sheet, too.

With end boom sheeting, all the turns can be done on an upper triple block, as on my boat.
Of course then you have to solve the secret mystery of how to correctly reave all six parts without having them chafe! :bang:

Fair winds,
LB

 

[Joe]

Lots of good information. Thank you. I appreciate all the input. Ron, the first boom block is used simply to keep the sheet out of the way. It is not for the boom vang. I think RichH's recommendation to reduce to a 5 to 1 purchase as shown on the picture Joe sent is the place to start. I also like Stu's recommendation regarding non-swiveling blocks. My boom blocks swivel which seems to amplify the problem. I will work on the problem and let you know the results.

Not trying to complicate things here... but I never did like the diagonal run to the base of the mast..... for some reason I think it may interefere with the vang's action... anyhow many boats attach another block to the boom just in front of the mast to run the line parallel to the deck before directing it down to the mast base block then back to the winch.

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