There are indeed two dinghy-relevant size ranges: 40-45 mm sheave diameter, and 55-60. There are 70 mm+ ratchet blocks, too, but that's getting into keelboat territoryRemember, there are two popular sizes. I have the larger one (70mm?)
That setup works of course, but a strong gust can flip you before you have a chance to uncleat it. There are two setups with pix in this thread that use cleats but make it much less likely you will flip. Replacement for stock swivel cam cleatI just bought this one. I had fitted just a 57mm block with no cleat, but the long tacks we had on Lake Superior made me decide to add one with a cam cleat.
I sail on lake delta as it's a few minutes from me. The lake has a big main part but then goes to a fairly big and long channel that has all the wind blowing east into it.What lake do you sail on?
Rachet
Replacement for stock swivel cam cleat
Looking to replace this guy so I don’t have to hold the sheet the whole time I’m sailing. Thinking about getting this from intensity sails. Is that a good replacement? Hoping to be able to use the existing holes that the current cam cleat uses. https://www.intensitysails.com/ha240swfawic.htmlsailingforums.com
That setup looks nice as I can lock the mainsheet at times but the cam isn't in the way. Thanks for the picture!View attachment 48132
Pic is of my Minifish, but the same part #'s apply, and you can mount it on the cockpit lip on your Sunfish.
Parts & Sails for The Sunfish® Intensity Sails is a good place to start.
Nick, did your dad sail at Lake Delta YC by any chance? If so, we might know each other. That is where I grew up. The club had an active Sunfish fleet up til the mid 80s.I sail on lake delta as it's a few minutes from me. The lake has a big main part but then goes to a fairly big and long channel that has all the wind blowing east into it.
I think so my grandfather was a member there around that time and lives very close to it.Nick, did your dad sail at Lake Delta YC by any chance? If so, we might know each other. That is where I grew up. The club had an active Sunfish fleet up til the mid 80s.
Yeah my older Sunfish is set up with the Harken 150 cam cleat. Photo is prior to me installing the spring.That setup looks nice as I can lock the mainsheet at times but the cam isn't in the way. Thanks for the picture!
As you mentioned the site Parts & Sails for The Sunfish® do you think this is good tooget?Yeah my older Sunfish is set up with the Harken 150 cam cleat. Photo is prior to me installing the spring.
View attachment 48143
That cleat doesn’t fit/seat quite as nicely on the rolled edge style cockpits so on my newer Sunfish… I just left it off.
The nice thing about this cleat is that it’s quick and easy to cleat and to uncleat since it rotates towards me and I just pull the sheet up or down. Similar to other dinghies I sail.That setup works of course, but a strong gust can flip you before you have a chance to uncleat it. There are two setups with pix in this thread that use cleats but make it much less likely you will flip. Replacement for stock swivel cam cleat
If you keep your hand on the mainsheet, I think it is a rare wind shift that would cause you to capsize due to having the mainsheet cleated. The danger that I've found with a mainsheet block cleat is accidental cleating when coming about. The mainsheet locks the sail in too close to centerline before you have completely repositioned your body as a counterbalance. This is especially true when two people are in the boat.The nice thing about this cleat is that it’s quick and easy to cleat and to uncleat since it rotates towards me and I just pull the sheet up or down. Similar to other dinghies I sail.
Yep, the cleat got us at the beginning of this season on Round Lake, NY. We flipped as a strong gust came over and the main sheet was cleated. However, I still did not replace the cleat with the ratchet block. I find it useful when the wind is really low as well as sailing downwind. If the winds are strong I thread the main sheet through the eye but do not run it through the cleat. That way I control it by myself and adjust it accordingly.Ratchet block is your best option, especially if it will be very windy. The sheaves are grooved to help reduce the line pull that your hands see.
With the other option, you're at risk of the cam cleat keeping the mainsheet set when a wind gust hits and you'd be more likely to capsize.
Totally agree. When the hull of the boat is tilted and you are hiking, the "simple" lifting up of the mainsheet to release it from the cleat is not that simple and holding it out is cumbersome and not practical...Uncleating your mainsheet from one of those things while hiking out is hard.
From pictures, I recall that's your setup.Cam cleats positioned on each side, as far outboard as possible to install, with the nuts still on the deck underside, but accessible from the cockpit, would be a much better option.
Not sure about that. I have a cam cleat on the centerline, on the lip of the cockpit edge cushioned by 3 layers of rubber and hermetically sealed. Works very well. No spider cracks, no pressure on the deck.I agree....the pic with the cam cleat on centerline, on the lip of the cockpit edge couldn't be in a worse position. The original hook isn't too bad in that location, but unless you're in calm conditions, that centerline cleat is asking to be dumped. Cam cleats positioned on each side, as far outboard as possible to install, with the nuts still on the deck underside, but accessible from the cockpit, would be a much better option.
Would be interesting to flip the boat, right it, and let it go and see what happens. With the rudder fixed in place and sheet cleated, you could end up with a nice view of it sailing into the sunset without you!I love the bungee on the tiller idea
LOL. Good point. Of course that can only happen if sailing to the West.Would be interesting to flip the boat, right it, and let it go and see what happens. With the rudder fixed in place and sheet cleated, you could end up with a nice view of it sailing into the sunset without you!
Why do you think it would be illegal?I installed the Nautos 4266 ratchet block with cam cleat ... Not legal for racing I guess.
As it happens, I did dump the boat when a wind shift gybed me.Would be interesting to flip the boat, right it, and let it go and see what happens. With the rudder fixed in place and sheet cleated, you could end up with a nice view of it sailing into the sunset without you!
Oh, I thought that a mainsheet cleat isn’t legal. I’m likely wrong, since I don’t race and not interested in racing.Why do you think it would be illegal?