UPDATE - Suggestions for replacing the cleat for main sheet?

[Cevin c Taylor]

This past week I did a good amount of sailing in my '83 16 at Burt Lake, Michigan's third largest inland lake.  My friend also had his 16' Hobie Cat there.  One thing I noticed again was how bad my main sheet cleat appears to be designed.  I found this pic from another thread.  It shows the type of cleat I have on the left side.  I imagine this is the original from the factory.  I have a 5/16" main sheet.  If I put it in the cleat, I have to actually play it out by hand to let the sail out.  While sailing on my buddy's Hobie, I noted that he can cleat and uncleat his main with little more than a flick of the wrist, the cleat swivels around, etc.  


This got me thinking of how to get a better setup.  It seems that this cleat should swivel, and be easier to cleat and uncleat.  One my current setup, one of the jaws does not close, so I assume that an internal spring has gone bad or something.  So, I'm going to have to repair or replace it anyway.  The setup in the pic above looks great, but it's a bit pricey, as far as I can tell.  Also, I'm not sure what the pulley does, other than line up the sheet.  I found the Ronstan swivel cleat pictured below for about $65.00.  Does anyone use one like that?  Anyone see any problems with it?  Any other suggestions?  
Thanks!

[Salty19]

the bullseye cleat you've shown is not optimal, it will feed slowly with the sheet bending around the bulleyes.  That part would be useful for a genoa track, except of course it can't be mounted on a track!  I used that exact part for a halyard cleat, but if doing again I would have just used a fixed non swiveling cleat.

I suggest geting a Rontan standup pivoting setup like the pic shows.

Here's one on my old 16 that I installed.
Worked well and very similar to factory installed setup on our 19.

[Cevin c Taylor]

Wow - nice looking setup - and rails!  Thanks for the reply.  I'm in the research stage right now, so still searching and pricing things.   

[gabi]

http://cpyoa.geekworkshosting.com/forum/index.php?topic=5337.0

[Cevin c Taylor]

I did search before posting - honest!  I don't know how I missed that thread.  Thanks - all this is helpful.
Gabi - do you have the part # for the lower block?

[skip1930]

Why are there two jam cleats? One on the cockpit combing and one with the pulley?

skip.

[Salty19]

Just didn't want to remove it and leave holes. The new cleat with block was too large to fit where the original cleat sat.

[gabi]

sure, its  92013

[Cevin c Taylor]

Gabi - thanks.  I have one on order now.

[Pamelina]

Hey Wolverine, have you received your Nautos mainsheet block yet? I'd like to know how it works for you. I had the same problem with my main when I was out on the lake Sunday. Just getting used to my new old boat so discover something to attend to every time I go out!

Island Time, I'm also looking at the one you suggested from Ronstan. Do you know the part #?

Thanks!

[Pamelina]

Another question for you fine folks. What mm sizes do I need in blocks for the CP16? I see the Nautos 92013 is 57mm and the Harken fiddle block is 40mm, so I'm confused. I'm referring to the parts in Gabbi's link. Thanks.

[Cevin c Taylor]

I did get my parts from Nautos, and I have installed them.  However, I have not yet had a chance to sail with them (unfortunately).  I will post some pics of the setup soon.

[Salty19]

Island Time, I'm also looking at the one you suggested from Ronstan. Do you know the part #?

I have no idea, that was a project from several years ago. Sorry.

[Pamelina]

Hi All, I finally got the photo thing figured out so I'm gonna post photos of my mainsheet configuration. I really don't understand why it jams up. All three parts seem to swivel fine. Before I start replacing things I'd like all you experienced sailors to suggest what would work better or how I can improve what I have.

The mainsheet starts tied to an eye fitting on the port side.

Then up to the double block on the boom:



then down to this swivel block



Back up to the double block and down to this:



When I let the sheet out during a gust, it seems to re-cleat its self, which is not good. Could the cam cleat be upside down?

Anyway, I look forward to your suggestions to this delimma!

[Cevin c Taylor]

Well, I installed my new main sheet setup.  I don't have pics, but it's the same as the one on this thread: 
http://cpyoa.geekworkshosting.com/forum/index.php?topic=5337.0
I e-mailed the link to the guys at Nautos, and they gave me a list of the parts in the picture, which I then ordered.
I got in quite a bit of sailing over Labor Day - over 20 miles (a lot for me).  About 13 of that was in wind up to about 15 mph or so, and the last 7-8 was in winds of over 20 mph - with much stronger gusts.  In general I was very pleased with the setup.  However, I found that with the arm with the cleat on it facing downward (I mean the little "U" shaped thing on top of the cleat facing downward, as in the top pic), given the angle that I was pulling at, the "default" position of the sheet was cleated, and it was difficult to uncleat.  In fact, I had to reach over with my toe and push the sheet downward and out of the cleat so that it could ride in the "U" shaped bracket.  That was OK while barefoot, but in colder conditions it would be a problem.  On the windier day, I was so concerned about being able to uncleat in time for a gust, that I pulled the sheet out of the cleat and block altogether and sailed with it in my hand.  The sail was short enough that my office worker hands were OK, but on a longer sail, I could see that this would be a problem.  I would like to have it set up so that it could ride in the "U" easily, and cleated when I want, and then earily uncleated.  This coming weekend I want to play around with adjusting the position of the arm with the cleat, to see if I can bet a better angle.  I messed around with the other evening, and the arm position can be changed, but I can't flip it around entirely.  Overall, it is a big improvement, and with some tweaking, I think I can get it much better.