Hello All,

What works best for me, as a Uni -solo sailer in the Trade Winds is CLEAT AND NEVER TOUCH IT.

I was coached to do this, and it works! The technique told me, on this forum, was 'take the mainsheet with both hands, arch your back,bend your knees, pull till it hurts, cleat it'

This is after one sets the formula of downhaul,mast rotation, d-board height and traveller.

Of course, your diamond wire adjustment has been set on the beach, for the general wind condition of that day.

There are some involved discussions on the F-16 forum about this stuff.

As I recall, there is a very in depth posting by an Aussie T4.9 Uni champ with tremendous and detailed settings. I believe he sails with the mainsheet cleat taken OFF the boat and he sets up his mainsheet blocks differently. If I have this correct, you would have to check, his exit block ( where the mainsheet exits the pully system to your hand) is set up at the boom,......not the traveller!

..whatever works for you and makes you a winner!

regards,

Bruce
St. Croix
I-17 normal

ps. The exception is the extreme life threatening condition...then anything goes to save yourself and your boat.