Dave Kautz, owner of P-15 #1632 "Tilly Lucy", has developed a unique main sheet control combination system whereby he can use either his mid-boom main sheet block, which I will call a "headknocker" or the boom-end main sheet V-Cleat, to control the main sheet on his P-15.

It is a very simple system...but somewhat difficult to explain! Dave has installed a Ronstan Load Sensing Ratcheting Block on his P-15's boom near or at the location of the original turning block. (Dave has stated he has considered changing this block for the Rostan RF-5 Swivel Base Swivelling Cam-Cleat Block. Photo one below shows the Ronstan RF-5 Block) He has also installed at the aft end of the boom, on the main sheet a Trapeze/Exit V-Cleat at the location where the original double block would be attached to the boat's traveler. (See photo two below)This modification also requires the addition of an extra block at the end of the boom. See photo three.

At each end of the main sheet a stopper knot is tied after the main sheet is led through both the headknocker and the aft V-Cleat. To use the headknocker as the main sheet control, the main sheet is pulled, at the headknocker, until the knot at the aft end of the sheet has engaged the V-Cleat and cleated. To use the aft V-Cleat as the main sheet control, the main sheet is pulled, at the V-Cleat until the forward knot has engaged the headknocker and cleated.

Photograph One. Although this photo is of "Piglet's" headknocker, and not Dave Kautz's Ratcheting Block installed on "Tilly Lucy", it does show what the installation of the Ronstan RF 5 looks like.

Photograph Two. This photo does show the Trapeze/Exit V-Cleat as installed on "Tilly Lucy". You should note two things: one is the lovely green sheet that Dave has installed as main sheeting! (Piglet is so jealous!) The second item is the SS Carabiner that allows Dave to quickly attach the main sheet to the boat's traveler.

The below photograph shows the overall view of the aft end arrangement of Dave's main sheet control. You should note that the aft stopper knot of the main sheet is not cleated at the V-Cleat, which would indicate that on this day Dave was using the Boom-End V-Cleat as his main sheet control.