Minimum mainsheet length

I just bought a 7:1 low profile carbo block. Anyone know what the minimum length mainsheet I can get away with? I seem to get tangled up a lot in my sheet rope during a tack. I think the recommended length is around 48". I'm thinking I should be able to get away with less than that but I don't want to find out while hiking out that I f'd up and cut it too short. Any rules of thumb here?

48 inches would be waaaay to short.

For a 6:1, 44' is recommended and I know people usually cut off a few feet, therefore 46' to 48' sounds like it might be right. The problem with using more purchase is that you need more line, hence your problem with having a bunch of line on deck. A 6:1 with the 40mm triple upper is optimal for the Hobie 16 since the lack of a becket will allow you to sheet in more with your mast raked.



Hope that helps.

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As always....go by what I mean, not what I say. Guess I can start with 48' and work my way down. Never even thought to consider a 40mm block though. I kinda thought 57mm was the standard so that's what I got. Hey, whats a few millimeters amongst friends?

Don't feel bad Sunvista, I've bought enough mistakes for my boat that I could use them to build a whole other boat.

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Happy Sailing,

David