Skiff spinnaker sheet ratchet block

   Hi there, I'm racing an RS800 with my 14 year old son who is doing really well but we crash and burn physically after a bit especially in the arms. Playing the kite is the main culprit. We have some original

40mm ratchet blocks on the spinnaker sheets that came with the boat (one of first built). Any suggestions on the best block to help keep the load manageable ? What do guys use on int14s, 49ers etc.

Cheers Mike

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mhmacmillan Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 16 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote mhmacmillan Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Skiff spinnaker sheet ratchet block Posted: 03 Apr 17 at 9:43pm
	Hi there, I'm racing an RS800 with my 14 year old son who is doing really well but we crash and burn physically after a bit especially in the arms. Playing the kite is the main culprit. We have some original 40mm ratchet blocks on the spinnaker sheets that came with the boat (one of first built). Any suggestions on the best block to help keep the load manageable ? What do guys use on int14s, 49ers etc. Cheers Mike

dogslife Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 17 Feb 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 58	Post Options Post Reply Quote dogslife Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Apr 17 at 10:17pm
	Hi Mike, I sail an 800 (early new deck version) with my 8.5st gf and physically we find things hold together pretty well even though we're knocking on a bit for an 800. We have 57mm Harken Ratchamatics fitted; (http://www.harken.co.uk/productdetail.aspx?id=4744&taxid=420) Hope this helps

mhmacmillan Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 16 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote mhmacmillan Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Apr 17 at 10:33pm
	Thanks for the advice. Cheers Mike

Neptune Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jun 09 Location: Berkshire United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1314	Post Options Post Reply Quote Neptune Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Apr 17 at 11:07pm
	I went from 57 down to 40 mm auto ratchets on my Musto kite and it's defiantly heavier loads, but for me still manageable. If you want to help the arm fatigue then dogslife suggestion is worth it, so damn expensive the bigger blocks though :(
	Musto Skiff and Solo sailor

Adds Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 14 Jan 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 126	Post Options Post Reply Quote Adds Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Apr 17 at 7:00am
	The original RS800 setup was to have an extra block shackled to the back of shroud u-bolt. So that the sheet went around the ratchet to the extra bolt then to the crew. So the ratchet gets a much better grip on the rope.
	Cheers Dudes

mhmacmillan Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 16 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote mhmacmillan Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Apr 17 at 8:24am
	Hi guys. Expensive is right but needs must. Bought 'cheap skiff fun' and spending money and more on an old boat. Mind you even newer ones need replacement and investment. Besides the kit isn't the rate limiting step. I'm included as one of them.... Regarding the additional block the current ratchet is immediately behind the u bolt. Can't quite picture where I would place it therefore. Another thing knackering him was tangles during the drop. Didn't happen last season so wonder if just technique. Kite ok and coated fabsil so slippery. Halyard is 5-6mm I don't know what gifted from another boat. Wondering if it is worth spending money on a tapered halyard. Unsure what core of current halyard is but if decent might taper it instead. Reckon helps ? Any other hints on drops ?

Adds Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 14 Jan 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 126	Post Options Post Reply Quote Adds Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Apr 17 at 8:46am
	The blocks are close to together but that is how it is done. The ropes holding the ratchet need to be tight to get a decent separation between the blocks. Tapered halyard makes a huge difference. The standard is 5mm, but lots of people use 4mm these days.
	Cheers Dudes

Neptune Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jun 09 Location: Berkshire United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1314	Post Options Post Reply Quote Neptune Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Apr 17 at 11:30am
	Tangles where? If you coiled the halyard, very often that introduced kinks into it. If you have the mast down its best to run the halyard up to the kits block and than back down again so you have a straight a line as possible. untie halyard run and make sure you pull all kinks out before putting it back in again. I'd also lube all the blocks, especially the pole ones as people often forget these
	Musto Skiff and Solo sailor

cad99uk Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 11 Mar 10 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 187	Post Options Post Reply Quote cad99uk Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Apr 17 at 4:30pm
	Re tangles during the drop. Early days we had tangles where the halyard went through the rear turning block on the floor. Replaced the block with a large curtain ring as no real load on it. Big enough for tangles to go through. Solved the problem. Enjoy your Dad and lad times. We got our 800 when son#1 was 15. Happy days.

mhmacmillan Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 16 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote mhmacmillan Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Apr 17 at 11:20am
	This is a magic help everyone. I'd totally forgotten about the need to uncoil the halyard now and again in that way. If car doesn't cost a fortune to get through MOT I'm going to treat us to two ratchamatics and a new halyard. Dad and lad time is indeed amazing. Daughter aged 11 dead keen too so if I can keep injured knee functional there's more fun to come !