DaySailer.org Forum

Hello everyone,

New to the forums here, just recently purchased a DSII. After reading Roger's book, I feel much more experienced and knowledgable than I actually am.

The previous owner of my boat rigged it incredibly screwy, and I've been playing archaeologist trying to figure out how the running rigging should go. Currently there is a steel "eye" 3/16" in diameter by 1" wide mounted to the cb trunk, which the previous owner ran a piece of wire through and tied off to a fiddle block cam cleat to control the mainsheet. I imagine this was part of a mid-boom traveler setup, since there are several holes on the port and starboard side of the seats adjacent to the steel eye. However, I don't know what to do about the current setup. Should I tear it out and mount a traditional mainsheet-cam-block-thing, or can I use it how it is? I'm weary of unscrewing it and reinstalling since it bears such a huge load, and I have never mounted screws into fiberglass before. Any advice would be much appreciated.

I realize that a picture is worth more than a thousand words, especially in this case. Will try to post some pictures asap.

Thanks, and I look forward to conversing with you all in the future.

Pat

I found this pic in the photo section, I hope it helps.

That eye strap if mounted at the rear top of the centerboard trunk and if the ss screws are at least an inch long and at least #8 diameter should bear the load of the mainsheet. The original set up is 4 #8 1" bolts threaded into the fiberglass at the same location.

In my book you can see the original set up on page 56. It sounds like the original fiddle block broke and the PO used a wire to repair it. I have an original fiddle block here if you want it.

Thanks, Roger. Do you know if there is a brass "plate" buried under the fiberglass that holds the screws in?

There is indeed a plate but I think it may be of stainless, because when I removed mine, there was no evidence of galvanic action on the ss bolts that would otherwise have been there if the plate was brass. Also the bolts threaded too easy and held too well for it to be just fiberglass holding the bolt.

Hi Guys,

I'm really glad that the link to Crawford's piture was added. I went out last weekend on my DS I with my wife and 3 year old in heavy air, and really had trouble reaching and releasing the jib sheets.

As a result, I was thinking of a way to rig the sheets through swivel cam cleats (as shown in Crawford's picture). Has anyone set their jib sheets up like Crawford's and has it worked well or poorly?

The only downside I see would be locking the sheet into the cam when I single handing the boat. I fuigure one way to handle this if it were a problem would be to leave the current cam cleats on the C/B box and run the sheets through them when I go out alone.

Any other ideas?

Thanks

Curry:

Another idea:

I put cam cleats right on top of the cb trunk between the thwarts. Very easy to set and release, even if I'm sitting aft and holding the line.



Since this picture I've taken off the wire fairlead. Don't need it, and it's easier to set/release the line without it.

I know that the wood base is a bit overkill, but I like the look of wood on the boat, and any excuse to glue on more mahogany and slap on the varnish, you know...

Carlos

Carlos,

Do those two cam cleats point aft by 40 degrees or so? And is that enough to work the lines from behind the C/B box? Do you think that swivel cleats would work better than your fixed position cams?

Thanks,
Chris

Yes, something like 40°. I just sat in the cockpit and played at pulling the sheets and seeing where they would come from on the trunk, and tried to approximate the angle coming from the coaming turning blocks.

Swivel cleats would be good there, but I've never felt the need for them. Because this is a small boat I've always been able to easily set and release the jib sheet from any angle really. I might have to reach a bit with my arm, but it's not a big deal. They're centrally located at that spot and easy to reach from anywhere on the boat. Regular cleats ~ $22, swivel cleats ~$50.

Carlos