New Sheet Hardware

[Don from Peconic Bay]

On our last sail of the season aboard Snoopy ('82 CP16) on  Great Peconic Bay, the port jib cleat and fairlead failed.  I figured this was a sign it was time to change all of the sheet hardware, jib & main.  I first installed a pair of Spinlock PXR cleats for the jib sheets. I went with 1/4" but now wish I had gone a sise bigger so I could use 5/16 jib sheets.  If my crew complains I'll change them out and use the 1/4" spinlocks somewhere else .  Next I'm looking to upgrade the mainsheet hardware.  Definitely want to go 5/16 here instead of 1/4".  I figured a Harken carbo fiddle on the boom end. Harken 29mm carbo #340 block for the starboard side. On the port side, I can't decide between a Harken Swivel Base w/ Carbo-Cam and Bullseye #241, or a Harken 205 swivel cam with a 29mm carbo block.  Has anyone installed a similar setup and can offer any pros, cons or different solutions.  Is a ratchet block at the swivel cleat worth the extra expense.
Also, While I'm in a rebuilding mode, how do I know if I need new sails.  They are old but  they've been in storage for 16 years.
That's more than enough questions for one post.  I look forward to your advise.  Thanks for any help you can give.

For Snoopy, Don S

[Finbar Beagle]

Don,

Definitely go for thicker sheets.  1/4 will hurt crew hands.  5/16 would be minimum, and I like color coding for easy ID for novice crew.

I think the ratchet is overkill in the mainsheet.  You have the cam handy, and you need to release the ratchet to easily let the sheet out, so to me know worth the extra cost.

I would recommend sping or similar to hold the blocks up.

[Finbar Beagle]

Don, I just checked.  I am using 40mm carbo on my 5/16 halyards.  You may way to go to this size for mainsheet 5/16th.

[Don from Peconic Bay]

Thanks Brian. I'll go with the 40mm and stand ups. Do you use swivel cleats for jib sheets or oem style? I was thinking of using the Harken 241 swivel cam with bullseye for jibs.
Don

[Salty19]

Sounds like you've got a good plan for the hardware.

If you're not sure about sheets, I really like the New England ropes' Salsa (single braid) for the mainsheet.  They have a few single braids that look nice.   I had West Marine splice this to the becket on my mainsheet block on the control /cam cleat end 7 years ago and it's still in great shape. 

The line is soft, lays down really nice, has the right stretch figures for a cruising mainsheet, runs through blocks easily, doesn't accidentally knot or bind easily even when twisted a little, wears well and doesn't hold onto mildew (I wash it once a year). 

The single braids are so much nicer than double braids for sheets that it's worth mentioning as there are so many different lines to choose from.

[ameysails]

we are with Finbar on the sheets 5/16 color coded
and the blocks

we changed our midship mainsheet
to a 'traveler' using a SS rod connecting the
reinforced aft stantions... so much better
on our 1989 CP 16cb