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Reference > Mainsheet

Mainsheets are simple hardware systems, but are among the most important as they are in almost constant use.

Typical boat length:
Small Boat: 22' - 28' (6.7 - 8.5 m)
Midrange: 29' - 34' (8.8 - 10.4m)
Big Boat: 35' - 42' (10.7 - 12.8m)

Diagram Ref.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
System 1
A	Fiddle	2621/ 053/ 028	1559	—
B	Fiddle	060/ 042	1566	—
System 1A
A	Triple	2640/ 153 2604	2604/ 2664	1546
B	Triple	2630/ 2648 196	2630/ 2669	1556
System 2
A	Single	2636/ 2600	2660/ 1540	—
B	Single	2637/ 2601	2661/ 1541	—
C	Single	2636/ 2625	2660/ 1549	—
D	Cam base	205/ 144	1574	—
System 3
A	Double	2638/ 2602	2602	2662
B	Triple	2647/ 2629	2629	1555
C	Single	2636/ 2600	2600	2660
D	Fiddle	2655	2655	2621
E	Fiddle	2658	2658	2624
System 3A
A	Single	2636	2600	2660
B	Double	342	2642	2602
c	Fiddle	2658	2658	2624
D	Fiddle	042/ 060	042	1566
System 4
A	Single	2636	2600	2660
B	Single	019	2625	1549
C	Cam base	205	144	1574
D	Double	342	2638	2602
E	Single	349	2652	2600
F	Cam	423	423	150
System 5
A	Fiddle	059	042	1565
B	Single	2636	2600	2660
C	Thru-deck	131	046	047
D	Double	343	2639	2603
E	Double	342	2638	2602
F	Pivoting exit	291	140	140
System 6
A	Single	—	2600/ 2660	1958/ 1969
B	Fiddle	—	1559/ 1975	1975
C	Single	—	2661/ 1959	1959/ 1970
D	Footblock	—	014/ 1548/ 1963	1963/ 1972
E	Winch	—	B32.2ST/ B40.2ST	B40.2STE/ B44.2ST
System 7
A	Single	—	1586	1969
B	Single	—	1540	1958
C	Footblock	—	1548	1963
D	Winch	—	B32.2ST/ B40.2ST	B40.2ST/ B44.2ST
System 8
A	Double	—	1544	1960
B	Single	—	1586	1958/ 1969/ 3007
C	Single	—	1540	1969
D	Footblock	—	1548	1963
E	Winch	—	B32.2ST/ B40.2ST	B40.2ST/ B44.2ST
System 9
A	Single	—	—	1970/ 3008
B	Single	—	—	3007/ 3129/ 1969/ 3135
C	Stand-up	—	—	1974/ 3012/ 3138
D	Winch	—	—	B46.2STE/ B48.2STE

1. The most common mainsheet on boats under 28' (8.5 m) is a four-part tackle.

1A. Boats with mainsails to 375 ft2 often use a 6:1 mainsheet.

2. Placing the mainsheet off the traveler car allows mainsail adjustment without dragging the car to windward. Although it tends to tighten the leech, this can be overcome by curving the track ends up.

3. As mainsails become larger, the purchase required to trim increases tremendously. A powerful purchase is slow in light air and downwind, so dual-purchase mainsheets are popular.

3A. This 4:1/16:1 system is used on boats with mains as large as 400 ft2 (37 m2).

4. A refinement of system 3, this system uses a dinghy-like double-ended tackle that locates the sheet on the cockpit sides.

5. External fine-tune systems tighten the leech as the car moves off centerline. Locating the fine-tune in the boom solves this problem and cleans up the cockpit.

6. This is the most popular system for cruising boats. The traveler is moved to the companionway to clean up the cockpit.

7. This simple double-ended system is very popular. It positions the trimmer on the high side. The mainsheet must run freely through the blocks so the traveler car moves easily.

8. German Admiral's Cup boats popularized the system of leading the sheet forward along the boom before turning aft to the winches. The traveler is independent of the mainsheet so it rolls freely. This system is used by many modern race boats such as Farr 40s.

9. Many large boats use this simple system in which a block on deck turns the sheet to a winch.

Reference > Gross-Trim/Fine-Tune

Speed versus power. Get the best of both worlds with a gross-trim/fine-tune system. Use gross-trim for speed at mark rounds and fine-tune for power while sailing upwind.

Typical boat length:
Small Boat: 22' - 28' (6.7 - 8.5 m)
Midrange: 29' - 34' (8.8 - 10.4m)
Big Boat: 35' - 42' (10.7 - 12.8m)

Diagram Ref.	Description	Small Boat Part No.	Midrange Part No.	Big Boat Part No.
System 10
A	Double	003	—	—
B	Cross block	398	—	—
System 11
A D	ouble	003	—	—
B	Single	001	—	—
C	Double	398	—	—
D	Cam base	402	—	—
System 12
A	Cross block	400	400	—
B	Fiddle	401	401	—
System 13
A	Cross block	400	400	—
B	Double	2602	2602	—
C	Single	397	397	—
D	Cam base	402	402	—
System 14
A	Double	2602	2602	—
B	Cross block	400	400	—
C	Single	397	397	—
D	Cam base	402	402	—
System 15
A	Triple	2640	2604	2664
B	Triple	2646	2629	2668
C	Double	342	2638	2602
D	Fiddle	060	042	042

10. This simple two-speed 2:1/4:1 system is ideal for boats with mainsails to 135 ft2 (12.5 m2) and end-boom sheeting.

11. This system is often found on boats like J/24s where a center-mounted swivel base is desired.

12. Boats with mainsails as large as 240 ft2 (22.3m2) and end-boom sheeting can use this 3:1/6:1 two-speed system.

13. This 3:1/6:1 system is a great setup for sportboats.

14. This system is similar to system 13. Use the 4:1/8:1 for more power.

15. This 6:1/24:1 system is used on boats with mains as large as 275 ft2 (25.5 m2) and end-boom sheeting.

Harken Deck Specs | Traveler | Mainsheet | Genoa Lead Car | Boom Vangs | Outhauls Systems | Cunninghams | Spinnaker | Spinnaker Pole Handling | Mastbase & Cabin Top | Backstay Adjusters | Mainsail Reefing | Self-Tracking Jibs /Staysails | Metric Conversions /Drilling Guide | Rigging Breaking Strengths | Loading Formulas | Ball Bearings | Maintenance