Repair & maintenance: rachet block

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rachet block

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Repair & maintenance
Forum Discription: Questions & tips on the subject
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5389
Printed Date: 14 May 25 at 9:46pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: rachet block

Posted By: mattmd
Subject: rachet block
Date Posted: 02 Apr 09 at 6:14pm

hiya

im sailing a laser at the moment and i am not very happy with the side cleats and was wondering what would be a good jammer cleat on the ratchet bloc so i could cleat the main for a reasonable price.

Thanks

Matt

Replies:

Posted By: stuarthop
Date Posted: 02 Apr 09 at 6:33pm

Cleats on the side deck are the only class legal mainsheet cleat. TBH you shouldn't need to use a mainsheet cleat on a laser at all. I took them off mine, got fed up of sitting on them in light winds.

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Posted By: Smight at BBSC
Date Posted: 02 Apr 09 at 6:53pm

As Stu said, the only option is to take them off or leave em put. What is it that you don't like about them?

I would recommend not using them at all. Cleats can lead to silly accidents if your not careful and so it's probably easier not to bother.

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RS600 988

Posted By: mattmd
Date Posted: 02 Apr 09 at 7:31pm

OK thanks for that

its just another sailor has a cleat however i like the cleats just wen ur beating im either on top of them or r in an awckward posistion next to me. so would of been handy to have a cleat by the ratchet bloc

thanks anyway

Matt

Posted By: Andymac
Date Posted: 02 Apr 09 at 8:05pm

Originally posted by stuarthop

Cleats on the side deck are the only class legal mainsheet cleat. TBH you shouldn't need to use a mainsheet cleat on a laser at all. I took them off mine, got fed up of sitting on them in light winds.

Sorry, but I should correct you;

ILCA rule 3 c iii states; The mainsheet block may be replaced by any type of single block with or without an internal or attached jamming device, and mounted in the position shown on the measurement diagram The block may be supported by a spring, ball, plastic tube or tape.

Some older lasers still have centre mainsheet jammers fitted, but they really aren't conducive to good control. The first thing I done a few years back when I bought a 20 year old boat was replace the centre jammer with a ratchet.

As Stuart says you shouldn't need to use a mainsheet cleat on a Laser, although I do have the smaller version on my side decks which I might lock the mainsheet in for a couple of seconds only, whilst I adjust other controls.

Posted By: craiggo
Date Posted: 02 Apr 09 at 10:43pm

Back in the early 80s Laser sold the boats with the option of a centre mainsheet jammer/swivel or the sidedeck cleats. Most people migrated to the side decks so all new boats then came with sidecleats.

There is no real need for a cleat other than for when you need to adjust other controls but even then you can normally jam it between your thumb and tiller extension.

I would change your sidedeck cleats to the lowest profile you can find and get used to it.

Posted By: stuarthop
Date Posted: 03 Apr 09 at 7:46am

sorry, I stand corrected.

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Posted By: mattmd
Date Posted: 03 Apr 09 at 4:16pm

thanks

it was just a querie really

ive got the micro cleats from rooster.

Matt