Off-boom sheeting

We changed the sheeting on the 3000 to off the boom. But it was mostly to make crossing the boat easier by removing the parts between boom and hull in the middle of the boat. Ie the sheet goes from a Becket on the boom to a block on a strop on the transom, back to the boom then forwards along the boom to a block and then to the helm's hand. Extra space and more control. Works as the sheet loads are very small and allows continuous control of the leech tension. Sounds like this 420 doesn't gain any space but may gain some extra control, saves the cost of one block and a cleat!

Love aft sheeting. Grew up with it. It leaves more space in a boat to move around, means you don't have to move aft tacking in light winds, and give far better purchase. Less control gybing in a breeze, though.
Off boom seems to work for some boats and not others. All to do with ergonomics, I guess. For instance, in a Minisail, it makes sense if sitting on a sliding seat, but not if lower down on the side deck in the standard boat.

Never sailed a 420 but I recommend looking at what the top 420s have and replicating their system. Copying is the quickest way to get better.

Originally posted by Sam.Spoons with two blocks on the boom how does that work. .......If you have two mid boom blocks that implies that the sheet goes to the cockpit floor and back up again which doesn't make much sense?

Hold the tiller extension across your chest and you can hold both with one hand plus the added advantage of being able to sheet in hand over hand. I can't think of any advantage* to an aft mainsheet, I hated it in my Heron when I was 12/13 and tolerated it in the Ent in my 30s but, for me, a centre led mainsheet is better in every way.

Edited by Sam.Spoons - 15 Feb 20 at 11:48am