Thanks a lot David. We have no pushpit so the sheets will finish on the deck. The helmsman's hat may need a lanyard ;)

Thanks David! Even if we are very part-time sailors compared to your far and wide voyages with TYSTIE, it would be worth fitting something that will stay spherical. The stainless ("HD") bearing blocks from Selden are not all that much £more. Their roller bearings (must be super-HD I think) are Torlon, and they are pricey. I think 4 or 5 times the price of the HD blocks!

Did you have three separate single blocks at deck level on TYSTIE? I am going to try to contrive a block arrangement such that the blocks are somewhat horizontal and with sheaves forward to try to stop them from doing what the lower block always did with the gaff rig in all but the most careful jybe - get into a fankle.

Thanks again.

Arne, I'd be interested to try the 3:1 halyard saving a wee bit of space and rope, but also friction and cost of blocks.  I'd still use the bag though!

Selden v Garhauer blocks: The Selden BBB60, Heavy Duty (HD has s/s balls and races as you know) single block with 2 3/8" (60mm) sheave is about £45 here. I did notice that the Delrin balls are described as Asmat says, and therefore not really suitable for the static load of the halyard. I'd probably use the cheaper Delrin ones on the sheets..  The price of the Garhauer blocks, adding an estimated shipping, VAT at 20% and Import Duty of 2.5% makes them about 15% more than the Selden blocks. The Selden are easily available here.  Garhauer need a UK agent! 

Thanks again.

I am not sure I buy the argument for having 3:1 halyard to save a lot a rope in the cockpit. On all my boats since Johanna, I have stuffed the halyard in a bag right after hoisting. This both keeps it out of the way, and ensures snag-free, fast dropping of the sail. The tail of the relatively shorter 3:1 sheet thus lives alone on the cockpit floor.

However, the friction factor is something to consider so I may well reduce the purchase of Ingeborg’s halyard, first to 4:1 and then, maybe to 3:1, and see what I prefer. The first step can be done quickly without going up the mast.

Arne

POL BERGIUS wrote:

It is interesting that you managed with a 3:1 halyard (and heaps less rope to deal with) on Tystie David.

I also use David's style of 3 to 1 halyard. I can pull my 450 SqFt main about up to about the last panel, then must take a short breather or use a winch. I like the set up as it reduces the amount of line in the cockpit quite considerably.