Laser mainsheet -- cleat or no cleat?

   I bought a Laser 1 earlier this year, and it has a cleat on the mainsheet block. A fellow club member said I should get rid of it, and recommended a ratchet block instead. Another possibility is to put cleats on either side deck.
I usually sail an Ent, without mainsheet cleat, and I generally don't like cleats on the main. However, I find it's nice and easy to just cleat the main when messing about with the controls on the Laser (which I do more often than on the Ent). One drawback is that the mainsheet often gets snagged in the block when it is twisted around, and can't run freely. Not sure if that would also be an issue with a simple block.

What is your experience? Will a ratchet block be sufficient to hold the main while pulling on the kicker? Should I put cleats on the sides?

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Eisvogel Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 09 Dec 16 Location: Birmingham Online Status: Offline Posts: 135	Post Options Post Reply Quote Eisvogel Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Laser mainsheet -- cleat or no cleat? Posted: 06 Jul 17 at 2:36pm
	I bought a Laser 1 earlier this year, and it has a cleat on the mainsheet block. A fellow club member said I should get rid of it, and recommended a ratchet block instead. Another possibility is to put cleats on either side deck. I usually sail an Ent, without mainsheet cleat, and I generally don't like cleats on the main. However, I find it's nice and easy to just cleat the main when messing about with the controls on the Laser (which I do more often than on the Ent). One drawback is that the mainsheet often gets snagged in the block when it is twisted around, and can't run freely. Not sure if that would also be an issue with a simple block. What is your experience? Will a ratchet block be sufficient to hold the main while pulling on the kicker? Should I put cleats on the sides?
	Enterprise 20361 (Eisvogel), Laser 102727 (Halcyon), Laser 121986

rich96 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 20 Jan 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 596	Post Options Post Reply Quote rich96 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Jul 17 at 3:11pm
	side cleats are very useful

PeterG Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 822	Post Options Post Reply Quote PeterG Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Jul 17 at 4:29pm
	Personally I wouldn't sail a Laser without side cleats. I'm well aware that those at the top of the fleet spurn them, and if you are aiming for that sort of level then it's probably best not to get in the habit. For mortals I'd suggest that not having side cleats ends up trying to appear professional at the cost of performance, and ease of handling! While cleats on centre mainsheet blocks work well on many classes I think the geometry of the Laser means that side cleats are much better and easier to use.
	Peter Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59

bustinben Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 15 Oct 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 288	Post Options Post Reply Quote bustinben Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Jul 17 at 4:46pm
	Sheet loads in the laser aren't high, so you should be able to just hold it in your tiller hand while you adjust other control lines. Some people do use the side cleats, but most find that they get in the way and stop you from using the optimum body position in light airs.

rich96 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 20 Jan 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 596	Post Options Post Reply Quote rich96 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Jul 17 at 5:03pm
	You will also need a ratchet The 'new' controls do make it easier to pull on the kicker etc without cleating the mainsheet but the ability to do so is very useful for the average sailor

Riv Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 23 Nov 13 Location: South Devon Online Status: Offline Posts: 353	Post Options Post Reply Quote Riv Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Jul 17 at 10:08pm
	If you have the pulley and block fitted to the laser a long time ago time it is really awful. I had one and got rid of it asap. I replaced it with a harken ratchet block and use a 8mm mainsheet. Works fine and is easy to hold. I would not fit side deck cleats as they are so painful to sit on. I also wear rubber gloves which almost hold onto the mainsheet by themselves which really helps as well.

Eisvogel Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 09 Dec 16 Location: Birmingham Online Status: Offline Posts: 135	Post Options Post Reply Quote Eisvogel Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jul 17 at 9:05am
	Yes, it's an old block-and-cleat arrangement with sharp edges... easy to cut your legs on it when sitting forward! Thanks for all the replies -- I will try just with the ratchet block, and if I find I can't handle it, I'll fit side deck cleats.
	Enterprise 20361 (Eisvogel), Laser 102727 (Halcyon), Laser 121986

laser193713 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 13 May 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 889	Post Options Post Reply Quote laser193713 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jul 17 at 9:56am
	Go completely cleatless. A good ratchet block is enough. The best ones are probably the old freddie blocks which are now sold by ronstan. The black one with the cross drilled holes in the sheave. As for the mainsheet... 8mm is way too thick. It won't run through the blocks properly and also when sailing downwind in light wind it will pull the boom to the centre with its weight. The best option is either the rooster 7mm or the Southern Ropes sheets. They do a 5.5 and a 6mm, yellow and red respectively. I always used their 6mm red sheet. A good pair of builders gloves is needed in any breeze.

JohnJack Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 12 Mar 13 Online Status: Offline Posts: 246	Post Options Post Reply Quote JohnJack Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jul 17 at 10:09am
	Don't want to be a fun sponge, and this horse has already bolted long before barn doors were jammed closed. Isn't the Laser a one design. Isn't a ratchet block and cleats specified? and technically not having them, or a centre jammer be out of class

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jul 17 at 10:24am
	The Laser has always had the centre jammer and side cleats as allowable alternatives.