twisty main sheet

[simonfraser]

Hi, my main sheet twist when going through the top block, untwisting it doesn't last.

what should i try, different way of running the sheet or do i have to change the main sheet to fix this, :-(( if so, what do you all suggest?

many thanks,

thanks, topcat !

 

[stephenh]

Need to see a longer shot - how does the sheet feed through the bottom block as well as the top block?

 

[simonfraser]

it is sheeted the same top and bottom without any twists

i can go and take a pic of the bottom block tomorrow

S

 

[stephenh]

If you have the two blocks at right angles to each other rather than in line, as you appear to have then you will get less twist ( it won't be totally twist free but will be less )

here is an example but I cannot find a clearer pic.

http://www.apsltd.com/Tree/d108000/e107884.asp

 

[Ruffles]

You may find it's the sheet itself that is twisted. Take it out of the blocks and shake it out (or better put it in a washing machine on rinse cycle to loosen the core). When you thread it back it should be better - until next year.

Mine was doing the same at the w/e.

 

[awol]

One thing that may help is to flake rather than coil the sheet when you tidy up. Coiling imparts twists which tend to accumulate - so take it out the blocks, shake it out (or wash it), then flake don't coil

 

[VicS]

As you only show the top block in your photo rather than the whole tackle it is not possible to be sure if this is the answer to to your problem but:-

Multiple blocks like this should be threaded with the axes of the top and bottom blocks at right angles to each other. It is impossible to describe the way the sheet should be threaded in words and I cannot begin to sketch a diagram. However the procedure was illustrated on the October 2002 PBO. I had previously scanned it (badly) and the relevant page is here. Its much clearer, though, if you can find the original.

It is something I did not know before I saw that but It does work and has solved the problem of my twisting kicking strap.

I hope you can make sense of that and that it solves the problem.

 

[Rick]

Thanks VicS - I always get confused and have wanted a diagrgm like that for years.

Back to the twist, awol has the answer - it's that someone coils your mainsheet by wrapping it around bent arm - this puts a twist in the sheet, that over time results in a seperate twist in the inner dacron core. Solution is to always flake the sheet when tidying up - in fact same applies to all double braid lines onboard - flake, don't coil.
Where you have opposing twists between inner and outer core, it will take some time to bet them balanced again - one method is to get into the habit of trainling the mainsheet astern when you can, and let water flow help ease the twists out - it's also worth taking the mainsheet off, anchoring one end, and then running a gloved hand down the line many times with a frim grip to help ease it out. If you end up with the core and cover at different lengths, then persist in the process, and then rewhip the end and cut off the offending part.

 

[simonfraser]

thanks all, i have tried taking it all out and untwisting it, i shall go and re sheet it today with the blocks at 90 degrees to each other.

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
flake, don't coil

[/ QUOTE ] You can "coil" it with each coil making a figure of eight.

One day I'll rescan the page from PBO and not reduce the size. It should be clearer then but goodness knows why it was photgraphed on a dark red background. When I do I'll repost the result if it really is better.

BTW when you get it threaded correctly you will find that one sheave in each block rotates in the opposite direction to the other two.

 

[Danny]

Yes - I like to 'coil' just about everything - lines, shore cable, TV coax - in 'figure eight', <u>unless I'm likely to need to throw it</u>. For instance, if you coil the main halyard like this then it'll run freely through the clutch when you drop the main. Also sheets, especially mainsheets, tend to stay unkinked. It's just as easy to coil this way - just put the half twist on each turn in the 'wrong' direction.

 

[Silverado]

I've tried the trailing the sheets astern trick. It really works to get rid of the kinks.

 

[boatmike]

Often happens. When the load of a mainsheet is appplied to a rope, some types can in fact twist over time. You often see mainsheets on peoples boats that have twisted around one another by up to 2 turns. If you turn the bottom swivel block to get the turns out the top one turns to put them back in! At its worst with a new rope. After you have used it for a while taking it out and laying it out flat on the deck or along a pontoon will take the twist out of it. If you can dont coil it. Thread it back like others have said and it all straightens out like magic. I usually do mine every season reversing the rope end for end to avoid wear which is a good idea....

 

[boatmike]

Oh... One other thing in my opinion you should have a swivel on the top where the pulley block is mounted. Not essential I know but would help a lot with your problem!

 

[simonfraser]

re-sheeting it according to the diagram fixed the problem, many thanks

 

[Rick]

I guess for double braid, I should have said that rather than coil, tidy up line by bringing the line together with no twist in each loop - this will result in naturally forming figure 8's .....