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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 8.5 m (28 ft).

DiagramRef.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Fiddle	2621	2690	1559
B	Fiddle	2676	2697	1566

6:1 Reeved Right Angle

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

DiagramRef.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Triple	2604	2664	1546
B	Triple	2141	2686	1556

8:1 Beachcat

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

DiagramRef.	Description	8' - 14' (2.4 - 4.3m)	15' - 20' (4.6 - 6m)	21' - 30' (6.4 - 9m)
A	Quad	2654	2631	2677
B	Triple	2619	2632	2687

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.

DiagramRef.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Single	2600	2660	1540
B	Single	2601	2661	1541
C	Single	2135	2670	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.

DiagramRef.	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.

DiagramRef.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Single	2636	2600	2660
B	Single	2135	2135	1549
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 25.5 m² (275 ft²) and end-boom sheeting.

DiagramRef.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Double	2638	2602	2662
B	Triple	2647	2629	1555
C	Single	2636	2600	2660
D	Fiddle	2655	2621	2690
E	Fiddle	2676	2676	2697

6:1/24:1 Cascaded

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

DiagramRef.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Triple	2640	2604	2664
B	Triple	2617	2629	2685
C	Double	2638	2638	2602
D	Fiddle	2658	2658	2676

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.

DiagramRef.	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	—	2156	2156

4:1 with Dedicated Winch

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

DiagramRef.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Single	—	6260	3231
B	Fiddle	—	6292	3241
C	Single w/becket	—	6261	3232
D	Footblock	—	6267	3234
E	Winch	—	40.2STA	46.2STA

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.

DiagramRef.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Single	2660	1540	3231
B	Fiddle w/becket	2691	1560	3242
C	Footblock	1548	1548	3234
D	Winch	35.2STA	46.2STA	46.2STA

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.

DiagramRef.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Single	—	1586	3231
B	Single	—	1540	3215
C	Footblock	—	1548	3220
D	Winch	—	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.

Farr is a registered trademark of Bruce K Farr.

DiagramRef.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Double		1544	3233
B	Single		1586	3246
C	Single		1540	3231
D	Footblock		1548	3234
B	Winch		35.2STA	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.

DiagramRef.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
A	Single w/becket	—	—	3247
B	Single	—	—	3246
C	Stand-up	—	—	3254
D	Winch	—	—	46.2STA