by GreenLake » Sun Sep 20, 2015 4:42 am
Ratchet blocks!
As I've mentioned here before, I like the Ronstan ones, because they hold better (not only my impression, but according to a test the ratio is something like 2:1 to the nearest competitor). And, their auto setting is just about perfect for me. Set it and forget it. Disengages the ratchet when the line goes slack (and in light airs).
I have an older Harken on another boat, and I don't like it as much. The selector (on/off) is much easier to use, but you have to use it, because you don't want it on in light airs. One more thing to think about.
In some conditions, the DS will violently round up instead of capsize. It feels like it's twisting out from underneath the wind. I haven't quite worked out when that happens, but I think several things are involved. First, the boat heals to the gunwhales. The rudder loses grip, but several forces steer the boat upwind. One is the fact that the center of effort for the sails is aft of the center of lateral resistance (or a bit aft of the CB), the other is that, when heeled,the hull shape will add a turning moment.
If a gust comes from the right direction, these forces combine to turn the boat, rather than capsize it. What the "right direction" is, I haven't been able to work out, because when this happens, it's usually quite disorienting. One moment you think you are going to go over, the next moment you are headed into the wind, after some giant hand "twisted" the boat from underneath you. The only useful observation I can add is that the few times this has happened to me was on lakes that had hills or tall structures nearby, which usually means that gusts can bring more of a windshift than usual.
But still, would be nice to know what the conditions are that cause this instead of a capsize. Anyone know?
~ green ~ lake ~ ~