Mainsheet Ratchet Blocks

   Very funny you should say that because the old holt auto's had a habbit of doing it on High Performance boats too, had 3 blow up on a 5000 in the space of a month or so. Had "holtie" autos on the 49er for kite sheets, very light-weight but had a few crews reckon that the ratchets weren't going on during sheets loading up, although the blocks haven't blown up yet just transferred over to Harkens because we've never had any problems with Harken, for main-sheet and kite sheet blocks. Reckon a few grams extra is worth the reliability and the fact that it makes things slightly easier for the crew.

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49erGBR735HSC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 30 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1991	Post Options Post Reply Quote 49erGBR735HSC Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Mainsheet Ratchet Blocks Posted: 09 Oct 06 at 9:39pm
	Very funny you should say that because the old holt auto's had a habbit of doing it on High Performance boats too, had 3 blow up on a 5000 in the space of a month or so. Had "holtie" autos on the 49er for kite sheets, very light-weight but had a few crews reckon that the ratchets weren't going on during sheets loading up, although the blocks haven't blown up yet just transferred over to Harkens because we've never had any problems with Harken, for main-sheet and kite sheet blocks. Reckon a few grams extra is worth the reliability and the fact that it makes things slightly easier for the crew.
	Dennis Watson 49er GBR735 Helensburgh S.C Boat Insurance from Noble Marine

Skiffman Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 27 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 291	Post Options Post Reply Quote Skiffman Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Oct 06 at 7:10pm
	The Holt 60mm Pro-Ratchet, it holds just has good as a freddy but does not explode, its lighter and cheaper! And if you think Holt are rubbish then thats way most of the 49er fleet, top guys in the 470 etc all use Holt. This may not happen on most boats but freddys seem to blow up on 49ers and 18ft skiffs.
	49er GBR5 teamfletcherandsign.co.uk Team Fletcher and Sign campaign site

BigFatStan Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 31 Jan 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 78	Post Options Post Reply Quote BigFatStan Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Oct 06 at 1:11pm
	Ok - just to address the otherside of the question a moment, Auto vs. On/Off - the primary advantage of the auto is the ability to ease quickly - great for asy sheets - pretty good for sym sheets, marginal for jib sheets and, most people feel, not so hot for the main where some modicum of control is usually an advantage during the ease (or so seems to be the received wisdom). I would say use the auto when you are prepared to just let the sheet go (gybing an A sail perhaps).

Matt Jackson Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 21 Sep 04 Location: Darlington Online Status: Offline Posts: 962	Post Options Post Reply Quote Matt Jackson Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Oct 06 at 12:58pm
	Don't think so but it's either been really light or blowing it's nuts off recently, when I use a cleat anyway.
	Laser 203001, Harrier (H+) 36

BigFatStan Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 31 Jan 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 78	Post Options Post Reply Quote BigFatStan Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Oct 06 at 12:54pm
	The weight is worth the extra 100g or so if you keep playing it rather than start cleating it. If you are going to put a cleat on, use the 57mm, you'll be cleating it anyway so why do you want all that holding power? If the freddy has stopped shredding the sheets has it stopped gripping so well?

Matt Jackson Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 21 Sep 04 Location: Darlington Online Status: Offline Posts: 962	Post Options Post Reply Quote Matt Jackson Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Oct 06 at 12:44pm
	Ok. I gave a short reply (as I expect most did) because I have tried a few and am so happy with my choice (Freddy) that it's all I thought I needed. My Freddy has shredded a mainsheet but seems to have settled down now and the reason it did it is that the grip is huge. 75mm ratchets are fine but why add all that weight? Also if you decide to put a cleat back on the lead angle will be all wrong.
	Laser 203001, Harrier (H+) 36

NickA Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 30 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 784	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickA Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Oct 06 at 12:39pm
	Just to report ... after some very gusty sailing yesterday ... my bridle mounted 40mm carbo ratchet block holds and releases a treat. Especially with off the boom sheeting, the rope doesn't go round much of the block so you need a biggish block to get the required friction. But with the block on the bridle, the rope goes round 180o, so more contact despite less block! And the block is always on the boat centre line, making it easy to switch on and off on the fly. Great.
	Javelin 558 Contender 2574

BigFatStan Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 31 Jan 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 78	Post Options Post Reply Quote BigFatStan Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Oct 06 at 9:29am
	There are plenty of people using 75mm ratchets in boats as small as 420s. If you have weak wrists (seriously) or have another reason for needing better grip then it's a good solution. Some people prefer autos and some people prefer on/offs especially on mainsheets. Since my suggestion was one of the few that was qualified other than by "that's what I use" (remember "if you want better holding") I think it's valid.

a_stevo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 29 Aug 05 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 72	Post Options Post Reply Quote a_stevo Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Oct 06 at 12:17am
	harken 019. plain old hexaratchet. Simple and work. never had anything bad to say about them

nick.r Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 07 Jul 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 13	Post Options Post Reply Quote nick.r Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 Oct 06 at 9:13pm
	got to be the harken auto rachet
	Laser 4.7 174571 national squad. 29er 1115