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Jonathon,
You have observed "how much effort the mainsheet needed". I only have a five so the forces are less. However as I observed in my post on the bridle much of the force you apply to the mainsheet acts to pull the boom down rather than inward. The boat has a functional vang to apply down-force and so adding more through the mainsheet will place a load on your arms. There are two simple mods that could lessen the effort required to sheet in.
First to pull the mainsheet directly from the boom rather than the floor.
Second would be to fit a longer bridle with a fixed centre attachment rather than a block that travels to windward.
I will be the first to admit that as a novice sailor I know less about such things than many others on this forum. None the less I am aware of some other classes that use similar methods to ensure the mainsheet force acts in the horizontal plane as far as is possible.
Cliff
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19/03/2015 04:05:20
Cliff
Posts: 47
Cleating is one thing, it is un-cleating that is the crucial element!
Calling on my experience in OK's in Australia, we call the centre cleat system the suicide cleat, as the main sheet will often cleat itself uninvited, and unless the angle is right it is impossible to uncleat again resulting in a swim. Although you may sit on sidedeck cleats in light wind, at least you can release the mainsail easily on the beat which is the only time you should need them. Again much is personal preference there are plenty of top European OK sailors devoted to the centre cleat.
Tom 1075
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08/01/2015 05:26:58
Sailing Raceboats
Posts: 21
Thanks for all the comments, I wasn't convinced about fitting the cleats although I had actually bought them with the boat. Currently this is nice and watertight so I'm reluctant to drill too many holes. I reckon I'll wait to see if a CM Cleat becomes available, there are some times when I believe it would be useful. Pete
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06/01/2015 16:38:25
PeteM
Posts: 7
I agree, Alan. For me, the main sheet cleat is generally not used much upwind, and never, off the wind. Instead, it is a tool to enable the brief resting of the hand, or to free up that hand briefly, for another job. So I want it to be there, if and when I need it, but in a position where it is generally not in the way.
Sandy 1179
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01/01/2015 12:28:17
Sandy Goodall
Posts: 30
Jonathon,
I've been sailing the boat for several months and I feel sure that the problem that you are having with the main sheet will be resolved after a few more sails.
I would never normally cleat the mainsheet in strong or gusty winds and just because one is fitted does not mean that you have to use it. In steady winds with long upwind legs especially on the sea it can take the load off you saving your energy for other parts of the course.
Alan 1031
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01/01/2015 07:14:29
skitters
Posts: 20
My overriding impression from my 1'st sail in 1141 with the Aero7 rig in Bft top 3 gusting 4 was how much effort the mainsheet needed!!
I have seen a previous comment, & the reply from Peter Barton is that it takes 3 to 4 sails before the rope material 'setreactiontles down', i.e.: the outer roughs up & is easier to grip, the ratchet block holds it better, & it turns on the other blocks with much less resistance.
I would hesitate to fit a main sheet cleats or swivel cleat:
The boat is very light, & whatever the crew weight placement on any point of sail is key.
Cleating the main requires that it be easily cleated & uncleated from any point of sail position.
In racing reacting to shifts & gusts quickly & accurately is a core winning skill or technique.
Cleating a mainsheet inevitably delays reaction.
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31/12/2014 20:47:26
Jonathan Rickels
Posts: 104
Sandy,
Good luck with the side cleats, I hope that your experience is better than mine. I will fit the CM Cleat as soon as it becomes available since I am familiar with it's use on previous boats.
Rgds, Alan 1031
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31/12/2014 06:29:38
skitters
Posts: 20
Alan,
Thanks for sharing your view point. My other boat is a Laser, where the same cleats sit in approx. the same positions, so I am used to that. I end up sitting on them sometimes in light winds, and when planing off the wind they are often out of reach, but I still appreciate being able to cleat the main occasionally, to free up a hand for somethings else. I"m going to go ahead and put mine in the marked positions.
Sandy 1179
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30/12/2014 17:14:12
Sandy Goodall
Posts: 30
Sandy,
For me the cleats are to far fwd for my normal medium/strong wind hiking position and to far back to use in light winds when I would be sitting on them...ouch. I may remove them and leave shorter screws to fill in the holes but no decision has been made.
I am aware that some very talented people have contributed to the design of this excellent boat so it may just be me that has this problem and it should be treated with some caution.A centre main cleat with the ratchet will be most suitable for me based on my previous experience, however, I would not wish to push this idea on to others who may have strong opposing views; what suits one may not suit another.
We are all learning as we go along and I am delighted to see the free exchange of info and idea's from which we all benefit, long may it continue.
Alan 1031
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30/12/2014 09:25:48
skitters
Posts: 20
Peter, I see in the videos that you have the main sheet cleats fitted. How are they working out for you? Do you have them mounted on the thicker red bases, as per the rigging manual?
Sandy 1179
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30/12/2014 07:44:51
Sandy Goodall
Posts: 30
Alan, when you say the cleats are "just not in the right place for you", do you mean they are too far in some direction or other, or you end up sitting on them, or??
Sandy 1179
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30/12/2014 07:35:20
Sandy Goodall
Posts: 30
I fitted the side cleats but I have not been able to use them, they just in the wrong place for me. I will order the new centre main cleat as soon as it becomes available since I've used one for many years and found it helpful in boat handling and taking the load off me in appropriate conditions.
The trial one was shown at Chelmarsh SC's demo day and it looked fine to me although some mods were planned, RS will no doubt get it right before we can purchase one; does anyone know when that will be?
Alan 1031
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30/12/2014 06:15:32
skitters
Posts: 20
Few of us at Chelmarsh have fitted the side cleats, mainly because we haven't felt the need for them, but also because your weight has to be so far forward, they literally become a pain in the ......
One of us has tried a centre jammer. He loves it, but personally, I think no cleat is needed but I am having to work out a better way to tack and get swapped.
Just think how you will use them before drilling into your boat.
Matt
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29/12/2014 23:04:54
Matt Thursfield
Posts: 33
I see main sheet cleats in most of the photos and videos of the Aero that I have seen, and there were cleats mounted in the Aero 9 that I demo'd in Carnac, France, in August. My own new boat came without them, but I am about to mount Harken Cam-Matic 468 Micro's.
I'd be interested to know whether those of you that have mounted cleats yourselves have felt the need to raise these up a bit, using the slightly thicker red bases that are available from Harken (as per the rigging manual).
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28/12/2014 14:43:00
Sandy Goodall
Posts: 30
28/12/2014 14:04:25
PeteM
Posts: 7
