Jib lead blocks SO 35

[jake]

The jib lead blocks on my boat are not on a pulley system, but need to be manually released from the track and adjusted. Hard to do under sail...
Are there any tips to resolving this?

Thanks!

[Charlie-Bravo]

If you are referring to the genoa track and car, as I suspect you might be, have a look at my previous thread about ‘adjustable genoa car’ and it might solve your question.

to view , log in, then tap my name, and then recent threads , it’s about the 4th one down.

CB

[bereboot]

Have a look at lewmar, harken and other manufacturers from deck hardware. You will find What you are looking for.

[jake]

Thanks, this is helpful!

[zaphod]

Jan 27, 2023 14:55:21 GMT jake said:

The jib lead blocks on my boat are not on a pulley system, but need to be manually released from the track and adjusted. Hard to do under sail...
Are there any tips to resolving this?

Thanks!

Yes, it is hard to adjust pin-stop genoa cars under load. If it isn't too windy you can take the load off by stepping on the sheet forward of the car. Failing that you either need to ease the sheet or make the adjustment on the windward side before you tack.

If you want to adjust easily on the fly you will need to upgrade to an adjustable genoa car system.

[jdl01]

Note that you will have to replace your existing genoa tracks as they cannot accommodate a bearing based genoa car required to reduce the car friction under load. Often the bolt hole alignments on the two types of track do not match, so you will have a lot more holes in your deck.

[rene460]

Hi Jake, the simple answer to your question is that there is no easy way.  If you are considering changing the track so you can install the ball bearing cars, it’s worth checking whether the mounting holes in the track you have are metric (100 mm spacing) or imperial (4” spacing) at your chandlers or email the manufacturers. Some manufacturers use one, some the other.  If you measure over say 10 holes you will soon see if the ones you are thinking of buying will match.  Definitely worth avoiding all the extra holes in the deck if at all possible.

If this all seems like too much mucking around, even with matching hole spacing, you can get the same sail trim facility by putting a second car on the bow end of your existing track.  Thread a low friction ring over the sheet, and bind this to a second sheet leading through the front car and back to a clutch near the cockpit.  The second sheet can probably be a size or two down from the main jib sheet.  Obviously you need the whole set up on each side.

Set the main car a little aft of the aft most position you want, and the second car forward of the most forward position.  Tensioning the front sheet gives the same effective change of sheet lead to the clew of the sail to adjust the sail twist.  

I have only seen it done on smaller boats, but no reason it cannot work on larger ones with appropriate block and clutch sizes.  Lets you try how much advantage you get with the trim adjustments at minimum effort and cost.  About the same effort to use.  It’s easily reversed/removed if you change your mind, and want to just remove it, or to put in the adjustable car system.

There are quite a few threads in the archives discussing adjustable car systems.  Worth browsing on winter evenings when the TV is not too interesting.

rene460

[Charlie-Bravo]

My non bearing pin lock cars with added 4:1 pulley arrangement does actually work, not as free running as bearing cars of course, and my cars did move nicely it is also a budget friendly option. I did seriously consider the low friction ring arrangement but figured that to be able to pull the sheet down to a reefed position I would either need to add a purchase arrangement of some sort , probably pulleys, or relax the sheet to ease the strain, plus having a ring rattling around on the lazy sheet dinging the gel coat needed avoiding, so went with pulley towed cars.
The compromise is that if I find myself with the genny well furled , and the blow has reduced to a slight breeze, there isn’t always enough power in the sail and sheets to encourage the cars to move aft by themselves, others did mention to me during my design that either shock cord or another rope to pull them aft would be required , and they were not wrong, however the boat hook works in these infrequent times, basic but easy.

My aim was to avoid leaving the cockpit to reef and set the genny, and not spend thousands , which I have achieved, but if your budget stretches to bearing cars and track it would be a great improvement to your boat, and if not, the budget option is still better than non adjustable pin stop cars.

CB

[MartyB]

Harken is the only manufacture with line control Genoa/jib cars and roller bearings. If you have Harken tracks, you can buy just the carr, and forward end pulley. About $900-1200 for these three items. Carr's sold ea, front pulleys sold as a set.

But, Harken does have a newer style track that works better with the bearing carrs. A track will run you $75-150 ea depending upon the length you choose. You may want it to go forward a bit more, this is better when reefed down, or with a 110.
Prices are US dollars, yes a range depending upon favorite place to shop, potential shipping. I've been looking at replacing non bearing Schafer setup with bearing cars.

Marty

[whitebird3800]

    We have a SO 35 and i installed garhauer sliding blocks and adjusting pulleys a few years ago.  They work perfect.