Mainsheet system advice

Hi All,

I am working on my mainsheet system. I have the original Harken 3 blocks on the boom.

I got a good deal on a Harken 2641 40 mm triple to replace them with. A bit lower profile.

I'm thinking of using Sampson XLS in 8mm for the sheet. I think this should run reasonably well.

An eye splice at the becket would be nice if I can get it small enough.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

I use xls but 8mm is pretty small. I have 11mm. It’s lasted 3 years and still looks pretty good

I was thinking the 8mm was a good trade off to keep it fast through the blocks.

XLS in 8mm has 3300 lbs. tensile strength. We will be using gloves. Still too painful?

Thanks!

I think thats what my jib sheet is. It's not gonna cut your hand or anything. I just think most people run a size up closer 3/8

I use 8mm for both mainsheet and jib sheet. Any decent prestretched rope is fine. Just make sure the outer casing is soft, not too hard and not too tightly woven. It’s a bit of a trade off between softness on the hands and durability. My jibsheet is actually a Hobie 16 mainsheet purchased from my local dealer. The mainsheet is 8mm FSE Robline brand. It should last for years if the blocks are correct and if the system rotates freely towards you on each tack.

I use 8:1 purchase (quad block on top and triple with extra block on the bottom). I have the cleat high so it never cleats except in light wind downwind. I also have a loooong shackle under the cleat so the rope doesn’t have to bend over the saddle at all. Photos are on my boats Facebook page.

The blocks to use for 8:1 are Ronstan RF55410 (quad), RF56330B and a RF40101 off the top of the cleat.

_________________
John Forbes
Hobie 18 Reimagined
Sail # 490
Boat name: 18@heart
http://www.hobie18.fun
https://www.facebook.com/Hobie18catamaran/

I use Robline, 10 mm for the main and spin, and 8 mm for the jib.

I am sure you can use 8 mm for the main, HOWEVER, make sure that the 'jaws' of the cleating mechanism are metal, not plastic.
If plastic, they will tend to slip.

The first we sailed our SX18, I had main/jib/spin all in blue Robline...confusing....I suggest you get different colours.

_________________
2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

I am thinking that the 8mm line will be a good match to the 40mm triple I will have on the boom.

I was worried that they would be a bit on the small side, but I saw lots of mainsheet systems with one or more 40mm blocks in them, and I haven't seen any complaints.

Maybe the 57mm stuff is just overkill on the H18?

I upgraded my main block system to one that came off my buddy's Inter 20, a 7:1 system with a 57 mm triple on the boom.
It works like a dream. Good luck with yours.

_________________
2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

So - 8mm or 10mm? Some votes here for each.

10mm would certainly feel better in the hand.

I've read on other forum posts here that 'Racers use 8mm'. We aren't going to be racing, but I would like a smooth running boat.

40mm triple not an issue with 10mm line? Harken list 10mm as the max line size for this block.

Thanks again for sharing your advice.