Mainsheet horse

[solent clown]

this trident has a horse arrangement instead of a fixed point or traveller. I am aware of this arrangement, but I have only used it on this boat. Alongside mucking about sorting the sail going up past the lazyjacks, this is the last thing with the actual sailing of the boat I am a little unsure of. First time I used it I wasnt paying enough attention, and the sheet shot to one end, spilling the sail. After an hours practice that did not occur again, all was fine in use in light winds, and though I am nowhere near using it to it's maximum advantage, I am as interested in what it might do to catch me out as getting the best out of it.
To be honest I am not in love with the system, and may replace it or try to add a couple of blocks to adjust and hold it where I want it.
Cruisers not racers.
Should I just bin it off and go for a fixed mount, or lock it off with a couple of blocks?
We have enough project boats, I want a solution that is quick and easy as we sail at least twice a week time and tide permitting

 

[VicS]

this trident has a horse arrangement instead of a fixed point or traveller. I am aware of this arrangement, but I have only used it on this boat. Alongside mucking about sorting the sail going up past the lazyjacks, this is the last thing with the actual sailing of the boat I am a little unsure of. First time I used it I wasnt paying enough attention, and the sheet shot to one end, spilling the sail. After an hours practice that did not occur again, all was fine in use in light winds, and though I am nowhere near using it to it's maximum advantage, I am as interested in what it might do to catch me out as getting the best out of it.
To be honest I am not in love with the system, and may replace it or try to add a couple of blocks to adjust and hold it where I want it.
Cruisers not racers.
Should I just bin it off and go for a fixed mount, or lock it off with a couple of blocks?
We have enough project boats, I want a solution that is quick and easy as we sail at least twice a week time and tide permitting

My boat has a sheet horse

Your Trident , like my Sea Wych , is not a red-hot racing machine. Messing about trying to turn it in to a proper controlled traveler system will have very little benefit.

The only time it might be useful is to haul the traveler to windward in very light winds. I sometimes just tie a bit of rope to the traveler and lash it to windward but I may only be fooling myself into thinking it makes any difference.

Try it and experiment before you put any time or effort into anything elaborate.

 

[solent clown]

My boat has a sheet horse

your tident , like my Sea Wych , is not a shit-hot racing machine. Messing about trying to turn it in to a proper controlled traveler system will have very little benefit.

The only time it might be useful is to haul the traveler to windward in very light winds. I sometimes just tie a bit of rope to the traveler and lash it to windward but I may only be fooling myself into thinking it makes any difference.

Try it and experiment before you put any time or effort into anything elaborate.

I reckon you're right, I think I will just add a couple of blocks , lock it off in the middle, and have a play with it later on once we are more familiar with the boat. Within a month we should have put 40 or 50 hours sailing in if it doesn't rain constantly - rain is the only thing we don't sail in.

 

[Dan Tribe]

One reason to use a horse is to keep the mainsheet blocks clear of the tiller [assuming the sheet is at the end of the boom]
It also gives a slight help in being able to pin the boom down to leeward to tighten the leech.
It would possibly help a bit to fit blocks and control lines to be able to haul the boom to windward a bit. Won't give much control but it gives you something to tweek

 

[solent clown]

One reason to use a horse is to keep the mainsheet blocks clear of the tiller [assuming the sheet is at the end of the boom]
It also gives a slight help in being able to bin the boom down to leeward to tighten the leech.
It would possibly help a bit to fit blocks and control lines to be able to haul the boom to windward a bit. Won't give much control but it gives you something to tweek

yes, that is what I am going to do. :encouragement:

 

[Tranona]

You will soon get used to the horse - it is pretty much standard for the type of boat you have. Suggest you don't mess about with it until you have sailed a bit more as you might be trying to cure imaginary problems rather than real ones!

 

[solent clown]

You will soon get used to the horse - it is pretty much standard for the type of boat you have. Suggest you don't mess about with it until you have sailed a bit more as you might be trying to cure imaginary problems rather than real ones!

you are probably right, it was just that first unintended lack of control that spooked me. I am having fun on the learning curve, and would say overral it is much easier to sail a larger yacht than a small one!