Gordon: I have the same problem with my M17 and tried reversing the cleat so that it releases on the up pull, but that causes problems trying to cleat it in light air. I'm back to the original arrangement but still would like something better; maybe a stiff mount that holds the block so it can't flop around. It seems that pulling up to release is more instinctual, and the jib sheet cleats work that way. --Gary Hyde 2005 M17 #637 sailboat 'Hydeaway 2' On Jul 16, 2010, at 7:21 AM, Gordon Gilbert wrote:
I was enjoying a fun, lively sail on Lake Michigan yesterday when a lull in the wind, followed by a hard gust, knocked me over a good bit. Part of the problem was that I was on the leeward side at the time, adjusting the jib sheet, away from my usual windward position (in gusty conditions, with one foot near the mainsheet cleat if I need to release it quickly). The low position of the cleat, and the downward pull needed to release the sheet, can make it difficult to release the sheet quickly.
The situation has me wanting to raise my mainsheet cleat higher off of the cockpit floor to facilitate quicker release from anywhere in the cockpit. I've tried doing this using a loop of line or shackles, but the problem with that is that the block, shackles and whatever else bang around like crazy when I'm reaching or running in light and/or sloppy conditions.
Has anyone developed a solution?
Thanks!
Gordon
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