Mainsheet block and jammer

[Colin Morley]

Advice please. Which mainsheet block and jammer do you use and find effective?

I have a Barton double fiddle block with attached jammer that is attached to the cockpit sole with a swivelling shackle. The problem is that the jammer is "upside down" so that the sheet is jammed by pulling up and released by pushing down. This can be difficult when it is tight and healing. I feel it is dangerous and could lead to a capsize.

I would like a mainsheet block and jammer that attaches to the cabin sole loop with a swivel shackle but has the jammer working the other way. Push down to jam and pull up and out to release.

[Julian Swindell]

The main sheet arrangement on my Baycruiser is different, as it is at the back of the cockpit, and mounted about level with the coaming, so pulling down to release is not difficult. I wondered if on the Bayraider you could fit a rope strop, say about a metre long, between the cockpit sole and the fiddle block. That way the block would be effectively much higher, and so easier to release. It would move from side to side somewhat as you tacked, which might be a problem. Should be easy to try to see if it helps.

[Graham W]

Colin,

Does your lower mainsheet block look like this (below) with a camcleat that can be adjusted for angle?  I've changed so many things on my boat but I think this may actually be original equipment!  I've never had trouble unjamming the mainsheet from this angle.

[Colin Morley]

Yes that is exactly what mine is like. Perhaps that is what everybody else has.

I am interested you have not had a problem. I have not had a serious problem but when it is windy and the boat heals a lot I have to push the mainsheet down to get it out of the jammer with my foot. That is a bit tricky when I have lost the first flush of youth and the balance of an elephant.

I think I need to experiment a bit more with the angle adjustment. However, our experience of this is that we cant find the optimal angle to suit high wind sailing and a gentle breeze.

When I bought the boat I was offered Harken or barton gear. I must ask Matt what the Harken system is like because they dont appear to sell a fiddle block and camcleat with a becket at the bottom.

[Colin Morley]

Thanks Julian,

Interesting idea. I like innovative thinking. I will experiment with that.

[Clem Freeman]

Harken do a flipflop block and clam cleat http://www.harken.co.uk/productdetail.aspx?id=4787&taxid=4106 perhaps this is what Matt was refering to. Looks interesting.

Clem

[Jonathan Stuart]

Mine setup is also like Graham's. I remember we had to adjust the angle when the boat was first rigged but it has since been fine. I can easily pull the sheet out of the cam, regardless of heel angle, but getting it locked again is tricky when heeled and I push the rope in with my boot. Still, better that it is that way round.

[Clem Freeman]

If you put Harken Block into the search on ebay theres lots of variations on a theme.

[Colin Morley]

Thanks Clem, Yes I have looked at them and the one you pointed me to. They look good but the problem is they are designed to be screwed down. My BR has a stainless steel loop in the cockpit sole to take the mainsheet block and camcleat. Therefore I need a mainsheet system that has a shackle at the bottom to attach to that loop.

[david]

Hi Colin
                I have the harmen block on my BayRaider. I did adjust the clam cleat angle- like Graham. It was easier to release in higher winds. I also added a carabinier to the sole of the boat that lifts the block up approx 3". No issues now in releasing the line. The carabinier on the sole also make it easier to remove the tackle when needed. I took the Harmen upgrade when buying the boat. So Matt should be able to provide some advise for you also.

[Colin Morley]

Thank you David.

Two things:
You mentioned a Harmen block. I am not familiar with that. Do you mean a Harken block or a Barton block?
Please could you post a picture so we can all see exactly what it is like instead of imagining it.

[david]

Hi Colin
                 I am out of town travelling for the next fortnight. I will post a pic when I return home.

[david]

Hi Colin
                 Yep it is harken. Not harmen. My spell check must have substituted and I did not catch it. Sorry for the confusion. It actually looks a lot like the photo Grahem posted. The jam cleat has more options for different positions than Barton.