[C320-list] Racing

[Dean Vermeire]

If I understand your post correctly, it sounds like you just want lead 
your mainsheet to a center point above the companionway.

Have you considered switching to a single-ended mainsheet with a fiddle 
block on your traveler?

I don't know if you have a dodger or not.  That may change your approach.

Dean Vermeire (#847)

On 4/2/2013 5:10 PM, DennyBrowne at Verizon.net wrote:
> I race my C320 (#935), and have run into some difficulties with halyards,
> mainsheet, spinnaker controls, etc. all occurring around the companionway.
> This is too much activity for a single crew at the weather and leeward
> marks. So, I'm thinking of running the mainsheet to a swivel at the forward
> edge center of the companionway as the only mainsheet control (possibly with
> a fine tune at the back of the boom) in an effort to get the mainsheet off
> both cabintop winches and separate the main trimmer's duties and equipment
> from the pit guy's. It may be smarter just to put two guys on the tasks with
> existing equipment, but I think I can make it better.
>
> Garhauer makes the swivel that I want
> (http://garhauermarine.com/catalog_process.cfm?cid=63 ) but I don't know how
> to mount it. The companionway cover slides under a molded piece that I'm
> thinking of attaching a piece of stainless angle iron to, so I can mount the
> swivel to the angle iron, but I'm still not sure the vertical aft edge of
> this cover is strong enough to handle the load of the mainsheet. Actually,
> it's probably only 1/3 of the load, as I'm contemplating a single block on
> the swivel and the existing double block on the traveler, but it's still a
> substantial load with our mid-boom mainsheet. I've added Harken 150 cam
> cleats to the aft edge of the cabintop, and they seem to be fine for the
> mainsheet when sailing off the wind, but I'm not confident in their strength
> when hard on the wind. Makes me nervous in the event of a jibe, as well.
>
> Can anyone offer any insights that may help guide me on this?
>
> Thanks,
>
> DENNY BROWNE
> ____________________________
> A Cappella #935
> Redondo Beach, CA
> Denny at DennyBrowne.com
>
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