Sheet systems

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  • 15 Feb 2013 14:27
    Reply # 1209343 on 1207085
    Deleted user
    Graham Cox wrote:The sister blocks I use on my sheet spans are small stainless steel Ronstan blocks, with a fixed flange that has a small eye in it.  I just overlapped the flanges and bolted them together using a nyloc nut.  These sister blocks, being rigid, are the nearest thing to a euphroe (correct spelling?) possible and work brilliantly with no twist, friction or chafe.  I have posted a couple of photos of them in the Arion details album in my member albums.  I don't know how to paste a link in here so you will have to go and look for yourself.

    [Webmaster edit: Here's the link, Graham.]
    Thanks for the pic Graham. So they're the blocks to use..
  • 12 Feb 2013 22:30
    Reply # 1207085 on 1204180
    The sister blocks I use on my sheet spans are small stainless steel Ronstan blocks, with a fixed flange that has a small eye in it.  I just overlapped the flanges and bolted them together using a nyloc nut.  These sister blocks, being rigid, are the nearest thing to a euphroe (correct spelling?) possible and work brilliantly with no twist, friction or chafe.  I have posted a couple of photos of them in the Arion details album in my member albums.  I don't know how to paste a link in here so you will have to go and look for yourself.

    [Webmaster edit: Here's the link, Graham.]
    Last modified: 13 Feb 2013 22:52 | Deleted user
  • 12 Feb 2013 21:13
    Reply # 1207023 on 1206313
    Deleted user
    David Tyler wrote:
    Gary King wrote:
    David Tyler wrote:No, don't use a swivel head fitting. It just puts in more twists. The twists occur when the mainsheet itself has twisted, and the only solution is to go to the free end of the sheet and rotate it so that the turns are taken out. It occurs naturally over a period of time, even with the best-balanced rope.
    Would this be the block for sheet spans?
    It looks like a solution, but unfortunately it's only good for short-term use, the span chafes inside the loop. Without going to the trouble of making custom hardware, the easiest solution is to buy two fixed eye blocks like this, a large one for the sheet, and a smaller one for the span, and shackle them back to back. Do this in the store, so that you can find a shackle that fits.
    I agree with that. Works well.
  • 12 Feb 2013 21:10
    Reply # 1207018 on 1204180
    Deleted user
    Graham Cox wrote:I have transferred my comment here as it is not really about gybing the sail, since I do not uncleat the sheet when gybing.
    Hi Graham, just to say thanks for doing that. Without an effective search engine it's essential we try to keep posts to a single topic.
  • 12 Feb 2013 03:38
    Reply # 1206337 on 1204180
    A fiddle block can work as a sister block in a two-part span. We use four, with beckets, in mehitabel's anti-twist and so on sheet spans.

    The shackle end should really be cut off, which is a bit custom. Test that both lines fit in the gap between sheaves.

    Kurt
  • 12 Feb 2013 02:58
    Reply # 1206313 on 1206200
    Gary King wrote:
    David Tyler wrote:No, don't use a swivel head fitting. It just puts in more twists. The twists occur when the mainsheet itself has twisted, and the only solution is to go to the free end of the sheet and rotate it so that the turns are taken out. It occurs naturally over a period of time, even with the best-balanced rope.
    Would this be the block for sheet spans?
    It looks like a solution, but unfortunately it's only good for short-term use, the span chafes inside the loop. Without going to the trouble of making custom hardware, the easiest solution is to buy two fixed eye blocks like this, a large one for the sheet, and a smaller one for the span, and shackle them back to back. Do this in the store, so that you can find a shackle that fits.
  • 12 Feb 2013 00:11
    Reply # 1206200 on 1205963
    Deleted user
    David Tyler wrote:No, don't use a swivel head fitting. It just puts in more twists. The twists occur when the mainsheet itself has twisted, and the only solution is to go to the free end of the sheet and rotate it so that the turns are taken out. It occurs naturally over a period of time, even with the best-balanced rope.
    Would this be the block for sheet spans?
  • 11 Feb 2013 18:40
    Reply # 1205963 on 1204461
    Gary Pick wrote:I've noticed that I get a twist in one sheet span and I'd be interested in how others have overcome this. I'm thinking a swivel link on the block may fix it but I'm not sure.
    No, don't use a swivel head fitting. It just puts in more twists. The twists occur when the mainsheet itself has twisted, and the only solution is to go to the free end of the sheet and rotate it so that the turns are taken out. It occurs naturally over a period of time, even with the best-balanced rope.
  • 11 Feb 2013 10:14
    Reply # 1204461 on 1204180
    I've noticed that I get a twist in one sheet span and I'd be interested in how others have overcome this. I'm thinking a swivel link on the block may fix it but I'm not sure.
  • 11 Feb 2013 09:56
    Reply # 1204457 on 1204180
    Robin Blain's Sunbird rigs have the sheet (main sheet in the case of our schooner) coming through a large complicated block with a cam cleat.  It works well as you describe ie lower the hallyard with one hand and take in the sheet with the other.  I don't have a photo or any more technical description to hand.  The only reservations that I would have are that it does have a tendency to twist things.  Also, it is all secured by one shackle.  Last year on one rough passage this came unpinned with spectacular results.  However, I caught the pin before it hit the cockpit floor and I caught the block on the next roll of the boat.  Someone was looking after us that day. 
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