[MHml] Friction in lines and blocks

[Roy Mills]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Claas van der Linde" <Claas.vanderLinde at gmx.ch>
To: "Informed discussion of multihull issues" <multihulls at steamradio.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2007 9:56 AM
Subject: Re: [MHml] Friction in lines and blocks


> Ross writes:
> >In carbon the boom will save more than that - so overall a positive
> >saving of weight.
>
> That's the right attitude. On our boat modifications, replacements or
> repairs are only allowed if they result in an overall weight saving.


        A comment from the "Dark side", having seen little which has not 
been from the racing types.  My main sheet is an 8 to one set up as per 
Tennant's diagram. lead through a clutch and passing by a Lewmar 24 2 speed 
none selftailer. The Traveller is a 12 foot length of Harken track and 
positioned by a 3 to one tackle, also passing through a clutch located 
alongside the main sheet clutch,and passing close by the same winch. All 
blocks are the 3 inch Harken Big boat ball bearing jobs. TYpically I do not 
need the winch to tighten the mainsheet as much as I want for the 490 square 
foot main provided I can get both hands on the sheet, if I can't, then the 
winch comes in handy. I sometimes do need the winch for the traveller, but a 
lesson learned a few years ago helps a lot to minimise that too. I had 
turned a mark from a broad reach to a beat, the traveller was well down, the 
main sheet tight. I tried to wind in the traveller without easing the main 
and ended up breaking one of the traveller blocks, which at the time was not 
a 3inch Harken. So I learned to dump the main sheet, haul in the traveller 
hand over hand, then haul in the mainsheet similarly. May not be up to 
racing speed but it always seems to work fine.  One thing I have in common 
with earlier posters is that when the main sheet is tight the traveller will 
not ease, despite the ball bearing car, until I have eased the main, and as 
they have found it does not require much of an easing to let the traveller 
move down, then the main can be hardened again. The traveller will move over 
the full length of the track because the two double blocks on the boom are 
spaced about 18inches apart, something you might think about Ross.

        I don't hand hold the sheets, relying upon the fact that the main 
and traveller clutches are close by the tiller in each cockpit and the sheet 
tails are stuffed, not coiled, into tail bags so should run freely.  Like 
Martin I launder the sheets each winter, though I had not thought to use 
fabric softener. Unlike Claas I do not restrict modifications to weight 
savers only, the 550 pounds it cost me to fit the sitting headroom 8 seater 
cabin is worth every ounce, and more.