Mast Rake with stock Seaway blocks

I would like to increase my boats weather helm. If I shorten
my shroud lines 6" will the stock Seaway blocks still clear.

Why? Are your arms too short? Seriously, if you have any weather helm now, why would you want to increase it? It just makes the boat miserable to sail.


Six inches is a lot. It's not a matter of your Seaway blocks being "clear", you'll just won't be able to sheet in enough to make the boat go upwind at all. Assuming that you have an older boat, you'll have mast step / base issues and may not even be able to step the mast.

The "old" shrouds on 16s measured 19' 1" from "pin to pin" - the inside apex of the thimble
Post 1995 shrouds measured 18' 11"
New shrouds measure 18' 10 1/4"

For sure if you cut off 6", you're going to mess up your boat.

At this time I have a nutral helm. I sail alone and would like the boat to turn into irons if I fall off. Yes, I have a older boat a 79 H16.

If you want to rake the mast and point better and are worried about getting the blocks to work correctly and support the changes you are making, there is a way you can convert seaway blocks to a low profile set of blocks. See the following:

http://www.thebeachcats.com/OnTheWire/www.catsail.com/archives/v2-i8/tip57.htm

Alternatively, you can purchase a low profile set of 6:1 blocks.

If you have too much weather helm, you can then adjust the rudders so that they are cocked slightly underneath the boat. However, in a 70 boat, more than likely you will have to redrill them as I would imagine with the age of your boat you don't have an rudder rake adjustment.

Good Luck!

_________________
2001 H16E (European Boat) Sail #108348 Cabo
Club Wave
1991 H14T (Crushed by a Tornado)
2006 Bravo (sold)
1986 Hobie 16 (sold)
1981 Hobe 16 (sold)
1980 Hobie 14 (sold)

The point I'm making is that very small adjustments can have a significant effect on the way the boat handles.

Try sailing it with not as much jib halyard tension - rig the boat as you normally do, then mark the jib halyard block's location on the mast with a pencil. (I'm assuming you have the stock wire halyard.) Now loosen the halyard so the block moves up about 3/4" and go sailing. See what that does.