[Public-List] Genoa Sheet Blocks

[crufone at comcast.net]

Hi Gord, 



I assume that the reason Jeffs Genoa sheets were piling up on the lower part of the winch was because the Genoa turning blocks were too low on the gunwale.  By providing a turning block which was positioned higher on the gunwale as on a pedestal or a lanyard attached to the moveable car this would provide a more perpenduicular entrance to the winch for the sheet and perhaps reduce the piling up effect. One could still adjust to any sheet angle needed to properly trim the sail.  You would just do so from a higher position on the gunwale.  I assume Jeff had his problem because the winches are fixed but a 170 comes further aft than a 110 so as the clew moves aft toward the fixed winch the angle up from the gunwale turning block steepens, which would cause the sheet to pile up near the bottom of the winch. By raising the turning block a fixed height from the gunwale, the angle to the winch can be reduced or eliminated, but one can still adjust the block for and aft to obtain proper sheet angle from clew to turning block. 



Perhaps I am really missing something here.  If so please point it out to me. I do understand that a non fixed lanyard to raise the turning block would flog badly in some conditions, but a fixed height pedestal for the block would not. I would like to be sure that I am not confused about this problem. Let me know. 



Michael #133 



Gord posted, 

The position of the sheet block is dictated by the position and angle   
the sail needs.  If one positioned the block solely to make the winch   
work, one would be condemned to live with a sail that would not sheet   
properly and either flog at the top or have a leach that is closed and   
stalled. 

G 

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