if the strap is cumbersome it’s easily removed.
Derrick Fries, multiple World Champion, sailed with his toes just like that. Not a problem if your legs are long enough.Also, the boat has no hiking strap, but I hook my toes under the opposite edge of the cockpit. A hiking strap seems like it would be uncomfortably close for my long legs. Again, anyone else forgoing straps?
They’re important for racing. No matter your height you can hike harder with a strap. And for recreational sailors, the newer boats have a much wider cockpit opening, so you’d need really long legs to reach the other side.I think that the hiking straps are for people who’s legs are not long enough to reach to opposite-side lip.
Thanks for that input. I'm not keen on the cam-loc since that lead to my first turtle. Maybe a ratchet block and stop knot.Well I unintentionally discovered a down side to the hook. If you loose hold of the main sheet, not having a fairlead or block on the deck the sail can blow away from you and take the sheet with it. Don’t forget your stopper knot. I also noticed the hook definitely wears on the line much more.
A question. Are you tacking using the steps and style as shown in the following video? If not, your issues with the having your mainsheet in a block may go away by adopting these steps.When I tack, I often rotate my aged and non-limber body around the front of the cockpit, and find it's easier to transfer the sheet from one hand to the other with it not being held in a block. Is anyone else out there sticking with the hook instead of installing a block?
Easier to quickly adjust the "vang". The main sheet tail that goes though the fairlead on the deck, around the gooseneck, back through the fairlead then secured by the cleat on the deck that used to be for the halyard.I'm not so sure of the mast cleat. I mounted it 40" off the deck, and it's hard for me to reach to drop the sail when I'm on the water. What exactly is the benefit of the mast cleat?
I'm gonna need a longer mainsheet...Easier to quickly adjust the "vang". The main sheet tail that goes though the fairlead on the deck, around the gooseneck, back through the fairlead then secured by the cleat on the deck that used to be for the halyard.
- Andy
That would look pretty interesting wouldn't it? Jeez, what was I drinking yesterday?I'm gonna need a longer mainsheet...
I'm gonna need a longer mainsheet...
I think Andy used to sail off the Cape Cod area so "Jaws" may have been on his radar...A blatant rip-off of the 'JAWS' line, LOL...
Blue Agave maybe? I've been nipping off a bottle of Jose Cuervo that's been here since the mid 80's I think...That would look pretty interesting wouldn't it? Jeez, what was I drinking yesterday?Yes, I meant halyard.
- Andy
On my '71 ("Ruby" in the photo) I have a block/cam cleat combo. On my '77 ("Sevens" no photo) I have a ratchet block and cam cleats mounted to port and starboard to cleat off when I need a free hand. Neither has a strap as I lock my toes under the lip of the other side of the deck when leaning out.Again, anyone else forgoing straps?