Mainsheet Question

[Seadub]

Ahoy Legacy sailors! I'm learning to sail a 1987 C16 Mk II purchased from an old salt who made some interesting mods, including the installation of a beefy stern pulpit, to which he attached the mainsheet block, by way of a beefy bronze shackle that slides along the center of the pulpit rail between the two upright supports - a distance of about 20". A traveler of sorts. I've looked at the design of the Legacy and it appears that the setup is very similar. The sheet leads to Ronstan swivel block/cam cleat at the base of the mast, then to the cockpit.

My question is, does the Legacy/Eclipse setup allow you to lock the mainsheet into position along the rail? The shackle slides to leeward in any kind of breeze, and locking it windward of center isn't an option. So, I'm thinking about mounting a pair of clam cleats on the top rail to either side of the center pulpit rail. Attach lines to the boom end block, run 'em through the cleats and the shackle would stay put.

Just wondering if this is an issue on the Legacy/Eclipse, and interested in solutions, if so. Advice appreciated. Will pay in beer if you're ever in the Columbia. SC neck o' the woods.

Clint

[Mike K]

Hi Clint,

On my Legacy, there's no device that holds the mainsheet from sliding to leeward when tacking.  I've sailed on someone elses Eclipse, and I think he had a small traveler adjustment, but I think his mainsheet setup was non standard anyway, so I doubt it's representative of them all.

Sometimes when I'm trying to get close to the wind in mild conditions, I often pull the slider to the center or windward with my hand.  It helps a bit, but I can only do this for a couple minutes at a time.  Rather than getting upset I try to remember that the Legacy was made to be an inexpensive boat, hence the lack of a true traveler, and true foils on the rudder and centerboard, etc.

I've thought about trying to rig some kind of slider clamp, as some others here have thought about, but just haven't gotten around to engineering it.  I just try to enjoy the sail.

[Seadub]

Mike, thanks for the information - makes sense.  Enjoying the sail is what it's all about!

[alsantini]

On the Eclipse there are two cleats with line running up to the traveler block.  The block slides on top of the boom gallows.  The cleats are located at about shoulder height along the inside edge of the boom gallows sides.  You can move the traveler about 18 inches to either side of center and lock it in place, starboard side..  On a stock Eclipse the main sheet runs along the bottom of the boom to the mast and then over to a block at the top of the cabin roof.  It works but the cleats are sometimes hit with the shoulder and that releases the traveler to slide.   I can take some pics of the set up if you wish?  Al

[Seadub]

Thanks for the Eclipse description. I've looked at the traveler/boom/gallows line drawing on the Eclipse brochure and my setup would look almost identical in a similar drawing.

I do have 2 questions about the Eclipse setup:

1. Which cleat style is used?

2. How does the block attach to the gallows rail?

Clint

[CayugaSailor]

Wondering the same thing. Anybody know? Any suggestions on how to rig on a Legacy?

[slode]

Just saw this post, and that no one had responded.

On the Eclipse there is a plastic piece for the traveler that slides along the top rail with a block on each side. A line runs from an eye welded at the top corner of each end of the gallows, through the block at the respective side of the traveler, and back to a spinlock cleat at each side.   You can position the traveler and lock it in place in any position.   The cleats are mounted to a small plate welded to the side of the gallows.  Sorry for the poor picture, but you can see the starboard block behind the sheet line in the pic.  Don't pay particular attention to the mainsheet rigging in the pic.  That's just how it was rigged from the PO. 

[CayugaSailor]

Thanks for the pic and description.

I should be able to rig something.

Smooth sailing!