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i am asking of the COLLECTIVE knowledge base of sailors here what is their best solution for single-handing the Genoa from the helm ?
.... coming from an assumption and opinion that running the sheets back from the blocks on the cockpit sides to the cabin-top winches and cleats, is impractical or nearly impossible to manage - tacking and hauling in the sheets without letting go of the wheel, or losing purchase while holding the wheel.
After much thought i have come to the conclusion that i need to find something like a swivel-base cam cleat to put on my genoa block car, so i can haul and cleat the Genoa sheets single-handed from the helm.
....Thought about mounting an aft set of winches, or turning blocks and cam cleats after the track-block, but the simplest thing would be a swiveling base under the Genoa blocks and a cam cleat. Not sure if the spring mounted block will behave properly and run the sheet fair to the cam-cleat.
If the cam cleat on swivel base would work, what is the best source or brand for this particular hardware ? better yet, the exact model that works. ?

Sometimes in high winds I've wanted to furl the Genny in a bit, and found I'd have to release the wheel just to uncleat the sheets, not to mention losing the windward sheet and having it drag in the water until I could retrieve it. Taking a couple of wraps on the winch can sure help pulling the sheets to center, but i guess they aren't really necessary for Macs?

they help, but unless using the crank handles, are not much different than just hauling thru a cleat. Seems the windward sheet could be controlled by leaving it sheaved and stop-knotted, if it was the right length.

Hello:
We have little stop balls at the end of the sheets so they can't run out of the car pulley.
If I was single handing I think I would rig a jib to be self tending. My sailing buddy in the San Juans last year chartered a Freedom 30 which was set up for self tending. The easiest boat if ever there was to sail. Just steer like a car after the initial setup.

thanks so far....
Genoa ....... doesn't lend itself to self tending, unless furled to where the sail can cross in front of the mast without touching it while tacking.

I have the "best solution for single-handing the Genoa from the helm" and also the Jib.
I sell ss cars with cam-cleat and fairlead, that swivel, and attach to the Genoa track.
I sold a pair to John DeFino and he has a picture of them on his Genoa track, with the Genoa block to its left, on his website http://www.thecyberbuddy.com/Sailing/Page21.html
under "SHEET HANDLING"

Bill,

How much?

They look like just the thing...

My only concern with using these for the jib would be the sheet rubbing against the cabin top. I assume (maybe that's the problem) that you'd suggest using the standard jib sheet blocks on the jib track (to maintain shape), and running the sheets back to these on the Genoa track, rather that the cam cleats on the cabin top. But, wouldn't that mean the jib sheet would rub the aft corner of the cabin top?

Also, as I've been thinking about the cruising spinnaker, I was thinking about how I was going to actually sail it, and they look like they'd work for that too... Although, we'll find out if I'm able to actually pull the sheet without the winch... By the way, you never did say whether you could get the crusing spinnaker in a different color scheme (at least you didn't say you could for the same price)...

Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL wrote:I have the "best solution for single-handing the Genoa from the helm" and also the Jib.
I sell ss cars with cam-cleat and fairlead, that swivel, and attach to the Genoa track.
I sold a pair to John DeFino and he has a picture of them on his Genoa track, with the Genoa block to its left, on his website http://www.thecyberbuddy.com/Sailing/Page21.html
under "SHEET HANDLING"

Jezzus. OK, Bill... I give up. How much will it cost to have you come to Phila and fix up my d*mned boat the way MacGregor should have done it in the first place? And bring Moe with'ya to fix my electrics while you're at it.

$130/pair, including shipping.
I've been using basically the same idea for over 10 years. On my 26C I had to cut holes in the coaming side so I could install the backing plates and nuts. This one is much better quality, and simpler to install - goes right on the Genoa track.
Never noticed any wear on the cabin or coaming top.
I use it for my Jib, Genoa, and Spinnaker sheets.
You don't need winches to tighten up the sheets. Do a quick S-turn to take the pressure off, and sheet it in.
The only thing I use my winch for is to tighten up my hammock on the foredeck.

Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL wrote: . . . The only thing I use my winch for is to tighten up my hammock on the foredeck.

Me too ... and for raising the mast (until I add an Eric-winch to the gin pole)!

Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL wrote:The only thing I use my winch for is to tighten up my hammock on the foredeck.

Bill, how much do you charge for those foredeck hammocks?

--
Moe

BAby stays to pulpit.......with the hammock....

Why didnt I think of that......

now that is a mod., step on the dink and your in.

To handle my 135 genoa, I installed two cheap cam cleats just inboard of the rear docking cleats. I positioned them so the docking cleats take 90 percent of the load,and the cam cleats just hold the line. Never have to leave my seat to tack. I don't use my winches at all. I have small lines tied to the sheets and the docking cleat so the sheets don't get away.

Bill at Bill's Boats.....when using the OEM jib, do you run the sheets thru the carrs on the forward rails, then also thru your pictured block and cleat on the aft Genny rails....or skip the forward rails, and rig them the same as the Genny...on the aft rails? Thanks in advance. BTW, You are a great asset to this board Bill.

Through the Jib cars on the jib track, back to and through the fairlead and cam-cleat on the Genoa track at the helm.