Dinghy development: Skiff spinnaker sheet ratchet block

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Skiff spinnaker sheet ratchet block

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=12710
Printed Date: 06 Jul 25 at 7:24pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Skiff spinnaker sheet ratchet block

Posted By: mhmacmillan
Subject: Skiff spinnaker sheet ratchet block
Date 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

Replies:

Posted By: dogslife
Date 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

Posted By: mhmacmillan
Date Posted: 03 Apr 17 at 10:33pm

Thanks for the advice.
Cheers
Mike

Posted By: Neptune
Date 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 :(

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Musto Skiff and Solo sailor

Posted By: Adds
Date 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.

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Cheers Dudes

Posted By: mhmacmillan
Date 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 ?

Posted By: Adds
Date 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.

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Cheers Dudes

Posted By: Neptune
Date 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

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Musto Skiff and Solo sailor

Posted By: cad99uk
Date 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.

Posted By: mhmacmillan
Date 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 !

Posted By: cad99uk
Date Posted: 06 Apr 17 at 9:36am

Mrs cad got a 29er to sail with son#2 when he was 13. Your daughter would absolutely love the 29er. Go on, you can never have too many boats