Lets try that again = (
Excellent winds today - the kind that I ALWAYS flip the boat in, but today! NOPE - and I think my new mods are part of the reason. At first they looked funny on the boat because they're a bit larger. Now that I'm use to them, they look great and when I see the original setup on my other older boat - they'll prolly look weird (cheezy) we'll see. I let me son in law use the older one so we can race.
Each crossing of the lake today had me on edge where I usually could flip - some really strong gusts at times that were even a bit freightful. (my definition of hobie cat sailing is moments of boredom nestled between minutes of SHEER TERROR! ) = ) Hobie - let me know if you want to use that. = )
Anyway - NORMALLY with the old setup I'd be reef down so tight that when I started to flip- I'd try and release the main sheet and either couldn't do it on time or just ran into problems. Other times when I did release it before flipping - the raised hull would SLAM hard into the water and if anyone was out on the trap - I'd dunk em - knock them off or find them pissed and dragging behind the boat. = ) (once that tipped me over)
So anyway - the difference... when I felt the winds build or a gust - I'd release the cleat and due to less tension - 1. the hull didn't SLAM down and 2 I could hold the sheet and make subtle adjustments in and out without my arms turning white and shaking.
I mean sailing shouldn't be like tug a war with a horse right? I do like the excersize I get - and I totally find cat sailing a SPORT and not a "hobby or boat ride" since I've gotten into it this summer. It is work and takes fast thinking and lots of muscles that we otherwise probably never use. At 52 - leaning back out over the water at aft tramp - is a fun way to get some crunches in. Anyway it was a total joy to use today... I'm so thrilled, at first I was really leery - I also had large 2" quick releases on the old blocks so I could swap booms/sails easily or bring mine in easily. Though I rarely used them and just cover the tramp and sail for the night to keep UV off. I wanted to keep the quick releases on - but I feared that I'm loosing around 2" of extra down haul back there. Always I'm wondering the difference. Anyone want to measure the stock block? How much distance between boom and aft track? I may measure my old boat and the new setup to compare for curiousity. It's really nice to release the cleat from maximum down haul back there and not have it pop! At first I wondered if it was a dumb move, but after today - I'm thrilled. It performed so well.... and I didn't flip the boat today. I think uncleating the main as the winds pick up and holding it for slight in and out adjustments is the way to go and much better than my old 16 stock setup which had to be cleated because my arms would start shaking from holding it.
Which reminds me- anyone else out there use their feet as extra hands? I find I use my aft foot just on top of the main sheet where it comes out of the cleat of the lower block. This way if I need to release the cleat - or if it accidentially catches - and I'm about to tip - my foot can help release the main sheet from the cleat. I kept using my foot today and thought I'd ask if this is common practice.
Anyway I recommend this mod. Oh - someone asked (and I answer in my old post that didn't save) - this is a HARKEN 6:1 Looks like the 16's 6:1 except it's not the low profile design of the 16. IT's also a little bigger (each pulley is a little larger). This is 6:1 but I let my aft boom (Stock) pulley on as well - and I use that to pull the line back away from the blocks before it enters the main block wheel and cleat. This way NONE of the line touches other line, no friction. So I think this gives me 7:1 ? I presume.
I'll shoot pics later this week - I don't have any of my camera's home this weekend.