snaging sheets on cleats

[JBA]

Hello all,

Does anyone have a problem with sheets wrapping on mast cleats or fore deck cleats? For me, this happens occasionally on tacking but more frequently on gybing. Any suggestions?

JBA

[John Vigor]

JBA, the old remedy was to tie a tight line between the mast (above cleat level) and the stem-head fitting. All sheets then ride up and over the line without snagging anything.

Cheers,

John V.

[Ron Churgin]

I had this problem frequently and realized the way to solve it is by always keeping the lazy jib sheet not taut, but almost. This has virtually elimanated the problem for me.

I did see a clever alternate solution in a book. It consisted of two short oblong shaped blocks of wood connected by two short bungees that fit under the horns of the cleats when not being used. This prevents the lines from getting caught.

[cguthrie]

Yes, I get the same problem, especially when single handing when it is most inconvenient, and like Ron I found that keeping the lazy jib sheet taut helps a bit. When I tack and set the sheet, then I transfer myself to the windward side of the cockpit and set the jibsheet there for the next tack.

[Al Levesque]

Another vote for keeping the lazy sheet fairly taut. I tore a vent off the coach roof to learn that.

[Ldybg]

I haven't had trouble with mast cleats, but have caught the foredeck cleats with jib sheets. I've made wooden cleat covers to go over each horn (bungeed together). Learned this from a racing boat, also helps in reducing "toe stubbing" when going forward.

Dennis

[DaveCD28]

Haven't caught the cleats too often, but I've caught my forward hatch a couple of times even though it's always closed when sailing.

I also caught my girlfriend once who was sunning on the foredeck. Luckily the wind was light that day. Needless to say she did not find it amusing.

-Dave

[winthrop fisher]

thats right John V... winthrop

[Joe Myerson]

Like Dennis, I find that my lazy sheet sometimes snags on the edge of the foredeck hatch when I'm singlehanding (which is most of the time).

Keeping the lazy sheet taut -- but not tight -- seems to be the best remedy. I try to keep one wrap, and only one, around the lazy winch.

Has anybody tried rigging a line, as John V. suggests, that would prevent that hatch from snagging?

--Joe

[Gary M]

This past Saturday morning I was leaving Catalina Island. I was single-handling, and my jib was secured with heavy rubber bands ready to hoist.

My procedure is to hoist the jib, break the rubber bands, then sheet the sail in. It was early, I wasn't thinking clearly, and I pulled in the sheet first right back to the fore deck cleat where it jammed.

The sea condition in "Windy Lane" just outside of Catalina this particular morning made me hesitate going forward to clear the jam. It ended up to be about two hours before I felt it was safe to go to the fore deck.

I now want this problem to be solved!

[John Vigor]

Has anybody tried rigging a line, as John V. suggests, that would prevent that hatch from snagging?

--Joe

Yes, John V. has. Many times and for many years, both racing and cruising. You have nothing to lose by trying it.

John V.

[Andy Denmark]

This has been SOP on all my racing boats for years and I often use it single handing. It's a simple "vee" bridle that attaches to the "keepers" on the bow chocks, ties to a single line led back to an eye at the lowest position of the spinnaker pole track.

On the Moore 24 we used a couple of sail ties to accomplish the same thing.

Simple and it works nicely.
________
IPHONE GAMES

[Joe Myerson]

You have nothing to lose by trying it.

John V. and Andy:

In fact, I've got everything to gain from trying it. I'll do so when I get back onboard.

--Joe

[ronkberg]

I've had the same problem but keep my extendable boat hook handy and can clear the line w/o need to go on the foredeck. I do as others have suggested with a taught offside genoa sheet but I have forgotten a few times. Now I will tie a line as suggested by John V. although I do not like any extra line on the foredeck to stumble on. Gotta make it easy to rig/derig such that I can drop it prior to going forward. I have a roller furling system that usually lets me stay in the cockpit so the only time I go forward during a sail is when something goes wrong.

Regards, Ron

[Joe Myerson]

Ron,

I'm also concerned about adding an extra line to the foredeck, especially as I have to run forward to catch the mooring or drop the anchor. And I'm standing and kneeling at the base of the mast whenever I have to tuck in or shake out a reef.

But there should be a way to rig one that can be taken down quickly.

--Joe