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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Furling Line & Hexaratchett

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cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/13/2007 : 11:39:02

We installed a furler on Antares last season and the instructions included the mention of a hexaratchett to keep tension in the furling line. I am not familiar with this piece of equipment, although I do know what it is. My question is how does it work? I can understand one way tension like on line clutches or on cam cleats, but the furling line needs tension both ways. So I am not sure how you reverse the tension that is needed.

Mike
Grand Lake, OK
N.O. Catalina 25 #4849
In my opinion 75% of the earth is water for a reason. That's why I sail.

Edited by - cat1951 on 03/13/2007 11:40:52

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2007 : 12:25:17

It is really about not loosing ground or complete control when furling in high wind. I use a Ronstan Magic Ratchet, it senses load and "comes on" when there is much back tension on the line. Letting the sail out should be controlled but usually a slight drag of a gloved hand is adequate. This is a photo of the hexratchet I use, the faceted faces on the sheave apply added drag akin to a clam cleat.

I also have a lance cleat forward of the hexratchet for light air convenience.

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cat1951
Admiral

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Response Posted - 03/13/2007 : 13:19:45

That's pretty much what I thought. However, I still have a question. When retracting the jib, does the ratchet have any drag on it? Also, I have seen hexaratchet's that have a port or starboard model. From the look of yours, it would be interchangeable. Am I wrong on that assumption?

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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1561 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2007 : 16:30:25

In high wind, I'd just do a wrap on a horn with the furling line and let it out slowly. Cheers.

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Jack Heaston
1st Mate

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Response Posted - 03/13/2007 : 19:06:19

Hi Mike
Just sent you an email about a ratcheting block with cam cleats that we used on a previous boat to secure the furling line. Don't know how to do pictures on this website.
Jack
83 FK/SR Oak Bay #3944

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2007 : 19:47:33

The hexratchet block, (as a cheek or a stand-up), normally free spins in one direction and locks in the other. Having a freewheel mode is the norm. If mounted as a cheek then the port starboard orientation is required, with a stand-up block a single block will self orient itself to the load. I think the loads on our furling line are handled well by a small hexratchet, I like my Ronstan because it freewheels both directions until it comes under load, then locks up. This Harken is a little cheaper but you have to throw a switch to change its mode. SO there is only drag if you leave the ratchet on.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 03/13/2007 19:48:02

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2007 : 07:01:13

Frank, does it 'lock' the line as per a clutch, or does it apply drag. If it locks, how do you unlock it?

Paul

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cat1951
Admiral

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Response Posted - 03/14/2007 : 08:34:02

Thanks Jack, I will look for the e-mail.

Frank, the one you have pictured is the one I am considering. Right now we do as djn has indicated, just wrap the line for tension. When it is tied down we use the stern/starboard cleat. It works, but is not as convenient as I would like. Out sailing it is not a problem, but when docked, I don't like the two lines sharing the same cleat.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2007 : 08:44:40

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by cat1951
 Out sailing it is not a problem, but when docked, I don't like the two lines sharing the same cleat.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I use a stanchion mounted cleat...

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cat1951
Admiral

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Response Posted - 03/14/2007 : 08:50:07

dlucier - I think I like that solution. And I can wrap the furling line around once for tension in either direction.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2007 : 09:13:58

Mike,

Paying the furling line in or out around the rail mount cleat that I installed might be difficult due to it's design.

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cat1951
Admiral

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Response Posted - 03/14/2007 : 09:39:28

Now I see what you mean. That does have a lot of edge to it.

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cat1951
Admiral

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USA
636 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2007 : 09:59:24

Frank, can you provide a source for the Ronstan Magic Ratchet? I have used that term in my internet search and am having a problem finding it.

Thanks,

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2007 : 13:35:10

Load-sensitive ratchet engages automatically when the sheet is loaded and disengages when the load is released for smooth free running. Precision CNC machined alloy sheave provides up to 14:1 holding power, yet minimises rope wear for extended sheet life. Unique adjustment mechanism allows the engagement load to be set precisely as required. Higher setting keeps the ratchet off for light air sailing or until the sheet load increases. Lower setting will trigger the ratchet at a lower sheet load. Ratchet engagement setting can also be varied to suit the load felt in your hand.
http://www.ronstan.com/marine/product.asp?ProdNo=RF42100

http://www.layline.com/products.asp?dept=286

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 03/14/2007 13:39:13

cat1951
Admiral

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636 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2007 : 14:29:04

Thanks Frank... I am sold...but have maybe a stupid question. I see that Ronstan sells these with or without a becket. I have looked at the pictures of both, and can't see any obvious difference in the two. What is a becket?

Edited by - cat1951 on 03/14/2007 14:34:46

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
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Response Posted - 03/14/2007 : 14:51:54

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by cat1951
 What is a becket?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

This is a block with a becket...

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cat1951
Admiral

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Response Posted - 03/14/2007 : 15:11:18

Don, I know, but the definition of becket that I have found is a loop of line for mounting. Oh..I can't see the picture it is 'x'd out.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2007 : 16:10:16

The picture you can't see shows a block with a becket. These blocks are usually used in conjunction with another block for multiple purchase systems such as mainsheets, vangs, cunninghams,...etc.

[url="http://www.ronstan.com/marine/product.asp?ProdNo=RF42110"]Ronstan Block w/Becket[/url]

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2007 : 17:46:38

Mike, do you see my photo? I see Don's photo. The jam/horn cleat I used (See it under the line on the stern rail?), was taken off my boom, it was there for reefing but my reefing is lead aft so it was available. They are expensive so using one I already had made me happy.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 03/14/2007 17:50:02

cat1951
Admiral

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636 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2007 : 21:57:59

Frank.. yes, I see all of the photo's now. I also see how you have the jam/horn cleat set up, and the ratchet without the becket. Once I saw Don's picture, it did confirm what I thought a becket is. So I learned something that you don't discuss in the basic keelboat course..well at least we didn't. I think I will use Frank's set up since my stanchion rail is free to add the ratchet, along with a rail mount cleat like Don show's.

I do appreciate all of your input. This is a great site. Looks like I have to order me some parts.

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