Sailing Boat Ropes Question...

ozmo

Was asked to ask you guys from someone who bought a sailing boat that had been left up a long while -
Currently he is trying to put it all together and, almost complete - but we are stuck with the exact configuration of this part of the rigging.

Would anyone know how these ropes and pulleys are to be correctly set up?
Which way up and what way the ropes run through it etc.

boatpulleys.jpg



His boat is a Caprice
(not the b&w picture of the boat attached - thats just an indication of the closest we can get to how its setup right now)


thanks...
ps. sorry for not using all the correct terminology...I was told all the correct terms and forgot them.

bjroche

Is it a line from the mast to the pulleys?

Pigeon Reaper

That looks like a mainsheet. It looks like a 4:1 system but without a closer look I can't be sure. The large pully with the cleat is fixed to a traveller or strong point near the centre line of the boat within reach of the helm. Then the rope would travel trough the large pullet up to a pully made off at the boom and back down to the second smaller block by the cleat before being passed through a smaller block at the boom and finally travelling down to be made off to the bottom block. There are a couple of other methods for rigging a mainsheet depending on the boat but someone with experience should be able to guide you on how to rig it. The link has a selection of different setups which might help you.

http://l-36.com/mainsheet_systems.php

If you don't know what a mainsheet is you might need to get lessons as it's a vital sail control for bermudan rigs. The type in your photo are quite old and might need replacing if the pulleys in the blocks don't move freely. They're probably the original ones that came with the boat.

Tabnabs

Your mate has bought one of the real classics of yachting history. The Caprice was made famous in the book Shrimpy by Shane Acton
http://members.multimania.co.uk/marybonney/PDFs/Shrimpy.pdf

I'd agree with Pigeon Reaper and say it's probably the traveller. It will probably take a few goes to get it rigged correctly, another page to look over for tips is here

http://www.glen-l.com/free-book/rigging-small-sailboats-5.html

Best of luck to your mate and get him to sign up and ask questions himself!

ozmo

Those pages look great guys - thanks -

Will try out a few of those with the boat over the weekend and let you know how we get on.... cheers.

hytrogen

I had a Mac Gregor 25 with the same block & tackle setup for main sheet.
You will need to secure the eye of the block with the cleat to the deck on one side of the transom (in the picture this is where the key ring is attached).
Next is the double block we see in the middle, this attaches to the clew (end) of the boom.
Finally the other block (single pulley block) attaches to the other side of the transom. To make the sheet fast (secured tail end), I'd recommend using a bowline knot back onto the block with the cleat. There should be a small pin running across the top of the block where your hand is in one of the pictures.
This is a really nice setup for cruisers as it restricts you from hardening up the main so much as to over power the boat and create an uncomfortable lee for the novice sailor, unlike what you find on racer yachts where they sheet up track the mains to pinch and point higher when beating. It's also nicer on the wear & tear of the deck as it reduces the load and stress created from having a single securing point to two, however that said, you could also be out of a transom-rail if there is too much strain and the decking material isn't up to scratch.
Fair winds!

ozmo

>The type in your photo are quite old and might need replacing if the pulleys in the blocks don't move freely.

yes - ropes and pulleys seem original alright, but they do seem to be in very good condition - ropes cleaned up real nice and pulleys move freely... we did have to replace some rigging bits like the mast knees, most of the mast rivets and the turnbuckles - trying now to get it all sorted before any attempt at putting in water....

hytrogen wrote: »

I had a Mac Gregor 25 with the same block & tackle setup for main sheet.

thanks - out today at the boat trying various things-

There is no fixed traveller bar or central fix point, but yes there are 2 port & starboard eye bolts.
So, thanks hytrogen - your setup does seem to be the best match:

We think we have the pulleys etc now in the correct place - but we are not so sure about the ropes - can you guys have a look and see it we are close?








Thanks

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hytrogen

Wow, she looks a beaut, well done lads. Yeah the rigging looks in order. Whats the sheets' diameter? 14 - 16mm?? & is it natural fibre?

Pigeon Reaper

The setup looks correct. good luck with the launch but choose your weather window carefully. Most boats are being lifted in at this time of year.