Hi all, more of a rigging question here i guess. For controlling my main sheet the plans specify this fiddle block with cam on a spring base. The problem is that the shackle on the bottom of the cam is too big to fit in the base. I’ve come up with the solution shown in the attached photo using a very small bit of line. However, this seems to sort of defeat the strength of the mainsheet itself by using such a small line to connect those two pieces. Am I meant to purchase a very narrow shackle to connect these two pieces? Please let me know if I am not clear. Thanks!
i think you need a narrower shackle…or a wider spring (note harken sells a 22 mm and a 35 mm wide spring)…or compress the spring down more so you shackle direct from where your string is connected and take the string out…
pvraniak,
So the plans told you to use a ball and socket base with a spring? I wonder why? On my Peapod there’s a carabiner that connects the shackle to a padeye and that gives me all the range of motion I need. Which boat do you have?
As far as the strength of your lashing goes, if that’s the 25 mm base it only has a a working load of 800 lbs (363 kg). 1/8" (3mm) dyneema has a tensile strength of 2300 lbs (1044 kg) and costs only 88 cents a foot from Amazon. If you use that for your lashing, it will be as strong as 1/8" steel wire cable and stronger than the base. All you have to worry about is using a good knot that won’t come loose. The reason the mainsheet is so thick is not so much for strength, but for comfort in your hand when you’re pulling on it. A thin line would be uncomfortable and may even break your skin.
So I would suggest getting in touch with CLC and verifying that base and attachment. In the meantime, make sure that your lashing is a high tensile strength synthetic line with a secure knot and you’ll be fine.
(sorry about the mainsheet blocking the view, but it’s the only picture I have and it’s too cold and dark to go out and take another.)
Laszlo
Howard,
According to the sizes on the Harken website, the shackle on the fiddle block won’t fit inside the ball and socket base.
Laszlo
Hmmm. The dyneema as you suggest will certainly work…
The base is designed to accept the head post of the block with no shackle. If you have the right series block take off the shackle and the post should slide into the socket of the base and then you pin it.
And it shouldn’t need the spring either.
Ahh, that makes more sense! I’ll try removing the shackle today and post an update. Thanks all!