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).

Diagram Ref.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Fiddle	2621 053 028	1559
B	Fiddle	060 042	1566

6:1 Reeved Right Angle

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

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).

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.

Diagram Ref.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange 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

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.

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	053	060
E	Fiddle	2658	028	042

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.

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	060	042
D	Fiddle	059		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.

Diagram Ref.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Single	2636	2600	2660
B	Single	019	2625	1549
C	Cam base	205	144	1574
D	Double	342	2638	2602
E	Single	349	2652	2600
F	Cam cleat	423	423	150

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.

Diagram Ref.	Description	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.

Diagram Ref.	Description	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	B32.2ST B40.2ST	B40.2ST B44.2ST

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.

Diagram Ref.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Single	2600	2660 1540	1958 1969
B	Triple w/becket	2603	2663 1560	1961 1962
C	Footblock	2606	1548	1963 1972
D	Winch	B16ST B32.2ST	B40.2ST B44.2ST	B46.2ST B48.2ST

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.

Diagram Ref.	Description	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Single	1586	1969
B	Single	1540	1958
C	Footblock	1548	1963
D	Winch	B32.2ST B40.2ST	B40.2ST B44.2ST

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.

Diagram Ref.	Description	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	B32.2ST	B40.2ST B44.2ST

3:1 with Dedicated Winch

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

Diagram Ref.	Description	Big Boat Part No.
A	Single w/becket	1970 3008
B	Single	3007 3129 1969 3185
C	Stand-up	1974 3012 3138
D	Winch	B46.2ST B48.2ST

MAINSHEET systems