Mainsheet blocks location.

hp18carr · Post by **hp18carr** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 10:22 am

Sadly when I first started this overhaul most of my running rigging was missing. The only hardware to be seen was a single midrange Harken block for the mainsheet port side. As seen in this old photo, back in the day the PO had not used the customary raised sections both port and starboard, but had installed heavy duty pad eyes as the location to install the mainsheet blocks. The double block boom side remained in customary location. He did however leave a little goody behind in the form of a pivoting cam cleat with fairlead starboard side. My question is this... would I be shooting myself in the foot if I maintained his mainsheet block setup? I may have a little different use for the raised sections down the road, if this mainsheet block setup proves pliable.

Terrence
Wilmington N.C.
Chrysler 26' 1980
Pandora (for now)

John Stahl · Post by **John Stahl** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 11:29 am

Do you have the boom vang?

Here is a photo of my set up it is set up so no one has to get out of the cock pit to sail the boat.

http://s1082.photobucket.com/albums/j37 ... 100138.jpg

hp18carr · Post by **hp18carr** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 12:20 pm

John

For the time being I'm staying away from the cross main hatch traveler system. I think a more mandarin system will best serve me until I have some true sailing time under my belt. I have ordered a 25us4-1 Boom Vang along with a K0800 Boomkicker the installation of which is still a long way down the road. Your main hatch boards look nice.

Terrence
Wilmington N.C
Chrysler 26' 1980
Pandora (for now)

lecker68 · Post by **lecker68** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 12:48 pm

I need to make a traveler and find winches for top of cabin all I have are the coaming winches for the jib.

amayotte · Post by **amayotte** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 4:30 am

How important would you guys say a traveler is to the overall performance of a vessel? I've read that some people vang sheet. Personally have never tried it.
Anyways, I'm debating the idea of installing one this season but I also want to buy myself some self tailing winches and the overall cost is getting high quickly.

From what I can tell it would be nice to maintain sail shape while at the same time spilling wind in heavy weather.
I just want to make sure that for the amount of moola It costs I would actually use it.

I was thinking too that if I did buy a traveler I would build bracing between the two cockpit seats and span the traveler across the cockpit, just aft of the hatch boards. Then I would move the sheeting to the end of the boom. This would also bring the mainsheet into the cockpit, making it easier to adjust in those heavy weather days when the boat is knocking a guy around.

Adam

sauerleigh · Post by **sauerleigh** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 7:58 am

My Cat 25 has a vang anchored to the mast base and a Harken traveler system with Windward Sheeting CB cars, set up very similar to which describe. At first the setup seemed awkward, limiting the seating in the cockpit, but the way it works out, one person has plenty of room between the track and the cabin. I really like the Harken system, I like to keep the main sheet close and you don't need to loosen the leeward car to move the traveler as long as there is tension from the main sheet. It is less convenient to enter or leave the cabin, but no one has complained. Not a great detail pic, but the only one I have for now, you get the idea.

I am considering the same setup for the Maudie Kay.

amayotte · Post by **amayotte** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 9:35 am

Sauerleigh,

Can that harken setup be bought as a kit or does it need to be bought piece at a time?
I have read a little about the windward sheeting system and it sounds very convenient. However, I am wondering what kind of issues a person could be faced with having a seemingly complex mechanical system. Maybe it's simple to clean and maintainence free...you would be the expert.
For some reason I can't see the picture and maybe my question would be answered if I could.
Do you mind me asking what a traveler system such as that would be worth?

Thanks

amayotte · Post by **amayotte** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 10:16 am

K.
I took some time to answer my own questions.
Couldn't find a kit but was able to piece it all together...expensive!
Also the one I did price out was only a 2:1 purchase which is a little low for me.
The mechanics of it seem simple and easy to clean though.

I am leaning towards the Garheur traveler for 350.00 and has a 4:1 purchase.

However, since I have never used one I am still unsure the worth of it.
Would it help balance the baots weather helm?
Would it help gain an extra knot or so when beating windward in light air?

I just don't know enough about them yet. I will read some more.

Adam

sauerleigh · Post by **sauerleigh** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 11:16 am

The boat came very well equipped thanks to the PO. The car alone Harken #2744 is something like $350.00 from Defender. The track and ends would set you back another 2 to 3 hundred US dollars. It's not a complicated system, the main block shackle on the car is in a slide which opens up the jam cleat on the same side that load is applied to. I like the way it works.

amayotte · Post by **amayotte** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 4:35 am

In your opinion if the traveler was mounted in the cockpit would a person get enough travel or would it be best to mount it on the cabin top?

sauerleigh · Post by **sauerleigh** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 7:34 am

Having sailed the Cat 25 a couple of dozen times last year, no one seamed to have a problem with the traveler mounted across the cockpit. I can easily reach the main sheet and lift it off the jam and adjust the traveler position. Trying to reach a bridge mounted traveler would almost certainly mean leaving the helm, unless you have mates along. On the C26, I'd mount the traveler above the aft end of the step in the cockpit. The Harken #2744 is listed for boats up to 27' and I believe mine has a 2:1 purchase which seams adequate. The Catalina main is larger than the C26.