rjlavallee65
New Member
Has anyone ever installed double blocks, or even fiddle blocks on their main sheet rigging in order to reduce fatigue sailing in heavier air? Or am I asking for trouble with the integrity of the boom?
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How heavy is this air?! A decent ratcheted block like a Harken 2135 should do the job for any conditions that are sailable in a small dinghy. I don't have great upper body strength and I get on fine. If you really need to reduce fatigue, say beating for a long time, I would look to be cleating it rather than more purchase. Give your arm a break that way.
If you don't race you can. Sunfish are sailed and raced regularly in winds over with the normal setup. How high is your sail above the deck? Lower rig and Jen's setup make the boat easier to handle in bigger winds.
1) The Ronstan orbit 55 grips better than the Harken block, and much better than the Nautos, because of the notches. Some claim the notches can damage the sheet but i've not seen much effect. Its quite pricy but I recommend this block over others.
Ronstan Orbit 55 Auto/Manual Ratchet Block
2) A bigger mainsheet is easier to grip. 8mm is about the max you can go. Make sure to wash a new mainsheet because they are slick when new.
3) Use good sailing gloves. I don't have any recommendations, but you can get cheap ($8) rubber fishing gloves from Academy that are decent if you cut the fingers off. They have grip but not padding.
I think it is also better to hold the sheet more at chest height, rather than down at your side.
Finally, the stress of sailing in high winds may cause your hands to cramp up. This will go away in time.
Here's a link to my post of the block I have on my Sunfish that has a cleat built in.Yeah, cleating sounds like a quick answer.