Lee: This video was so helpful in installing a new ratchet block with a spring. I bought the block, spring, and strap from the Dinghy Shop. Great people who helped me out when I was removing the old block. Glad to have met you in person at a wonderful regatta. It was a lot of fun. Now I have a lot to improve on! Keep up the great videos!
I would also add a square plate underneath with holes drilled to let the bolts slide through. This will add much more stability to the unit. If that thin piece of fiberglass breaks, you’ve got problems. Great video by the way 👍
Excellent video Lee. I've grown up sailing my sunfish for 40 years never had a block but I think with my very little racing (one or two a year) I'm going to like it once I finally get around to putting one on.
Swivel cleat is same except there are usually 3 or 4 holes in the base. Definitely use the biggest STAINLESS washers that will fit or use a backing plate. The part that Lee installed isnt a D ring, it's a stainless eye strap, so if you are searching online, look for eye strap.
Thanks! I actually tried the line, my fingers weren’t strong enough.... come to think about it. I could have compressed it with a vice grip and tied the line. Thanks!
Good video too. I might skip the spring too. Hopefully launching soon. So much debris in the water here in Old Saybrook coming down the CT River. I may wait to launch. Loving the videos!
Hey Lee, mounting my new main sheet block today, on my new boat. Thanks for the demo on how to install the spring with the zip ties! Great idea! Hope to see you this fall, I really enjoyed catching up with you last week. Say hi to Jim for me. 😎
Hi Lee, I sail up close in NE Ohio on Pymatuning with Steve Adkins. They are in a club south of us on the lake. We were talking about the sunfish boom block purchase. I just ordered them for my and my wife’s boat and longer main sheets. Do you have a video got to install. Seems pretty simple but wanted to ask since you are the pro. Steve is whaaaay smart too!
Good video. I would add that in selecting a block someone may consider one with a rachet. . Any thoughts on doing a video showing installation of a swivel cleat for the mainsheet?
Thanks for the comment. I did mention briefly that the Mainsheet block I was installing was a ratchet block. I didn’t have time to go through all the different types of blocks. :) Of I can fit the install of a swivel block in my time I’ll try to do It. But it’s basically the same principles :).
As Lee says, the swivel cam cleat install is similar, but there are 3 holes and a little extra care are needed to ensure you have clearance under the lip of the cockpit for washers and nylock nuts, both from the cockpit bulkhead and the lip. There are a few photos on our Small Boat Restoration blog: smallboatrestoration.blogspot.com/2013/05/swivel-cam-cleat-installation.html
Awesome video, Lee ! Zip ties for the win! I’m curious-... What is the purpose of starting with the smaller pilot hole? Is it simply to ensure you don’t make too big a hole, or is just to line things up? Thanks!
A mainsheet block with a cleat to secure the line is what I would like to have on the Sunfish... It leaves you with a free hand instead of having to hang on to the mainsheet line all the time....
im thinking i would have put a long thick block of wood under the deck to stiffen up that area.........after all, its just a old fiberglass deck. let me see what others think..........cool trick for the spring, may do that to my zuma when i change out my jam cleat-fairlead for a new ronstan 55mm ratchet block.
Using a sealant in the hole I don’t think is necessary. There is no material in the hole that can rot. That being said, sealant is cheap and I don’t think it would hurt, so why not.
Never use silicone on a boat. Use butyl tape (putty-like stuff). You will thank me. Only jerry riggers use silicone. In this situation I would use neither.
That tip in the end is kind of genius! Thanks!
Thank you!!
Lee: This video was so helpful in installing a new ratchet block with a spring. I bought the block, spring, and strap from the Dinghy Shop. Great people who helped me out when I was removing the old block. Glad to have met you in person at a wonderful regatta. It was a lot of fun. Now I have a lot to improve on! Keep up the great videos!
Thanks Lisa! Great to have met you:)
If you put another eye on the bottom as a backer plate instead of the washers, you get a handy tie point to attach gear.securely in the cockpit.
Great idea! Thanks!
I would also add a square plate underneath with holes drilled to let the bolts slide through. This will add much more stability to the unit. If that thin piece of fiberglass breaks, you’ve got problems. Great video by the way 👍
Thank you. You’re right. The more force you can spread out, the better. Fender washers work well, if they can fit under the lip.
Excellent video Lee.
I've grown up sailing my sunfish for 40 years never had a block but I think with my very little racing (one or two a year) I'm going to like it once I finally get around to putting one on.
It definitely makes it easier to trim the sail in moderately heavy winds! :)
Swivel cleat is same except there are usually 3 or 4 holes in the base. Definitely use the biggest STAINLESS washers that will fit or use a backing plate. The part that Lee installed isnt a D ring, it's a stainless eye strap, so if you are searching online, look for eye strap.
Thanks Tim!! Yes. I figured out eye strap but said it like only once. I was testing you. ;).
The zip ties are such a good idea. I will definitely use that in the future.
Thanks for the comment
A small line also works and you don’t make any garbage! Great videos Lee!
Thanks! I actually tried the line, my fingers weren’t strong enough.... come to think about it. I could have compressed it with a vice grip and tied the line. Thanks!
Good video too. I might skip the spring too. Hopefully launching soon. So much debris in the water here in Old Saybrook coming down the CT River. I may wait to launch. Loving the videos!
Maybe from all that flash flooding?? Stay safe. Thanks!
@@LeeSideSailing yes, it’s awful. Supposed to PHRF Thursday, think we will be canceling. Too much debris, don’t want hull damage.
Hey Lee, mounting my new main sheet block today, on my new boat. Thanks for the demo on how to install the spring with the zip ties! Great idea! Hope to see you this fall, I really enjoyed catching up with you last week. Say hi to Jim for me. 😎
Awesome to see you too! Glad the video helped. :)
Glad I found you, helpful video. I am in search of a used boat and think these will help.
Thanks for the comment !
Consider a metal backer underneath to solve any question of that thin fiberglass breaking off.
Gracias Lee!!
Awesomeness thanks!
Thanks!!
Thanks Lee!
You’re welcome!
brilliant!
Thank you!!!
Very useful. I am installing one because my son is missing the one from the optimist.
😀👍🏽
Great video Lee!
Thanks Kent!
Hi Lee,
I sail up close in NE Ohio on Pymatuning with Steve Adkins. They are in a club south of us on the lake. We were talking about the sunfish boom block purchase. I just ordered them for my and my wife’s boat and longer main sheets. Do you have a video got to install. Seems pretty simple but wanted to ask since you are the pro. Steve is whaaaay smart too!
Yes. There is a video!
Here is the video. th-cam.com/video/dQHPg4aPNGg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=TYBLSPKWYM5j_VMm
@@LeeSideSailing appreciate it Lee.
Good video. I would add that in selecting a block someone may consider one with a rachet. . Any thoughts on doing a video showing installation of a swivel cleat for the mainsheet?
Thanks for the comment. I did mention briefly that the Mainsheet block I was installing was a ratchet block. I didn’t have time to go through all the different types of blocks. :) Of I can fit the install of a swivel block in my time I’ll try to do It. But it’s basically the same principles :).
@@LeeSideSailing my bad, I missed that.
I also said “d strap”. Which is incorrect. It’s really an “I” strap. ;). “Eye strap”. :)
As Lee says, the swivel cam cleat install is similar, but there are 3 holes and a little extra care are needed to ensure you have clearance under the lip of the cockpit for washers and nylock nuts, both from the cockpit bulkhead and the lip. There are a few photos on our Small Boat Restoration blog: smallboatrestoration.blogspot.com/2013/05/swivel-cam-cleat-installation.html
The issue with the washers is much more prevalent with the three bolts. So much that in one of my boats I had to go with only two...
Nylock nut with a stainless steel sheet metal washer should hold everything in place...
Yup. Make the washer as wide as possible to spread the forces
Awesome video, Lee ! Zip ties for the win!
I’m curious-... What is the purpose of starting with the smaller pilot hole? Is it simply to ensure you don’t make too big a hole, or is just to line things up? Thanks!
I pilot hole helps not to chip the gel coat... and helps to guide the larger drill bit- which helps keep the hole true to center.
A mainsheet block with a cleat to secure the line is what I would like to have on the Sunfish... It leaves you with a free hand instead of having to hang on to the mainsheet line all the time....
Installation is very similar. Instead of they eye strap. You have a base with screws
im thinking i would have put a long thick block of wood under the deck to stiffen up that area.........after all, its just a old fiberglass deck.
let me see what others think..........cool trick for the spring, may do that to my zuma when i change out my jam cleat-fairlead for a new ronstan 55mm ratchet block.
Want to add a rachet block. Should I get the cam cleat version?
Thats preference- i dont use them. However many people love them.
@@LeeSideSailing Thank you
How do I rig with just the hook??
The hook is the turning point for a Mainsheet. You don’t have to remove it. It doesn’t get in the way.
I suspect you meant clevis pin and not cotter pin.
Maybe. I made some mistakes with naming things. “D rings” vs “eye straps” come to mind :)
Using a sealant in the hole I don’t think is necessary. There is no material in the hole that can rot. That being said, sealant is cheap and I don’t think it would hurt, so why not.
Never use silicone on a boat. Use butyl tape (putty-like stuff). You will thank me. Only jerry riggers use silicone. In this situation I would use neither.