Mainsheet Systems

Mainsheets are simple hardware systems, but are among the most important as they are in almost constant use.

Typical boat length:
Small Boat: 22' - 28' (6.7 - 8.5 m)
Midrange: 29' - 34' (8.8 - 10.4 m)
Big Boat: 35' - 42' (10.7 - 12.8 m)

 

4:1 Fiddle

This 4:1 tackle is the most common system on boats under 28 ft (8.5 m).

main1.gif
Diagram
Ref.
Description Small Boat
Part No.
Midrange
Part No.
Big Boat
Part No.
A Fiddle 2621
2690
2690
1559
 
B Fiddle 2674
2695
2697
1566
 

 

6:1 Reeved Right Angle

Boats with mainsails to 375 ft2 (35 m2) often use a 6:1 system.

main1a.gif
Diagram
Ref.
Description Small Boat
Part No.
Midrange
Part No.
Big Boat
Part No.
A Triple 2640
2604

2604
2664
1546
B Triple 2630
2648
2613
2141
2630
2669
1556

 

8:1 Beachcat

This 8:1 purchase handles high mainsheet loads on Beachcats up to 20 ft (6 m).

Main1b.gif
Diagram
Ref.
Multihulls 8' - 14' 15' - 20'
A Quad 2654
2631
B Triple 2619 2632

 

4:1 Swivel Base

Position the swivel base block off the traveler car to allow mainsail adjustment without dragging the car to windward in light air. To avoid tightening the leech, curve the track ends up.

main2.gif
Diagram
Ref.
Description Small Boat
Part No.
Midrange
Part No.
Big Boat
Part No.
A Single 2636
2600

2660
1540
 
B Single 2637
2601

2661
1541
 
C Single 2636
2625

2660
1549
 
D Cam base 205
144
1574  

 

4:1/16:1 Gross/Fine

This powerful gross-trim/fine-tune cascading system allows crew to use the 4:1 gross-trim for most trimming and the 16:1 fine-tune for precise adjustments.

4-1-16-1dble-GF_mainsheet.gif
Diagram
Ref.
Description Small Boat
Part No.
Midrange
Part No.
Big Boat
Part No.
A Single 2636 2600 2660
B Double 381 2642 2602
C Fiddle 2658 2676 2697
D Fiddle 2675 2696 1565

 

4:1/16:1 Double-ended Fine Tune

This 4:1/16:1 system uses a dinghy-like double-ended tackle that locates the sheet ends on the cockpit sides.

4-1-16-1dble-FT_mainsheet.gif
Diagram
Ref.
Description Small Boat
Part No.
Midrange
Part No.
Big Boat
Part No.
A Single 2636 2600 2660
B Single 2135 2135 1549
2670
C Cam base 205 144 1574
D Double 342 2638 2602
E Single 349 2652 2600
F Cam cleat 471 471 150

 

6:1/24:1 Gross/Fine

This 6:1/24:1 cascading system is used on boats with end-boom sheeting and mains as large as 275 ft2 (25.5 m2) and end-boom sheeting.

main3.gif
Diagram
Ref.
Description Small Boat
Part No.
Midrange
Part No.
Big Boat
Part No.
A Double 2638
2602

2602 2662
B Triple 2647
2629

2629 1555
C Single 2636
2600

2600 2660
D Fiddle 2655
2621 2690
E Fiddle 2674 2674 2695

 

6:1/24:1 Cascaded

This 6:1/24:1 system is used on boats with mains as large as 275 ft2 (25.5 m2) and end-boom sheeting.

main-gt15.gif
Diagram
Ref.
Description Small Boat
Part No.
Midrange
Part No.
Big Boat
Part No.
A Triple 2640
2604 2664
B Triple 2647 2629 2668
C Double 342 2638 2602
D Fiddle 2658 2624 2624

 

7:1/28:1 Gross/Fine

This gross trim/fine tune system is found on racing multihulls where it is desirable to split the gross trim from the fine tune. Placing the fine tune in the boom provides a very clean system that the trimmer can get a hold of and put his weight into it. The powerful cascading fine tune portion is used to haul the boom in that last little bit.

7-1_28-1_intrnl-finetune_mn.gif
Diagram
Ref.
Description Small Boat
Part No.
Midrange
Part No.
Big Boat
Part No.
A Single   2600 2660
B Triple   2629 2685
C Straphead   2650 2650
D Triple   2604 2664
E Fiddle   2655 2621
F Cheek   2644 2606
G Thru-deck   046 047
H Pivoting exit   140 140

 

4:1 with Dedicated Winch

This system moves the traveler over the companionway to clean up the cockpit. A favorite on cruising boats.

main4-1_winch.gif
Diagram
Ref.
Description Small Boat
Part No.
Midrange
Part No.
Big Boat
Part No.
A Single   2600
2660
1958
1969
B Fiddle   1559
1975
1975
C Single w/becket   2661
1959
1959
1970
D Footblock   1548
1963
1963
1972
F Winch   35.2STA
35.2STC
40.2STA 
40.2STC
40.2STA
40.2STC
46.2STA
46.2STC

 

5:1 with Dedicated Winch

This system is popular on cruising boats with cabintop travelers. The sheet leads forward to the gooseneck and then down and back to a winch on the aft edge of the cabintop.

main6.gif
Diagram
Ref.
Description Small Boat
Part No.
Midrange
Part No.
Big Boat
Part No.
A Single 2600 2660
1540
1958
1969
B Double
w/becket
2603 2663
1560
1961
1962
C Footblock 2606 1548 1963
1972
D Winch 20STA
20STC
35.2STA
35.2STC
40.2STA
40.2STC
46.2STA
46.2STC
46.2STA
46.2STC

 

2:1 with Dedicated Winches

This simple double-ended system lets the mainsheet run freely through the blocks which allows the traveler car to move easily. The trimmer makes sail adjustments from the high side.

main7.gif
Diagram
Ref.
Description Small Boat
Part No.
Midrange
Part No.
Big Boat
Part No.
A Single   1586 1969
B Single   1540 1958
C Footblock   1548 1963
D Winch   35.2STA
40.2STA
40.2STA
46.2STA

 

Admiral's Cup 2:1 with Dedicated Winch

In this system, the traveler is independent of the mainsheet so it rolls freely. The sheet leads forward along the boom before it turns down and aft to winches. Used on race boats like the Farr® 40.

main8.gif
Diagram
Ref.
Description Small Boat
Part No.
Midrange
Part No.
Big Boat
Part No.
A Double
1544 1960
B Single   1586 1958
1969
3007
C Single   1540 1969
D Footblock   1548 1963
B Winch   35.2STA 40.2STA
46.2STA

 

3:1 with Dedicated Winch

Many large boats use this simple 3:1 system. A block on deck turns the sheet to a winch.

main9.gif
Diagram
Ref.
Description Small Boat
Part No.
Midrange
Part No.
Big Boat
Part No.
A Single w/becket
  1970
3008
B Single     3007
1969
C Stand-up     1974
3012
D Winch     46.2STA
46.2STC

 

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