Main Sheet - The position of Main sheet blocks on the boom is determined by the location of the bridle and the main sheet block on the keel. The bridle should be about 20" to 24" from the aft face of the transom. Place the aft boom block directly above the bridle. (See discussion on bridle placement in Travelers and Bridles) The forward block should be above the main sheet block on the keel. Mine is about 10" aft of the DB well. I use 2 Harken #021s and a #022 becket block. One of the #021s and the #022 can be attached to the boom with eye straps. Cut rectangular openings in the boom just large enough for the eye to fit through and insert the eye strap through the opening by fnagling the little sucker either up or down through the opening. Finish installation of the straps with either metal screws or pop rivets, aluminum or SS of course. The second #021 should be tied to the center of the bridle, unless you are going to use an adjustable traveler. See Figures 3 and 6 below.

 

Figure 6 - A variation on Figure 3

Main sheet block - a Harken Hexa-ratchet, (#019 or #009), mounted on the keel, (with a #10 base), below the forward boom block. (My main sheet block is 104 1/2 " aft of Station 0). I put a spring between the block and the base so the block does not fall over. Yes, Harken has the spring, (#071). I use same type of cam cleats for the main (#150) as for the jib, placed on the rub rail, just aft of the jib cleat, to pop the sheet into when I get lazy, but most sailors hold the sheet and play it constantly with the puffs.

Don't waste money on a $50+ Harken #205 swivel/cleat to mount on the keel; the lead angle to the deck will not be correct. However, you can build an aluminum stand to mount the swivel/cleat on. [See picture] This works very well! Screw the lower end of the stand into the keel and the upper end into the daggerboard well. The top of swivel/block when mounted on the stand should be just below the height of the daggerboard well - out of the crew's way. The #205 comes with cam cleat, shackle and spring.

 

 

 

Main Sheet System

35'	Main Sheet, 5/16, (1)	Samson	N/S
2	Dinghy Blocks	H #021	WES
1	Dinghy Becket Block	H #022	WES
1	Little Hexaratchet Block	H #019	N/S
1	Block Base	H #010	N/S
1	Block Standup Spring	H #071	N/S
2	Cam-Matic Cleats	H #150	N/S
2	Eye Straps for Bridle	RL-314A	N/S
2	3/16 Eye Straps (AL)	NF-1048	N/S
2	Boom Bails (Wood)	RL-317-A	N/S