Ratchet block recommendation.

[BAD ORCA]

Wondering if anyone has experience with a particular ratchet block that might be a good choice for a furling line. I want to put a little tension/drag on the furling line while letting the jib out single handed to keep a nice clean roll on the drum.

I have only used an older ratchet block on my mainsheet so dont have much experience with the different brands.

 

[Calif. Ted]

I used a Harken, they come with a stanchion mount, I don't recall what size, they are 2 or 3.
https://defender.com/en_us/harken-57-mm-carbo-ratchet-block-7402

 

[colemj]

Do you have a winch nearby? You could use that as a snubber for tension.

Mark

 

[dlochner]

We have a Harken ratchet block. When the ratchet is on, there isn't much easing of the sheet, have to turn the ratchet off for that to happen. Wear gloves and use the friction in your gloved hand to slow the deployment.

 

[BAD ORCA]

I used a Harken, they come with a stanchion mount, I don't recall what size, they are 2 or 3.
https://defender.com/en_us/harken-57-mm-carbo-ratchet-block-7402

Much thanks. Closest stanchion (stern pulpit) is angled so would have to install it further aft near the very back of the stern. If I do, might be too high on the stanchion to get a good angle into the drum though if I have to raise all the stanchion furling line blocks. I will have to double check when i'm at the boat. Would be nice to have it (ratchet block) further aft i think. I would get a really nice 180 degree wrap and it would be level with the cockpit coaming/cleat. I see they have a similar block with a swivel though if i need.

 

[BAD ORCA]

Do you have a winch nearby? You could use that as a snubber for tension.

Mark

I do have one set of main winches in the cockpit which i have been using, but the surface is a bit worn and rough from age and is tearing up my furling line. Also, I like to have the lazy jib sheet around it instead with a single wrap when single handed just to keep things under control. Currently i'm holding the furling line in my offhand to try and keep some tension to prevent tangles in the drum. I have not actually had any yet but the furling line is not rolling up on the drum very cleanly. Could be something else going on, but a ratchet block seems like a handy bit of gear though if single handed in stronger winds. Not sure how useful though as I have never actually used one furling.

 

[dlochner]

a ratchet block seems like a handy bit of gear though if single handed in stronger winds.

It is, especially if you have one with an attached cam cleat.

 

[BAD ORCA]

It is, especially if you have one with an attached cam cleat.

Yeah I was actually wondering about this as well. I was considering one like linked below. I have an extra un-used one aboard. I have one on my topping lift and want to add a couple more on my traveler lines as well.

Harken 150 | Fisheries Supply

Save More on Your Harken #150 Standard Cam-Matic Cam Cleat at Fisheries Supply. Excellent Customer Service, Ready to Ship. Marine Supplies Since 1928!

www.fisheriessupply.com

 

[Timm R Oday25]

The Harken 150 is what we also use. Fairleads help considerably .

 

[JRacer]

I use a harken "headknocker" mounted as shown in the photo. The pic is the one for the tack line for my Asymmetric Kite but I have the same setup on the port side for the furler line. Does not have a ratchet but I have not seen the need for a ratchet.

40mm Pivoting Lead Block — Cam-Matic® cleat | Harken

 

[MFD]

I also went with a ratcheting block and attached cam cleat.
Pics are attached. Note the tiny sized line currently installed, some kind of high strength dinghy stuff that I had and is not easy on the hands.

Anyway, for sure it has been helpful to have more 'one way' pull in with extra friction to help hold when grabbing a bit more to pull in.
Same for easier release when letting line out.
The cam cleat is also useful. Took a bit to get things aligned well given how the block floats and there is a regular cleat for permanent tie off.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Most ratchet blocks work the same, regardless of brand and age. You'd still have to get a feel for the right amount of tension, even with such a block. It's not difficult. You'll get it after a few tries

 

[BAD ORCA]

I also went with a ratcheting block and attached cam cleat.
Pics are attached. Note the tiny sized line currently installed, some kind of high strength dinghy stuff that I had and is not easy on the hands.

Anyway, for sure it has been helpful to have more 'one way' pull in with extra friction to help hold when grabbing a bit more to pull in.
Same for easier release when letting line out.
The cam cleat is also useful. Took a bit to get things aligned well given how the block floats and there is a regular cleat for permanent tie off.

Oh nice. I think i'm going to try the stanchion mount block mentioned above with a separate cam cleat. I think it will give me a better angle to the winch and main cleat on the cockpit coaming. Will see how it works though. I think i'm going to like this setup much better than it is now with just a standard block to a cleat.

 

[dlochner]

I think it will give me a better angle to the winch and main cleat on the cockpit coaming.

It should not be necessary to use a winch on a jib for a 36' boat. It is very easy to damage the furler and the forestay when winching in a jib.

 

[Calif. Ted]

It should not be necessary to use a winch on a jib for a 36' boat. It is very easy to damage the furler and the forestay when winching in a jib.

I was replacing the furling line clutch on a newish Bene that had absolutely Exploded because they had missed the turning block and the line went straight up from the clutch on deck to an electric winch. Four people walked by while i was there, a rigger, a broker (and circumnavigator), a sailmaker and a complete stranger. After I explained what I was doing they all exclaimed "OH, You should never put a furling line on a winch !!!!"
"I'm just here to fix it, someone else broke it" I said.

 

[dLj]

"OH, You should never put a furling line on a winch !!!!"
"I'm just here to fix it, someone else broke it" I said.

This seems to be a popular viewpoint. I found out that was the case after using a winch on both my stay sail and Genoa roller furlers for a number of years. I've never had a problem. I've run both my foresail roller furlers using winches and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

I've also had conversations with very well know sailors with hundreds of thousands of ocean miles and they have all agreed if the furler is set up correctly there is no issue using a winch on the furling line. On my size boat I can't imagine trying to roll in my foresails in any kind of stiff breeze without using a winch.

dj

 

[BAD ORCA]

This seems to be a popular viewpoint. I found out that was the case after using a winch on both my stay sail and Genoa roller furlers for a number of years. I've never had a problem. I've run both my foresail roller furlers using winches and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

I've also had conversations with very well know sailors with hundreds of thousands of ocean miles and they have all agreed if the furler is set up correctly there is no issue using a winch on the furling line. On my size boat I can't imagine trying to roll in my foresails in any kind of stiff breeze without using a winch.

dj

This has been my understanding as well that its perfectly fine to use a winch on normally functioning furling gear. There was even a link in another forum from a Harken manual thats says its ok to use a winch on their furlers. It seems people run into issues and start breaking gear when there is a malfunction in the furling gear and they use the winch anyways. I can see how an electric winch would explode a furling rig in this sort of situation. I'm assuming they can exert a tremendous amount of force with very little tactile feedback.

 

[dlochner]

There was even a link in another forum from a Harken manual thats says its ok to use a winch on their furlers. It seems people run into issues and start breaking gear when there is a malfunction in the furling gear and they use the winch anyways.

It takes some experience to know when the resistance on the line is normal and due to wind conditions and when it is not normal and due to a malfunction. In the latter case, using a winch can be quite destructive. Thus the advice, never use a winch on a furler is pretty good for a lot of sailors with smaller boats who sail in relatively benign conditions.

 

[colemj]

"OH, You should never put a furling line on a winch !!!!"

They just didn't know what they were talking about. After all, how would they explain electric and hydraulic furlers? Or how an electric or hydraulic furler using a motor to turn a furling drum (well, the torque tube in these cases) is different than a drum line on a winch?

And obviously neither of them have been on a boat larger than 40' or so. Or they are true gorillas.

When the wind pipes up and it's time to bring our 1000 sqft screecher in, there is no amount of easing it or going downwind where the first 25-50% is easy to furl by hand. Same with the 560 sqft genoa when it is time to reef in 25kt winds.

The "never use a winch for a furling line" is just unexamined dogma. It has never been a part of manufacturer's instructions, nor anything people who sail on larger boats or in challenging conditions have ever paid heed to.

Anyone who has ever used a winch, even an electric one, can tell when something isn't going right. Why would a furling line be any different from a halyard or sheet in this regard?

Mark

 

[BAD ORCA]

It takes some experience to know when the resistance on the line is normal and due to wind conditions and when it is not normal and due to a malfunction. In the latter case, using a winch can be quite destructive. Thus the advice, never use a winch on a furler is pretty good for a lot of sailors with smaller boats who sail in relatively benign conditions.

Yeah I see your point. I know a few people that would probably keep winching even when they new something was stuck. One of them would probably go so far as to say "to hell with it, if it breaks, i'll just have the guy come over and fix it"