When the sails begin to slat in light air plus swell, we suffer from one of the blocks of the Outhaul which reside within the boom, slamming against the boom with a resultant rifle shot crack! It's quite disconcerting and certainly deprives one of sleep!

When I removed the outhaul a week or two ago (first time I'd removed it) I found that the construction was a 6:1 block and tackle affair, and that the distance between the two block was long - as I've tried to show in the attached photo. The line is then brought back to a clutch in the cockpit where a winch is available.

I am considering changing the arrangement in two possible ways and would welcome advise along the lines of; "No don't do it! or go with number 1 - or some better approach I've not thought of!"

Option 1 would be to arrange it so that the two blocks are much closer together - that will move the aft block closer to the mast, and therefore when the sail slats, the momentum in the aft block will be significantly reduced - hopefully reducing the noise.

Option 2 would be to eliminate the block and tackle entirely and use the winch whenever I need to adjust the outhaul. (I rarely have to use the winch to make an adjustment.)

Bill Balme

Hi Bill,
Sounds like a plan regarding the outhaul.
With regards to the side deck 4-1 b&t arrangement, yes, there are 3 control lines attached to the boom at all times (2 side-deck lines and the sheet): the side deck lines are brought back to the cockpit through brakes allowing for easy control at all times. The windward line is always slack (not braked) while the leeward b&t is always firmed up. The farther from close hauled we are sailing, the more this arrangement serves as the boom vang (and preventer until the boom end is over the side of the boat where an offshore preventer is used that goes to boom end). (We have no other vang.)
I believe I have written elsewhere in these pages in greater detail about this arrangement. Tell me if not found.
My best, Dick