Melges 14

Originally posted by getafix the 100 has a rather tricky alternative to the 'classic' mainsheet transom hook*, if you are too slow speed and have enough slack, you can hook up the back of the mainsheet on the end of the tiller, results often involve swimming as not only is the sheet caught up, but it seriously hampers your steering ability too  *or at least mine does!

Originally posted by Riv Many of our members only sail lasers a couple of times a year, so anything that makes them easier will be good. I agree that the main may well still catch around the quarters so I'll do one first as an experiment. As you say we can also put tape on the corners. Yes, the tiller will rub on the traveller but as the traveller will go out almost to the extreme edge of the deck (unlike the present system where it is 40mm in)we might be able to get away with less tension. The sheeting angle (measured on the deck) will go from about 11 degrees now to about 17 and so vang sheeting  maybe less important, so we'll be able to reduce vang tensions which will also make it easier for the occasional sailor. It'll be fun trying anyway and nothing lost.

Many of our members only sail lasers a couple of times a year, so anything that makes them easier will be good.

I agree that the main may well still catch around the quarters so I'll do one first as an experiment.

As you say we can also put tape on the corners.

Yes, the tiller will rub on the traveller but as the traveller will go out almost to the extreme edge of the deck (unlike the present system where it is 40mm in)we might be able to get away with less tension.

The sheeting angle (measured on the deck) will go from about 11 degrees now to about 17 and so vang sheeting  maybe less important, so we'll be able to reduce vang tensions which will also make it easier for the occasional sailor.

It'll be fun trying anyway and nothing lost.

You won't need such a tight traveller to give the current sheeting angle, but tightening it will allow you to pin the boom down at a wider angle too when the wind is up. Quite an advantage, I'd have thought.

Won't a tight traveller that far up the tiller cause problems? Just picturing the tiller rubbing on the rope as it moves back and forth - it may not matter in reality. I would say that you'll have to move it a fair way forwards, as otherwise you will find it simply loops round a bigger amount of stern quarter. Before doing the job, take a Laser out and watch very carefully what it is that happens when it gets caught.

You may find a better solution is simple to put tape on the corners so there is nothing for the sheet to hook on. I believe there is/was a part made you can put on if you are not racing.