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      Classical Cat - Head Knocker & Outhaul


      This tip submitted by Gary Norgan





      Moved the Outhaul block and added a "head knocker" main sheet block. Here is something I did so that the outhaul would work more efficiently. When I bought my used 1989 C25 last summer I noticed that the outhaul cheek block near the end of the boom was located forward and under the boom as per the first photo. I had added a block attached to the clew cringle to increase the force when adjusting the outhaul. Instead, I found that the angle was too great once the block on the cringle moved toward the end of the boom. So I moved the block back and up closer to the outhaul track as in the second photo. This made the system work smoother and easier. This was a simple (= cheaper) fix so that I would get more purchase on the outhaul. A future project would be to do the internal outhaul control system as mentioned in another tech tip. Also, I wanted to move the mainsheet forward in the cockpit so I wouldn't have to reach aft to make adjustments.

      In the second photo you can see how I did this. I added a Harken "Pivoting exit Bullet Block w/cam. Notice that I also attach the block at the end of the boom with a carabiner to make it easier and faster to take the main sheet block system off and store. I also use a carabiner to attach the main block to the traveler car. I like to store the main block system in the port locker. I have since replaced the block on the boom bail with a more compact Harken block in order to bring the line up closer to the boom as it turns to head back to the pivoting block. To hook up the main sheet blocks I just clip the top block on the boom, clip the bottom block on the traveler car, feed the line from the bottom block up through the block attached to the boom bail and then through the pivoting exit block. This change makes it easy to just grab the main sheet hanging next to you when you want to be looking forward. This is one modification I like every time I sail. (P.S. That's a tall bimini on an ugly power boat in the next slip)