New fiddle block

[Apex]

Jackdaw has the exact same observation I was thinking as I started to read. With slack in the system, the fiddle block may also be more stable. Try and let me know what you think John?.......
Otherwise congrats on a system you like. I really like the garhauer blocks I have.

 

[Mouldan]

Captnron: Looks like you did basically the same thing but using stock traveler hence a bit different block is needed as, you only have one place to connect to traveler. As you said it is not the greatest picture. Any chance you can give us more detailed picture? Or info on block manufacture, or model please. I dont think either is "wrong" however yours allows use of the stock traveler car from what I see. That's certainly a plus to try it out cheaply.

Also what is the length of your Catalina? Standard or tall rig? My concern is also physical effort to pull the sheet for my co-owners who are in their late 60's though if it's working well on a 30ft I certainly would see it working well on a 27ft. I guess the only other factor, other than sail area, might be lenght back from the mast to traveler for lever arm. I certainly want it so I could use winch if absolutely needed.

JS Sailem: Your advice taken on proper rigging. Mine is rigged per factory manual not last owners. However catalina 27 as rigged per manufacturer's owner's manual is still is not my favorite. Makes shorthanded / single handed difficult as everything must be done from cabin top winch well away from wheel. Factory has many more shives to simply lead the line along boom, down mast, and to the winch. The only part of that extra lead that is not pure friction loss is the winch.

ohn,


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

 

[jssailem]

Mouldan... Thanks for the observation. My post was intended to provide a general structure when considering changing a rigging plan.
I think you posted...

John. Absolutely love this. I was looking to do exactly the same thing so I can cast off from wheel.

When I looked at the picture John (the OP) provided the way the lines ran gave me pause. Specifically the cam cleat block and the attachments to the traveler. The traveler has three fittings to attach blocks and lines. I would use them. This would eliminate the need to have the multiple pin shackles and make the structure of the blocks more secure.
Here are the points in the rig (circled) that I would address.

 

[jssailem]

I do sail solo. I am over 60 and being able to control the sail is important. Using the power of blocks is a natural to enable leverage to do the work of muscle. My rig is a boom end rig. This already gives me more leverage than a center boom rig as illustrated. Not better or worse, just different. The way we set up rigs to give us optimum results is what I am addressing.

 

[Mouldan]

JS Sailem I believe your right. I would want to more evenly distribute the weight on the traveler car and it can be done easily with Johns hardware.

I will be looking for a way of smartly rigging a similar effect but on existing / stock curved traveler car at least until I can get away from the pocket book hit from my boat purchase. I think I want to

Any advice as to a good block choice to get this 7:1 purchase, cam cleat and the three bails on the boom?

I think “CaptnRon” did but I cannot of the life of me find his cam cleat on his pictures.

 

[jssailem]

Post a picture of your traveler and the blocks and we will have a better understanding.
Know your pocket book challenge. Faced the same thing til that boater showed up displeased with his rigging. Sometimes fate treats fools nicely...

 

[Mouldan]

Shure. JSsailem. Got an diagram of the factory run in my manual that I like to modify.
It is 6:1. I would like to add at least one more purchase, and make it cam cleat not winch. I don’t see 6:1 as enough with the short lever arm of mid boom (vs your longer boom end lever arm) to move the tall rig without the winch in heavy air. But that brings in the problem of doing a lot on one lower block of course.

Notice also no boom vang per factory. It’s been suggested to me adding a boom vang would cut down some of the force needed to move boom as you’re not trying to pull boom down at the same time you pull across. I have some decent blocks around I can use for that.

*Image is only on a 34ft but 27 is identical just first diagram I found without scanning my manual.

As for traveler, here is a picture. I need to repair or replace the car this winter as you may be able to see it was damaged by last owner, working currently with shackle to reinforce attachment point. Hard to see in this picture. But I don’t think I have the pocket change right now to do the full flat track with multiple attachment points as John did. Anyone who did this upgrade have their original factory curved track car lying around? My car is bad I may post a close up of it later.

 

[jssailem]

Here is the Harkin diagram that I was thinking about. It might be able to use with your traveler.

5:1 with Dedicated Winch
This system is popular on cruising boats with cabintop travelers. The sheet leads forward to the gooseneck and then down and back to a winch on the aft edge of the cabintop.

Diagram Description Small Boat Midrange Big Boat
Ref. Part No. Part No. Part No.
A Single 2660 1540 3231
B Fiddle w/becket 2691 1560 3242
C Footblock 1548 1548 3234
D Winch 35.2STA 46.2STA 46.2STA

Sorry I do not know how to do tables on this forum.

 

[Mouldan]

That diagram is exactly what I want to get away from as it's what I have and do not like.

 

[jssailem]

Not a fiddle but a triple block. This is what I have. You would have to stretch or leave the helm to change.

 

[JohnVTX]

That diagram is exactly what I want to get away from as it's what I have and do not like.

Ditto. That is what I ditched

 

[capta]

You had a company fabricate a custom block for you and it didn't cost you more than the boat is worth? Wow! Who is you guardian angel?

 

[JohnVTX]

You had a company fabricate a custom block for you and it didn't cost you more than the boat is worth? Wow! Who is you guardian angel?

I was shocked at the low price