by K.C. Walker » Mon Jun 15, 2015 12:06 pm
Being that your setup is a bit different from mine I can't be sure, but I'll venture a guess. My set up has two ratchet blocks that are 90° wrap. My number one on the centerboard trunk is a 75 mm which has more grip than the 57 mm that you are considering. You will be using these as a 180° wrap so this would give more holding power. I don't know if they would equal, but this is something that you could check as they list the holding power for 90° and 180° wrap. I leave my 75 mm ratchet block on almost always except for very light air and it works great. My number two ratchet block, on the boom, is 40 mm and it's almost always too much except in very heavy air. Even then, it's almost not worth it (because of too much holding power in the lulls). I think it would work better if the 40 mm was an auto ratchet. It is definitely easier to get to the block on the centerboard trunk, however because it would be likely that you would use it most of the time except for light air I don't think it would be a problem switching it on and off on the boom. However, I don't think you would ever use both ratchet. I think that the ideal setup is one switchable ratchet on the centerboard trunk and one auto ratchet on the boom. At least, that is how most of the top racing sailors have it set up.
At that price you could get a single auto ratchet like the Ronstan that Greenlake uses which I believe he is quite happy with.
KC Walker, DS 1 #7002