Replacing mainsheet swivel and block
Over the years Strait Rhumb's mainsheet swivel had worn and become very loose. Instead of being able to cleat the sheet with a flick of the wrist it sometimes took two hands. The problem was that the angle of the cam cleat was such that it was below the lip of the cockpit combing. This was not what you wanted to be doing when you were well heeled and the gusts were coming hard and frequently.
Repair was impossible so replacement was necessary. A Harken 205 swivel seemed just the right size and it stood up a little higher so the angle of entry meant that the sheet easily cleared the combing. I was lucky that the base of the swivel fit within the existing footprint of the old fitting and it was simply a matter of drilling new bolt hole, applying a good seal of silicone and bolting the Harken into place. I also added a new 57 mm block. I had considered a block with a becket but decided that the old system of fixing the end of the sheet to the deck had some advantages including spreading the load to a different point on the deck and giving a better angle of attach for the sheet into the block.
I had installed an access hatch in the stern so it was relatively easy to reach the nuts which mercifully were not seized.
With new guide holes drilled it was simply a matter of bolting the new fitting into place. It might be noted that once again the original stainless bolts and nuts were in very good shape but that the washers had completely deteriorated.
The finished product!
Total cost - under $100.00
Time - about one hour (does not include time to cut and install access hatch
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