Dinghy development: Split tail mainsheet

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Split tail mainsheet

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1991
Printed Date: 16 Aug 25 at 1:48am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Split tail mainsheet

Posted By: Oatsandbeans
Subject: Split tail mainsheet
Date Posted: 11 Jul 06 at 9:28am

I sail a boat with transom sheeting brought into a central jammer forward. I have been thinking about putting a split tail mainsheet on to get around the hassel of adjusting the bridle everytime the rake changes.

I can't see any downside of such a system ( why don't more boats do it??)

Am I missing something here??

Replies:

Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 11 Jul 06 at 10:09am

This kind of system is very common on Fireballs and Scorpions and is the best system that I have come across for both boats. It allows much finer control over the leach tension in lighter airs and does allow you to centre the boom with putting on excessive leach tension.

What class of boat do you sail? It is entirely possible that using a split tail mainsheet will put you out of class.

Paul

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Paul
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D-Zero GBR 74

Posted By: Oatsandbeans
Date Posted: 11 Jul 06 at 11:13am

I sail a RS Feva, I wondered about the class rules as nobody uses a split mainsheet in the class, but the rules appear to be as the RS200 and they (sometimes) use the system, so thats good enough for me.

I've got the guys at P&B to make me one up (for a very reasonable price-plug!!), so I can't wait to give it a go!!

Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 11 Jul 06 at 12:04pm

Give it a try, you never know you might start a revolution!

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Paul
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D-Zero GBR 74

Posted By: mike ellis
Date Posted: 11 Jul 06 at 5:34pm

there are a few people on the feva ciruit with a split mainsheet. its defineatley class legal and i was wondering about getting one, how much did p+b charge?

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600 732, will call it Sticks and Stones when i get round to it.
Also International 14, 1318

Posted By: Oatsandbeans
Date Posted: 11 Jul 06 at 6:51pm

I think it was about £25, which seemed a good deal rather than me messing about for a couple of hours and end up with something that would either come unravelled on the scond beat or lock up solid when I wanted to bear away at the windward mark.

Posted By: mike ellis
Date Posted: 12 Jul 06 at 6:55pm

thanks, ill see if i can find somewhere cheaper around here.

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600 732, will call it Sticks and Stones when i get round to it.
Also International 14, 1318

Posted By: Guest
Date Posted: 12 Jul 06 at 7:40pm

I used this on the Fireball & RS200 - it is a must have bimble ...

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Posted By: Medway Maniac
Date Posted: 12 Jul 06 at 9:52pm

After giving myself tennis elbow in a marathon race due to the sheet loads on a split-main Fireball, I converted it to 2:1 at the back. No noticeable loss of performance or pointing, and I felt like I was trimming the main rather than pulling the boat along by hand. It's easier to control leach tension/twist without constantly reaching for the kicker in marginal conditons and I was oversheeting less on the reaches, too.

I'd only use a split main if the sheet loads were ridiculously light or I couldn't trim fast enough.

If you really want a split main, it's easy enough to make your own by pulling back the mainsheet outer cover, cutting off a few inches of core, sewing the bridle to the mainsheet core, pulling the outer back over the joint and sewing it in place. Takes a while but can't be difficult if I did it.

Posted By: mike ellis
Date Posted: 13 Jul 06 at 5:27pm

there is no need for a 2:1 in a feva unless its blowing dogs off chains.

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600 732, will call it Sticks and Stones when i get round to it.
Also International 14, 1318