relocating mainsheet in cockpit SO 32

[lateron]

Hi.....over winter I relocated my mainsheet to a newly made stainless steel plate in the cockpit of my[ tiller steered] SO 32. The plate takes the place of the rather ugly [ and unused] cockpit table mounting and is backed up by an identical plate underneath the cockpit. A 6:1 blocksystem provides the power.
I had the plates specially made in 5mm stainless, the top one has 3 different hoops for either changing the position of the mainsheet or they can be used as harness points.
So far, in ths very windy month I've found the boat is less likely to round up even in 20k+ of wind, and feels more balanced, even the tiller pilot is able to steer the boat better and for longer without intervention. I think perhaps that moving the attachment of the mainsheet to almost the end of the boom has resulted in a better sailshape. I certainly now have the instant control I wanted and as long as you are aware of the sheet everything falls to hand for tacking and depowering/tightening.
Not as sophisticated as a traveller but works for me and the wife and can be unclipped out of the way when not sailing. total cost £250 including triple swivel blocks and rope.
I have some piccies but can't seem to get them on the board.......... help! I also meant to post this on general topics but there you go. Old age!!

[tedp]

That seems to be an interesting and inexpensive modification. Replacing the cockpit table mounting with a sheet anchor plate! It may well be you have better sail shape as the boom won't sag when you haul the sheet tight. Having the sheet to hand will give you better control as well. If you can post some photos? Perhaps the size should be reduced to manageable proportions before the forum software accepts a photo.

Yesterday, after a fortnight of troubles with my tiller pilot, I had my first sail, in a 10 knot wind, with my newly installed traveller rail. I will report on that in the other thread.
jeanneau.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=eq&thread=2046&page=1

[MalcolmP]

May 1, 2012 8:12:38 GMT lateron said:

.........
I have some piccies but can't seem to get them on the board.......... help! I also meant to post this on general topics but there you go. Old age!!

I have shifted the thread to general (but it would have been fine under performance).
- regarding photo's have a look at:

jeanneau.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=terms&action=display&thread=631

You can always email me if you still have problems

Malcolm
[e-mail]

[lateron]

Trying to upload pictures of mainsheet relocation

Ron

[lateron]

More pics Ron

[lateron]

And another sailing down the Orwell on a grotty day.
Ball bearing Barton blocks are really free running.
Ron

[lateron]

I had another pic of the missus [can't download it yet] showing how the sheet is not in the way most of the time but obviously you need to be aware if gybing.
Your traveller looks great Ted.
Ron

[tedp]

Thanks, Ron.

Your new sheet arrangement certainly looks neat. Glad it works all right, and having the sheet under close reach is another way of improving control. This type of boat can sail so much better than with the old sheet arrangement. Can't imagine what they have been thinking of when they designed it like it was.

Obviously you're happy to sail without a traveller, but if you'd still want one, fitting one on the floor would be easy, using one loop of the anchor plate to fix it down.

[davideso37]

Ron,

I like your stainless steel plate with the three eyes. I have a single eye for my cockpit centre sheeting mainsheet on our SO37 and I am now looking for a couple of anchor points for harnesses.
I need at least one harness point to clip onto from inside the cabin before coming into the cockpit. Is that an anchor point in the top of your first photo?
Regards
David

[lateron]

Hi David .........yes I put 2 anchor points through the cockpit moulding as it forms the hatch. On the 32 there is a space between that and the surround to the engine access and I could just drill holes and back with plates. They are very useful and strong. You can also see my AIS chartplotter which I mounted on the coachroof bulkhead and which is great to have there as opposed to just the one by the chart table. Course if you've got a wheel it's probably already at the helmstation. But with a tiller no such luck.
Had another good test of the boat yesterday on a 30 mile sail in force 5[occ 6 gusts] and still happy that the boat just feels more at ease,more predictable and less rounding.
I'll see how things go with the plate Ted but who knows I may later consider a traveller for that final element of control.
All the best Ron ..will it ever stop raining?