I used to sail a sloop, and will again soon. I assume barberhaulers are still faster than not, right?
<br>Last time I added barbehaulers, I bought the Murray's kit for NACRA, which had the Harken exit blocks that you mounted on the front beam, with line running inside front beam. I'm not opposed to doing this again, I just remember my crew always complaining about the large cleat bruising her butt. So, I'm trying to think of alternatives, especially if they keep the tramp area "clean".
<br>1. smaller cleat, e.g. a jam cleat which has integral roller. Mounted in same location, with line inside beam, but smaller cleat.
<br>2. Single cleating location - maybe central. One exit block, near center of beam or on one side??, which leads to both ends of beam. Cleat once at windward mark, release at leeward.
<br>
<br>I guess other ideas are possible on boats which have different size jibs or beams, but for 8'6" NACRAs, I think best location to pull jibleads towards is a point somewhere between leeward end of beam and the leeward shroud, right?
<br>
<br>Ideas welcomed.
<br>
<br>Jim Casto
<br>N5.5 bi #456
<br>(i.e. races uni, soon to play as a sloop)<br><br>