Page 1 of 1

Mainsheet attachment for 28 CK?

Posted: Sun May 10, 2020 1:35 am
by SFBaysailor
Since I’m done with my porthole replacement project, I attacked the cabin top today. Handrails are gone, fairleads up by the hatch are gone, and I’m eyeing the mainsheet block attachments.

I’ve seen photos with the mainsheet blocks sheeting to a single padeye mid-deck with a 3:1 system. I’ve got three single blocks on padeyes, one center and two About 20” outboard from it on either side. I can’t see any tremendous benefit in keeping that system, since it doesn’t look original and needs rebedding anyway. I can see where there might be a small benefit when close hauled in getting some downward tension on the boom.

My thought is to go with a triple/triple block one center feeding to a stand-up block on the port side giving a fair lead to a Harken cam next to the companionway. I’ll replace the center deck padeye with something substantial with proper backing plates. Am I going in the right direction here?
9711A7F9-5170-4995-9228-54EE399740CD.jpeg
9711A7F9-5170-4995-9228-54EE399740CD.jpeg (43.92 KiB) Viewed 4675 times

Re: Mainsheet attachment for 28 CK?

Posted: Sun May 10, 2020 1:47 pm
by Castaway
On our F 35 (UK), we have a track across the coach roof, and I wouldn't care to do without. Another owner, after sailing with us, put one on his F35 as a result, and is very pleased with it. It helps with sail shape when close hauled. Before he did it, our almost identical boats were not evenly matched upwind, but now they are. I certainly would not replace any other system with a central pad-eye for the mainsheet.

If you can get hold of one (and have it fitted to the curve of the roof), a traveller with control lines like the mizzen sheet will allow you to optimise the sail shape upwind, from the cockpit, and also reduce the length of sheet you will need compared to a central fixing, when running.

My friend's new Harken track and traveller is super smooth; I am quite jealous! He said the hardest part about fitting it was getting the headlining out, and sealing all the holes for the track fixing, but you will only have to do it once, and I presume you already have the headlining out.

Regards,

Gerald

Re: Mainsheet attachment for 28 CK?

Posted: Tue May 12, 2020 10:10 am
by SFBaysailor
Thanks, Gerald.

I'm probably not going as far as installing a traveler, but I will likely use the outboard attachment points in an inverted "V" configuration. I've got a small exhaust stack in the center for my heater, so eliminating that middle block would be better to keep the sheet from sweeping across that area anyway.

Jeff

Re: Mainsheet attachment for 28 CK?

Posted: Fri May 15, 2020 5:48 am
by seadago
Jeff, Gerald
I just had an epifany.
I've been wrestling with the same problem in Nausikaa. I have a central anchor point for the main sheet, mid roof, and I just can't seem to get my main flat enough to point above 45 deg effectively. Considered installing a curved traveller as most F35s have, but overall cost was discouraging, to put it mildly.
How about a "soft" traveller? e.g. a fixed-length of braided Dyaneema (or a ss cable for that matter), fairly tight, anchored on two fixed points on the cabin roof edge. Attached to the lower block of the sheet purchase there would be a small single block (upside down) through which would run the dyaneema "rail". Control lines for the horizontal position of the lower sheet purchase block would be as in any std fixed traveller.
A 10 mm 12 strand braided Dyaneema 75 chord will withstand 3 tons of load. This system would spread dynamic loads on the coachroof between two anchor points, instead of only one as I have now. DIY job.
What do you fellahs think?
Rafa

Re: Mainsheet attachment for 28 CK?

Posted: Sat May 16, 2020 12:04 am
by SFBaysailor
Interesting thought. When I read this, I thought of a Laser traveler.
5E2701F4-B6EF-4AB0-AA91-C497D80DA40D.jpeg
5E2701F4-B6EF-4AB0-AA91-C497D80DA40D.jpeg (85.51 KiB) Viewed 4376 times
I just filled 35 holes in my deck with epoxy this afternoon, so I’m going to think long and hard about new hardware!

Jeff

Re: Mainsheet attachment for 28 CK?

Posted: Sat May 16, 2020 3:39 am
by seadago
Exactly!!! Thanks Jeff. At least we know the concept is viable! 👍

Re: Mainsheet attachment for 28 CK?

Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2020 10:01 am
by seadago
Guys
Here's my "soft" traveller.
An 8 mm braided Dyaneema line, attached to the handrail, with very little slack, that serves as a guide and takes some of the upward tension load from the boom.
Two 8 mm braid-on-braid polyester as control lines on either side. These I attached to the cabin roof, over a little block of teak to provide a safety gap above the solar panels.
I tested the prototype a couple of days ago. Without the traveller, Nausikaa would just refuse to move at any less than 45 deg from the wind. With the traveller, yesterday I was doing 5.5 knots on 20 apparent at just over 30 degs!
Overall, very pleased with the result. The whole thing still has to prove sturdy enough, but so far, so good!
Cheers
Rafa

Re: Mainsheet attachment for 28 CK?

Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2020 5:31 pm
by Castaway
Rafael,

That looks very neat, and keeps clear of the solar panels, too. Much easier than fitting a track across the deck. How are you doing for rope storage in the cockpit?
I have a single line to the tackles for traveller control, hanging in a loop below the sprayhood, held by a pair of clutches. Theres enough slack to allow the traveller to move across 2/3rds of the track if I'm taking short tacks, but I don't have to have two full lengths of line, saving about 2m of loose stuff lying around.

Hope you are getting some sailing this summer; Scotland is still in lockdown, and we have no chance of driving to Sweden, where our boat is ashore, before the end of the short Baltic season.

Regards,

Gerald

Re: Mainsheet attachment for 28 CK?

Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2020 6:11 pm
by seadago
Hi Gerald! That's the downside of it. By now my cockpit is a bowl of spaghetti of lines!! Luckily, when I did the last refit, I installed a couple of extra clutches on the coachroof, that now come very handy.

At the moment I'm in Gijon, northern Spain. We crossed Biscay three days ago from Brest. The plan is to continue west and south via the Galician Rias, Porto, Lisbon, and then around to Gibraltar. After that, well, the weather will decide! 😁

Nausikaa has behaved well, all considering. Some hairy moments crossing the Channel, but overall a safe, dry, comfortable boat to be in. Let's see what the future brings around the Spanish Finisterre, and dealing with the Portuguese trades.

Try to get away friend. Best thing you could do I you have the time! Borders in continental EU are opening or open. Best of luck!!

Rafa