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| Home >> Technical >> Mainsheet cleats? |
12/12/2016 18:52:37
david
Posts: 64
I came from contenders where we have cleats.
I'm used to how and when to use them,so I ordered my boat with them..
They work great and am glad I have them.
I've never sailed a lazor except for fun. It was a pain to have to stop to get a drink of water though.
My 2 cents
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12/12/2016 15:01:00
Posts: 0
I'll be curious to see if the new mainsheet final pulley attachment with option for centre jammer works. Haven't seen one with the jammer yet and have now got used to not using a cleat so I probably wouldn't fit one - if I had one it would have to not interfere with playing the sheet. Having recently done 2 hour pursuit with survival strength gusts it is not necessary to have a cleat but I was absolutely knackered by the end. If it didn't get in the way of playing the sheet it might be a nice option - like for sailing out to the start on the sea when it's an hour beat to get to the start.
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12/12/2016 10:40:35
Gareth
Posts: 170
I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss mainsheet cleats. Need to understand why they're there in the first place. Of course they're not to be used when coming off a start line or a boat on boat situation and they are not going to be very quick downwind. I've been lucky enough to sail with both and on the last beats of the last couple of races for the day, I'm guilty of giving the shoulders and arms a rest and dropping the mainsheet into the cleat for a bit. Bit of self preservation for a final effort.
I think we all accept that you won't get 100% of performance while cleating, but to assist in making it through a long day then it's a handy tool especially if you're racing in flat water.
Cheers
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12/12/2016 10:14:07
Brian
Posts: 20
I agree completely with Mike0rea below. I find that sheet loads are light compared with the laser I used to sail so I never felt the need of cleats on the aero. Constant adjustment required to mainsheet upwind in the vast majority of conditions makes them more a hindrance to your sailing than a help.
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12/12/2016 09:17:13
Posts: 0
11/12/2016 18:52:46
david
Posts: 64
I had them installed when the boat was new but have never used them. They're quite uncomfortable to sit on!
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11/12/2016 09:04:42
Chris James
Posts: 17
It depends where you sail. In Melbourne where we sail in sparkling blue water, accompanied by dolphins and a 15 knot breeze, our windward leg can be 1.5km long. You need to cleat the main on the beat, as you are not constantly playing the main. Also it means you can adjust the kicking strap and cunningham easily, or eat a banana whilst still racing
In my previous life, sailing in murky brown water, and light winds on the River Thames near London, accompanied by unspeakable debris ,I wouldd never dream of cleating the main.
The cleats go into a backing pad and you need screws about 30mm long.
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10/12/2016 21:45:30
Sailing Raceboats
Posts: 21
I never use cleats, they prevent you playing the main sheet correctly. To stop the boat to sort out any problems, or have a drink, just allow the main to go out. I recommend you sail the boat a good number of times, before you start putting holes in your boat.
I sail primarily on the sea, on the south cost of the uk, however the comments are valid no matter where you sail, the sheet loads on the Aero are very light, when compared to the 800 I used to sail.
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10/12/2016 21:19:09
Mike0rea
Posts: 58
Has anyone installed mainsheet cleats on the blanks provided? Have you found them useful given their position? How long a screw did you use to install?
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10/12/2016 19:54:06
DougStumberger
Posts: 7
