Classic double -ended mainsheet

[John Wragg]

Can anyone pitch in? I am completing the restoration of Rosanna,she is a gaff-rigged yawl 30ft lod 42ft loa,her lines were lifted from the remains of a fishing smack on the River Deben by eversons of Woodbridge,she was built by eye in 1960 (a young classic).I am having a double-ended mainsheet arrangement with a single block each side of a horse,as her topsides had gone when she came to me i am not sure which way to make fast the sheets.The aft of the cockpit coaming is 7inch high with a slow 4ft sweep fwd to the coachroof.Could anyone make a suggestion as to the best method? although i would prefer a traditional way i am open to modern alternatives to acheive the most efficient cockpit layout, many thanks jon

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

Since she is a yawl I assume the mainsheet horse passes over the tiller?

One point to consider is that you need to be able to get a good pull on the sheet, and to belay it fast.

[Thad]

SEA HARMONY's mainsheet cleats at the outside of the cockpit coaming near the aft corners, runs to blocks shackled to pad eyes outboard of the horse over a double block riding under the boom and through the single block on the horse. Plenty of advantage.

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

That raises a nice super-tehcnical point.

The Merriman bronze clew fitting for roller reefing, an example of which I rescued from a junk pile and fitted, has three bails for attachment of shackles; it is often thought that this is to permit double topping lifts, but I understand that in fact it is to permit the use of two single blocks on the double ended mainsheet, so as to give a fair lead to the sheet.

I have yet to stump up the £ for a nice pair of single roller blocks so we use a double block, but the lead would be better with two singles.

[John Wragg]

thanks andrew,am considering my knuckles with every move!

[John Wragg]

thanks Thad,thats prettymuch what i have in mind,although these things are best solved in action,i am unsure of how much control you have over the boom with the outboard cleats whilst putting a tack in,also what size cleats would work with 16mm braid?

[John B]

Mine is set up that way basically. What I did was find some old open top lever type jammers( ugly things.. I always intended to replace them with something prettier) that are situated on a fair lead from the deck blocks to the winches. There's a backup horn cleat for them available on the cockpit coaming as well.
These jammers enable us to handle up to 700 ft behind the mast.( main and topsail)
For example, we can take the sheet to the free( windward ) winch and take the load, release the jammer and have a controlled ease in a pile of wind. By the same token , we have the option of trimming in in a breeze using the winch as well. But most of the time we trim by arm and the jammer is instant secure and instant release. That to me makes for safety because there are situations where we simply cannot bear away without easing sheet. Dipping a crossing boat say.( the one you missed seeing in the traffic)

They're ugly and they work. the last 20 years anyway.

[Thad Van Gilder]

Andrew,
Tempest, my Lake one design has the same merriman part you describe, with two single blocks on the two bails. They definitely are not roller bearings though. Just plain merriman bronze blocks.I think they came from Merriman that way.

Ivy has her double ended mainsheet running through single blocks mounted ontop of her pushpit, right at her transom. The lines lead forward to two 8 inch wood cleats outside the coaming.

-Thad

[Thad]

I think you need to have at least three turns belayed on each horn and room for at least one more, that means for 16mm line the horns of the cleat must be at least 70mm long with more than 16mm under the horns, likely 20mm or more. I think on SEA HARMONY now are 8" Merriman cleats.

[John Wragg]

Thanks john B,sounds like just the solution i am looking for,im a belt n braces man too,am now on the search for suitable jammers(no doubt as rare as hens teeth)thanks again jon

[John Wragg]

thanks Thad,this is my first trip into cyber space,always had a vdu fobia,4 years into Rosanna/s restoration (launching spring next year) and i find the forum,amazing source of info,thanks again jon

[John B]

found a pic John,
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid21/p32ce86c1e006ce86fadb1487ca689838/fdb41ed2.jpg
theres a cleat under the sheet winches as the backup. you can see the ugly jammers( a clever person would mask them somehow)and the way the mainsheet leads through them to the winches if necessary. Used much to advantage over the weekend with a couple of gybes on our cruising race ,main and topsail.( using the winch as a brake to fizz the mainsheet out without frying hands)

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

I think I am going to crib that.

It takes all my strength to get the mainsheet in, aboard Mirelle, in a force 4 or over. Usual technique is to snatch it on the roll. Jam cleats would make a lot of sense. We had a cracking good sail on Saturday in a 5 and my upper body and the skin on my hands is still well aware of it!

[John Wragg]

John B, BINGO! have been tryin to imagine your "ugly" jammers and think my imagination went into overdrive,no wonder theyve been there for 20 yrs they look fine and shipshape.Also selection on such gear for classics is limited but i have sourced similar ones with a fairlead from Classic Marine.Many thanks for the picture it really helps to see things in-situ,especially when Rosanna/s aft deck is very similar,by the way Waione is a pleasure to behold,at such a grand age she looks stunning,great 2005 album,thanks again jon

[John B]

Glad to be of help. I love a period/correct/traditional fitting as much as the next guy, but safe efficient boat handling has precedence. Every system has to work quickly and every time these days. The water is busy. ;)
I've asked a few old timers how many crew they would have to handle this boat under gaff historically. It was always 4 minimum. We invariably have 2 (although we've been growing some extras).

[John Wragg]

John B, have opted for the open jammer(for obvious reasons)and can now proceed with confidence,layout feels good.What a wonderful experiance for your extras and selves,very best wishes jon