Adding to Wavedancer's observaion, does anyone cover their ratchet block or ratchet/cleat?Not surprisingly, just about everybody that sails Lasers or Sunfish leaves the block on whether trailering or not...
Great feedback and fantastic photos..., thank you.If anyone else wants to make this modification, I’d suggest using something like the H144 (similar to what I have on my C14.2), which brings the cams up into the right position. Comments?
Here's my question: Why not choose the Harken 2138 or 2139 that have the cleat integrated? Based on some of the discussion, my guess is that no one wants to HAVE to use the cleat, only to use it under certain circumstances. But it looks to me like the cleat bracket on these models can be rotated up and out of the way. If the cams will work with the fairlead removed, wouldn't that be the same a the collection of parts being described? I haven't done the math, but surely the cost difference can't be astronomical.I can't give advice on which to choose... I asked once before, and never got an answer to the same question. I went to Harken's website to find the difference between the 2: http://www.harken.com/blocks/blockspecs.php
Any pro's out there care to weigh in on which is better and why?
thanks,
tag
Here's the delema, as Tynwald pointed out, too low a line and the mainsheet doesn't engage properly, however, too high a line and whenever you hike out, the mainsheet engages in the cleat whether you want it to or not. Not only that, but if you are hiked out flat it's extremely difficult for most people to disengage the sheet by simply raising the angle they are holding the line at.Tynwald, how about this:
This is what I was thinking in my post above. In my mind, the cleat bracket would have been flipped putting the cleat upsidedown and at a higher angle.I use these modified Harken set up for the main-sheet and it works great. I turned the cleat right side up and removed the fair lead I posted the Harken model # in an earlier thread.
Don
This is what I was thinking in my post above.
In your experience, does the mainsheet usually wrap around the block so much that the cleat is out of the way? (My guess is yes, but just thought I'd ask.) Also, how much clearance is there between the cleat and the deck once it's swivelled around? Does the block ever tilt enough that the cleat contacts the deck?
Tynwald, how about this:
Try the Harken H293 Cam riser (~$3.50) to put the cleat more in line.The bottom line is that the H241 DOES NOT work for this application. What I've decided to do for the time being is to remove the strap on the cam cleats from the H241. This allows the sheet to play normally and gain traction on the block. To cleat, one can loop the sheet around the base and bring it up through the cleats. Takes a few milliseconds longer, but I’m not a racer, so who cares?
I liked that picture and then realized why. It is my boat! Was that from my SCUD thread?
Ah, I see. I was thinking with the angled riser it would work like this...Well, Wayne, I don't think that would work. The base for the cams is so low on the H241 that you'd have to raise them about 2" to be able to securely cleat. I suppose one could add several of these to raise the cams up enough, but it probably wouldn't be very stable.
Whew..., Your efforts and feedback are very much appreciated !Thought I’d give everyone a little update on my progress with this project.
My final impression about this modification is that it’s not worth the effort. For my needs, mounting a cam cleat on the cockpit lip would have sufficed (which is pretty much the way this set-up works now).
Sailing on a Midwestern lake with constantly changing wind speeds and directions, I can’t imagine cleating the main while hiked out, so this is just for short emergency situations when you need a third hand in light air.
Anyway, too much time futzing and not enough time sailing; I'm going to the lake....
Harken or Ronstan? With or without angled riser adapter assembly configuration? Pics of hat clip set up please...Don't leave shore without a hat clip!!
Fred
OK...like when I have to snag my hat that went into the water on the last tack!
Pics of hat clip set up please...
It's all very subjective... All the setups work, each has its pros & cons. You choose what suits your sailing style.From a purely simplistic standpoint, what's the downside of forgoing the cam cleat/swivel arrangement and just using one stbd- and one port-mounted clam cleat at the front edge of the cockpit? Is it the clutter?