Hobiewonkenobi wrote:
Catfan69 wrote:
Question on conversion triple for top block...
With 3 blocks bolted into a triple, would it be ok to hang from center block only, or would I need a triple bracket to spread load?
The through bolts will spread the load
I was also wondering how the single central clevis pin would hold up to the load, since usually a double or triple block has a stainless "U" bracket which connects the two or three clevis pins, then a d-ring is used to make the connection from the boom tang to the upper/central hole in the "U" bracket. This bracket divides the load into the two/three clevis pins from all blocks instead of directing all of it though the single clevis pin if not using a bracket. The plastic on the pulley isn't that thick where the clevis pin goes through, and it is taking 100% of the pulley load at that point. I was scared that this would be the point of failure, but I see pictures of other seaway conversions, and they have used the single pin without reinforcement, and have yet to read that one has failed.
I'm happy to say that I installed mine yesterday and took the boat out to test them in 16-20mph wind with some pretty wild gusts, and they held up fine. Much easier on the hands & arm compared to the 5:1, and I didn't even have to use the ratchet. Very hard to release the line through the gusts though with the original 1/2" line which is currently installed, the gusts nearly got me a few times. I ordered some salsa 8mm line, should be here today, should spin through the blocks much easier.
I was also able to take the shrouds down from the 2nd hole from the top, all the way down to the 2nd hole from the bottom of the 7-hole shroud adjuster plate, and was just about block to block sheeted in hard. (I have the newer shroud lengths). I can't say that I noticed an improvement in pointing, but it did tame the boat down a bit, and the bow isn't trying to pitchpole the boat anymore. Before I'd have to keep my weight near the back of the boat on a reach, now I'm much more centered, without really needing to move around much.
I did notice a counter-rotated mast a few times, but that may have been because of my jib tension being too high. The triple block is connected to the forward tang on the boom. I would assume moving it to the aft tang would make the counter-rotation worse.