So after doing plenty of research and weighing out all the options, we installed the will Paxton setup. This was simple to install and easy to operate.

I thought it would be hard to repeat settings but seems pretty easy so far. We have raced one race so far but the sail seems to have better shape, we point higher and in general faster. More races to go to finalize but first pass is that this was a good move!

Just wanted to update people as this is always a debated topic!

:: We changed to the floating leads last Spring and the old
:: #1 looks better and the new #1 looks great.
::
:: Our system is similar to El Raton with a piece of track
:: perpendicular from the rail and using a pinstop
:: (Ronstan) car on the track. An important part of this
:: system is to build a sheet guide to the winch to prevent
:: over-rides.
::
::
::
:: :: Doh!
:: ::
:: :: How much of a difference does it make if the sails are
:: :: not recut for the floating leads?
:: ::
:: :: I am thinking of converting over and then get new sails
:: :: in a few years with them cut for floating leads.
:: ::
:: :: :: Bryan - when we went to floating leads we did not need
:: :: :: to move our jib sheet turning blocks. Can't imagine why
:: :: :: it would need to go back so far.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: One key thing people need to know is that floating leads
:: :: :: are great but
:: ::
:: :: :: Your sails need to be cut for floating leads given the
:: :: :: change to sheeting angles, etc... Important to factor
:: :: :: that into your plan. If you are going to order new sails
:: :: :: and want floating leads then move to new leads and work
:: :: :: with your sailmaker to make sure the sail is optimally
:: :: :: designed.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: Matt
:: :: ::
:: :: :: :: on these systems how far aft is the block the sheet goes
:: :: :: :: to after the floating lead?
:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: i was planning on taking mine all the way to the aft
:: :: :: :: pulpit like the spinnaker sheet. I'm thinking that if
:: :: :: :: its to close to the lead then the floating lead will not
:: :: :: :: define where the sheet is sheeted from.
:: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: Don - I had some pictures of a few of the options so
:: :: :: :: :: consolidated into a little presentation for you with
:: :: :: :: :: some my thoughts.
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: Would be really interested to get other people's views
:: :: :: :: :: as I may not be aware of other alternatives or all the
:: :: :: :: :: pros/cons that are out there.
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: I am hoping we can get pictures / commentary on a number
:: :: :: :: :: of systems (forestay fine tune, backstay, main sheet,
:: :: :: :: :: trav, etc....), consolidate and share as a reference for
:: :: :: :: :: people looking to make changes and for out of town boats
:: :: :: :: :: who dont have alot of other examples to look at.
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: Hope this helps.
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B54ienMG_azoRm4yZ2dyWDlHZzg/edit...
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: :: I was looking at updating the tracks for the jib and was
:: :: :: :: :: :: wondering if people have converted to a floating lead
:: :: :: :: :: :: system for the jib.
:: :: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: :: If so does anyone have pics or a description of what
:: :: :: :: :: :: they used.
:: :: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: :: Thanks,
:: :: :: :: ::
:: :: :: :: :: :: Don