I've used Harken's older ratchet blocks and now have the carbo rachematics. Big improvement in both light air spin sheet handling and snuffing. Since the older rachet blocks were either "on" or "off", things could get ugly if conditions change quickly. My I-20 has four blocks for the spin sheet, and in the "old" system, I would switch two blocks (one on each side) off for light air. Of course, if it picked up when we were on the wire, my crew just had to suck it up.
The other issue was jybing and snuffing the sail. With the older ratched blocks, it wouldn't take much for them to grab the spin sheet when running through the blocks for a jybe or snuff, because they were either on or off.
With the carbo rachematics, you can vary the load necessary to 'activate' the ratchets. For example, I have the ratchet closest to the clew of the spin set firmly, so it will easily run in a jybe or snuff. The block closest to the crew is set to engage at a lower load, so that it will engage almost as soon as the line is grabbed. When the line is released, both ratchets disengage, allowing the sheet to run free. The flapping spin won't engage the first blocks, as they are set for a higher load.
Sheeting the spin is the same for both systems, and usually quite a burden when the wind picks up and we have to point high...
Since the upgrade to these blocks, we've dramatically increased the ease of jybing and snuffing. Now all I have to remember is to keep my fat A** off the spin sheets when we're jybing!
Just remember, speed ain't cheap.
