DaySailer.org Forum

I've really got to stop writing this stuff from memory. It's a rearward yank to uncleat, and a forward yank to cleat. Once you've uncleated, the sheet runs out fairly easily. (That's the port side jib fairlead in the photo - the upper end of the line runs up onto the foredeck and the lower end is the bitter end.)

This completely blows my plan to turn the unit around and install a ratchet cheek block to change the direction of the sheet 180 degrees. At this point, I may just leave well enough alone and see how it sails as is.

The way the originals worked is the reason why I mounted cam cleats with fair leads on the centerboard trunk and put blocks on the track slides. I found the original setup hard to use when I was single handing the boat. I like my new setup better than the original.

John

Alan and Tim.
Very familiar with the jib set up your talking about, My 1980 DSII had the same situation, I tried reversing the block/fairlead assembly to no avail. I thought it might be mounted backwards. Not the case. It was a good set up IF you had a crew member sitting forward to tend the jibsheets not so much for single handing.
I purchased two series 40 ( I believe) ratchet blocks and mounted them on the coaming, using the original cars where the original clam cleat assembly was. Turned in and mounted new camcleats on the centerboard. It was a great solution for me. As Scott has mentioned, The lines crisscross at the center of the boat but this is not an issue for me. Jib sheets and mainsheet within about a foot, right where I'am sitting while singlehanding.
Good Luck
Kevin

When singlehanding, you might tie the ends of the jibsheets together, that way, there's never just one end that's out of reach from the windward side.