My chute sheets from the side stays. I have a second set of blocks mounted on the front beam so the sheet gets a bit more wrap around the ratchet block. Currently the blocks mounted to the front beam are free spinning. Does anyone use ratchet blocks on the front too? The chute on the FXone isn't that big, (17 sq/m?), but when its blowing it would be nice to not have to white knuckle grip the spin sheet.
I used to have an I17R. It came (used) with Harken ratchamatics on the stays and standard on/off-selectable ratchets on the front beam. I eventually replaced the front beam blocks with ratchamatics.
My VWM Blade came with on/off-selectable ratches on the stays and the front beam.
Geoff
Karl,
On my current F17, I have the ratchmatics at the shroud and 57mm carbon freewheelers at the beam. I used to have all 4 ratchmatics and noticed the spin was not playing out enough during gybes. The
OutLaw
had 2 on-off ratchet blocks on the beam. It's a matter of preference and upper body strength. I increased my upper body strength this summer and soon changed the front beam blocks.
Sailing solo does require one to evaluate every system on the boat. Whatever system(s) you come up with, if it makes sailing more fun, is good for you!
Bob <img src=
alt=
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With a selectable on/off ratchet they freewheel completely when off right? Maybe that's the route I'll take then for the blocks on the beam.
off
position = no ratcheting
The sheave has edges to give it bite when ratcheting. I bet there is a femto-Newton more friction that with a perfectly smooth freewheeling bock.
Karl,
I found that ratchet blocks with the exposed on-off switch have a tendancy to switch on when you don't want them to. I believe Harken makes a ratchet block with the switch
hidden
so this does not occur. Of course, there are a lot of blocks out there to choose from!
Bob <img src=
alt=
/>
Thanks for the advice Bob. Looks like the Carbo ratchets from Harken have the switch mounted in the center of the sheave.
Karl,
I have 4 Harken Carbo autoratchets on the Javelin and it works well most of the time, occaisionally hanging up in light air, which might be fixable by adjusting the cut-in tension on the front beam blks. I'm lazy enough to not having got around to messing with 'em. I also have an additional lightly used pair of them off Flight Risk you could have reasonably if that's the route you finally choose.
Dave
509 276 6355 or PM me.
40mm or 57mm?
57 mm
Dave