4:1 or 6:1 Mainsheet System

[roverhi]

We are talking a 30' boat with end boom sheeting here.

3/8"/10mm line is minimum for handing a line with much tension. It's an adequate sized line for this sized boat and used it for the low stretch halyards on my current 35' boat. I prefer 7/16"/11mm for my arthritic fingers and went with that for the sheets and spinnaker halyard. 1/2"/12mm is nice but bulk and weight are an issue on a smaller boat. Line larger than that, other than anchor rode, would be for boats larger than 40'/20,000# displacement.

2nd Garhauer as a source for blocks especially if you are thinking greater than 4-1. Their two speed systems are a deal.
Garhauer Marine Hardware -7158458

[david7]

So does Garhauer make ratcheting blocks or is that not as necessary as I've been lead to believe either?

[Stumble]

Originally Posted by david7

So does Garhauer make ratcheting blocks or is that not as necessary as I've been lead to believe either?

Ratchet blocks are really nice for a line that you will hold and manipulate constantly like spin sheets, main sheet (while racing), but they aren't very helpful on lines that will be more static.

For a cruising main I wouldn't bother. They also tend to eat up lines quicker because of the ratcheting mechanism.

[jkindredpdx]

Since you are in Portland, you can visit Sextons Chandlery or Columbia Marine Exchange... both pretty nice knowledgeable folks. I've gotten better prices for some stuff ordering through them than going online and paying shipping.

[david7]

Yeah I plan on checking Sexton's used gear room but I wanted a little more info first. Thanks everyone...I think I have a better idea of what to look for now.

[Jman]

We installed a 4:1 Garhauer (found in the boom vang section of their website, line was included but too short for mainsheet, but did make a nice new reefing line) on our 36' Yawl. By the time 4:1 is not enough we have already reefed, so it is fine again. Boom end sheeting point.

To do it again I would probably select their 3:1/6:1 system, a bit pricier but I think worth it.

Ratchets required for only three reasons:
1 Load becomes intolerable, so you risk rope burns when easing, or losing control of the sail (while sheeting pull through the cam, so ratchet effectively does nothing)
2 load was designed that way to speed sheeting , more purchase, more line to pull, less purchase = less line = faster mark roundings.
3 no cam cleat provided, so line is always under load, and your hands get tired


I have raced many more multiples of miles than I have cruised, as long as effort is manageable, then frequent adjustment of trim is part of the fun of sailing!

[Ziggy]

I replaced my original 4:1 mainsheet with a Garhauer 6:1 and 7/16" regatta braid line. I think 3/8" line is really too small to handle comfortably. While the 1:4 was manageable, the 6:1 is much easier for my wife to trim. The only downside is in very light air when there is more friction and weight when you need to push the boom out. Also, there is a lot more line to coil or pile up on the cockpit floor with a 6:1 setup.

[david7]

So with the "boom vangs" on the Garhauer site what would you recommend for a mainsheet? There are two that both have 2800lb breaking strength and 50ft of 7/16 line. The only difference I can see is finish but they don't really give any info on what that is.

[david7]

By the way...the two I'm referring to are 40UAG 4-1 and 40US 4-1

[Stu Jackson]

If you're going Garhauer (great idea!) then CALL them. They're extremely helpful on the phone and they know their stuff better than any of us.

[Jman]

The 30 series should be fine, 4:1 with a 2,800 lb breaking strength is appropriate for boom vangs, bring it in while not under load and then blast reach away, and load will sky rocket. Mainsheet 4:1 2,800 lbs means that you would have to be able to pull 700lbs, Schwarzenegger territory. Again a 36' yawl, but probably similar or larger main than yours, 30US4-1 doing the job. Difference between 30US and 30UAB is stainless vs. anodized aluminum. The 3:1/6:1 that I was referring to is found under "two speed vangs", 30-2 SP.

[david7]

So that two speed vang has totally confused me...it isn't that much more but I'm having a hard time visualizing how it works. The pictures show two ends running through the cam cleat that are tied together. So do you just pull on both at the same time or is that just something they did for the picture? I have been googling how a two speed vang works but to no avail.

[Jammer Six]

Studying the pictures, it looks to me like you pull on one end for low leverage, high speed and you pull on the other end for high leverage, low speed.

[david7]

So does that mean you have just as much line as a regular 6:1 or twice as much? How can you pull in on one end without just pulling the other end straight through...and how do you distinguish the two?

[Ziggy]

I got the 40-27 series (single speed). They didn't have 2-speed then. I think for 3:1 you pull both lines and for 6:1 you pull one.