DaySailer.org Forum

I am very interested in installing Ratchet Blocks on my Main as well as my Jib lines.

MAIN: My Main runs from the traveler through 2 blocks on the boom down to the swivel block/upward cleat on the Centerboard truck. Would it be better to replace the big block on the Swivel or to hang one off the boom?

JIB: can someone share some knowledge about what type of block will work for jib lines and how they are installed?

thanks!

Is your boat a DS1 or a DS2?

John

I use a single Ronstan55 Autoratchet as the forward block on the boom. I leave the auto setting engaged. At the same time I upgraded to FSE Robline Racing Sheet and am very happy with that combination. The Racing sheet is grippy but smooth running.

I usually sail in lighter rather than heavier conditions; by also changing the block at the end of the boom I could increase the overall holding power of the ratchet, but have not found this necessary.

My mainsheet runs from

• a becket on the block at the back of the boom to
• a block on the traveler and then to
• the same block at the end of the boom and then to
• a block at the middle of the boom and down to
• the swivel block on the CB trunk.

Depending on whether you do the double purchase at the end of the boom, your sheet loads may be higher.

I have upgraded the blocks on the jib sheet cars with the same ratchet blocks. My jib sheets have a very slippery cover (not a rope originally designed to be used for that purpose) but the ratchet blocks hold it well.

jeadstx wrote:Is your boat a DS1 or a DS2?

John

My boat is manufactured by CCSB and is made from original DS-1 molds.

I looked up the Ronstan blocks and there are many options. Greenlake which styles did you use? Any pics of the installation of the jib sheet car?

http://www.ronstan.com/marine/range.asp?RnID=334

Here's a picture of the block installation for the jib. For the main, I use the same block, in place of the forward block on the boom. I simply set these to the "auto" setting and that works for me.

Thanks, perfectly clear in my mind now

Greenlake, do you use ratchet blocks for the jib sheets as well as the mainsheet?

John

John,

yes. I've had the ratchet on the main and liked it and recently found that I wanted to play the jib sheets by hand and that this was awkward due to slippery rope as well as the loads being higher than comfortable.

So I bought two more ratchet blocks. I had to undo the car's U strap from behind (it's bolted) to be able to fit the strap for the ratchet.

New system works like a charm (I've learned to leave jib-sheets and main sheet rigged all the time, because it's easy to get the ratchets strung backwards....)