Using Micro blocks to protect rail rugs . . .

Hello All,

I've installed a nice set of rail rugs on the side bars of my H16. The only thing is, I've noticed that the shock cords sliding across the bottom of them are beginning to cause them unnecessary wear (boat is set up with double traps).

At a H16 clinic this weekend, I saw a Hobie with micro blocks attached to the shroud adjuster and to the lip of the hull keeping the shock cords off of the side rail. My question is, are these micro block going to restrict the movement of the shock cords making trapezing aft a difficult task? I just want to make sure that my efforts to correct one problem aren't going to create another. Has anyone had any experiences in this area. All comments welcome.

Happy Sailing

David

I have never seen a block on the hull for the trap cord.....you didn't get a picture by any chance did you? maybe adding a Hobie trap stay would help with the wear...

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I've never seen that done either and I've been racing 16's for over 30 years. My philosophy has always been to keep things simple - fewer things to break / go wrong.

If you're worried about wear on the sidebar carpet, why don't you use elastomer stretch cord:



It's got a smooth surface that won't "saw" like regular bungee cord.

Available from Annapolis Performance Sailing - www.apsltd.com

Thanx for the input guys. Until the clinic, I had never seen that either. Several of the boats had this configuration. I think I saw something in the Hobie catalogue (trapeeze rig nreturn system) that I might integrate with the micro block idea. I'm with you, MBounds. I like simple! This idea I have might be more complicated to set up initially but I think it might make rigging and sailing a lot easier for me since I do it solo. I love peace-of-mind on the water. Will post pictures when I finish. I think I'm going to spend some of this down-time getting some of the nicks and scratches out of the hulls. Being in the water, where do these things come from?

Happy Sailing . . . .

Hey Guys,

I stand to be corrected. The purpose for the micro block on the hull was to run a longer shock cord under the tramp (running through an "O" ring connected aft on the tramp lacings, allowing the skipper to go further aft on the wire without being pulled forward by the shock cord. The fact that the shock cord didn't touch the bottom of the side bar was purely coincidental. I'm still going to integrate this setup with the one in the Hobie catalogue and will post photos.

Happy Sailing

Completed the task of the trap-return system while doing other things. Haven't had a chance to test it yet but can't wait to see how it works. It seems to allow the bungees (the crew and skippers) to go back pretty far without too much resistance. I did want to keep a little resistance just to keep something to lean against.



I hope the photo tells the story. Will include another when I get the boat rigged.

Happy Sailing,

David

This is the photo I promissed. In my investigation, I discovered that my newfound configuration for a trap return system wasn't so unique after all. Some of the larger Cats use this system only you can't see it because the tramp is not elevated. They may not use mini-blocks but the configuration is still the same.



It provides another level of freedom.

Happy Sailing,

David

Hi,

I am new from Melbourne, Australia and facing problem in installing rugs, Need help!

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Rugs https://www.clicknbuyaustralia.com/rugs/ Australia.