Typhoon genoa lead blocks and winches

[Hugh Brodie]

I have recently acquired a Ty Weekender, and the original genoa lead block on the slide (Schaefer 3- series) is coming apart, probably due to overload in conditions where I really should have reefed a bit sooner. I can buy a replacement from Schaeffer (or via BoatUS, which is cheaper!)but it will cost $65 each. A very helpful guy in Boat US (who already talked me out of traveller, so I know he means well) told me that because the genoa sheet turns 180 degrees to get back to the winch, the effective load on the block it doubled,so the same problem may recur. He suggests a cheek block astern of the genoa track, which will turn the sheet around 180 degrees and take the load off the original genoa block and the track(cheek blocks cost around $30 and have working loads of 1750 lbs). The original block on the slide is then only changing the sheet angle by 30 degrees, thus ...much less load. Does anyone a) understand what I'm getting at, b) have any experience of this c) know how to position the cheek block so that the sheet will run to the winch at the correct angle so it doesn't jam like it does because the genoa block is too low.

The winches are non-ratchet. Also they are positioned so that when the genoa is sheeted in and you want to grind in those last few inches, the sail gets in the way of the winch-handle. I could buy new winches ($$Ouch!), learn to sail more slowly, or maybe find a winch-handle that has a ratchet built in?

Thanks for any help.

(PS Bought a 4-Stroke 4-HP Nissan (Same as Mercury, made by Tohatsu)for a great price from Cabelas on the web. Arrived in 3 days, Much cheaper than alternatives, no shipping, no sales tax, no oil-slick!)



h.b@aarpc.com

[Marino Curati]

You could probably run the line back to the spin block and up to the winch for a FREE solution. Although, my boat has original parts on it and they don't seem to mind the load. Maybe you should try using the jib versus genoa and a reef. The fairlead on the cabin top can easily handle the load.

Marino Curati
Ty#74 Snug
Cleveland



mcurati@vision-design-inc.com

[Bob Bernier]

To make your Genoa scheme work you will have to mount the cheek block on the outside of the coaming, up high so that the sheet returning to the winch will have a straight shot. It seems that the cheek block will have to be mounted a ways aft of the end of the track, depending on what angle gives a nice entrance to the underside of the cheek block.

There are only two currencies in this world: time and money. By the time you buy the cheek blocks and mounting hardware, decide where and how to mount them, drill and install the bits and pieces; you may find that buying a better lead block will result in a less complicated deck arrangement which you can affect in a few minutes and spend the rest of the time sailing!

PS: You can find OEM winches at RONSTAND, Chepatchet, RI.

Good Luck
Bob Bernier
s/v "Belle Therese"
Fairhaven, MA



rbernier@alsic.com