Replacing main sheet advice please

[mickyp168]

I have a 23' sloop. The main sheet is getting a bit tired and worn , I expect it is the original so its about 30 years old. It is fitted on a system I believe is known as a 'fiddle'. 2 blocks of pulley's under the end of the boom, the bottom one fixing onto a fitting on the floor of the cockpit. Should be simple to buy the sheet and fit it to the pulleys. However the sheet is fitted to the bottom pulley by having been sewn in a loop into place by the manufacturer . Looking at it, if I cut the loop out to remove the sheet there isn't room inside the pulley to fix on a new sheet with a bowline, so it probably needs to be re sewn which wont be easy. So I thought I buy the whole system with the main sheet in place already . However cant seem to find such a thing trawling though lots of websites. I am wondering if its possible to source such a thing, or am I missing some point about just replacing a sheet onto the original blocks. Thanks for any good advice.

Mick

 

[MoodySabre]

A reef knot is a bit bulky. A Halyard Kot might fit in there Ok.

There are some blocks that have a removable pin so that you can attach a spliced eye. If you don't want to buy a new block then attaching a spliced eye with a small shackle might work.

I'm sure Jimmy Green will make something up to your spec.

 

[sailorman]

a loop & simple whipping will do the job

 

[prv]

I doubt you'll find a ready-made tackle, and you wouldn't like the price if you did.

Either learn how to do an eye splice in braided rope, or cheat by tying one half-hitch and then sewing the tail down.

Pete

 

[alahol2]

As per sailorman, get yourself a sailmaker's palm, a few needles and a reel of whipping twine. It is very easy to whip and sew a loop. You'll find more jobs for them later such as whipping the ends of all your other warps and sheets on board.
http://www.allatsea.net/whipping-a-rope/

 

[lpdsn]

A braid on braid eye splice is pretty easy.

Check on YouTube for a variety of demonstration videos.

You'll need a needle - I found Rooster Sailing a handy source for hollow needles.

Get a few metres extra on your mainsheet so you can allow for the first few attempts not looking as neat as they could.

And don't oversize your mainsheet. You'll pay for it in friction.

An alternative is the halyard knot which you'll find on the Selden website. I've found it's actually pretty difficult to undo, so you'd be better going for a proper job with a splice.

 

[sailorman]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJVK3rJMZBQ

http://www.thecoastalpassage.com/eye_splice.html

https://www.google.co.uk/search?cli...=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#q=animated+eye+splice&tbm=vid

 

[AntarcticPilot]

+1 for learning to do a braid-on-braid eye-splice; you need to get a set of fids (e.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/3600...1=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0). It isn't all that hard, and it is a useful skill for all sorts of things aboard. I wouldn't dream of buying a made up rope (unless it was a really good special offer!), and do all my own rope-work.

 

[knuterikt]

I have a 23' sloop. The main sheet is getting a bit tired and worn , I expect it is the original so its about 30 years old. It is fitted on a system I believe is known as a 'fiddle'. 2 blocks of pulley's under the end of the boom, the bottom one fixing onto a fitting on the floor of the cockpit. Should be simple to buy the sheet and fit it to the pulleys. However the sheet is fitted to the bottom pulley by having been sewn in a loop into place by the manufacturer . Looking at it, if I cut the loop out to remove the sheet there isn't room inside the pulley to fix on a new sheet with a bowline, so it probably needs to be re sewn which wont be easy. So I thought I buy the whole system with the main sheet in place already . However cant seem to find such a thing trawling though lots of websites. I am wondering if its possible to source such a thing, or am I missing some point about just replacing a sheet onto the original blocks. Thanks for any good advice.

Mick

The end with the loop is attached to what is called a becket, you probably have a "fiddle block with becket", some of these blocks have a becket that can be opened to release the line on others it's fixed.
Google "fiddle block with becket" and look at the pictures.

I would recommend a splice but it's more of a job if the becket is non opening type.
If the blocks are 30 years old, check the the block - replace if in bad condition.

 

[VicS]

I have a 23' sloop. ....

... Thanks for any good advice.

Mick

Stitch and whip will be the simplest way IMO and I am sure how I have done mine,


Stitch the loop round the becket on the top of the bottom block then whip over it. I am surprised you cannot use a bowline though


Here's one on a small dinghy main sheet ( not particularly neatly done though )

A fiddle BTW is the small sheave ( "pulley") on a block like this

 

[mickyp168]

Many thanks to all who have replied with some very useful information