Mainsheet

[claymore]

Claymore has a centre cockpit/semi-enclosed wheelhouse. The mainsheet is a triangular setup with no traveller so:-
It leaves the cockpit along the port side of the aft cabin top. goes through a block, up to the boom, down to the single starboard side block , up to the boom down and is fixed at the port side double block.
I cannot sheet in to windward when motorsailing, can seldom gybe without getting some form of knotted cluster and sometimes even manage to jam the sheet down the cheek of one of the blocks, despite the sheet being the correct size for the blocks.
Further aft there is a wooden bar which I could use to screw/bolt a track onto.
Question - I will always need to sheet in on the port side of the cockpit because the hatch for the aft cabin is in the centre. Can I use a track and then lead the sheet through the existing port hand block or does this sound a bit of a nonsense?

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
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[Violetta]

Can\'t see why not

Presumably the boom will be sheeted to whatever position you place it over the track, with the block on the port side being used simply as a turning block? Or being replaced with one? It will have no role in moving the boom - just changing the direction of the pull. Sounds OK to me as long as you can get the leads right.

Our mainsheet originally took the kind of triangular pattern you describe and we found it well worth making the change to a more conventional arrangement. No more garrottings of unsuspecting guests, horrible bunches of b*****s after gybes etc. Go for it!

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[tome]

If I've understood this correctly you should be able to rig a traveller with a double block to replace the one on the port side. It would be better if you could arrange a turning block forwards and roughly midships on the after coachroof before taking the sheet back to the port block and the cockpit.

We use our traveller frequently, and the first stage of reefing is to drop it to leeward if the helm becomes too much. It's surprising how much extra control this gives you. Likewise, we can haul it to windward in lighter winds to give a fuller main.

We've just replaced our Lewmar Ocean blocks with the new synchro range - very good, and much reduced friction. The original synchros were marked 022 (stamped on the end of the swivel pin) and we had a problem with the sheet jamming in the cheeks, even though the recommended size. The new blocks are stamped 031 and we haven't seen this problem since they were replaced free of charge by Lewmar. You can see the arrangement in my 'Holiday Snaps' pic 4.

We also serviced the winches, and the combination has transformed the mainsheet from an unwilling brute to a meek and humble ally.

I also serviced the traveller and fitted new bearings and end cheeks. The control lines were on jam cleats which meant climbing on deck to adjust them. I lead them through the sprayhood (via eyelets) to a pair of clutches in the cockpit. All in all this has had a great effect on our sail control and was well worthwhile. Go for it!

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[Twister_Ken]

Quick ?s

Where on the boom does the mainsheet affix? And where is that in relation to your possible traveller track? And if they are not in proximity, is the boom beefy enough to allow you to organise another sheeting point?

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[claymore]

Re: Quick ?s

The sheet attaches at the outboard end of the boom at present and the possible fixing position for the track would be aft of that by approx 9 - 12 ins.

I can't see how to do take anything from the boom further forward as the wheelhouse lid is there and I don't want to risk running a track across that in case it isn't strong enough

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
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[claymore]

Thats interesting because I fitted synchro blocks and the first gybe we did in any wind was when Jimi and Para were with me and it ended up with Jimi using an Allen key to take the block apart to get the sheet out from between the sheave and the cheek.

I'd thought about clutches for the traveller sheets and think there is somewhere they could be fitted.
The main snag I see is when on Port tack with the traveller down at its Starboard extremity. The sheet will need to be led across the boat up to the port side then through a block and perform a right angle to get back to the cleat in the cockpit having come through the back of the wheelhouse cover if its wet or cold!

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
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[Paul_H]

Funny you should say that, Ive got exactly the same arrangement and have two problems: cant sheet in close without extreem force and the turning block on port side sometimes twists and jams the sheet. Cant simply fit a track cos of the aft cabin hatch. My plan is to fit a stainless frame to take a proper sheet track a couple of feet above the aft cabin roof. The frame can also be used to support the cockpit cover.

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[tome]

Re: Quick ?s

Need a picture to visualise this, but no reason why the sheet couldn't be led aft rather than forward?

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[claymore]

Yes - I'd thought of this as an option if I needed to bring the sheet directly under the boom but it would look a bit cluttered on Claymore's aft deck. I've rearranged the single and double blocks and so have tried all permutations - would now like to fit a track for exactly the reason you describe.

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
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[tome]

We had the same problem on our first jibe up the Solent and had to haul the tension off the main with a block and tackle whilst dismantling the synchro block. We were running out of sea room by the time we had it under control.

We were using the recommended sheet size. It fair buggered the sheet also, see below. I returned it to the Lewmar factory and they re-designed the block as a result, providing us with 2 replacements and a new sheet.

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[claymore]

Thanks for that Tom - our mainsheet is a little chewed as well so I'll get on to Lewmar
Much obliged

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
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[tome]

Make sure they replace it with the new 031 block, and point out that it's a known problem. If you want I can PM you with contact details of my 'tame' Lewmar engineer.

Regards
Tom

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[Twister_Ken]

Re: Quick ?s

Sounds like the ideal solution would be to put a 'horse' over the aft cabin roof. On the horse a slider. On the slider a three part block with a jamming cleat. On the boom a three part block. Sheet between them giving you a six part mainsheet. If you need more power take a look at a racing boat to see how to rig a two part tackle on one end of the six part tackle to give 12:1 fine adjustment. From either side of the slider a two part block and jammer (much smaller) to a two part block at each end of the horse. Thus a four part traveller control.

You know have a centre sheeting mainsheet, with full traveller control. Would that work?

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[claymore]

Re: Quick ?s

Ken - I'm going to draw that as the brain is a tad addled just now
thanks for the effort you've given it
John

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
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[heerenleed]

Heerenleed has a similar arrangement, but with mainsheet track and traveller.
You had better not use the existing port block directly, you should add a block next to the middle of the track, otherwise the boom will always be pulled to port. .

This arrangement is a lot better than your present one (having a track and traveller) but it is still far from ideal because the fixed block does pull the boom towards the middle of the track and gives it less control than ideal.

We are considering replacing the sheet (now six part) to an eight part sheet and thus make the winch redundant in order to get rid of the fixed block arrangement. Also, I quite like Twister Ken's idea. Will try to work it out.
We wish to replace the track with a more modern track anyway because we use the traveller all the time. That will be a good time to look at the sheet as well.

Good luck!



<hr width=100% size=1>Peter a/b SV Heerenleed, Steenbergen, Netherlands<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by heerenleed on 28/08/2003 13:11 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[claymore]

Thanks for that Peter - I'm still trying to draw Ken's arrangement which is bound to be superb as he is a very clever person!

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Claymore
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[Twister_Ken]

Recognition at last.

If you were on the south coast I would recommend you had a word with Stainless Steve in Lymington who is reputed to be even cleverer than wot I is, and can actually make things. Is there a similar diamond geezer up your end?

One thing of which to beware is the need to work out the weight on your mainsheet when beating and construct something to match. There is a secret book which yacht designers use which is packed full of formula and tables that give all sorts of info including Knox-Johnson's inside leg measurement. Purloining a copy of that (no problem for a man such as yourself with a devious mind) would be a wise move.

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[claymore]

I once had a desire to get to grips with Clare Francis' inside leg... but that was a long time ago........

and murmering a little sadly, remember how love fled and danced upon the Mountains overhead
And hid his face amongst a thousand stars......

Aahhh sweet memory of youth
Drifts off to snooze, spilling cocoa over rather soiled and stained corduroy trousis waking instantly to warm wet feeling

<hr width=100% size=1>regards
Claymore
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[Aja]

Do you mean the book by Ian Nicholson? Filched all manner of tables from suppliers and put them in 1 book?

Donald

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[Twister_Ken]

Not sure. All I know is that I've seen various marinish types looking up things in a big book which they claim has the answers to everything

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