Setting up the main sheet...

[JMAC]

I've been leading a community restoration of a 23' AR True Rocket centerboard sloop from the 50's. It's been really coming along well. My question of the day is this- How do I run the main sheet? The boom is about 14' long and has two blocks out on the end. There is a block on either side of the boomkin. I can imagine that the line goes through all these, with one end tailing into the cockpit, but what happens to the other end? My old Rhodes 18 is kind of similar and the sheet ends by going through the end of the boom with a stopper knot.

[donald branscom]

I've been leading a community restoration of a 23' AR True Rocket centerboard sloop from the 50's. It's been really coming along well. My question of the day is this- How do I run the main sheet? The boom is about 14' long and has two blocks out on the end. There is a block on either side of the boomkin. I can imagine that the line goes through all these, with one end tailing into the cockpit, but what happens to the other end? My old Rhodes 18 is kind of similar and the sheet ends by going through the end of the boom with a stopper knot.

There are many different ways you can do it.
It is your choice.
I like the HARKEN catalogue because they show different diagrams of how you can set up your boat.

When you say two blocks out on the end do you mean in line with each other, with a space inbetween or on a boom bail or what?

[rbgarr]

Are there also two cleat on each side of the aft end of the cockpit and signs of a single (usually swiveling base) pulley on centerline aft, on a traveler or perhaps even on the boomkin? I so, it's a double ended mainsheet arrangement that can be trimmed from either side of the boat to the cleats.

If that fitting is missing and you want to rig that way, I'll remove the now extra swiveling pulley you see on my deck just aft of the boom crutch (superfluous since I added a traveller) and send it to you if you have a place for it and will use it.

http://i13.tinypic.com/4xxkair.jpg

[JMAC]

RB, your boat's a beauty. I'll go stick my head under the deck aft and look for holes. There wasn't a traveler when I got the boat, but it was a project boat at that point. Does the sheet arrangement work well for you?

[Ian McColgin]

I'm with rbgarr that this boat calls out for a double ended sheet, nice traditional blocks, nothing too haarkeney.

Locate the cleats a bit ahead of the helm's seat, a bit behind normal crew seat, so you can sail solo or crewed. While it's nice to have the sheet handy when hiking to weather, it's also nice to steer from the lee side and have the leeward sheet end at hand so that you can adjust the leach tension.

[JMAC]

RB, do you know how long your main sheet is? I think that swivel block of yours could get mounted on the aft deck behind the outboard motor well. Let me check again to see if that would work out. I've got nice old Wilcox Crittendon bronze blocks all around. We just got a coat of Kirby's semi-gloss white on the topsides last night. Shooting for a launch next weekend.

[JMAC]

I did poke my head under the aft deck and there are two 1/4" holes about 1 1/2" apart centered on the deck. This could be where a swivel block went. The guy I got the boat from had taken off most of the hardware. I'd say I have almost everything to get her going again, but I'll take the swivel block if you're offering. We're hoping to splash next weekend.

[rbgarr]

Love the double ended arrangement. Longer mainsheet at 65-70 feet on a 14 foot boom, but the advantage is it doesn't interfere with the cockpit seating when running. Something to consider.

Check this out: http://tinyurl.com/39xw9y

If you don't want or win that I'll send mine along. E-mail your reply/ address?

[JMAC]

So, I realized today that a deck mounted swivel block on the center won't work as I have a rudder hanging off the transom and the tiller needs that space. Could a rope traveler with a block work? THis arrangement would still have a double ended sheet.