Mainsheet "twist"

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RonD

On my C320 I regularly experience a twist in the mainsheet between the boom & traveler blocks. This twist is causing some line-to-line chafe between the blocks. The line used is the stock poly braid delivered from the factory. If I pull out that line and carefully re-thread it, the twist can be taken out, only to reappear fairly quickly once I start using the line for controling the sail. You can see evidence of this twist in the enclosed picture. Has anyone else experienced this problem? If so, how have you resolved it? --Ron
 
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Sean

MAINSHEET TWIST

Ron, I couldn't actually see the twist in your photo. I did have the same problem on my Cat 30 and finally changed to the more expensive kevlar line and the problem went away. ~~~~_/)~~~~ Sean
 
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Walt

mainsheet twist

This problem has bugged me for years and recently a dealer told me that there is a set screw on the blocks. It requires a small screw driver. Turn the block to untwist the line and tighten the screw to hold the block into position. I have a C-30 and it worked for me like magic.
 
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John

Mainsheet twist

Last year was my first year with a Catalina 30 and I experienced the exact same condition. When I rethreaded the line it went away, but returned. I would like to see what others have done.
 
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RonD

Glad I wasn't alone!

Walt's suggestion about the block set-screw sounds interesting. I'll have to check that out. I'd rather not replace a two-year old mainsheet just yet, but I'll keep the Kevlar line suggestion in mind when I renew it. Thanks to all for the responses. --Ron
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,360
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
It's Not The Line

The blocks are the culprit. This is not unusual on Catalinas, and maybe on others. The trick, as mentioned, is to stop the blocks from twisting. One way to do this is to tie light thin line into where the blocks rotate to stop them from twisting. The other way to is buy new blocks that don't twist or check with your block manufactuer to find out how to stop them from twisting. Our old 1986 blocks did twist, but the PO had tried to stop it with the thin line trick. Worked for awhile, but I eventually replaced them with the new Garhauer blocks that are fixed.
 
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Jim Parks

C-310 Does it To!

My Catalina 310 has the exact same condition occur. I'll try the set screw trick when I get the boat back in the water. Thanks!
 
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Chuck Graser

Mainsheet Twist Cheap Fix

Nylon ties are asy to use to fix the blocks in place. Use two per mainsheet block to keep the blocks from turning and twisting the line. Chuck
 
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