mainsheet...

am i correct in assuming that i only need approximately 2/3 the length of sheet if i'm using a 4:1 system? i'm guessing the 44' length that has been recommended on this forum is for a 6:1 system. please correct me if i'm wrong.

You have a 5:1 system.

But your assumption is still a bit off. There's an additional length of line at the end of the mainsheet to accomodate the traveller. That length does not change. And it's probably about 8'.

I wanna say that 40' is what you need, since the 4:1 H-14 mainsheet system calls for 36'.

Brian C.

that sounds right. i forgot i found the rathcet block and i was still thinking i was only using four blocks. thanks for the heads up; i'll buy 40' of line.

You just may want to go ahead and get 44 feet so you wont have to buy sheet all over again when you upgrade to the 6:1 blocks. That is, unless you intend on "splicing" the other 4 feet on which isn't enough to go all the way through your travler system. When in doubt, always get more. I wish I had a nickle for every dollar I've tried to save on my boat by buying only what I thought needed right then.

Happy Sailing . . . .

P.S. I've learned a lot from your threads on various post, Dog. Keep up the good work.

I was also thinking that you would want to upgrade to a 6:1 mainsheet system. It makes it a lot easier to work the main, and I also think that it helps get the mast raked back on older boats. I don't know if your interested, or have the bread to throw down on a 6:1, I know you just got your boat. But, there is a guy on e-bay sailing a 6:1 system made by sail speed for under 100 bucks. They are listed as brand new. From what I can tell from the Hobie catalouge, the Harken blocks would run you just over 250.
Check it out
upper block
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sail-Speed-Triple-B ... dZViewItem

lower block
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sail-Speed-Triple-R ... dZViewItem

Maybe someone on hear could comment about the sail speed products, I've never used them.
James

whether or not i would get them if i had the bread, i just don't have it. thanks for the collective heads up, though, guys. good sailing.

Hey Cyrano,

I can relate. When you first start sailing, you spend as little money as necessary, even if you have it. I didn't upgrade to 6:1 blocks until a year after I started sailing. Then I was depressed for a week after the purchase (seriously). There's a lot I could've done with that money. Plus, along with the blocks, I had to buy buy sheet (the sheet I had bought the year before for the 5:1 was too short). I moped around for the rest of the week until I got on the water that weekend. Then, WOW!!! No more regrets. The Hobie dealer recommended that I get 44 feet when I bought the sheet for my original blocks but I was trying to save 4 dollars. Keep us posted on how you're doin.

Happy Sailing

This is my last year of school. i should be able to do quite a bit of upgrading once i start a real job, but for now i'd really just like to get out on the water when there's no surf. For the time being, i'll just pull harder on the rope. That way, when i can afford to upgrade, i'll appreciate it all the much more.

I hear ya man. I'm in your exact position, last year of school. I got pretty lucky when I bought my boat and it came with the 6:1, granted after about a year of sailing I had to do some delam repair. I already have a pretty extinsive list of upgrades I'd like to get, like replacing my almost decades old tramp. But everything works great for now. Have fun with the boat.