New fiddle block
- Thread starter JohnVTX
- Start date
ohn,
Looking at the pic, I do not know who set this up for you but is it SOO wrong.
it is not the better setup. What you have makes you work harder pal.
I use a different 3 to 1 purchase block. If you look at my picture,
& I know it is not the greatest, here is what I use & it is simple for making adjustments.
As you can see, all the lines are on a single plane for easy pull. Extra blocks makes no sense to me.
With my setup, adjustments are easy. If you look at the most aft line, when making adjustments, I grab this, pull it towards me as I adjust the boom,
I slacken the line I am holding while pulling the line thru my cam cleat.
It all goes very smoothly. And, you only have one adjustment point.
I've been using this for years.
CR
Looking at the pic, I do not know who set this up for you but is it SOO wrong.
it is not the better setup. What you have makes you work harder pal.
I use a different 3 to 1 purchase block. If you look at my picture,
& I know it is not the greatest, here is what I use & it is simple for making adjustments.
As you can see, all the lines are on a single plane for easy pull. Extra blocks makes no sense to me.
With my setup, adjustments are easy. If you look at the most aft line, when making adjustments, I grab this, pull it towards me as I adjust the boom,
I slacken the line I am holding while pulling the line thru my cam cleat.
It all goes very smoothly. And, you only have one adjustment point.
I've been using this for years.
CR
Attachments
Last edited:
Thanks for the comment. But apparently you are seeing more than one adjustment point. Mine has one and works beautifully. Glad yours works for you.
John,
So why the thread pal? To me, it's just too fancy.
I at first, thought you were not very happy with it, maybe I was wrong.
However, lines in a single plane are less trouble to operate. Why change it?
CR
So why the thread pal? To me, it's just too fancy.
I at first, thought you were not very happy with it, maybe I was wrong.
However, lines in a single plane are less trouble to operate. Why change it?
CR
The thread was showing new setup that I liked. I have a different traveler than you do. It has 3 attachment points, instead of 1. Purchase is purchase whether in line or not. I did not like original setup going forward to base of boom, back through a deck organizer then back to cleat. When letting out main with old system, I had to push boom. Now it moves freely. Like I said. Glad you like yours. I like mine. I can release and pull in and lock from anywhere in cockpit. Even from behind wheel.
"It trims as easy as a 22. Can still go to winch if needed. But out in heavy air last night and could pull in with one hand."
The facts speak for themselves. Glad you like it. It looks great
The facts speak for themselves. Glad you like it. It looks great
SFS,
Usually when someone starts a thread, it's about a problem.
Next time, I'll read the post more thoroughly pal.
Thanks for the reminder............
CR
Usually when someone starts a thread, it's about a problem.
Next time, I'll read the post more thoroughly pal.
Thanks for the reminder............
CR
That's a great modification. I agree, the extra length & friction running the line to the mast and back can't be doing any good.
The critical part or your upgrade was getting rid of the curved traveler. I personally never liked running the mainsheet to the mast base beneath the vang. With that much purchase you can sit in the cockpit and flick the control line to unsnap it from the cleat. Nice.
I did basically the same thing on my 272, eliminating the curved traveler and main sheet run forward from a midboom sheet. Like yours, I ran it straight aft with a cam cleat on the fiddle. It worked great.
Yours looks good. Enjoy!
Yours looks good. Enjoy!
I’m really suprised that they put that extra block on top of the becket on the main block. With the three attachment points on the traveler car, they could’ve put that top block on the starboard side, and put the main block with the cleat in the middle. That would’ve made the load much more proportional and have the effort coming out of the middle of the car.
You could actually do that quite easily with the hardware you have right there
You could actually do that quite easily with the hardware you have right there
Nice John. More questions if you can. Is this a Catalina 27? Did that include traveler? Prices on their website seem more than that for traveler alone so I expected one more zero. Last question what do you consider "heavy air" from the day you said you could move with one hand?
I'll probably send them a picture too, but appreciate the info before I call.
I'll probably send them a picture too, but appreciate the info before I call.
It is a Catalina 30. Already had the Garhauer traveler. This is all about changing from normal main sheeting setup to this setup. Already had all the other blocks. Changed to this fiddle block instead of all the silly sheeting to mast and back to cockpit
That would not change the purchase. It would just make it better organized, and allow the cleated block to pull from the middle of the traveler.
Last edited:
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,281
As it should.
More than a few Previous Owners have incorrectly rigged the lines on the boat. Not intentionally but from ignorance being uninformed as to the design of the rig. New owner gets on board and assumes the PO knew what was correct.
A visiting sailor came into the marina last year complaining about the mainsheet rig being too many blocks and too heavy lines. He had a 6-1 Harkin block rig. Said he was going to put it on E-Bay. It is too heavy, the lines do not run out when I release the sheet, it is no good. Wanted a light weight 3-1. I had a 3-1 Schaefer Marine rig that was not enough for my boat. He said I'll swap you. But you'll have to give me $40. I told him to come over and examine the rig. He said he would take it and the line. We made the deal right there. I asked if he was still ok with the swap after his next sail. He was smiling.
A week later I hooked up the rig and went for a sail. It was heavy and hard to pull in or let out. On examining the way the lines ran through the 6 sheaves they were crisscrossing creating a lot of friction. I rerouted the lines correctly and they now run free, work like a charm.
Moral. Learn how our rig is designed and be sure the lines are run correctly.