mainsheet system - westerly storm

[mrming]

@dgadee you can see the track here as done by the previous owner. Hilariously it's slightly off centre. I'm sure they had a good reason but I like to think I would have fitted it roughly in the middle had I did it.

The sheet itself is 6:1 with a further 4:1 fine tune.

 

[dgadee]

Looks good. Same track as I purchased. Those wedges might be even easier than doing the epoxy thing.

Your cockpit looks lovely. I have taken off the old non slip stuff and am not sure what to replace it with. What have you used? I had thought of paint but not sure.

I am a two compass man, too. How can anyone tack without them? You need to see what the wind is doing!

 

[mrming]

Looks good. Same track as I purchased. Those wedges might be even easier than doing the epoxy thing.

Your cockpit looks lovely. I have taken off the old non slip stuff and am not sure what to replace it with. What have you used? I had thought of paint but not sure.

I am a two compass man, too. How can anyone tack without them? You need to see what the wind is doing!

Yes the wedges would be easier I think. I used International Interdeck paint to replace the treadmaster non slip.

 

[dgadee]

Yes the wedges would be easier I think. I used International Interdeck paint to replace the treadmaster non slip.

If you loosened the bolts underneath the deck, you should be able to centre the track. If it annoys you enough, that is.

 

[mrming]

If you loosened the bolts underneath the deck, you should be able to centre the track. If it annoys you enough, that is.

I’ll add it to the bottom of the list

 

[AndrewDu]

Hi all

I'd like to replace the mainsheet system on our Storm (sheet and blocks only, traveller is ok).

Current system is 6:1 with course / fine I think - two lines emerge with cam cleats on the block, you can either pull both lines for course or one line for fine.

problems with current system:
blocks are chipped and cracked
line seems to be over sized - too much friction in the system
cam cleats are worn and it's hard to operate with one hand when helming

having googled, similar kit seems to be available from Harken and Lewmar. Lewmar website is awful to navigate!

what I am wondering:
Do I need 6:1? Mainsail is approx 240 sq ft, we aren't going racing so will shorten sail to suit conditions;
Current sheet is either 12mm or 14mm. I'd have thought 10mm would be adequate, but 8mm would not be good from rope handling point of view?
There is no winch available for the main sheet so whatever system we get needs to be ok for manual hauling

I'm struggling to find the right kit for this job. The 4:1 from Harken seems nice and simple; not sure about 6:1 right angle thing. It's boom end fitted.

Harken Sailboat Hardware and Accessories

Here's a bad picture of the current system, apologies for the loose limes all over the place - taken when we were running the reefing lines for the first time since acquiring the boat.

Admittedly my boat is smaller (Elizabethan 30) and the loads therefore lower but I got a really great system using Barton ball-bearing traveller and blocks, 4:1 purchase on each (the traveller can be set up different ways from direct pull to 4:1), there's no friction, it's a delight to use, and it cost a whole lot less than the equivalent Lewmar or Harken systems. They do different sizes. Well worth checking out.

 

[fredrussell]

Posted in error, apols.

 

[mrming]

Just out of interest, when you pull on the 4:1 sheet, do you get lots of slack line between the 6:1 blocks? Is the technique that you pull on the 4:1 and then remove the slack on the 6:1 by pulling on that line?

The 4:1 fine tune pulls on the 6:1 and is only used when you're already close hauled and you need extra power to tension the leech. All big adjustments like bearing away, or pulling in when pointing up are done with the 6:1. Ideally you keep the 4:1 section just shorter than one "leg" of the 6:1 so you have the max pull available when you need it.

 

[fredrussell]

The 4:1 fine tune pulls on the 6:1 and is only used when you're already close hauled and you need extra power to tension the leech. All big adjustments like bearing away, or pulling in when pointing up are done with the 6:1. Ideally you keep the 4:1 section just shorter than one "leg" of the 6:1 so you have the max pull available when you need it.

thanks MrMing - I googled it, hence changing my post as you were typing your reply. Much obliged.

 

[Concerto]

Looks good. Same track as I purchased. Those wedges might be even easier than doing the epoxy thing.

Your cockpit looks lovely. I have taken off the old non slip stuff and am not sure what to replace it with. What have you used? I had thought of paint but not sure.

I am a two compass man, too. How can anyone tack without them? You need to see what the wind is doing!

When I removed the TreadMaster from the cockpit, I found some osmosis caused by trapped water. Just check for any blisters.