Announcements
New Discussions
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Hop To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
F18 spinnaker cleat? #250369
07/01/12 12:43 PM
07/01/12 12:43 PM

D
DuncanO
Unregistered
DuncanO
Unregistered
D



Hello all,

So I'm a fairly raw beginner when it comes to cats. I have had some experience sailing on cats, 420's and keelboats but these all belonged to someone else. Last summer I bought a 2001 Nacra F18 and it's been great fun. Sailed it a few times last season under the main and jib only, just to get a feel for the boat. I had to replaced what I believe was the original spinnaker this year and have had the boat out several times with the spin up. It all seems to be working correctly, and I am blown away by the power.

When I have had the spin up it seems awfully hard to hand hold the spin sheet. I believe I have the sheet routed correctly. The two blocks that it goes through (per side) are ratcheting units and I think I've got them oriented correctly. I have only used it under relatively light winds, under 10 knots. In stronger winds I'm having trouble imagining hand holding it for long. My crew usually does this and his hands are suffering. Is this how it's usually done? Does anyone cleat this line?

There is a MKII infusion at my club and the dealer told him not to cleat this line under any circumstances. I'm guessing this is for safety, so you can drop it at the first sign of trouble.

All input appreciated.

Thanks, Duncan






-- Have You Seen This? --
Re: F18 spinnaker cleat? [Re: ] #250371
07/01/12 01:25 PM
07/01/12 01:25 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,430
california
F-18 5150 Offline
veteran
F-18 5150  Offline
veteran

Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,430
california
Never cleat the spin sheet!

Make sure you are running the sheet through the auto rachet the correct way. If you run it through backward it does not help. You should be able to hold it easily in up to 20 knots.
On my boat I used a paint marker to mark the top of the blocks so when I take the sheet off it goes back the right way.


Richard Vilvens
Brand Ambassador
PSA Capricorn USA
R.Vilvens@yahoo.com
Fairfield, Ca
F-18 5150

http://www.capricornsailing.com/
Re: F18 spinnaker cleat? [Re: ] #250381
07/01/12 03:17 PM
07/01/12 03:17 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 334
Seattle,Wa
Don_Atchley Offline
enthusiast
Don_Atchley  Offline
enthusiast

Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 334
Seattle,Wa
Nothing wrong with using a Butt-Cleat on long runs occasionally. grin
[Linked Image]


Hobie Tiger 2003
Re: F18 spinnaker cleat? [Re: ] #250383
07/01/12 04:04 PM
07/01/12 04:04 PM

D
DuncanO
Unregistered
DuncanO
Unregistered
D



Thanks Rich, I will check this again before I go out again. I must have something wrong in my setup. it's good to know that it's not supposed to be that hard.

Duncan

Re: F18 spinnaker cleat? [Re: Don_Atchley] #250418
07/02/12 07:49 AM
07/02/12 07:49 AM

D
DuncanO
Unregistered
DuncanO
Unregistered
D



Don, I have done this!! It never really holds very well though, which may be another clue that my setup is wrong. It's gotta be the setup, because there's plenty of mass there for holding power. 8^)

I'm gonna check it again, but I also have another question: Does everyone run a cleat on the spin halyard to lock it in the sock/snuffer? The fellow I bought my boat from did say that every now and then the wind had unexpectedly grabbed the head of the sail and pulled it out. My boat doesn't have this, but the newer infusion at my club does. Is this a worthwhile addition, or does it just make it a PITA to raise the sail? I always pull the head of the sail completely inside the sock so I'm not sure it matters.

Re: F18 spinnaker cleat? [Re: ] #250449
07/02/12 10:37 AM
07/02/12 10:37 AM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,906
Clermont, FL, USA
David Ingram Offline
Carpal Tunnel
David Ingram  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,906
Clermont, FL, USA
Originally Posted by DuncanO
I also have another question: Does everyone run a cleat on the spin halyard to lock it in the sock/snuffer? The fellow I bought my boat from did say that every now and then the wind had unexpectedly grabbed the head of the sail and pulled it out. My boat doesn't have this, but the newer infusion at my club does. Is this a worthwhile addition, or does it just make it a PITA to raise the sail? I always pull the head of the sail completely inside the sock so I'm not sure it matters.


I don't and I think most don't for the reason that you stated. The last thing you want is the snuffer line getting accidently cleated on the raise. Sometimes the head of the spin will start to sneak out on a long choppy upwind distance race but we just put a slip knot in the snuffer line at the snuffer block on the tramp.


David Ingram
F18 USA 242
http://www.solarwind.solar

"Do or do not. There is no try." - Yoda
"Excuses are the tools of the weak and incompetent" - Two sista's I overheard in the hall
"You don't have to be a brain surgeon to be a complete idiot, but it helps"
Re: F18 spinnaker cleat? [Re: ] #250552
07/03/12 08:01 PM
07/03/12 08:01 PM

D
DuncanO
Unregistered
DuncanO
Unregistered
D



Hi Everyone,

Thanks Dave, I won't bother cleating this line. Today I went out and took a look at the orientation of the spin sheet blocks - I think they are correct. However I did notice that the side blocks (which are the first ones the sheet runs through from the sail) don't seem to ratchet or lock at all. These are the ones on the hulls and they are supposed to be hexaratchets. The slightly larger blocks on the front beam are ratcheting perfectly. Are these hexaratchets working correctly? It seems unlikely that they would both be broken . . . but they do freewheel in both directions regardless of load.

As always, all input is appreciated.

Cheers, Duncan

Re: F18 spinnaker cleat? [Re: ] #250554
07/03/12 08:09 PM
07/03/12 08:09 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 443
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
bobcat Offline
addict
bobcat  Offline
addict

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 443
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Perhaps your ratchet is switched off? [Linked Image]

Re: F18 spinnaker cleat? [Re: bobcat] #250559
07/04/12 08:19 PM
07/04/12 08:19 PM

D
DuncanO
Unregistered
DuncanO
Unregistered
D



Thanks Bobcat,

I just checked this and those blocks (on the hulls) don't seem to have a switch, although the main sheet block does. Maybe only the ones on the beam are meant to be fully ratcheting?

Thanks again, Duncan

Re: F18 spinnaker cleat? [Re: ] #250560
07/04/12 11:08 PM
07/04/12 11:08 PM

S
Scarecrow
Unregistered
Scarecrow
Unregistered
S



that might be part of the issue, if you only have one ratchet you want it to be on the hulls. Early F18s only had the one turning block (a ratchet on the hull) but because the rope only turned 60-80 degrees through the ratchet and as such didn't help much. The fwd block is to make the sheet wrap right around the block and maximise the grip. If you have the ratchet on the front beam it has the same potential issue so swap them over and all your issues might be solved.

Re: F18 spinnaker cleat? [Re: ] #250568
07/05/12 11:01 AM
07/05/12 11:01 AM

D
DuncanO
Unregistered
DuncanO
Unregistered
D



Thanks Scarecrow,

I'm a bit hesitant to start re-rigging - I believe my setup is correct. However I am curious whether these blocks are meant to fully ratchet. What does everyone else have? Are the hull mounted blocks meant to be fully ratcheting like the ones on the beam? The beam mounted blocks actually lock in one direction under load.

Cheers, Duncan

Re: F18 spinnaker cleat? [Re: ] #250583
07/05/12 07:41 PM
07/05/12 07:41 PM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 9
G
goose151 Offline
stranger
goose151  Offline
stranger
G

Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 9
Duncan

Scarecrow is right. The rigging manual can be found at
http://www.goosemarine.com.au/_cont...ms%20nacra%20F18%20and%20Innter%20manual


Re: F18 spinnaker cleat? [Re: ] #250596
07/05/12 10:41 PM
07/05/12 10:41 PM

D
DuncanO
Unregistered
DuncanO
Unregistered
D



Thanks Goose,

I do have that manual. Unfortunately, my boat has hexaratchets in both positions - it's just that the ones on the hulls don't really seem to ratchet. As soon as the wind cooperates I'll try sailing it again with the existing setup. If it's still monstrously difficult to hold I'll switch the ratcheting units to the hulls.

Cheers, Dunc

Re: F18 spinnaker cleat? [Re: ] #250598
07/06/12 02:23 AM
07/06/12 02:23 AM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,584
+31NL
Tony_F18 Offline
Carpal Tunnel
Tony_F18  Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,584
+31NL
Some ratches have a small adjustment screw which can be used to set the resistance level, older ratching blocks have a small sliding switch to turn ratching on or off.
Maybe yours is set to only ratchet under a lot of load?
Do yours make that distinct ticking sound when you sheet in?
Normally the ones on the hull are ratches and the ones on the are "normal".

Last edited by Tony_F18; 07/06/12 02:25 AM.
Re: F18 spinnaker cleat? [Re: ] #250605
07/06/12 10:47 AM
07/06/12 10:47 AM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,430
california
F-18 5150 Offline
veteran
F-18 5150  Offline
veteran

Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,430
california
The rachets may need to be cleaned. Warm water and some time will work them back. Get them nice and wet and them roll them back and forth till they start working again.


Richard Vilvens
Brand Ambassador
PSA Capricorn USA
R.Vilvens@yahoo.com
Fairfield, Ca
F-18 5150

http://www.capricornsailing.com/
Re: F18 spinnaker cleat? [Re: ] #250617
07/06/12 09:06 PM
07/06/12 09:06 PM

D
DuncanO
Unregistered
DuncanO
Unregistered
D



Wow this is all great advice. I've examined these blocks pretty carefully and can't find any adjustment, but I'll definitely take another look. I've leaned on them very hard and not gotten any locking in either direction but they do seem to click in both directions. They are six 'sided' harken pulleys with a small red plastic insert on each side. And they do have a directional arrow. I am assuming they are meant to ratchet. I'll do my best to give them a good cleaning.

Thanks everyone for all the help, Duncan

Re: F18 spinnaker cleat? [Re: ] #250654
07/09/12 08:53 AM
07/09/12 08:53 AM
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 302
Daytona Beach Florida
O
orphan Offline
enthusiast
orphan  Offline
enthusiast
O

Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 302
Daytona Beach Florida
If they are harken autoratches they will have a small hole in the sheeve. You do the adjustment using an allen wrench.

Re: F18 spinnaker cleat? [Re: orphan] #250687
07/10/12 11:06 PM
07/10/12 11:06 PM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 713
WA, ID, MT
davefarmer Offline
old hand
davefarmer  Offline
old hand

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 713
WA, ID, MT
I've got double auto rachets on all my cats, and I think they really help keep the load managable in bigger winds.

Dave

Re: F18 spinnaker cleat? [Re: ] #250949
07/20/12 08:40 AM
07/20/12 08:40 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 932
Solomon's Island, MD
S
samc99us Offline
old hand
samc99us  Offline
old hand
S

Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 932
Solomon's Island, MD
In breeze up to 10 knots you should be fine if the outside blocks have the ratcheting enabled and the beam mounted blocks are disabled. Over 10 kts and you want both on, for most crews. When distance racing we run doublers to get 2:1 purchase for long spin runs-put a block on the sail and a hook on the shroud attachment point, run the sheet through the block and to the hook. Makes jibing a pain, again it is a setup for distance racing only.

Cleating a spin sheet is asking to go swimming.


Scorpion F18
Re: F18 spinnaker cleat? [Re: samc99us] #250962
07/20/12 02:54 PM
07/20/12 02:54 PM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,304
Gulf Coast relocated from Cali...
TeamChums Offline
veteran
TeamChums  Offline
veteran

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,304
Gulf Coast relocated from Cali...
Quote
Cleating a spin sheet is asking to go swimming.

Not totaly accurate. You just need to drive a little more conservatively. I've sailed SOLO all the way from Catalina Island to San Pedro Ca (Long Beach area) with my spin sheet wrapped around my windward daggerboard flying a hull the whole way. A cleat on the deck helps when the crew has to clear rudders and boards or anything else.


Lee

Keyboard sailors are always faster in all conditions.
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  Damon Linkous 

Search

Who's Online Now
0 registered members (), 696 guests, and 92 spiders.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Darryl, zorro, CraigJ, PaulEddo2, AUS180
8150 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
Forum Statistics
Forums26
Topics22,404
Posts267,055
Members8,150
Most Online2,167
Dec 19th, 2022
--Advertisement--
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1