Catalina 22--Jim's Little Boat--Never Make Fast the Sheets of a Small Boat

[@astrayalien]

Thankyou Jim, you never waste my time

[@jamesmathews6771]

Thanks Jim. Can't tell you how many times I have heeled way too far in high gusty wind before I managed to uncleat the main sheet And I like the tip on letting the traveler set itself on a tack. I appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. Jim M. , Brandon Mississippi.

[@chrisburns5691]

another option is just to head up into the wind a bit and spill some wind from the sails, get it under control.

[@daveopincarne3718]

Great video Jim. I agree with you about the relationship between angle of heal and spousal contentment. Heal rate is also a huge factor. One mod I made on my C22 was to add a 10" pigtail between the fiddle block and the traveler car. Elevating the fiddle block means that trimming the sheet pulls it out of the cam cleat. To cleat it, I have to raise the sheet up as I trim. I find it much easier and faster to release it this way rather than an awkward pull towards the cockpit floor.

[@jimslittleboat4388]

I came to the same conclusion, Dave. After a really puffy day, I made the same modification. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4mchpiqaNmfp68. You mention cross sheeting. We did demonstrate that in another video--to use the jib winches to tension the main and the jib. Mostly it is just me and a buddy so we sit on the high side and use the leeward winch as a snubbing winch. This summer we realized that we haven't used the jib winch handle for a few years. Thanks for watching.

[@daveopincarne3718]

@@jimslittleboat4388 my pleasure Jim. I found your channel when we first started looking for a C22 and have been fans ever since. Was delighted to learn you were local, which makes your trip reports even more informative.

[@daveopincarne3718]

@@jimslittleboat4388 Hi Jim, I was thinking about this conversation during a blustery solo sail today. I've developed a new technique for cross sheeting my head sail I wanted to share with you. I've started putting a single wrap on the lee winch and then passing the sheet across the cockpit with one or two wraps on the windward winch. The two winches act in tandem, allowing me to sweat the sheet with little effort. With the slack out and the tail cleated, I grasp the sheet mid-span and pull towards me. The leeward cleat passes the sheet along but has enough friction to hold as long as I maintain tension. As I relax the pull, I trim the line coming off the windward winch, which now engages. I can play the puffs easily by pulling or easing mid span. The single wrap limits overrides. Also, because the load is distributed and the cleat is next to me, it is much easier to release the sheet.

[@jimslittleboat4388]

@@daveopincarne3718 Sounds like a good plan. We seldom do it that way, b,ut as we get older, we may use your idea.

[@daveopincarne3718]

@@jimslittleboat4388 It sounds like you're calling me old.😉

[@GoJimBailey]

EXCELLENT INFO .. THANK YOU

[@prestonm16]

Love the videos Jim. Keep em coming!

[@doomedtosail403]

Great videos! We're sailing a Catalina 22 in Maine.

[@brianluck84]

Thanks for the pointers. The admiral doesn't enjoy heeling as much as I do

[@cometjockeydave4041]

Hey Jim, really enjoyed the video. If that jaw cleat for the jib keeps hardening up that much I wonder how many wraps you're putting on that winch drum I've had times when I had too many wraps, in light air on a 30 footer I used to sail, and had to take a wrap or two back off to get the jib to go out. If you put another one or two wraps on the drum in 25 knots I think you'll find that it takes less effort to hold the jib sheet from slipping out, and it should take care of the issue with the sheet hardening up in that cleat. Also if that line ever gets stuck in that cleat again you could always drop the handle in the winch, and grind it just a couple clicks, just enough to get the tension off the cleat and the line will come right out. Here's looking forward to some videos of you enjoying that boat. Please stay safe, and fair winds.

[@jimslittleboat4388]

Excellent ideas.

[@daveopincarne3718]

See my comment above for managing the main sheet. With that under control, I've used Comet Jockey's suggestion of more wraps (3-4) to manage the jib sheet uncleated. A little tension is enough to maintain sufficient friction on the drum to keep it in position.

[@anchoradventures13]

Thanks for the tips!

[@russellbynum2414]

The newer cam cleats are pretty easy to release while under tension. I added Ronstan "C" cleats on teak risers to our C22 last winter and so far my crew has been really happy with how easy they are to use. (That and the spinlock clutches I put on the cabin top for the halyards were both big hits with the crew.) That said...it's easy and quick just to luff up a bit if you get a big gust or a lift and find yourself overpowered and/or oversheeted.

[@jimslittleboat4388]

Mostly I would agree with you Russell--but on that particular day we were close to disaster and the boat would not round up. The same kind of cleats caused us to capsize in a Tanzer, when the sheet accidentally cleated itself. I aslso single hand now and then. So--mostly I agree with you, but there are times...

[@russellbynum2414]

@@jimslittleboat4388 capsize in a Tanzer must have been a crazy ride. :-) Keep up the great videos.

[@Interfer0]

Have you considered Nash Trigger cleats? Thats what I have and it seems to work well for releasing.

[@jimslittleboat4388]

Good information, Daniel. I have not heard of them. Just looked them up--looks like a good idea. I am happy with the new arrangement even though this might be better.

[@daveopincarne3718]

Jim, have you tried cross sheeting?

[@douglasmckeever2739]

Can you say more about the “mid-boom sheeting”. I’m not sure from the video what that is.

[@amaturemusicians]

I guess this puts the dream of self tailing winches to bed ( unless it’s under five knots?) Good info