So, inspired by the possibility of an easier to use mainsheet and tempted by some very fine blocks I found on Ebay, I'm trying to run a 5:1 or 6:1 mainsheet on my Vision 32. Mike was kind enough to send me a picture of his set up, but there are enough differences to make it more difficult. I wanted to keep the sheet running forward to the mast and back to the cockpit as is stock on the V32. What I have is a "fixed" mount triple (non-swiveling), a fine swivle mount double and a swivle mount single with a becket. I mounted the single & double on the boom with the triple on the traveller. I worked out a way how to reeve the sheet itself, put on a longer sheet and went sailing Friday. The good news is that I can now pull in the main most of the way by hand. The bad news is a little longer: The triple only flops over about 40 deg and so the sheet gets trapped by itself on a reach or a run. Trying to jybe in 15 kts on Friday by myself was...interesting. The double wants to twist around and causes the sheet to rub aginst itself, resulting in too much friction. Now, I think I can but a stamped shackle on the triple to give it a pivot point high enough above the traveler hardware to allow it to flop enough to not cause a problem. I can I think fix the double so it does not twist mechanically, but the sheet istself will still want to twist and that will be a problem. The problem with the double is related more to how I have the whole mess rove, and that is where I need some help. I've looked at the Harken website and that was only some help, so I'm looking to the group for suggestions. HELP!
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J
Jeff
6:1
I use two triples, both on swivels, used the diagram as found on the Harken site and have few problems. I would like to put a spring under the lower block but can live without it. Easy one handed control, especially with a ratchet block.
I use two triples, both on swivels, used the diagram as found on the Harken site and have few problems. I would like to put a spring under the lower block but can live without it. Easy one handed control, especially with a ratchet block.
M
Mike Webster
6-1 Reeving
Hi Tom, I will suggest a way to reeve the line based upon the assumption that the double block has the becket, and the single block is attached in front on the boom. Tie off the mainsheet at the becket on the double block, reeve the line thru one side of the triple block, back thru the same side of the double, back thru the opposite side of the triple, back thru the double, back thru the middle of the triple, back up thru the front single, and along the boom. You need to minimize crossing of the lines as it increases friction. Also, new line is stiff, so I would go with a pliable mainsheet if possible. I don't know if you ALWAYS sail with a dodger, and if the dodger has a fixed window, but you can cut the friction of the system IN HALF by installing a triple block WITH A CAM CLEAT on the traveler and bringing one end of the mainsheet out thru the cam. When you need the dodger window closed, trim it your normal way. When the dodger window is open trim the mainsheet at the traveler. You will be amazed at the difference. In either case, jibing is simple, as long as you pull the boom in tight before the jibe (yeah, its a lot of line). However, in any kind of wind, be prepared to let the mainsheet out AS SOON AS the boom has crossed. Its a big main, and a jibe will really pull the boat over in a breeze if you're not letting the mainsheet out immediately. I do this from the helm by controlling the boom with the end of the mainsheet run thru the traveler, without any problems. The cam cleat allows me to cleat it and uncleat from the helmsmans position behind the wheel without too many problems. Good luck! Mike
Hi Tom, I will suggest a way to reeve the line based upon the assumption that the double block has the becket, and the single block is attached in front on the boom. Tie off the mainsheet at the becket on the double block, reeve the line thru one side of the triple block, back thru the same side of the double, back thru the opposite side of the triple, back thru the double, back thru the middle of the triple, back up thru the front single, and along the boom. You need to minimize crossing of the lines as it increases friction. Also, new line is stiff, so I would go with a pliable mainsheet if possible. I don't know if you ALWAYS sail with a dodger, and if the dodger has a fixed window, but you can cut the friction of the system IN HALF by installing a triple block WITH A CAM CLEAT on the traveler and bringing one end of the mainsheet out thru the cam. When you need the dodger window closed, trim it your normal way. When the dodger window is open trim the mainsheet at the traveler. You will be amazed at the difference. In either case, jibing is simple, as long as you pull the boom in tight before the jibe (yeah, its a lot of line). However, in any kind of wind, be prepared to let the mainsheet out AS SOON AS the boom has crossed. Its a big main, and a jibe will really pull the boat over in a breeze if you're not letting the mainsheet out immediately. I do this from the helm by controlling the boom with the end of the mainsheet run thru the traveler, without any problems. The cam cleat allows me to cleat it and uncleat from the helmsmans position behind the wheel without too many problems. Good luck! Mike
T
Tom Boles
The becket is actually on the single, but....
...I'll read what you wrote 5 or 6 more times and see how I can make it work with what I have. I'm going to WM today to get a shackle to raise the triple up and allow it to bend over more without hitting the traveller car. I'm also thinking of adding a spring at the same time. I liked your idea of the cam cleat on the block and then running the main through the dodger. My co-captain will be a little less enamoured with the idea, I think, though. I'm going to see if I have something in the junk box that migh allow me to try it on the sly. I rather like the dodger, but the window does have a zip at each end... One more thought-Is the bullseye on the boom that the mainsheet goes through really necessary? Seems like a lot of friction there, especially when the line is lightly loaded. Thanks for the comments on jybing. I've been crew sometimes, and skipper others on similar sized boats, but the challenge is to do it all by one's self!
...I'll read what you wrote 5 or 6 more times and see how I can make it work with what I have. I'm going to WM today to get a shackle to raise the triple up and allow it to bend over more without hitting the traveller car. I'm also thinking of adding a spring at the same time. I liked your idea of the cam cleat on the block and then running the main through the dodger. My co-captain will be a little less enamoured with the idea, I think, though. I'm going to see if I have something in the junk box that migh allow me to try it on the sly. I rather like the dodger, but the window does have a zip at each end... One more thought-Is the bullseye on the boom that the mainsheet goes through really necessary? Seems like a lot of friction there, especially when the line is lightly loaded. Thanks for the comments on jybing. I've been crew sometimes, and skipper others on similar sized boats, but the challenge is to do it all by one's self!
M
Mike Webster
The reason you want the becket on the ...
double block is to have a straight pull between the double and triple blocks. An offset pull on one side of the triple block from the line coming from the becket on the forward mounted single block will cause a twist in the triple block. This will increase line friction from the twisted lines rubbing against each other, an unwanted situation. You will still have some twist induced even when the lines are lead correctly. Its going to be hard to rig us something to work like a cam cleat mounted on the triple block. Since this triple with a cam can run a few hundred dollars, you might try to borrow one from a neighbor, preferably by asking. Rig it up and see if you like it. You will! You can still use the dodger with the window down when the weather calls for it, but you'll find you will want the dodger window up during serious cruising days for ease of handling the mainsheet. As far as the bullseye on the boom, take the mainsheet out of them and see if you like it. You don't need them, it just keeps the mainsheet dressed against the boom better for a neater appearance. Also, during jibes, the mainsheet could go slack and droop down in the middle of the boom. This slack loop will become taut very quickly when the jibe is complete. This could be a danger point to anyone on deck. I agree, the challange is to do it all yourself. My wife does help, and I have friends who come aboard and help, but I figure I should be able to handle the boat myself in any weather.
double block is to have a straight pull between the double and triple blocks. An offset pull on one side of the triple block from the line coming from the becket on the forward mounted single block will cause a twist in the triple block. This will increase line friction from the twisted lines rubbing against each other, an unwanted situation. You will still have some twist induced even when the lines are lead correctly. Its going to be hard to rig us something to work like a cam cleat mounted on the triple block. Since this triple with a cam can run a few hundred dollars, you might try to borrow one from a neighbor, preferably by asking. Rig it up and see if you like it. You will! You can still use the dodger with the window down when the weather calls for it, but you'll find you will want the dodger window up during serious cruising days for ease of handling the mainsheet. As far as the bullseye on the boom, take the mainsheet out of them and see if you like it. You don't need them, it just keeps the mainsheet dressed against the boom better for a neater appearance. Also, during jibes, the mainsheet could go slack and droop down in the middle of the boom. This slack loop will become taut very quickly when the jibe is complete. This could be a danger point to anyone on deck. I agree, the challange is to do it all yourself. My wife does help, and I have friends who come aboard and help, but I figure I should be able to handle the boat myself in any weather.
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