Genoa Sheet Foot Blocks? Remove or Replace?

[sycmcsa]

Just getting to repaint the deck and was looking at my poor tired genoa sheet foot blocks. Was thinking about just removing them rather than replacing them? Is everyone using them or doing a cleaner less friction direct to the lead blocks setup?

[BarryE]

removed mine years ago.

[Rudeman]

Definately remove them.

[Jim Kloss]

I like them. Admittedly they're one more place where a line can jam, and the extra length of jib sheet adds LOTS of weight, but I think they help avoid winch over-rides (which of course should never happen, but ....)

Jim Kloss
s/v Ambivalence
S2 7.9 #8

[Tim Bosma]

removed mine years ago.

Ditto.

[Norwalk-ROTC]

I am not sure how much "weight" the extra 4' of sheet will ad (okay X 2), but I do know we use ours and as I am a trainer, it is good to have my students know about this. Larger boats, with larger sails usually have them and so it is easier to my thinking to know about them and then choose to not use them than to not know about them and never use them.

Overrides will happen, perhaps even using them, but they are I believe less likely. I also believe they are an element factored into the set of the winch, particularly when the cars are more forward.

In the case of the port side, the sheet can even rub on the rise of the cabin when run directly to the winch from the car.

[dave]

Something that has not been mentioned is that you can change the footblocks out to the appropriate size auto ratchet. This makes quick tacks because as the block loads up, the ratchet ingages and really helps the trimmer to hold what has been gained while heading for the weather rail and winch. I too have had bad a few experiences with hocks getting stuck in the foot block, but the same thing happens in the turning block on the track without good house keeping and attention to the lazy sheet while tacking. One note: the loads on the foot block put a serious hurt on the balsa core in the deck and cause leaks and rot to begin, even with proper caulking. If you are using or will use the footblocks, overdrill and fill the mounting holes AND put a compression plate of some kind between the block and the deck AND underneath the deck. That will takes care of the problem.

Dave

[grandillusion]

the shives in the original Schaefers if not in to bad of shape can be replaced with a regular screwdriver and for about $10 a side, I'd keep them, or better yet Dave makes a great point on the hex ratchet cheek blocks it I was refitting, that would be my choice

[dave]

Notice I said "auto ratchet" not hexa ratchet. The former turns on and off automatically [and that is also adjustable], the latter doesn't AND the &#*& on/off switch is always getting moved [or broken] the wrond way just from crew moving around the deck. Not to push a particular product, but Harken's "Ratchamatic" is a great, dependable product and they have a super warranty.

http://www.harkenstore.com/uniface.urd/ ... Z56LC7V9NA

[Tigerlily]

Mine are still on the boat. I use them when single handing. I let the jib trimmer decide when I have a crew.

[grandillusion]

I noticed this weekend that they are needed with the 105%, and totally pointless with the 155% up and the lead cars almost to the aft edge of the cabin top